Delicious Seasonal Chinese Desserts on Offer at Yuangu Bendian, Jianchang Hutong

Beijing is by no means lacking in dessert shops, from cheap options like Baoshifu and Daoxiangcun that are beloved by the elder generation, to fancy afternoon tea destinations that attract the trendy youth. Recently we came across a promising alternative: Yuangu Bendian, a Chinese shop with traditional style confectionaries that also has style to spare.

Hidden in Jianchang Hutong near Arrow Factory, Yuangu Bendian has low key décor, including a rusted bronze plate out front that sports their logo. Bamboo abounds in their small yard, and as you enter you'll be struck by the Chinese traditional furniture and porcelain tableware (all of which is on sale for customers with deep pockets). Their inner room has several wooden tables, chairs and a sofa with a minimalist-style café atmosphere.

They offer a seasonal set menu complying with the Earth’s 24 solar terms (节气, jieqi), with an a la carte menu for you to choose from. The set menu (RMB 180) includes sesame tofu cake, wolfberry rice wine cake, and lily tremella cake, along with jasmine tea served in bamboo cups. Each of these desserts were light in texture and featured sweet and tangy flavors that were subtle and never overwhelmed. Our favorite was the wolfberry rice wine cake, made with 醪糟/laozao rice wine that gave its top layer a mousse-like mouth-feel. Its middle layer, meanwhile, was made of whipped cream with wolfberry, and its bottom had a slightly savory crust. All the flavors were balanced well.

We also liked the lily tremella cake. It looked like a Japanese-style mochi, but without the typical thin wrap made of glutinous rice. Its mousse boasted tremella and lily that served as surprising little delights. while the toasted almond on top provided a sumptuously crunchy texture.

Their jasmine cheese tea, meanwhile, had slightly strong green tea flavors mixed with a floral jasmine aroma. The cheese on top was a delightful mix of sweet and savory.  

All in all, this is a low key, relaxing and tasteful little cafe and dessert shop that'll tempt you to wile your whole weekend afternoon away. Sure, the prices are steeper than your average sweet store, but its creative Chinese twists on confectionaries make for high value overall.   

Yuangu Bendian
Daily 12.30-9pm. 34 Jiancheng Hutong, Dongcheng District (5728 7950)
元古本店：东城区箭厂胡同34号

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos: Tracy Wang, dianping