Local favourites

Peking duck likely tops the list of what visitors most want to eat when they come to Beijing. But Peking man does not live on duck alone. The following is a list of some of our favourite dishes in Beijing

Cairou zhengjiao

This exquisite steamed dumpling comes filled with very finely chopped baby bok choi and minced pork and, what's more, you get served ten in a steamer.

Best at Din Tai Fung

Gongbao doufu

This dish is prepared the same way as gongbao jiding (kungpao chicken), except the meat is replaced with cubes of golden crispy beancurd, and cashews take the place of peanuts. Really good.

Best at Bellagio

Hotpot

One of China's most ancient ways of cooking/eatring. Guests dip almost paper- thin slices of mutton – as well as veggies, noodles, mushrooms and more – into a boiling broth which cooks the food quickly. After taking the items out of the soup, dip them in the tahini-based sauce.

Best at Ding Ding Xiang

Sanbei Ya

In preparing Sanbei Ya – or Three-cup Duck – which is the signature dish of Hakka cuisine, the duck is braised in equal amounts of soy sauce, rice wine, and water before cooking. Delightfully tasty.

Best at Han Cang

Spare-ribs in plum sauce

Tender spare-ribs are braised in sweet and pungent sauce with a hint of sour Chinese plum (suanmei). The small cooked plums that garnish the dish are delicious too.

Best at People 8

Twice-cooked pork

This all-time favorite consists of thinly sliced pork stir-fried in a delectable sauce made with sweet flour paste, bean paste and black beans, highlighted with crunchy garlic shoots.

Best at Chuanban

Dominic Fitzsimmons