Wuli Xiang

The name Wuli Xiang, meaning ‘fragrant room,’ accurately describes this elegant space in the Traders Upper East Hotel.A variety of Chinese dishes are available, though the true speciality, which makes Wuli Xiang a rarity in Beijing, is the Huaiyang-styled cooking.

Each dish is based on a single main ingredient, so the essence of the dishes remains pure and unsullied.

The double-boiled duck soup with bamboo shoot (38RMB per person) is a delicate, almost cleansing broth filled with tender meat still on the bone and crunchy vegetable stalks, all retaining a consistent flavour.

Braised sliced pork in oyster sauce (58RMB) is fatty and finger-licking good. The small dishes and desserts, not always of the Huaiyang school, are also well-executed.

The spring onion pancake (15RMB) is just as oily, crispy and aromatic as anything you’ll find on the street, but better quality. Wuli Xiang also specialises in tea, though you’ll have to pay for it.