What's so appealing about Beijing cuisine? Top 10 famous dishes you must try

As a prominent  culinary symbol of the Chinese capital, Peking duck has long been an indispensable name in the list of Beijing delicacies that any tourist wants to experience. This dish is so famous that it is on the menu of most restaurants specializing in Chinese cuisine in Beijing.

When tasting roast duck, diners will feel the delicate blend of crispy, not greasy skin and rich flavor from traditional marinade. This is the highlight that creates a unique mark for this famous dish on the Beijing culinary map.

What makes Peking duck different is not only the elaborate preparation but also the elaborate way of enjoying it. Depending on the restaurant, the dish can be served with green onions, cucumbers, thin pancakes or many unique sauces – providing a complete experience of traditional flavors. At high-end restaurants, visitors are also instructed on how to properly roll and eat roast duck, creating an unforgettable Beijing culinary experience for anyone looking for the answer to the question "what to eat in Beijing".

Zhajiang Mian is a traditional Chinese noodle dish that is widely known as a symbol of Beijing cuisine. It is also one of the outstanding dishes that anyone who wants  to explore Beijing specialties should not miss.

This delicious dish consists of three main ingredients: handmade noodles with the right amount of chewiness, flavorful minced pork, and fresh vegetables. Depending on the season, the vegetables served can vary, but rarely have fewer than seven types – an interesting feature of this dish. Thanks to the skillful blend of the rich flavor of the bean sauce and the freshness of the vegetables, Zhajiang noodles are always on the list of famous Beijing dishes loved by tourists.

Not only delicious, Zhajiang noodles also have the advantage of being quick to prepare, very suitable for those who want a convenient lunch but still rich in flavor. This is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a complete Chinese culinary experience in a short time.

On the journey to explore Beijing cuisine, visitors can hardly ignore the candied fruit - a sweet symbol of Beijing street food. Frequently appearing in Chinese historical films, this dish impresses with its colorful appearance from many types of fresh fruit, covered with a transparent, crispy layer of candied fruit. The fruit balls are strung on bamboo sticks, both convenient and beautiful. Not only attractive for its refreshing sweetness, candied fruit is also popularly used as a traditional Chinese dish that is good for digestion. This is one of the famous sweets that anyone who sets foot in Beijing should try at least once. 

If you are exploring Beijing cuisine, do not miss the shredded pork mixed with sauce - one of the traditional Beijing specialties. The main ingredient is tender and fragrant lean shoulder meat, carefully marinated with rich sauce for several hours to absorb the meat and keep it tender and juicy. When processed, the meat is shredded and mixed with a special Beijing-style sauce, served with shredded cucumber to balance the taste. A little sesame sauce and fresh garlic will highlight the flavor, bringing an unforgettable culinary experience to diners who love Chinese cuisine.

Tofu Nao is one of the indispensable traditional breakfast dishes of the people of the Chinese capital. This dish is made from fresh soy milk combined with gypsum, creating a soft, creamy layer of beans. When enjoying it, you will feel the light taste of soybeans mixed with a little spicy from chili sauce and the aroma of coriander. This is the ideal choice for those who want to explore Beijing cuisine in a sophisticated way full of local flavors. 

When you set foot in the capital of China, you cannot miss steamed dumplings - one of the unique symbols of Beijing cuisine. These small dumplings have a thin crust made from flour, wrapped inside is a rich and attractive filling. The filling can be varied, from minced pork mixed with green onions, cabbage, fried eggs to shrimp and meat or vegetables suitable for vegetarians such as shiitake mushrooms, green beans, taro. This traditional dish is often enjoyed with soy sauce or chili vinegar, creating a harmonious sour and spicy flavor. This is not only a Beijing delicacy but also an indispensable experience in the journey to discover local specialties for tourists who love culinary experiences when traveling to Beijing. 

An indispensable dish on the Beijing culinary map, stinky tofu is made from fermented tofu for a certain period of time to create a unique flavor. When it reaches the perfect ripeness, the seller will deep-fry the tofu pieces, creating a golden, crispy outer layer. This dish is often sprinkled with spices such as curry powder, dried chili or spicy dipping sauce to increase its appeal. Although the characteristic strong aroma of stinky tofu can make many tourists hesitant, this is one of the Beijing street foods that is loved by locals. If you are passionate about exploring traditional Chinese cuisine, try it once to feel the uniqueness of this famous Beijing specialty!

A unique dish that contributes to the characteristics of Beijing cuisine is tea-steamed eggs. Instead of boiling them as usual, people here use tea water cooked with cinnamon, rock sugar and herbs to steam the eggs. This method of preparation gives the eggs a light aroma, a sweeter and richer taste. This is not only a rustic dish but also highly appreciated for its nutritional value, often eaten for breakfast or as a mid-day snack. 

As a delicate appetizer in Beijing cuisine, flower rolls often appear in traditional banquets in Northern China. This dish is made by spreading a thin layer of dough combined with green onions and fragrant sesame oil. When the cake layer is cooked, the chef will skillfully roll it up to create the shape of a blooming flower. Inside the cake layer is a well-fried filling, including ingredients such as vegetables, minced meat or shrimp, bringing a harmonious flavor between the ingredients and an eye-catching appearance. This is one of the special dishes that clearly shows the sophistication of Chinese cuisine in general and traditional Beijing dishes in particular.

In the treasure trove of Beijing cuisine, the “3 non-stick” dish (non-sticky plates, non-sticky chopsticks, non-sticky teeth) is a unique secret that makes diners curious. This dish is made from eggs, starch and sugar – three simple ingredients but requires perfect mixing and skillful frying skills. The chef must stir the mixture at a very high speed before putting it in the pan, if the technique is not mastered, the dish will lose its smoothness and characteristic sweetness. This is one of the outstanding traditional dishes that visitors should not miss when exploring Beijing specialties or learning about Chinese delicacies.

Source of article: Collected and compiled
@traveltips #traveltips