Zhao Dai’s Guide to the Best Restaurants and Cafes in Beijing
Zhao Dai’s Guide to the Best Restaurants and Cafes in Beijing
There aren't many electronic music festivals in China.
Enter the Beijing club Zhao Dai and its annual festival, Zhao Dai on Leave, which takes place on the beach resort of Aranya. Both of these spaces have played a seminal role in shaping China's electronic scene, providing artists across the country with a platform to showcase themselves, and promoters with a hub in which to explore various sounds.
Like most electronic scenes around the world, China's underground community is a tight-knit network made up of music aficionados and friends. This year, Trippin made its debut in China at Zhao Dai by presenting two afterparties for Zhao Dai on Leave.
Within the past year, Zhao Dai has taken an increasingly more global approach to its programming. In this travel guide, the team behind the club show us their personal tour of Beijing, particularly the restaurants and cafes they frequent with touring artists who've been booked to play at Zhao Dai. Below, you'll find a selection of must-visit spots covering a spectrum of Chinese cuisines, from Yunnan dishes to delicacies from the mountainous areas of Guizhou. Here, you can also find out where to go for the best Chongqing noodles, roast duck or geese – and, also, a capybara who lives in one of Beijing's most well-loved coffee shops.
In this Guide
牛街清真满恒記 (Manhengji)
“Manhengji does the most authentic Old Beijing hotpot. Located in the bustling Niujie area, here, the hotpot uses traditional flavours and is cooked to strict halal standards. Copper pots and charcoal are used to cook the broth. Be warned: it's best to avoid peak dining hours or you might find yourself waiting in line for a long time. Once you can get a seat, the experience is worth the wait. Must-try dishes include the Huimin-style stir-fried tripe – a traditional Beijing snack that's particularly popular in halal restaurants. Don't miss the hand-cut lamb leg meat too. However, if you're not accustomed to the gamey taste of lamb, you might want to think twice. The lamb here retains its most primitive flavour, which might not be for everyone. But with its affordable price, generous portions and great value, it'll be money well spent. If you're a hotpot enthusiast, Manhengji is a place you can't miss.”
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凯珍 (Guizhou)
“Guizhou is renowned for its unique sour fish soup – a traditional delicacy of the Miao and Dong ethnic groups. The allure of this dish lies not only in the tender fish and the rich soup, but also in its distinctive sour and spicy flavour. Typically, this dish pairs fresh fish with homemade fermented soup, and it's seasoned with spices like chilli peppers and wood ginger, all boiled together to create an appetising, sour and spicy dish. In a Guizhou restaurant, you can also experience the rich array of ingredients from the Guizhou mountains. Tip: try the 50% love 50% hate dish 鱼腥草.”
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Luzhou Yaomei Private Kitchens
“All my friends who like Sichuan food say this is the one. This place serves authentic Sichuan flavours. The tofu pudding is a highlight. Made from top-quality soy beans, it is carefully grounded and fermented to produce a delicate texture and rich bean flavour. Whether paired with spicy sauce, numbing sauce or sugar water, it'll keep you coming back for more. Kung pao chicken, mapo tofu, and boiled fish with pickled cabbage and chilli; each dish is a perfect interpretation of the essence of Sichuan cuisine. Located in Wangjing, it's not in the most central area but it's a very authentic, small restaurant that's worth the trip.”
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隐厨 三里屯店 (Yinchu)
“Hunan cuisine is considered to be quite spicy among the many provinces in China that love spicy food. Those who are not confident with spice should be cautious. This is serious. At this Hunan cuisine restaurant, you can enjoy authentic chopped pepper fish head and old Changsha stinky tofu. The chopped pepper fish head is known for its spiciness and freshness. The old Changsha stinky tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a unique fermented aroma and special sauce that makes it rich in flavour. The restaurant's team carefully prepares the dishes to ensure they present the most authentic Hunan flavours, allowing you to experience the culture and charm of Hunan through delicious food. Almost every dish needs to be eaten with rice, which is the way.”
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一坐一忘 (Yin & Out)
“This one is one of our favourites. All the DJs we've brought here love the food. It feels like our canteen, and we have tried almost every dish. Even during the peak hours on weekends, the quality is still guaranteed. One of the characteristics of Yunnan cuisine is its diversity and regional features. Yunnan's varied topography and rich climates provide a wealth of ingredients. Therefore, the menu of this restaurant includes a variety of dishes, including wild mushrooms unique to Yunnan, fresh vegetables, various meats and fish. The taste of Yunnan dishes is typically fresh and light, emphasising the natural flavours of the ingredients, and also uses some unique seasonings such as Yunnan's pickled vegetables, xiaomi chilli and Sichuan pepper to enhance the flavour. You can expect to taste some classic Yunnan dishes such as Crossing the Bridge noodles, Yunnan-style stir-fried meat, pickled vegetable fish and bamboo tube rice. These dishes are not only rich in flavour but also have unique cooking methods, allowing you to experience the local customs and flavours of Yunnan while enjoying the food.”
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Sheng Yong Xing
“Although the price is high, this restaurant is still worth a try. I only recommend the roast duck. The other dishes are OK, but the value is not as good. There are wines from France, Italy, Australia and China to choose from. Sheng Yong Xing is a duck restaurant known for its unique flavours and exceptional quality. The restaurant selects high-quality ducks and uses a meticulous curing and special preparation process to ensure that the flavour is at its best. The cooking of the duck is meticulous, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat with a golden colour. The restaurant has an elegant and comfortable environment with warm and attentive service, providing an excellent dining experience for both family meals and business gatherings. The duck's distinct flavours and quality have attracted many diners, making it a highly-acclaimed duck restaurant.”
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Pang Mei Noodles
“A cheap, fast-food noodle spot. This small noodle shop is known for its excellent Chongqing noodles and laoma chao shou. Chongqing noodles are a specialty of the Sichuan region, famous for its spicy and numbing flavours. The Chongqing noodles at this shop are made with high-quality flour, resulting in noodles that are springy and elastic. When cooked, the noodles are combined with a special spicy sauce. The overall taste is spicy and rich without being dry, and numbing without being greasy.”
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Sanqingtan
“Finding a restaurant in Beijing that specialises in Guangdong roast goose can be a bit of a challenge. Guangdong roast goose is a classic Cantonese dish known for its crispy skin, tender meat and golden colour. These establishments typically select high-quality geese that are carefully raised to ensure the freshness of the meat. The preparation involves several steps, including marinating, drying and basting; the meat absorbs the aroma of fruitwoods during the roasting process, creating a smoked flavour. When served, the roast goose is often accompanied by a special sweet sauce for dipping, which complements the sweetness of the sauce with the succulence of the goose, enhancing the overall flavour profile. In addition to roast goose, Sanqingtan usually offers other classic Cantonese dishes such as claypot rice, white cut chicken, steamed fish and more. The restaurant's environment and service are designed to match the quality of the food. It's advisable not to visit during peak hours as you might have to queue. It's also best to order early as sometimes the roast goose sells out quickly.”
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postpost
“postpost is a cute cafe with a good selection of independent magazines and books.”
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Takara
“Capybara, capybara, capybara! This cafe is a haven filled with adorable, small pets. The interior is cosy, with pet photos hanging on the walls, comfortable sofas and soft cushions. Dogs, cats, rabbits and birds play freely, and customers can interact with them. The cafe combines the warmth of a home with the tranquility of a coffee shop.”
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