Beijing cuisine explained

Beijing cuisine, also known as Jing cuisine, Mandarin cuisine and Peking cuisine and formerly as Beiping cuisine, is the local cuisine of Beijing, the national capital of China.

Background

As Beijing has been the capital of China for centuries, its cuisine is influenced by culinary traditions from all over China, but the style that has the greatest influence on Beijing cuisine is that of the eastern coastal province of Shandong.[1] [2] [3] [4] Beijing cuisine has itself, in turn, also greatly influenced other Chinese cuisines, particularly the cuisine of Liaoning, the Chinese imperial cuisine and the Chinese aristocrat cuisine.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Another tradition that influenced Beijing cuisine (as well as influenced by the latter itself) is the Chinese imperial cuisine that originated from the "Emperor's Kitchen", which referred to the cooking facilities inside the Forbidden City, where thousands of cooks from different parts of China showed their best culinary skills to please the imperial family and officials. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to determine the actual origin of a dish as the term "Mandarin" is generalised and refers not only to Beijing, but other provinces as well. However, some generalisation of Beijing cuisine can be characterised as follows: Foods that originated in Beijing are often snacks rather than main courses, and they are typically sold by small shops or street vendors. There is emphasis on dark soy paste, sesame paste, sesame oil and scallions, and fermented tofu is often served as a condiment. In terms of cooking techniques, methods relating to different ways of frying are often used.[1] [4] There is less emphasis on rice as an accompaniment as compared to many other regions in China, as local rice production in Beijing is limited by the relatively dry climate.

Many dishes in Beijing cuisine that are served as main courses are derived from a variety of Chinese Halal foods, particularly lamb and beef dishes,[5] as well as from Huaiyang cuisine.

Huaiyang cuisine has been praised since ancient times in China and it was a general practice for an official travelling to Beijing to take up a new post to bring along with him a chef specialising in Huaiyang cuisine. When these officials had completed their terms in the capital and returned to their native provinces, most of the chefs they brought along often remained in Beijing. They opened their own restaurants or were hired by wealthy locals.[1] [4] The imperial clan of the Ming dynasty, the House of Zhu, who had ancestry from Jiangsu Province, also contributed greatly in introducing Huaiyang cuisine to Beijing when the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing in the 15th century, because the imperial kitchen was mainly Huaiyang style. The element of traditional Beijing culinary and gastronomical cultures of enjoying artistic performances such as Beijing opera while dining directly developed from the similar practice in the culture of Jiangsu and Huaiyang cuisines.[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]

Chinese Islamic cuisine is another important component of Beijing cuisine and was first prominently introduced when Beijing became the capital of the Yuan dynasty. However, the most significant contribution to the formation of Beijing cuisine came from Shandong cuisine, as most chefs from Shandong Province came to Beijing en masse during the Qing dynasty. Unlike the earlier two cuisines, which were brought by the ruling class such as nobles, aristocrats and bureaucrats and then spread to the general populace, the introduction of Shandong cuisine begun with serving the general populace, with much wider market segment, from wealthy merchants to the working class.

History

The Qing dynasty was a major period in the formation of Beijing cuisine. Before the Boxer Rebellion, the foodservice establishments in Beijing were strictly stratified by the foodservice guild. Each category of the establishment was specifically based on its ability to provide for a particular segment of the market. The top ranking establishments served nobles, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants and landlords, while lower ranking establishments served the populace of lower financial and social status. It was during this period when Beijing cuisine gained fame and became recognised by the Chinese culinary society, and the stratification of the foodservice was one of its most obvious characteristics as part of its culinary and gastronomic cultures during this first peak of its formation.[1] [2] [3] [4]

The official stratification was an integral part of the local culture of Beijing and it was not finally abolished officially after the end of the Qing dynasty, which resulted in the second peak in the formation of Beijing cuisine. Meals previously offered to nobles and aristocrats were made available to anyone who could afford them instead of being restricted only to the upper class. As chefs freely switched between jobs offered by different establishments, they brought their skills that further enriched and developed Beijing cuisine. Though the stratification of food services in Beijing was no longer effected by imperial laws, the structure more or less remained despite continuous weakening due to the financial background of the local clientele. The different classes are listed in the following subsections.[1] [2] [3] [4] [6]

Zhuang

Zhuang, or zhuang zihao were the top-ranking foodservice establishments, not only in providing foods, but entertainment as well. The form of entertainment provided was usually Beijing opera, and establishments of this class always had long-term contracts with an opera troupe to perform onsite or contracts with famous performers, such as national-treasure-class performers, to perform onsite, though not on a daily basis. Establishments of this category only accepted customers who came as a group and ordered banquets by appointment, and the banquets provided by establishments of this category often included most, if not all tables, at the site. The bulk foodservice business was catering at customers' homes or other locations, often for birthdays, marriages, funerals, promotions and other important celebrations and festivals. When catering, these establishments not only provided what was on the menu, but fulfilled customers' requests.

Leng zhuangzi lacked any rooms to host banquets, and thus their business was purely catering.

Tang

Tang, or tang zihao, are similar to zhuang establishments, but the business of these second-class establishments were generally evenly divided among onsite banquet hosting and catering (at customers' homes). Establishments of this class would also have long-term contracts with Beijing opera troupes to perform onsite, but they did not have long-term contracts with famous performers, such as national-treasure-class performers, to perform onsite on regular basis; however these top performers would still perform at establishments of this category occasionally. In terms of catering at the customers' sites, establishments of this category often only provided dishes strictly according to their menu.

Ting

Ting, or ting zihao are foodservice establishments which had more business in onsite banquet hosting than catering at customers' homes. For onsite banquet hosting, entertainment was still provided, but establishments of this category did not have long-term contracts with Beijing opera troupes, so that performers varied from time to time, and top performers usually did not perform here or at any lower-ranking establishments. For catering, different establishments of this category were incapable of handling significant catering on their own, but generally had to combine resources with other establishments of the same ranking (or lower) to do the job.

Yuan

Yuan, or yuan zihao did nearly all their business in hosting banquets onsite. Entertainment was not provided on a regular basis, but there were stages built onsite for Beijing opera performers. Instead of being hired by the establishments like in the previous three categories, performers at establishments of this category were usually contractors who paid the establishment to perform and split the earnings according to a certain percentage. Occasionally, establishments of this category would be called upon to help cater at customers' homes, but had to work with others, never taking the lead as establishments like the ting.

Lou

Lou, or lou zihao did the bulk of their business hosting banquets onsite by appointment. In addition, a smaller portion of the business was in serving different customers onsite on a walk-in basis. Occasionally, when catering at customers' homes, establishments of this category would only provide the few specialty dishes they were famous for.

Ju

Ju, or ju zihao generally divided their business evenly into two areas: serving different customers onsite on a walk-in basis, and hosting banquets by appointment for customers who came as one group. Occasionally, when catering at the customers' homes, establishments of this category would only provide the few specialty dishes they were famous for, just like the lou. However, unlike those establishments, which always cooked their specialty dishes on location, establishment of this category would either cook on location or simply bring the already-cooked food to the location.

Zhai

Zhai, or zhai zihao were mainly in the business of serving different customers onsite on a walk-in basis, but a small portion of their income did come from hosting banquets by appointment for customers who came as one group. Similar to the ju, when catering at customers’ homes, establishments of this category would also only provide the few specialty dishes they are famous for, but they would mostly bring the already-cooked dishes to the location, and would only cook on location occasionally.

Fang

Fang, or fang zihao . Foodservice establishments of this category generally did not offer the service of hosting banquets made by appointment for customers who came as one group, but instead, often only offered to serve different customers onsite on a walk-in basis. Establishments of this category or lower would not be called upon to perform catering at the customers' homes for special events.

Guan

Guan, or guan zihao . Foodservice establishments of this category mainly served different customers onsite on a walk-in basis, and in addition, a portion of the income would be earned from selling to-goes.

Dian

Dian, or dian zihao . Foodservice establishments of this category had their own place, like all previous categories, but serving different customers to dine onsite on a walk-in basis only provided half of the overall income, while the other half came from selling to-goes.

Pu

Pu, or pu zihao . Foodservice establishments of this category ranked next to the last, and they were often named after the owners' last names. Establishments of this category had fixed spots of business for having their own places, but smaller than dian, and thus did not have tables, but only seats for customers. As a result, the bulk of the income of establishments of this category was from selling to-goes, while income earned from customers dining onsite only provided a small portion of the overall income.

Tan

Tan, or tan zihao . The lowest ranking foodservice establishments without any tables, and selling to-goes was the only form of business. In addition to name the food stand after the owners' last name or the food sold, these food stands were also often named after the owners' nicknames.

Notable dishes and street foods

Meat and poultry dishes

English Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Notes
Beef wrapped in pancake Chinese: 門釘肉餅 Chinese: 门钉肉饼 Chinese: méndīng ròubǐng
Chinese: 富貴雞 Chinese: 富贵鸡 Chinese: fùguì jī The dish's name literally means "rich chicken" or "wealthy chicken". It is also known as Chinese: jiaohua ji .[7]
Cold pig's ears in sauce Chinese: 拌雙脆 Chinese: 拌双脆 Chinese: bàn shuāngcuì
Dried soy milk cream in tight roll with beef fillings Chinese: 炸卷果 Chinese: 炸卷果 Chinese: zhá juǎnguǒ
Fried dry soybean cream with diced meat filling Chinese: 炸響鈴 Chinese: 炸响铃 Chinese: zhá xiǎnglíng
Fried meatballs Chinese: 炸丸子 Chinese: 炸丸子 Chinese: zhá wánzǐ
Fried pig's liver wrapped in Chinese small iris Chinese: 炸卷肝 Chinese: 炸卷肝 Chinese: zhá juǎngān
Fried triangle Chinese: 炸三角 Chinese: 炸三角 Chinese: zhá sānjiǎo
Fried wheaten pancake with meat and sea cucumber fillings Chinese: 褡褳火燒Chinese: 褡裢火烧 Chinese: dālián huǒshāo
Glazed fried egg cake Chinese: 金絲糕 Chinese: 金丝糕 Chinese: jīnsīgāo
Goat/sheep's intestine filled with blood Chinese: 羊霜腸 Chinese: 羊霜肠 Chinese: yáng shuāngcháng
Chinese: 酸辣湯 Chinese: 酸辣汤 Chinese: suānlà tāng
Chinese: 涮羊肉 Chinese: 涮羊肉 Chinese: shuàn yángròu A variant of hot pot which usually features boiled water as base (no additional spices) and mutton as the main type of meat.
Chinese: 蜜汁葫蘆 Chinese: 蜜汁葫芦 Chinese: mìzhī húlú
Lotus ham Chinese: 蓮棗肉方 Chinese: 莲枣肉方 Chinese: liánzǎo ròufāng
Lotus-shaped cake with chicken Chinese: 蓮蓬雞糕 Chinese: 莲蓬鸡糕 Chinese: liánpéng jīgāo
Chinese: 清湯丸子 Chinese: 清汤丸子 Chinese: qīngtāng wánzǐ
Meat in sauce Chinese: 醬肉 Chinese: 酱肉 Chinese: jiàngròu
Meat wrapped in thin mung bean flour pancake Chinese: 煎餅餜子 Chinese: 煎饼馃子 Chinese: jiānbǐng guǒzǐ
Chinese: 木須肉 Chinese: 木须肉 Chinese: mùxūròu Literally "wood shavings meat"
Napa Cabbage Hot pot Chinese: 酸白菜火鍋 Chinese: 酸白菜火锅 Chinese: suān báicài huǒguō A variant of hot pot of Northeast China origin. Its main ingredients are pickled Napa cabbage, cooked pork belly and other meats, and other typical dishes include leaf vegetables, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, tofu, and seafood. The cooked food is usually eaten with a dipping sauce.
Peking barbecue Chinese: 北京烤肉 Chinese: 北京烤肉 Chinese: Běijīng kǎoròu
Chinese: 北京烤鴨 Chinese: 北京烤鸭 Chinese: Běijīng kǎoyā Usually served with pancakes
Peking dumpling Chinese: 北京餃子 Chinese: 北京饺子 Chinese: Běijīng jiǎozǐ
Chinese: 北京餛飩 Chinese: 北京馄饨 Chinese: Běijīng húndùn
Pickled Chinese cabbage with blood-filled pig's intestines Chinese: 酸菜血腸 Chinese: 酸菜血肠 Chinese: suāncài xuěcháng
Pickled meat in sauce Chinese: 清醬肉 Chinese: 清酱肉 Chinese: qīngjiàngròu
Plain boiled pork Chinese: 白肉 Chinese: 白肉 Chinese: báiròu
Pork in broth Chinese: 蘇造肉 Chinese: 苏造肉 Chinese: sūzào ròu
Pork shoulder Chinese: 水晶肘子 Chinese: 水晶肘子 Chinese: shuǐjīng zhǒuzǐ
Chinese: 爆肚 Chinese: 爆肚 Chinese: bàodù
Roasted meat Chinese: 燒肉 Chinese: 烧肉 Chinese: shāoròu Could be either beef, pork or mutton
Shredded mung bean skin salad Chinese: 拌皮絲 Chinese: 拌皮丝 Chinese: bànpísī
Chinese: 軟炸里脊 Chinese: 软炸里脊 Chinese: ruǎnzhá lǐjī
Stewed pig's organs Chinese: 燉吊子 Chinese: 炖吊子 Chinese: dùn diàozǐ
Chinese: 西紅柿炒雞蛋 Chinese: 西红柿炒鸡蛋 Chinese: xīhóngshì chǎo jīdàn
Sweet and sour spare ribs Chinese: 糖醋排骨 Chinese: 糖醋排骨 Chinese: tángcù páigǔ
Sweet stir-fried mutton / lamb Chinese: 它似蜜 Chinese: 它似蜜 Chinese: tāsìmì
Chinese: 滷煮火燒 Chinese: 卤煮火烧 Chinese: lǔzhǔ huǒshāo
Pea Flour Cake Chinese: 碗豆黄 Chinese: 碗豆黄 Chinese: wǎn dòu huáng

Fish and seafood dishes

English Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Notes
Abalone with peas and fish paste Chinese: 蛤蟆鮑魚 Chinese: 蛤蟆鲍鱼 Chinese: hāmǎ bàoyú The dish's name literally means "toad abalone".
Boiled fish in household-style Chinese: 家常熬魚 Chinese: 家常熬鱼 Chinese: jiācháng áoyú
Braised fish Chinese: 酥魚 Chinese: 酥鱼 Chinese: sūyú
Egg and shrimp wrapped in corn flour pancake Chinese: 糊餅 Chinese: 糊饼 Chinese: húbǐng
Fish cooked with five kinds of sliced vegetable Chinese: 五柳魚 Chinese: 五柳鱼 Chinese: wǔlǐu yú
Chinese: 五香魚 Chinese: 五香鱼 Chinese: wǔxiāng yú
Fish in vinegar and pepper Chinese: 醋椒魚Chinese: 醋椒鱼 Chinese: cùjiāo yú
Fish soaked in soup Chinese: 乾燒魚 Chinese: 干烧鱼 Chinese: gānshāo yú
Sea cucumber with quail egg Chinese: 烏龍吐珠 Chinese: 乌龙吐珠 Chinese: wūlóng tǔzhū The dish's name literally means "the black dragon spits out pearls".
Shrimp chips with egg Chinese: 金魚戲蓮 Chinese: 金鱼戏莲 Chinese: jīnyú xìlián The dish's name literally means "the goldfish playing with the lotus".
Soft fried fish Chinese: 軟炸魚 Chinese: 软炸鱼 Chinese: ruǎnzhá yú

Noodles (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian)

English Image Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Notes
Naked oats noodle Chinese: 莜麵搓魚 Chinese: 莜面搓鱼 Chinese: yóumiàn cuōyú
Noodles with thick gravy Chinese: 打滷麵 Chinese: 打卤面 Chinese: dǎlǔmiàn
Sesame Sauce Noodles Chinese: 麻醬麵 Chinese: 麻醬面 Chinese: májiàngmiàn A popular noodle dish in Northern China. The sesame sauce is mainly made of sesame paste and sesame oil. In American cooking, the sesame paste is often substituted by peanut butter.
Chinese: 炸醬麵 Chinese: 炸酱面 Chinese: zhájiàngmiàn

Pastries

English Image Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Notes
Fried butter cake Chinese: 奶油炸糕 Chinese: 奶油炸糕 Chinese: nǎiyóu zhágāo
Fried cake with fillings Chinese: 燙麵炸糕 Chinese: 烫面炸糕 Chinese: tàngmiàn zhágāo
Chinese: 開口笑 Chinese: 开口笑 Chinese: kāikǒuxiàoThe dish's name literally means "open mouth and laugh/smile".
Fried tofu with egg wrapping Chinese: 鍋塌豆腐Chinese: 锅塌豆腐Chinese: guōtà dòufǔ
Jiaoquan Chinese: 焦圈 Chinese: 焦圈 Chinese: Jiāoquān Shaped like a fried doughnut, but has a crispier texture
Steamed egg cake Chinese: 碗糕 Chinese: 碗糕 Chinese: wǎngāo
沙琪瑪 沙琪玛 Chinese: sàqímǎ Chinese pastry of Manchu origin similar looking to Rice Krispies Treats but different in taste

Vegetarian

English Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Notes
Chinese: 燒餅 Chinese: 烧饼 Chinese: shāobǐng
Baked wheaten cake Chinese: 火燒 Chinese: 火烧 Chinese: huǒshāo
Chinese: 涼粉 Chinese: 凉粉 Chinese: liángfěn
Bean paste cake Chinese: 涼糕 Chinese: 凉糕 Chinese: liánggāo
Chinese: 奶酪 Chinese: 奶酪 Chinese: nǎilào
Buckwheat cake Chinese: 扒糕 Chinese: 扒糕 Chinese: pāgāo
Cake with bean paste filling Chinese: 豆餡燒餅 Chinese: 豆馅烧饼 Chinese: dòuxiàn shāobǐng
Candied fruit Chinese: 蜜餞 Chinese: 蜜饯 Chinese: mìjiàn
Chatang / Miancha / Youcha Chinese: 茶湯 / 麵茶 / 油茶 Chinese: 茶汤 / 面茶 / 油茶 Chinese: chátāng / miànchá / yóuchá
Chestnut broth Chinese: 栗子羹 Chinese: 栗子羹 Chinese: lìzǐ gēng
Chestnut cake with bean paste Chinese: 栗子糕 Chinese: 栗子糕 Chinese: lìzǐ gāo
Chinese cabbage in mustard Chinese: 芥末墩 Chinese: 芥末墩 Chinese: jièmò dūn
Crisp fritter Chinese: 麻頁 Chinese: 麻页 Chinese: máyè
Crisp fritter with sesame Chinese: 薄脆 Chinese: 薄脆 Chinese: báocuì
Crisp noodle Chinese: 饊子 Chinese: 馓子 Chinese: sǎnzǐ
Crisp thin fritter twist Chinese: 排叉 Chinese: 排叉 Chinese: páichā
Deep-fried dough cake Chinese: 油餅 Chinese: 油饼 Chinese: yóubǐng
Dried fermented mung bean juice Chinese: 麻豆腐 Chinese: 麻豆腐 Chinese: má dòufǔ
Dried soy milk cream in tight rolls Chinese: 腐竹 Chinese: 腐竹 Chinese: fǔzhú
Chinese: 豆汁 Chinese: 豆汁 Chinese: dòuzhī
Chinese: 螺螄轉 Chinese: 螺蛳转 Chinese: luósī zhuǎn
Fried cake Chinese: 炸糕 Chinese: 炸糕 Chinese: zhágāo
Chinese: 蜜三刀 Chinese: 蜜三刀 Chinese: mìsāndāo
Fried dough twist Chinese: 麻花 Chinese: 麻花 Chinese: máhuā
Fried ring Chinese: 焦圈 Chinese: 焦圈 Chinese: jiāoquān
Fried sugar cake Chinese: 糖耳朵 Chinese: 糖耳朵 Chinese: táng ěrduō
Chinese: 茯苓夾餅 Chinese: 茯苓夹饼 Chinese: fúlíng jiábǐng
Glazed / candied Chinese yam Chinese: 拔絲山藥 Chinese: 拔丝山药 Chinese: básī shānyào
Glazed steamed glutinous rice cake Chinese: 水晶糕 Chinese: 水晶糕 Chinese: shuǐjīng gāo
Glazed thin pancake with Chinese yam and jujube stuffing Chinese: 糖卷果 Chinese: 糖卷果 Chinese: táng juǎnguǒ
Glutinous rice ball Chinese: 艾窩窩 Chinese: 艾窝窝 Chinese: àiwōwō
Glutinous rice cake Chinese: 切糕 Chinese: 切糕 Chinese: qiēgāo
Glutinous rice cake roll Chinese: 卷糕 Chinese: 卷糕 Chinese: juǎngāo
Hawthorn cake Chinese: 京糕 Chinese: 京糕 Chinese: jīnggāo
Honeycomb cake Chinese: 蜂糕 Chinese: 蜂糕 Chinese: fēnggāo
Chinese: 冰果 Chinese: 冰果 Chinese: bīngguǒ
Jellied beancurd Chinese: 豆腐腦 Chinese: 豆腐脑 Chinese: dòufǔ nǎo
Chinese: 芸豆卷 Chinese: 芸豆卷 Chinese: yúndòujuǎn
Lama cake Chinese: 喇嘛糕 Chinese: 喇嘛糕 Chinese: lǎmā gāo
Chinese: 粽子 Chinese: 粽子 Chinese: zòngzǐ
Mung bean cake Chinese: 綠豆糕 Chinese: 绿豆糕 Chinese: lǜdòu gāo
Chinese: 銀絲卷 Chinese: 银丝卷 Chinese: yínsījuǎn
Chinese: 烙餅 Chinese: 烙饼 Chinese: làobǐng
Chinese: 豌豆黃 Chinese: 豌豆黄 Chinese: wāndòu huáng
Preserved fruit Chinese: 果脯 Chinese: 果脯 Chinese: guǒpú
Purple vine cake Chinese: 藤蘿餅 Chinese: 藤萝饼 Chinese: téngluó bǐng
Rice and jujube cake Chinese: 甑糕 Chinese: 甑糕 Chinese: zènggāo
Rice and white kidney bean cake with jujube Chinese: 盆糕 Chinese: 盆糕 Chinese: péngāo
Rice cake with bean paste Chinese: 花糕 Chinese: 花糕 Chinese: huāgāo
Shortening cake Chinese: 牛舌餅 Chinese: 牛舌饼 Chinese: níushé bǐng
Soybean flour cake Chinese: 豆麵糕 Chinese: 豆面糕 Chinese: dòumiàn gāo
Chinese: 炒紅果 Chinese: 炒红果 Chinese: chǎohóngguǒ
Stir-fried starch knots Chinese: 燒疙瘩 Chinese: 炒疙瘩 Chinese: chǎo gēdā
Chinese: 太陽糕 Chinese: 太阳糕 Chinese: tàiyáng gāo Not to be confused with Taiwanese suncake, whose name in Chinese is translates more literally as "sun cookie".
Sweet flour cake Chinese: 墩餑餑 Chinese: 墩饽饽 Chinese: dūnbōbō
Sweet hard flour cake Chinese: 硬麵餑餑 Chinese: 硬面饽饽 Chinese: yìngmiàn bōbō
Sweet potato starch jelly Chinese: 粉皮 Chinese: 粉皮 Chinese: fěnpí
Sweetened baked wheaten cake Chinese: 糖火燒 Chinese: 糖火烧 Chinese: táng huǒshāo
Chinese: 糖葫蘆 Chinese: 糖葫芦 Chinese: táng húlú
Chinese: 湯圓 Chinese: 汤圆 Chinese: tāngyuán
Chinese: 煎餅 Chinese: 煎饼 Chinese: jiānbǐng
Thin pancake Chinese: 薄餅 Chinese: 薄饼 Chinese: báobǐng
Thin pancake of lard Chinese: 油皮 Chinese: 油皮 Chinese: yóupí
Thousand-layered cake Chinese: 千層糕 Chinese: 千层糕 Chinese: qiāncéng gāo
Veggie roll Chinese: 春餅卷菜 Chinese: 春饼卷菜 Chinese: chūnbǐng juǎncài Not to be confused with spring rolls.
Chinese: 西瓜酪 Chinese: 西瓜酪 Chinese: xīguā lào
Chinese: 窝头 Chinese: 窝头 Chinese: wōtóu
Chinese: 杏仁茶 Chinese: 杏仁茶 Chinese: xìngrén chá
Chinese: 杏仁豆腐 Chinese: 杏仁豆腐 Chinese: xìngrén dòufǔ
Yellow cake Chinese: 黃糕 Chinese: 黄糕 Chinese: huánggāo

Beijing delicacies

Restaurants known for Beijing cuisine

Numerous traditional restaurants in Beijing are credited with great contributions in the formation of Beijing cuisine, but many of them have gone out of business.[1] [2] [3] [4] [6] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] However, some of them managed to survive until today, and some of them are:

established in 1416, the oldest surviving restaurant in Beijing

established in 1785

Notes and References

  1. Wang, Juling, Famous Dishes of Famous Restaurant in Beijing, Golden Shield Publishing House in Beijing, December, 2000,
  2. Xu, Chengbei, Ancient Beijing, Customs of the General Populace of Ancient Beijing, Jiangsu Fine Arts Publishing House in Nanjing, September, 1999,
  3. Hua Mengyang and Zhang Hongjie, Lives of the residents of Ancient Beijing, Shandong Pictorial Publishing House in Jinan, June, 2000,
  4. Du, Fuxiang and Guo, Yunhui, Famous Restaurants in China, China Tourism Publishing House in Beijing, 1982
  5. Web site: Beijing Halal China Heritage Quarterly. www.chinaheritagequarterly.org. 2018-01-23.
  6. Bai, Zhongjian, Legends of Historical Business in Beijing, China Tourism Publishing House in Beijing, 1993,
  7. Lo, Eileen Yin-Fei (1999). "Chinese Classics", The Chinese Kitchen, calligraphy by San Yan Wong, 1st Edition, New York, New York: William Morrow and Company, 416. .
  8. Ma, Jing, Beijing Culinary Guide, China Light Industry Publishing House in Beijing, January 2002, /TS.2143
  9. Hou, Shiheng, Historical Business in Beijing, 1st Edition, Chinese Environmental Science Publishing House in Beijing, 1991,
  10. Hou, Shiheng, Historical Business in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Trade Publishing House in Beijing, 1998,
  11. Xu, Chengbei, Ancient Beijing, Change of Qianmen, Jiangsu Fine Arts Publishing House in Nanjing, September, 2000,
  12. Yin, Qingmin, Historical Business Establishments in Beijing, Shining Daily Publishing House in Beijing, 2004,
  13. Zhou, Jianduan, Old Memory of Beijing, Social Life and Customs, Southern Cantonese Publishing House in Hong Kong, 1987,