Restaurants in China

In the China Trip Planner we recommend our favourite restaurants throughout the route. Nothing touristic. We've tried them all and can guarantee their good quality, authenticity and nice price.

What to eat

Choosing food in China can be a chore. Only the most upscale restaurants (and some international fast-food chains) have menus in English. Your best bet is looking to see what other people are having and pointing so that waiter will know what want. It might seem primitive, but it works!

Generally in the West, we are familiar with only one type of Chinese cooking, the one that corresponds to the area of origin of most of the immigrants that have settled in your city (normally Chinese immigrants cluster together according to area of origin). Naturally, when we travel to China, we expect to find these dishes, and some of us might be disappointed when after several weeks we still haven't encountered our favourite dishes.

In any case, the basis of Chinese cooking is rice, along with vegetables, chicken, beef and pork. Normally Chinese people order several substantial dishes, which are served in the centre of the table and shared, and that always include meat, vegetables, fish and soup. Do what they do!

While over the course of the route we recommend our favourite restaurants, it's best to be daring and try places you see on the street that look the best. It will cost you a pittance and you'll be introduced to some truly fascinating flavours!

(Of course, provided you have a bombproof stomach; the last thing you want is to allow an upset stomach to ruin your trip). 

Where to eat the famous Peking Duck

We recommend you trying the famous Peking Duck, also called lacquered duck, in a first-class restaurant where the prices remain scandalously low. Our favourite in Beijing is Hua Jia Yi Yuan, on 235 Dongzhimen Street. You'll see lots of tourists and business dinners, but Peking Duck is only available in places like this. For restaurants that cater to everyday Chinese this dish is too much while for restaurants that cater to local nouveau riche it's not enough. In any case, in addition to the duck, the noodles are delicious! Dinner will run you about 100Y person.