Mr. Shi’s Dumplings
Nestled in a hutong near Nanluogu Xiang, Mr. Shi’s Dumpling’s looks like a scene straight out of a postcard. This little eatery offers several vegetarian options, but it’s the meat fillings that really shine. For something a little different, try the pork and fennel (猪肉茴香) or beef and cilantro (牛肉香菜). A plate of 15 dumplings (boiled or fried) costs about RMB 15-20.
Daily 10am-11pm. 74 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (8405 0399) 老石饺子馆,东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同74号
Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu
Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu offers a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. This tiny shop serves fat, rainbow-colored dumplings dyed with fruit and vegetable essences. You’ll find all the classic meat fillings, as well as a variety of vegetarian choices. The more inventive creations include smoked bean curd, celery, chives, carrots, and even cellophane noodles. A plate of six averages about RMB 10.
Daily 11am-10pm. North of Bldg 6, Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District (6586 4967) 宝源饺子屋,朝阳区麦子店街6号楼北侧
Xian Lao Man
Xian Lao Man is arguably the best dumpling chain in the city. In addition to delicious boiled or fried dumplings, the restaurant also serves mending roubing (门钉肉饼 or “doornail meat pies”) and lao Beijing dishes. There’s a dumpling filling for everyone at Xian Lao Man: beef, pork, shrimp, tofu, carrot, you name it. At RMB 5-7 per plate, it’s easy on the wallet too.
1) Daily 11am-9.30pm. 252 Andingmen Nei Dajie, Dongcheng District (6404 6944) 馅老满,东城区安定门内大街252号; 2) Daily 11am-9.30pm. Bldg 5, Yayuan, Anhu Beili, Chaoyang District (6497 2097) 馅老满,朝阳区慧忠北路安慧北里雅园5号楼
Din Tai Fung
Who doesn’t know Din Tai Fung? This venerable Taiwanese chain specializes in slurptastic xiaolongbao (小笼包), a kind of steamed bun from eastern China. Strictly speaking, xiaolongbao is not a dumpling, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying them. Try the restaurant’s tender crab roe xiaolongbao (蟹粉小笼包), made with real hairy crab roe sourced from Suzhou’s famous Yangcheng Lake.
Daily 10am-10pm. D6001, 6/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (6533 1536) www.dintaifung.com.cn 鼎泰丰, 朝阳区建国路87号新光天地6层D6001
See Directory for more locations.
Green Bites
A relative newcomer to Beijing’s food scene, Green Bites takes an environmentally-friendly approach to dumplings. This dumpling bar uses quality ingredients like imported wheat flour, natural pork, and organic vegetables. We recommend the Seasonal Vegetarian (bamboo shoot, bok choy, carrot, mushroom, and water chestnut; RMB 15 for 10 dumplings). Though Green Bites specializes in delivery, limited seating is available at the shop. Free delivery for specified buildings in Sanlitun; other locations within the area are charged RMB 10 for all orders under RMB 100.
Daily 10:30am-8:30pm. 5-106, Ground Floor, Sanlitun SOHO, Chaoyang District (8590 0475) 绿盒子蒸饺,朝阳区三里屯SOHO,1层5-106室
This article is excerpted from beijingkids October 2011 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.