Jing Yaa Tang’s Dim Sum Brunch

Every day at this Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s all you can eat dim sum yummies during lunchtime for just RMB 188 or RMB 168 with a coupon from Dianping! The list of endless dim sum – offered from 11am-2.30pm on weekends and noon-2.30pm on weekdays – includes their famous Beijing roast duck, iconic 小笼包 xiǎolóngbāo, and sticky rice balls with腊肠 làcháng aka sausage, but our top pick would definitely be pan-fried turnip cake in their homemade XO sauce. You can add on the free flow alcohol package during the weekends to pair your dim sum buffet with prosecco, red and white wines, or beer for an extra RMB 168. The chill atmosphere of this subterranean restaurant is great for a lunch break with colleagues or weekend brunch with the family!

Chua Lam’s Kitchen

This Hong Kong franchise brings you all the best of dim sum at their many outlets across the city. Think of them as the fast-food name in the dim sum game. They also consistently update their menu with new offerings, so put this restaurant on the list and check back regularly for different flavors. Our must-try dishes here are the crispy barbecued pork buns, fresh shrimp, red rice sausage rolls served with a sauce that you will want to lick off the plate, and the fried wontons. Wash this all down with a cool barley drink, a staple in Southeast Asia. For dessert, kids will enjoy their mango sago pudding – a childhood classic for me – or fried vanilla rolls.

Din Tai Fung

I’m sure you’re not surprised to find another Michelin-starred restaurant on this list, but you can’t talk about dim sum without mentioning Asia’s pioneering restaurant franchise that single-handedly put dim sum on the map. Din Tai Fung is best known for their mouth-watering xiaolongbao, but they have so much more than that. While it might seem like a humble peasant dish, the cucumbers in red oil is highly recommended as an appetizer that balances mild spice with mild sweetness. Do also try their shrimp dumplings and scrumptious double-boiled chicken soup that will warm your insides. Their fried pork cutlet over fried rice is always a winner with kids as well.

Phoenix House

If you read my previous hotpot article, you’ll already know about Phoenix House and their extensive menu that covers everything from sashimi to dim sum. Of the latter, their fresh shrimp and red rice sausage rolls are even better than Chua Lam’s Kitchen, though their barbecued pork buns aren’t quite as crispy or tasty. My local friend also swears by their chicken feet, which I have not yet summoned the courage to try. Their fresh shrimp dumplings are exactly that, fresh, and you have to try the salted egg steamed buns which are a remnant of the salted egg yolk craze that swept Asia not too long ago. Those are usually a big hit with the kids.

KEEP READING: Beijing’s Best Family Hotpot Recommendations, According to Locals

Images: Jing Yaa Tang, Meituan

Undoubtedly, it’s been said time and time again: Beijing is a city with countless dining options. From mobile kowlongmian carts that roam the streets to five-star sit-down restaurants of all cuisines to even the infamous universal sprawl of fast food, this city is a sheer agglomeration of different cultures and unique flavors, sure to satisfy almost any palate that comes through. With that said, we all know that some of these options, unfortunately, aren’t exactly the family-tailored establishments we oftentimes look for when we want to take the kids out for a pleasant, feel-good lunch or dinner on the weekend.

Fortunately, the city isn’t also without its countless establishments that cater perfectly to a comfortable group visit that is guaranteed to leave you satisfied and with full bellies. Feel welcome to try one of these five great family-friendly restaurants on your next family night out!

1) Haidilao Hot Pot

As the old saying goes, no food tastes better than food you cooked yourself. Enjoy a tasty and social experience as the family sits around a table with a hot pot in the center, where you can dip in all your favorite delicacies—from lamb to seafood to pork brains (yep!)—that arrive uncooked at your table. Be sure to order their shoulamian, a dish and a show rolled into one!

You can find Haidilao at various locations throughout the city.

2) Din Tai Fung (Soup Dumplings)

Experience a refined rendition of a unique cultural cuisine. Din Tai Fung is renowned the world over for their signature xialongbao, a mini steamed dumpling packed with meat filling and a soup that is indescribably rich in flavor. Enjoy xialongbao and various other cultural delights in a vibrant and pleasantly busy atmosphere that plays homage to the vibes of traditional Chinese dianxinfang (“Dim Sum Houses”).

You can find Din Tai Fung at various locations throughout the city.

3) Moka Bros (Healthy Fare)

Ever dream of collapsing into an inviting beanbag chair and chowing down on a tasty meal at the same time? Well, Moka Bros has got you covered. From Poké bowls to quinoa salad to fresh smoothies, this restaurant offers countless healthy options that are a treat for your taste buds (and your waistline). Be comforted to know that the kids will be eating fresh and locally sourced ingredients, all while enjoying the fun, homey atmospheres their various locations provide for customers.

You can find Moka Bros at various locations throughout the city.

4) Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub (Wings and Burgers)

A brew for the parents and a burger for the kids. For years in tow, Slow Boat Brewery, first in the hutongs and now in Sanlitun has reclaimed the crown this year after their back-to-back victory in the 2015 and 2016 Beijing Burger Cup with their award-winning “Fryburger”—a beef patty topped with cheese, house aioli sauce, and a golden tower of beer-battered French Fries. Other delicious options include their signature wings, a sweet dessert selection, and (of course) their very own craft beer for the adults. Though their menu may be bold and adventurous, their venue is simple and aesthetic, a perfect setting for a family dinner out and about in the city.

You can find Slow Boat Brewery at #6 South Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang District.

5) Kerry’s Kitchen (Brunch Buffet)

If the kids won’t eat, let them run around in the Adventure Zone and work up an appetite! No, seriously, Kerry’s Kitchen Brunch at the Kerry Hotel in Chaoyang offers a kids’ play area in conjunction to their mouth-watering buffet of both Eastern and Western classics. The dining area is spacey and inviting, and their Buffet Package offers complimentary wine and beer for the grown-ups.

Photos: Haidilao.com, Everythinghapa.com, Thebeijinger.com, Tripadvisor.co.uk, Lumdimsum.com

We had been looking for this dim sum place for quite a while, sometimes as a family, sometimes just daddy and daughter, sometimes me and daughter. But we could never find the unlimited dim sum lunch spot I’d read about on the Beijinger. Last Friday as I wandered through Sanlitun, I asked my colleagues for help. Turns out unlimited dim sum was right in front of my face all this time at the Opposite House Hotel.

I was by myself, but so happy I finally found the spot that I decided not to wait for my husband or my daughter. But to go by myself, how many chances do you get like this as a mother? The hotel is modern and quite impressive; I never thought this amazing space was on the inside every time I walked pass the Opposite House.

The unlimited dim sum lunch at Jing Yaa Tang is from 12 to 3 and costs RMB 148 per person with a 10 % service charge and 6 % vat. I felt a bit rebellious and had a bottle of VOSS still water. I was having a posh “mommy me time” moment.

The restaurant has a very relaxed and romantic atmosphere; the spa music is very tranquil. They have a duck roasting kitchen that you can look into and it’s quite the spectacle with a wood-fired oven. They give you a list and a pen to check the boxes of what you would like; I started with just few dim sum the first round, and ordered more a round later. My phone battery was almost empty so I had the chance to really savor the dim sum and the environment.

I especially enjoyed the bbq pork bun, the chive pot stickers, and the egg tart at the end of the lunch were especially good. This spot is not very child friendly but a perfect date lunch or ladies’ lunch in a fancy environment that won’t break the bank.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of last year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

Photos: Pauline van Hasselt

Pat Christie is one crafty lady. Since moving to Beijing six years ago and now experiencing empty nest syndrome, Pat finds that she has a lot of time on her hands. And she knows how to put it to good use.

Aside from working part-time ata dental clinic and helping at various bazaars in Shunyi and in the city, Pat likes to try her hand at different projects. Many of them combine local materials with Western design ideas. Most of them are tested out on bazaar-goers. All of them are instant hits. Most importantly, all proceeds from her sales go to charity.

Pat has designed bags using silk sourced from Shanghai. She used to run a brand called Pretty Little Things, which has now been turned over to a friend. She constantly explores gift ideas for men, a market that she feels is underrepresented in bazaar offerings. Her clever tagline “My Dongxi” (“My Things”) now adorns all-purpose water-resistant bags.

Recently she came across a craft project in a US-based magazine: colorful dim sum steamer organizers. Pat knew exactly which kitchen and restaurant suppliers she could source the steamers from. She spends a good portion of an afternoon sifting through the steamers, making sure the bamboo is dry and that there are no stray fibers.

Most of the people who will use her organizers are likely to have children in the house, so she makes sure that her products are safe for little fingers. Pat brings non-toxic acrylic paint from trips home to the US. She takes an entire day to lay out all her materials and hand paint the steamers while watching TV.

Then, Pat goes through her sizeable stash of printed fabrics and picks out designs that complement the bright colors of the steamers. This is the fun part, she says, mixing and matching and visualizing how the steamers can be put together. Since Pat never knows how many layers her customers will buy, she has to ensure that any possible arrangement will look attractive.

Pat is always on the lookout for more masculine designs and colors for the men of the house. It makes a great present for husbands or boys who want a vide poche that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but can hold all the things that come tumbling out of pockets at the end of the day.

At the moment, Pat only makes the steamers in three sizes. Customers can buy just one layer and a lid or several tiers to hold different items. You’re sure to have fun picking out different combinations of steamers. They make great gifts and are a lovely addition to any desktop or dresser.

To make an appointment with Pat, call 134 0101 5228. A small steamer or lid costs RMB 30 each, a medium steamer or lid costs RMB 40 each, and a large steamer or lid costs RMB 50.

Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado

Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.