What to Eat in China: Iconic Dishes & Local Prices (¥)
Beijing Roast Duck (Peking Duck Carved Tableside) (Beijing Roast Duck)
Authentic Chinese specialty from Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong: Beijing Roast Duck (Peking Duck Carved Tableside), best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong (Beijing Capital (PEK))
Zhajiangmian (Zhajiangmian)
Authentic Chinese specialty from Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong: Zhajiangmian, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong (Beijing Capital (PEK))
Copper-Pot Mutton Hotpot (Copper-Pot Mutton Hotpot)
Authentic Chinese specialty from Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong: Copper-Pot Mutton Hotpot, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong (Beijing Capital (PEK))
Jianbing (Jianbing)
Authentic Chinese specialty from Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong: Jianbing, best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Beijing, Great Wall, Tianjin & Datong (Beijing Capital (PEK))
Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings) (Xiaolongbao)
Authentic Chinese specialty from Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Water Towns: Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings), best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Water Towns (Shanghai Pudong (PVG — 300 km/h Maglev in 8m!))
Shengjianbao (Pan-Fried Pork Buns) (Shengjianbao)
Authentic Chinese specialty from Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Water Towns: Shengjianbao (Pan-Fried Pork Buns), best enjoyed fresh at traditional neighborhood markets and family-run dining rooms.
Where to try: Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Water Towns (Shanghai Pudong (PVG — 300 km/h Maglev in 8m!))
How to Eat Well in China Without Tourist Markups
Walk at least two streets away from major monuments like The Forbidden City (Palace Museum / 故宫) & Jingshan Park — CRITICAL: Tickets are NEVER sold at the gate! Book exactly 7 days in advance at 20:00 Beijing Time on the official Palace Museum WeChat Mini-Program or `bookingticket.dpm.org.cn` using your passport number (¥60 Apr–Oct / ¥40 Nov–Mar; closed Mondays). Afterwards, climb Jingshan Park hill right across the north moat (¥2) for the iconic golden-roof panorama! or The Bund (外滩), Nanjing Road & Lujiazui Skyline (Shanghai Tower 118th Floor) — Walk the 1.5 km riverside promenade at dusk as Pudong's Oriental Pearl and Shanghai Tower light up (cross the river on the ¥2 Dongjin Line ferry or Metro Line 2!). before sitting down. Look for menus posted with clear prices in ¥ (CNY) and busy local lunch counters.
Tipping & Dining Etiquette in China
Strictly NO tipping in Mainland China—restaurants, cafés, DiDi drivers, and hotels never expect tips and may run after you thinking you accidentally forgot your change.