The Best Dumpling Restaurants in Beijing

Dumplings
Dumplings | © Pixabay
Fran Lu

Chinese people love dumplings and as such, have invented a great deal of reasons for eating dumplings. It’s a ritual to eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice; it’s also a ritual to eat dumplings on the Chinese New Year’s Eve. Dumplings are both cheap and convenient to eat, so it’s no wonder there are a few restaurants in Beijing that specialize in making the best dumplings out there. Let’s check them out.

1. Xian Lao Man

Restaurant, Chinese

A time-honored brand, Xian Lao Man has been one of the most prestigious restaurants in town that specializes in imperial court food, old Beijing cuisine, and most importantly, dumplings. The restaurant has several branches in Beijing, the most popular ones are the Andingmen branch, the Gulou branch, and the Dongsi branch, which only provides vegetable dumplings (good news for vegans!).

2. Jin Gu Yuan Dumpling House

Restaurant, Chinese

Jin Gu Yuan is not big or conspicuous, but it’s always packed with customers thanks to its delicious dumplings. The most popular dumplings here are the signature Spanish Mackerel Dumplings and the Four Happiness Dumplings, the latter is made of four kinds of seafood fillings. Jin Gu Yuan also serves pot stickers and other dishes, in case dumplings aren’t your only love.

3. Bao Yuan Dumpling House

Restaurant, Chinese

The dumplings at the Bao Yuan Dumpling House are not only delicious, but also good-looking. With a plate of multi-colored dumplings served to your table, you will go home with both a satisfied stomach and your Instagram photo of the day. What’s more, you can find dumpling fillings that you won’t be able to taste anywhere else, like Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu.

5. Yi Xuan

Restaurant, Chinese

It’s probably much easier to find a dumpling restaurant with traditional Chinese-style decor than one with classy, modern decor in Beijing, but Yi Xuan will definitely be your option if you need to, say, treat your business partner to a nice meal of dumplings. The dumplings here are made with an authentic recipe from Northeastern China. The service is meticulous and the prices are not expensive at all.

6. Weihai Yintan Seafood

Restaurant, Chinese

Weihai Yintan is more of a seafood restaurant than a dumpling house, and it only has two kinds of dumplings: the Spanish Mackerel Dumpling and the Mantis Shrimp Dumpling. These two flavors are enough to make Weihai Yintan one of the best places for dumplings in Beijing. The seafood here is all transported from Weihai, a coastal city in Shandong Province. Make sure you check with the restaurant before you go, as it has varied hours throughout the year.

7. Nanjing Impressions

Restaurant, Chinese

Nanjing Impressions is a nationwide chain restaurant that specializes in Nanjing food, but it has earned a spot on this restaurant list because its Golden Fried Dumplings are delicious! Plus its other dishes are tasty and cheap, so you will be able to experience the ambiance of an ancient Chinese restaurant without draining your wallet.

8. Menkuang Pot Sticker

Restaurant, Chinese

A pot sticker is a kind of fried dumpling with two sides left open, slightly different from ordinary dumplings, but delicious all the same. The Menkuang Pot Sticker in Qianmen is one of the best places for pot stickers in Beijing. It has both meat and vegetable dishes, so vegetarians and vegans can eat here as well.

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