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HunanHaidian
Xiang Bin Xuan on Huayuan Road in Beijing cooks authentic Hunan food, known for its chopped-chilli fish head and Yongzhou-style fried duck, plus stinky tofu.
OrderThe chopped-chilli fish head, Yongzhou-style fried duck and the stinky tofu.
TipExpect a queue at mealtimes, so arrive early or reserve by phone; the Michelin Guide also lists stinky tofu and mugwort dumplings as snacks.
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Northern ChineseWangjing 798
Jing Hua Lou on Datun North Road in Beijing revives Qing-era banquet-house dishes, such as crispy duo and smoked pork head, in a second-floor dining room.
OrderOrder the crispy duo blanched in oil, sliced smoked pork head, and rose puff pastry to finish.
TipDiners are escorted from a retro entrance to a lofty dining room on level 2; Ctrip lists a waiting area and large tables for 10 or more.
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ChineseHaidian
Qiantang Garden on Shuangyushu North Road in Beijing has cooked Ningbo seafood since the early 2000s, with fish tanks and shipments from the owner's hometown.
OrderOil-blanched river shrimp with vinegar and ginger, hairtail, and house-made waxberry juice.
TipPick the fish from the tank and ask how to cook it; the Michelin Guide singles out oil-blanched river shrimp and hairtail prepared several ways.
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SichuanGuomao Cbd
Lao Chuan Ban opened in 1979 as Sichuan's Beijing office restaurant and has served homestyle Sichuan dishes to the public since 1995, in a hutong in Beijing.
OrderMouth-watering chicken in peanut and sesame sauce, fuqi feipian and maoxuewang.
TipThe restaurant opened in 1979 for the Sichuan provincial office; Ctrip lists a waiting area, free Wi-Fi and baby chairs, so arrive early at mealtimes.
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ChineseQianmen Dashilar
Jingyi on Liulichang East Street in Beijing is a small alley room with a short calligraphic menu of Hubei river fish and home cooking, with limited seats.
OrderBraised tofu with fish roe, hot and sour young lotus root with chicken gizzards, osmanthus grass jelly.
TipSeats are limited, so come early or expect to wait in line; in winter, ask for the piping-hot egg-drop glutinous rice wine.
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YunnanOuter Districts
Hong 0871 in an industrial park in Beijing's east serves Yunnan cooking with ingredients shipped from the province, and a menu that changes regularly.
OrderStewed pig skin with red bean and preserved vegetable when available, and the Tengchong clay-pot dish.
TipIt sits a bit out of the way in an industrial park, and Ctrip lists free parking, so a taxi or car is the easiest way to arrive.