Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Beijing shaobing is a layered, baked wheat flatbread with sesame paste and spice rolled inside and sesame seeds on top, eaten for breakfast or beside copper-pot lamb and barbecue.
Chinese legend says the General Ban Chao of the Han dynasty brought the roasted flatbread back from the Western Regions, where it was known as hubing. Beijing sorts its flatbreads into shaobing and huoshao, with sesame-paste, horseshoe and hanging-oven kinds, and the master Feng Huaishen's old Beijing shaobing technique is on a district-level heritage list. A well-made one breaks open into 18 layers. Shaobing rarely appears at a formal meal except with barbecue and hotpot, where it is part of the usual order.
3 editor picks for Shaobing (sesame flatbread) in Beijing, ranked by editorial score. All Beijing signature dishes · Shaobing (sesame flatbread) across every city.
Man Heng Ji holds a Bib Gourmand for charcoal copper-pot instant-boiled mutton from Sunite lamb, with sweet sesame shaobing, in Ping'anli, Beijing.
OrderOrder the instant-boiled mutton, choosing lean or fatty cuts, and finish with sweet sesame-sugar shaobing.
TipThe branch stands on the south-west corner of Ping'anli West Street and Zhaodengyu Road; book ahead or come off-peak.
Beiping San Xiongdi on Dongzhimen Inner Street in Beijing serves old-style instant-boiled lamb in copper pots on Ghost Street, open until 03:00.
OrderHand-cut fresh lamb and the prime top cut, with house sesame sauce, sugared garlic and red willow skewers.
TipCtrip lists a waiting area and folk performances at the tables; the late 03:00 close means a quiet table after the evening rush.
Shi Cheng Ji on Dongsi Liutiao in Beijing is a hutong shaobing shop selling baked sesame flatbread layered with house-ground sesame paste, 06:30 to 19:00.
OrderShaobing, baked sesame flatbread layered with sesame paste
TipIt closes at 19:00 and opens at 06:30, so it works as a breakfast stop; the Beijinger lists it among old Beijing snacks in its 2025 rundown.
Shaobing (sesame flatbread) makes more sense with someone from Beijing explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 5 - 10 hours
See the sights of Beijing illuminated on an amazing night tour. Watch a traditional acrobatics show and enjoy a delicious Peking Duck dinner to experience a dish that ...
Day trip · 8 hours
Explore the history and nature around Beijing on a private day tour to the Ming Tombs and Longqing Gorge. Discover the Ming Dynasty's legacy at the Dingling Tomb and e...
Guided tour · 8 hours
Visiting Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, two iconic spots in Beijing. Hike the scenic Mutianyu Great Wall. Enjoy tasty Chinese dumplings for lunch.
