Shichahai Food Guide: Hidden Hutong Eateries Where Locals Actually Dine After Work (2026 Updated)

In Beijing, if you’re looking for a place that combines a lake, hutongs, historic streets, and the chance to eat on the go—Shichahai won’t let you down.

But here’s the catch: the area around Shichahai is packed with restaurants and food stalls. Which ones do locals actually frequent? Which ones cater exclusively to tourists?

If you Google“Shichahai food,” the first 10 pages are almost all the same: Kaorouji, Baodu Zhang, Ya’er Li Ji… These time-honored establishments (with histories spanning decades or even centuries) certainly have a solid reputation, but locals don’t necessarily dine there often.

I’ve lived in Beijing for ten years and have taken out-of-town friends to Shichahai at least ten times. The first few times, I’d take them to the most famous old establishments.

But later, I realized that what truly made me want to keep coming back weren’t the old spots featured in travel guides and itineraries, but rather the small eateries tucked deep in the hutongs, where even the signs have faded.

These places:

– Don’t have a century of history, but have been open for decades

– Don’t have lines of tourists, but are packed with locals during mealtimes

– Don’t have fancy decor, but the aroma of food hits you the moment you walk in

After visiting them often enough, some of these places have become spots I just pop into whenever I’m unsure of what to eat. I’ve been to every single place on this list at least twice.

Where is Shichahai? How do I get there?

Shichahai isn’t a single small attraction, but rather a contiguous body of water comprising Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai.

Subway (Highly Recommended)

• Line 8, “Shichahai” Station: Take Exit A2 and walk a few minutes to reach the lakeside
• Line 6, “Beihai North” Station: Enter from the Houhai Beiyan; the lakeside walk offers beautiful scenery

Driving is not recommended: The hutongs are narrow, and parking spaces are extremely limited.

Things to Know Before Dining in Shichahai

1. Avoid the “tourist snacks” around the scenic area

Those stalls near Yinding Bridge and along the main street of Yandai Xiejie—the ones with “Old Beijing Snacks” signs and display cases full of samples—are generally avoided by locals. They’re overpriced and of mediocre quality. The truly delicious food is often hidden deep within the alleys.

2. Payment Methods

Most restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard, and mobile payment apps. Street stalls may only accept cash, so it’s a good idea to carry some small change.

3. Hours of Operation

Many small eateries have an afternoon break (e.g., 2:30–5:00 PM). It’s best to check the hours on a map app before you go.

Locals’ Hidden Gems

Ding Xiang Run—Home-style cuisine tucked away in a hutong, with“Da Lanlong” as the signature dish

Ding Xiang Run is tucked away in a hutong on Deshengmen Nei Dajie. Though the restaurant is small, it’s always packed with customers. It’s a home-style eatery near Shichahai that’s been in business for over a decade.

Locals describe it as a star among “fly-infested eateries” (Beijingers call these small, unpretentious spots with great food “fly-infested eateries”).

• Address: No. 34 Deshengmen Nei Dajie, Xicheng District (about an 8-minute walk from Xihai, Shichahai)
• Price per person: 50–76 yuan
• Note: You may have to wait in line during peak hours; it’s best to arrive before 11:30 a.m.

Must-Try Dishes:

– Da Lanlong: Each roll weighs 8 liang (400 grams), with the filling alone accounting for 4 liang (200 grams). This is a long, cylindrical meat roll, similar to a giant meat-filled bun, filled with a pork and scallion mixture in a 1:1 meat-to-filling ratio. It features a thin wrapper, generous filling, and a rich, savory sauce. 18 yuan per roll.

Note: Da Lanlong sells only three batches per day—two around 11:30 a.m. and one at 5:30 p.m.—with only about 50 rolls available each time. If you arrive too late, they’ll be sold out.

`Da Lan Long (Big Lazy Dragon / Steamed Pork & Scallion Bun Roll)`

You can think of it as a Chinese version of a giant savory cinnamon roll—except instead of sugar and cinnamon, it’s filled with a juicy pork and scallion filling.

– Signature Pork Knuckle: The meat is tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft; dipping it in garlic sauce is the perfect pairing.

– Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin: Deliciously sweet and sour, this is a must-order dish for many repeat customers.

Donghuamen Snacks·Zha Jiang Mian—Old-Style Beijing Zha Jiang Mian by Yindin Bridge

Donghuamen Snacks is located at No. 10, East Front of Qianhai, right next to Yindin Bridge. This shop has been a staple since the Donghuamen Night Market first gained popularity in 1984, and it embodies three generations of Beijingers’culinary memories.

⚠️ Important Note: Although the restaurant is named “Donghuamen Snacks”(a name inherited from the old Donghuamen Night Market in Beijing), it is located on Qianhai East Embankment in Shichahai, not at the Donghuamen Gate of the Forbidden City—please be sure to select “Shichahai Branch” when using navigation.

• Address: No. 10 Qianhai East Embankment, Xicheng District
• Directions: Take Exit A2 from Shichahai Station on Subway Line 8, then walk approximately 260 meters
• Average Price per Person: 35–50 yuan

Must-Try Dishes:

• Huangchenggen Fried Sauce Noodles: About 30 yuan per bowl. Comes with a full array of toppings—soybeans, tofu skin strips, shredded radish, shredded cucumber, and diced celery. The sauce is freshly fried without a single drop of water added.
• Old Beijing Braised Beef Tripe: Made to order and served immediately, about 12 yuan per serving.
• Imperial Court Snack Platter: Crispy hairtail, mustard cabbage (cabbage chunks pickled in mustard, an Old Beijing cold dish), hawthorn berries, and more.

Exclusive Details: This restaurant has a prime location—sit by the window to enjoy fried sauce noodles while taking in the views of Qianhai. Locals call it “the king of great value in the tourist area.” It’s best to visit in the evening, when you can enjoy the night view of Shichahai from the window.

Ping’an Guotie—A Long-Established Guotie Restaurant on Yandai Xiejie

Ping’an Guotie is located at No. 73 Yandai Xiejie (named for the many tobacco pipes sold there during the Qing Dynasty). The old-style Beijing building with red walls and gray tiles has a lot of character.

• Address: No. 73 Yandai Xiejie
• Price per person: Around 50–60 yuan
• Hours: Open until 10:00 PM

Must-try items:

– Pork and Three Delicacies Potstickers: ¥13.5 per liang (each serving contains about 3–4 pieces; orders start at 2 liang, which is enough to fill the average person’s stomach). Each potsticker contains a whole shrimp and is generously filled.

– Pork and Old Japanese Squash (Wogua) Potstickers: ¥13.5 per liang (each serving contains about 3–4 pieces); highly recommended.

`Wo Gua Guotie (Pork and Chinese Zucchini Potstickers)`

Similar to pan-fried dumplings, but with a crispier bottom and a slender shape. Old Japanese squash is a type of Chinese summer squash, similar to zucchini.

– Corn Cobs Porridge (Bangzha Porridge): Porridge made from crushed corn kernels. 3 yuan per serving, with unlimited refills.

Jingxiu Restaurant— “The Central Academy of Drama’s Second Cafeteria,” a favorite spot for celebrities during their student days

• Address: No. 36, Dongmianhua Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District (directly across from the Central Academy of Drama)
• Directions: Take Metro Line 8 to Nanluoguxiang Station, Exit F (northeast exit), then walk approximately 570 meters
• Average Price per Person: 65–80 yuan
• Hours: 11:00–23:00

(Note: This restaurant is located in the Gulou/Nanluoguxiang area, about a 15–20-minute walk along the eastern shore of Shichahai, a distance of approximately 1.8 kilometers. It is recommended as part of an extended“Shichahai–Gulou” itinerary, rather than as a stop immediately before or after the aforementioned restaurants.)

Jingxiu Restaurant is located at No. 36 Dongmianhua Hutong, directly across from the old campus of the Central Academy of Drama (CAD). Established in 2000, the restaurant has been in business in this hutong for over 25 years.

Because it has been frequented by generations of CAD faculty and students, it is known as “CAD’s Second Cafeteria. The walls are lined with photos of the owner posing with celebrities such as Tang Wei, Sun Honglei, Ni Dahong, and Jiang Wenli—many of whom dined here while they were students.

Must-try dishes:

– Shredded Chicken in Sweet and Spicy Sauce: Reportedly the only place in all of Beijing that prepares it this way. The texture is similar to sweet and sour chicken chunks, but it’s sweet with a hint of spice and a subtle flavor of fermented bean curd. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

`Sui Liu Ji (Shredded Sweet & Sour Chicken with Fermented Bean Curd)`

– Spicy Shredded Potatoes: Extra-thin, deep-fried potato strips.

– Fish-Flavored Fried Eggs: A home-style dish that goes perfectly with rice.

Exclusive Tip: After your meal, take a stroll through Dongmianhua Hutong—the hutong features a brick-carved arched gate from a general’s mansion dating back to the late Qing Dynasty, which is a Beijing-level protected cultural relic.

Yun’er Town—A Taste of Yunnan Hidden in Beiluogu Alley

• Address: No. 84, Beiluogu Alley, Dongcheng District (near Gulou East Street)
• Average Price: Around 82 yuan per person
• Hours: 11:00–23:00

(Note: This restaurant is located in Beiluogu Alley, about a 15-minute walk from the northern shore of Houhai in Shichahai, a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometers. We recommend including it as part of an extended “Shichahai–Drum Tower” itinerary.)

Tucked away at No. 84 Beiluogu Alley, Yun’er Town is run by a chef from Yunnan, and the dishes capture the authentic flavors of the region. Many Yunnanese say it makes them feel “right at home the moment they walk in.”

Must-Try Dishes:

• Tea-Scented Baby Potatoes: A combination of fried potatoes and tea leaves that’s surprisingly delicious.
• Mint Beef: Light, fragrant, and refreshing.
• Grilled Tilapia: Very tender and fresh.

Exclusive Details: The restaurant has an open-air rooftop on the second floor with great views. Pink roses and small white flowers adorn the entrance, making it a perfect spot for photos.

Quick Guide to Authentic Eateries Around Shichahai and Drum Tower

Restaurant Name and Pinyin	Cuisine Type	Must-Try Dishes	Price per Person	Local Tips
Dingxiangrun	Home-style Beijing Cuisine	Da Lanlong, Signature Pork Hock	¥50–76	Da Lanlong is served starting at 5:30 PM—only 50 portions available each day. If you arrive late, it’ll be sold out!
Donghuamen Snacks (Donghuamen Xiaochi)	Old Beijing Dim Sum	Huangchenggen Zha Jiang Noodles, Stir-Fried Beef Tripe	¥35–50	Located on the eastern edge of Qianhai—do not use navigation to go to the Donghuamen Gate of the Forbidden City!
Ping’an Guotie	Neighborhood Noodles	Three-Seafood Potstickers, Old Luffa Potstickers	¥50–60	No. 73 Yandai Xiejie, Guotie orders start at 2 liang (approx. 6 –8 pieces)
Jingxiu Restaurant	Legendary Home-Style Cuisine	Stir-Fried Shredded Chicken, Spicy Shredded Potatoes	¥65–80	Located in Dongmianhua Hutong; a 15–20-minute walk from Shichahai
Yuner Xiaozhen	Yunnan Cuisine	Tea-Scented Baby Potatoes, Mint Beef	¥82	Located in Beiluogu Alley, a 15-minute walk from Shichahai

Half-Day Food Tour (Two Routes to Choose From)

Route 1: Shichahai Loop (Approx. 3 hours; total walking time no more than 15 minutes)

Ideal for those who don’t want to walk far and prefer to stroll and snack by the lake.

2:00 PM Exit A2 at Shichahai Station on Metro Line 8 → Walk to Yindin Bridge

2:15 PM Take photos at Yinding Bridge → Stand on the bridge and look west; on a clear day, you can faintly make out the outline of the Western Hills—this is “Yinding Viewing the Mountains,” one of the famous “Eight Minor Scenic Views of Yanjing” in old Beijing.

⚠️ Due to the construction of high-rise buildings in the city for the 2026 event, part of the mountain ridge line has been obscured, but on a clear day with crisp air, you can still sense some of its charm.

14:30 Donghuamen Snacks (No. 10, Qianhai East Road) → Enjoy a bowl of zhajiang noodles while sitting by the window overlooking Qianhai

3:30 PM Stroll along Yandai Xiejie → Take your time—this sloping street itself has a history of over 300 years

4:00 PM Ping’an Guotie (No. 73, Yandai Xiejie) → Order a serving of Three-Delicacy Guotie (minimum order: 2 liang); the bottoms are so crispy they crackle

5:30 PM Dingxiangrun (34 Deshengmen Nei Dajie) → Order a Da Lanlong (400克) and a serving of braised pork hock (Note: The Da Lanlong isn’t ready until 5:30 PM; if you arrive too early, you won’t be able to get it)

7:00 PM Stroll along the lake → Walk off your meal and enjoy the night view of Houhai

Route 2: Shichahai + Drum Tower–Nanluo Extension (Approx. 5–6 hours; ideal for in-depth sightseeing and dining)

Ideal for those who want to explore the areas around Shichahai, the Drum Tower, and Nanluo in one go.

Building on the previous route, this itinerary continues eastward after completing the Shichahai loop:

14:00–18:00 Follow Route 1 (Shichahai Area)

18:30 Walk through Gulou East Street (about 15 minutes) to reach Jingxiu Restaurant (No. 36, Dongmianhua Hutong) → Order a serving of stir-fried shredded chicken and fish-flavored fried eggs

20:00 Walk north along Nanluoguxiang to Beiluoguxiang (about 10 minutes) and arrive at Yun’er Town (No. 84 Beiluoguxiang) → Head up to the second-floor rooftop to enjoy tea and mint-flavored beef, wrapping up the day’s itinerary

If you visit Shichahai, don’t just focus on taking photos of Yindin Bridge. Turn into the depths of the hutongs, push open the door of an unassuming little place, sit down, and order a plate of “Da Lanlong,” some potstickers, and a bowl of zhajiang noodles—that’s the true flavor of Shichahai.

⚠An Important Reminder

The small eateries around Shichahai change rapidly. The recommendations above are based on actual visits during the first half of 2026. Before you go, we recommend checking a map app to confirm whether the establishments are still open and if their hours have changed.

If you can’t find a particular place, there’s a good chance you’ll find a similar local eatery in a nearby hutong—just look for places where“locals are sitting outside and there are no people soliciting customers.”