My guilty pleasure is an odd one: scrolling through the leading Chinese food review app 大众点评 Dàzhòng diǎnpíng – otherwise known as Dianping – and finding dining venues, only to end up admiring their luxury interior designs and gasping at all the seemingly appetizing food while screaming, “I need to go there now!” One time, I was drawn to a Korean BBQ restaurant through the app’s recommendation. The dazzling neon lights and marinated meat looked tender and juicy, accompanied by scarlet red seasoning, all of which was perfectly suited to my love for spice and beautiful spaces. So of course, my ..read more

When we first reported on the Beijing Curry Run back in 2022, we were initially taken aback by the thought of eating rich creamy curry before going out for a jog – the thought of all that delicious curry coming back up again is a horrific thought. Thankfully, this “run” doesn’t involve any running whatsoever. Instead, the initiative, the brainchild of expats Tom van Dillen and Gareth Fuller, is a chance for people to try curries at all – or at least a majority of – curry-making establishments in Beijing. The goal is simple: to not only try as many as possible, but for participants to vote wh ..read more

With Sausage Fest just under two weeks away we thought it would be the perfect time to dive into the world of sausages. Numerous countries across the globe have their own spin on this tubular delight, so we’ll be taking a look at some of the most famous kinds plus where you can find them in Beijing. Germany: Bratwurst Nowhere is more famous for sausages than Germany and it’s estimated that there are around 1,500 different kinds of German sausage. However, the most iconic has to be bratwurst which is usually made from finely minced pork with spices like nutmeg and marjoram. Grilled or pan fr ..read more

Hey there, Beijingers and Beijing enthusiasts: We Need Your Brain! Yes, you read that right. Your experiences, your struggles, and your wish list for a more foreigner-friendly Beijing are in high demand. And who better to ask than you, our dear readers, who navigate the city's charming chaos daily? Whether you're a seasoned expat, a fresh-off-the-boat tourist, or someone who's been eyeing Beijing from afar, we want to hear from you. Your two cents can contribute to a city that's as accommodating to international folks as it is rich in history. Rest assured, this survey isn’t just a shou ..read more

Xingfucun, located just west of the main Sanlitun area, is a bustling spot with numerous places to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. From long established eateries that have been around for over ten years to new spots that have only opened in the last year or two, there is plenty to explore. In this first part we’re going to start off with a look at the places surrounding Xindong Lu, then will move further west in our next post. With the long May holiday kicking off today it’s the perfect time to go out there and try something new or perhaps visit an old forgotten friend! Please note as it is ..read more

We love to see restaurants succeeding here in the capital and one spot that is certainly thriving is Circle Urban, having just opened up a new branch in Haidian. This is the fourth branch under the Circle brand, with owner Yan Long originally opening up a Circle Cafe inside Renmin University back in 2012, followed by Circle Urban near Sanyuanqiao in 2022 and then Circle Burger in the CBD last year.  This newest branch is located in the brand new 1733 shopping mall, which is home to Douyin's new headquarters and conveniently situated right by Line 12’s Dazhong Shi station, which is ..read more

The May holiday is just a day away, and with that in mind, we've got a few events -- most of them music and food related -- for your perusal and consideration. If you're looking for more to do, take a gander at this list of festivals and markets, or, as always, check out the events listings on our website. Bonus: As Cinco de Mayo is happening right after the holiday, a few places are doing Cinco de Mayo specials over the break, so we've thrown those on the list as well. Not to Miss Highlight: Migas Mercado is teaming up with LTN and C-Baila for a massive party that's not to be missed: Barri ..read more

Hold onto your lederhosen, folks! The moment you've been salivating for is here: Sausage Fest tickets are hot off the grill and now officially on sale! All set to kick off from May 17 to 19 at FFC South Square this is one meaty extravaganza that'll have you saying, "Holy smokes, that's a lot of sausage!" Tickets Standard Early Bird Ticket: RMB 25 (RMB 55) Includes: Sausage Fest wristband (RMB 35 value) and themed bandana* (RMB 20 value) *There will be a different themed bandana each day, will you accept the challenge to collect them all?! VIP Ticket: RMB 108  (RMB 155 ..read more

May Day holiday is two days away, and with it comes a ton of festivals and markets worth checking out over the five day break and after. The Beijing Craft Beer Festival returns to Shougang, there’s a big tattoo and art fest in Tongzhou, and the Drum and Bell Towers are opening their doors for their own market and art happenings. Read on to see what else is going on… 2024 Beijing Craft Beer Festival The biggest party in honor of sudsy goodness is headed back to Shougang Park for the May Day holiday. 100+ breweries and beer makers from across China will descend upon the park for four days of ..read more

There’s definitely no shortage of gimmicky restaurants in Beijing. We’ve got Haidilao’s robot restaurant, a penguin-themed restaurant, a poop-themed restaurant, and countless cat cafes. So when I heard about a restaurant just for that time of the month, I thought it was yet another odd gimmicky trend. But as it turns out, period restaurants are a legit thing in Beijing and they’re delicious! Unlike the poop-themed restaurant that serves food in urinal and toilet-looking bowls, period restaurants aren’t serving up food on sanitary napkin-shaped plates. These restaurants are all about helping ..read more