Top Beijing Recipes

Written by
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Rhonda Parkinson
Updated 09/17/20
Chinese noodles, fried rice, dumplings, peking duck, dim sum, spring rolls

 thesomegirl / Getty Images 

Harsh winters and hot dry summers make for a short growing season in northern China. Wheat is the staple grain and root vegetables such as garlic and green onion make a frequent appearance in northern Chinese dishes. Of course, Beijing (then called Peking) was once the seat of the Imperial Court—skilled Imperial chefs incorporated the best of regional cuisines throughout China into their dishes. Here are our recommendations for the top recipes representing Beijing (northern Chinese) cuisine.

  • 01 of 08

    Mu Shu Pork

    Mu Shu Pork Burrito

    Mark Mitchell / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    One of the most popular dishes at Chinese restaurants, mu shu pork is thought to resemble a wooded forest scene, with earthy vegetables such as cloud fungus, and scrambled egg representing yellow flowers, all served on a “ground” of mandarin pancakes. There are also several variations with this well-known dish.

  • 02 of 08

    Peking Duck

    Pork With Peking Sauce

    Alpha  / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

    An entire chain of Beijing restaurants specializes in serving the succulent pieces of roasted duck. Traditionally, the duck is sliced at the table, where a skilled chef will cut it into over 100 pieces, each containing an equal portion of skin and fat.
    This is a basic Peking duck recipe.

  • 03 of 08

    Mandarin Pancakes

    Egg in pan, Mandarin pancakes

    Bobi

    These Mandarin pancakes are traditionally served with mu shu pork, made with a hot water dough.

  • 04 of 08

    Mongolian Lamb

    Lamb kebab

    Iain Bagwell / Getty Images

    The delicate flavor of rice vinegar brings out the sweetness of this Mongolian lamb. This recipe also works well with beef.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Jiaozi Dumplings

    Jiaozi Chinese dumpling

    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

    Preparing Jiaozi is a Chinese New Year tradition in many northern Chinese homes. Jiaozi dumplings can be boiled or pan-fried. The dumplings in this recipe are made with a savory pork filling, seasoned with Asian sesame oil and white pepper.

  • 06 of 08

    Flower Rolls (Hua Chuan, Hua Juan)

    tableclothe, flower bun, decoration, food styling, chinese flower roll, stir-fry green pepper and pork

    Fotosearch / Getty Images

    Flower rolls are filled with green onion and sesame oil and are spread out during steaming to resemble a flower shape.

  • 07 of 08

    Scallion Pancakes

    Scallion Pancakes

    Maya83 / Flickr

    A popular snack, scallion pancakes are pancakes that have been filled with scallions (also called green onions or spring onions) and sesame oil before being pan-fried.

  • 08 of 08

    Mongolian Lamb Hot Pot

    Mongolian hot pot for two

    DigiPub / Getty Images

    The Asian version of fondue, hot pot consists of cooking food by dipping it in a simmering broth. According to legend, the original hot pot was created by Mongolian conquerors who used their helmets as a vessel to cook the food in. Traditionally, Mongolian hot pot is made with mutton. However, you can substitute chicken if desired. This recipe for Mongolian lamb hot pot includes suggestions for dipping sauces.