Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
same implements, as used for meat. There are few dedicated vegetarian restaurants across the
city; The Veggie Table is a grand exception.
PRACTICALITIES
Opening hours Note that the Chinese tend to eat early, sitting down to lunch at noon and
dinner at six. Some places close for a couple of hours after the lunchtime rush, and in general
places are open until fairly late. Opening hours are given for all establishments listed in this
chapter.
Costs Prices are low in comparison with the West, and it's possible to eat well for less than
50 a head, although you can spend a lot more if you dine lavishly in palatial surroundings,
and a lot less if you stick to noodle and rice dishes at local eateries. The sample prices of
meals in our restaurant reviews are calculated on the basis of each person ordering a couple
of dishes plus rice, or a main course and dessert.
Booking In Beijing you'll only ever really need to book at the very top places. In fact, at 99
percent of the city's restaurants, it isn't possible at all.
Listings You'll find good restaurant listings in the main expat magazines: Time Out (
timeoutbeijing.com ) , The Beijinger ( issuu.com/thebeijinger ) and City Weekend ( city-
weekend.com.cn ) .
Tipping Tipping isn't expected; if there is a service charge (usually at posher places), it will
be on the bill.
Chopsticks Many restaurants in areas popular with tourists have knives ( 刀子 , dāozi) and
forks ( 叉子 , chāzi), though most visitors are able to crack chopstick use within a few days.
Tofu dishes should be eaten with a spoon ( 勺子 , sháozi).
Home delivery Finally, you could even forego the whole tedious business of leaving your
room to eat by contacting Beijing Goodies ( beijinggoodies.com ) or the brilliantly named
Sherpa ( sherpa.com.cn ) who, for a small service charge, deliver from many of the city's
popular restaurants. Your food will likely be a little lukewarm after delivery, but after a night
out in Sanlitun it'll taste like manna from the gods.
Supermarkets Supermarkets are covered under “Shopping” .
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