If you’re eager to get off the beaten track, away from the crowds of tourists and find the best local food in Beijing then you need to add a Lost Plate Hutong Food Tour to your China itinerary. Prepare yourself for a night of beer, tuk-tuks, winding alleyways, fascinating stories and of course, incredible food.
Why I decided to go on a tour with Lost Plate Food Tours
- Firstly, my go-to apps to find restaurants (Yelp, Tripadvisor, Instagram) are blocked by the government. This meant most restaurants are either not listed or do not have local reviews. I needed out outsource my search for hidden gems!
- China has a long and rich history, so I knew I’d really enjoy learning about the legends behind the local cuisines I tried. After reading all the stellar reviews online for Lost Plate, I also knew I’d be getting the perfect balance of food and information!
- It was reassuring to know exactly where the locals head so that food standards were tried and tested (no one wants to get sick on holiday!)
- The food tour does not finish at the end of the night! I was stoked when our guide Gloria gave us a pamphlet, not only with the names of the restaurants and food we had tried that evening but with a comprehensive guide to other restaurants and cuisines we should try during our stay. This included recommendations for famous dishes such as Peking Duck, dumplings and sesame desserts. If you do a Lost Plate Food Tour you will be completely set for the rest of your time in Beijing.
What to expect on a Lost Plate Food Tour in Beijing
Stop 1: Traditional Beijing Noodles
The name of the first restaurant we visited translates to ‘hard to find’, so we were off to a good start. Our guide Gloria explained the significance of the wheat-based traditional Beijing noodle as well as the proper way to eat it!
Stop 2: Mongolian BBQ
We then hopped into our tuk-tuk and whizzed our way to the next stop – BBQ! Here we cooked our own veggies and meat on a grill and learned about Mongolian influence and history in Beijing.
Stop 3: Doornail Meat Buns
One of the most interesting places we visited was our stop to try Doornail Meat Buns. Gloria explained that pubs aren’t really a thing in Bejing. Instead, people will meet for drinks at restaurants. Which explained the tables packed with businessmen demolishing buns while downing beers 😋
Stop 4: Spring Pancakes & Kung Pao Chicken
Our last food stop had familiar cuisine but the BEST I’d ever had. I need to try cooking this at home!
Stop 5: Local Craft Brewery
Wait, am I back in London? Our final stop was a hipster bar that oozed with Shoreditch vibes and was packed with young locals. It was a really fun establishment that showcased the emerging fusion culture in Beijing. (I recommend ordering the IPA Flowers!).
Huge thank you to Gloria for being such an amazing guide. I learned so much about Chinese culture and the legends behind the wonderful food we tried. My Lost Plate Food Tour was a highlight of my time in Beijing.
How to book a Lost Plate Food Tour
Follow this link to book a Lost Plate Food Tour or contact [email protected]
If you have any questions about the tour or Beijing in general, feel free to comment below or send me a message on Instagram.
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