We’re lucky that Beijing is home to so many great – and authentic – Yunnan restaurants. Here at That’s Beijing we pretty much love everything there is about Yunnanese food – from the crossing-the-bridge noodles to the granny’s potatoes to the goat cheese – especially the goat cheese.
Now that we’ve made ourselves hungry just writing about it, here are our picks for Beijing’s best Yunnan restaurants.
1. Green Shade
Just down the road from Dali Courtyard (see below), Green Shade is a quieter Yunnan restaurant that serves set menus of thoughtful Yunnan food, although Robin Yao describes his gastronomic vision as “greater Chinese, Yunnan, and Thai food together – all in a Yunnan style.” This comes in the form of a set menu (roughly RMB150 per person) featuring, among others, Shandong-style fried lotus roots seasoned with Yunnan spices, and a Thai papaya salad (blisteringly spicy, consider yourself warned).
See a listing for Green Shade or read our full review here.
2. Dali Renjia
When it comes to Yunnan restaurants in Gulou, this place stands out because it’s completely unassuming. Oh, and its prices are super affordable, which is always appreciated. They serve standard Yunnan fare and many of their dishes are served for around RMB20.
See a listing for Dali Renjia.
3. In and Out
In and Out has been a mainstay in Beijing for years. This Gongti restaurant specializes in creating tasty and quality food in the style of the village of Lijiang. We especially love their goat cheese (pictured). For the brave souls out there, you can try some of their delectable fried bugs as a change of pace from the standard dishes. Not only does In and Out serve killer food, but the prices are budget-friendly, too.
See a listing for In and Out.
4. Middle 8th
Make room for the mushrooms at this busy chain. Hip and slightly swanky, yet resolutely unpretentious, Middle 8th is a celebration of all things ‘south of the clouds’ – so try crisp-fried worms or “crossing-the-bridge” noodles, beef jerky-style yak meat and fresh, wild herbs galore.
See a listing for Middle 8th (Sanlitun).
5. Aimo Town
Hutong rats: If you’re craving Yunnan food and you’re based near Fangjia Hutong, this place is for you. Prices are reasonable and servings are generous, so come with friends.
See a listing for Aimo Town.
6. Yun Er Small Town
Another popular Gulou joint serving Yunnanese fare. Fragrant dishes including the jasmine bulbs with scrambled eggs, lemongrass shrimp and banana leaf-wrapped bolete mushrooms keep us crawling back.
See a listing for Yun Er Small Town.
7. Dali Courtyard
Dali Courtyard is arguably the city's most romantic Yunnan restaurant. Set in a beautiful courtyard in Gulou, this is the perfect spot for a date night. You’ll have to trust the staff: there’s no menu; the food all just arrives at your table. But for the quality of the fare, it's a steal at RMB120 per person.
See a listing for Dali Courtyard.
8. Rainbow Yunnan Restaurant
Located at Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace, Rainbow Yunnan Restaurant offers guests an authentic – not to mention exquisite – taste of Yunnan dishes.
See a listing for Rainbow Yunnan Restaurant.
9. Amaze
Vietnamese and Burmese flavors are subtly woven through the well-considered menu. And while the influence of Yunnan’s Dai ethnic minority is absent from Amaze’s interior design, their culinary heritage shines through. In fact, two of the standout dishes both hail from the Dai heartland of Xishuangbanna on the Burmese border: songban pork neck (RMB88) and a grilled tilapia, which deftly combines citronella and coriander (RMB68). Elsewhere, we find plenty of familiar classics. The beef and mint rolls (RMB52) are simple but exquisite, while the boletus mushrooms (a rare variant and priced accordingly at RMB228) burst with an earthy flavor incapable of being overpowered by the accompanying pepper and garlic.
See a listing for Amaze.
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