Beijing cuisine is a combination of all Chinese famous cuisine, so this cuisine caters for all tastes. In addition it has its own local flavor which contains the Han style, the Manchu style and the Islamic style. The typical dishes, Imperial Court Food, Official Food and various snacks will stimulate your appetite.

Typical dishes include Beijing Roast Duck, instant boiled sliced mutton and the barbecue which may be seen along the streets. Beijing Roast Duck  is reputed to be the tastiest dish under heaven and the first choice of visitors who want to enjoy the local flavor. There are many roast duck restaurants; but Quanjude (全聚德) and Bianyifang (便宜坊) enjoy the highest reputation. When winter comes, instant boiled sliced mutton is popular. Dong Lai Shun (东来顺), You Yi Shun (又一顺) and Neng Ren Ju (能仁居) are famous flavor restaurants serving this kind of boiled mutton.

Imperial Court Food and Official Food are two main branches of Beijing cuisine. They both stress a light and tender taste of the food, but the imperial court food is particular about beautiful shape of a course and prefers to use rare ingredients. The official food is developed from the household food of the aristocrats and the imperial officials. Now, the Tanjia Cuisine (谭家菜) and Family Li Imperial Cuisine (厉家菜) are better known as official food.

A great variety of popular snacks may be tasted. Some are made of sticky rice, like Lǘdagunr (Glutinous Rice Rolls with Sweet Bean Flour, 驴打滚) and Sticky Rice with Sweet Fillings (艾窝窝). Some use flour as the main ingredient, such as Fried Ring (焦圈), Fried Dough Twist (麻花), Shaomai (steamed rice dumplings, 烧麦) and Clay Oven Rolls (烧饼). Bean Juice (豆汁) is the favorite snack of the local people, but hasn't earned recognition from foreigners. If you are not a vegetarian, Quick-fried Tripe (爆肚), Filled Sausage (灌肠) and Fried Liver (炒肝) will appeal to you.