When Not to Go
While the chain seems to be doing, good people have suggested that the food chain is better in Asia. Maybe because of the authenticity of products. Whatever the reason, the word on the street is that the chain here is good but not great. Not because of the food, but the rush. Asians love the authenticity of the food, but many are finding it hard to sit in the cramp during rush hour. The ambiance just isn’t there if you have to sit through a three course meal with the waiter trying to ensure that everything on your table is picked up as fast as possible.

Final Thoughts
However, regardless of such inconveniences most people have no complaints about the food. The food and the menu is simple and yet, the taste is what has everyone going back for more. The chain is great down in Asia, here in California it is working to get into gear. No matter what the reports on Din Tai Fung the consensus is; go down and try it and you will be going back for more…regardless of the 20 minute plus wait after your make your reservation!

Because of the cold winter, short growing season and the arid climate, the cuisine is based on wheat, soybeans and millet. The modern Beijing chefs are proud of their lai mein (hand-pulled noodles)

Specialties and cuisines

While in Beijing you can experience one of the specialties or cuisines:

• Beijing (Peking) Duck (see photo right) is the must for any visitor. Half a duck along with hoisin sauce and silver fungus are rolled up in a piece of bread.
• Sichuan style cuisine is hot and spicy, with a lot of red chilies and Sichuan peppercorn, garlic and onions. One of the nicest restaurants serving Sichuan style cuisine is Shu Xiang Zhai.
• Hot pots contain varieties of meat, vegetable, tofu and some unique foods. Zhao Deng Wai Yu Lu is one of the best places around Beijing to get hot pots.
• Xinjiang food is a Muslim style cuisine and the bread is great.
• Dao Xiao Mian are noodles. They are served with soup, meat and sometimes vegetables. La Mian is a variant of the noodles, something like spaghetti
• Jiaozi are dumplings. They have different fillings, such as meat, vegetables or sea food.
• Gong Bao Ji Ding is a spicy chicken cooked with vegetables and peanuts.
• To Doe Zi is made of potatoes and green papers.

Worth Trying

Chao Yang Park quickly became one of the hippest spots in Beijing for dining. For spicy food and live blues, check out Big Easy. If you want to try some authentic Beijing cuisine, don’t miss Gold Cat Dumpling, located nearby Tuan Jie Hu Park.

If you want to enjoy some Beijing (Peking) Duck you shouldn’t miss one of the Quan Ju De Roast Duck Restaurants in the city. If you are on a small budget, don’t miss the Wu Dao Kou, a Korean style restaurant.

Jian Guo Men Wai and Ri Tan is an area where you can find almost any kind of restaurant. If you are in the mood for exotic Middle Eastern food, you should try Once Upon a Time Restaurant. If you want to eat Chinese food at affordable prices, try Xi He Ya Ju Restaurant. You can also get some Italian pizza at Adria.

Northeast Third Ring Road is another area where you can find a lot of restaurants. You can grab some Thai food at Red Basil or the Asian Star. The Asian Star also offers Chinese cuisine. If you want to try the Japanese dishes, go to San Si Lang. Of course, you can get American food as well (Hard Rock Café or T.G.I.F).

If you are looking for a Japanese place in the San Li Tun area, don’t miss Jazz Ya, while if you want India or Thai food, try Golden Elephant.

This morning, I met with a real-estate agent and we searched for an apartment in some nice parts of the city. Afterwards, I met with the above mentioned friendly spirit, a local named Jack, and he and I went to the gym. Afterwards, he and his girlfriend treated me to a great dinner, Hotpot. If you haven’t tried it, you should. Similar to fondue; you choose from an assortment of fresh meats and vegetables and you dip it in a boiling bullion and then into a tasty sauce. In a word, Yummy!!

It is great to have a couple local friends right out of the gate, because it means the foriegner is less likely to get taken for a ride when it comes to apartment searches and can avoid other potential pitfalls.

Tomorrow, I am meeting with the local school here to check into a Mandarin program and then I will have a better idea of where I would like to live. This place is my favorite Chinese city so far. I did a fine job in researching cities in China, and this place has it all; great restaurants, shopping centers, and gyms. The city is also very clean and has a wonderful waterfront. Yesterday the weather was splendid and lots of people were out there flying their kites, etc. I am still working out the kinks and will be able to put together some proper posts over the next few days.