EAT: Shunyi Restaurants Close for Testing, Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster, New UnTour Outings

EAT: Your bite-sized guide to the best eats to be had in Beijing this week.

Shunyi restaurants close for testing; restaurants restrict group dining

Several Shunyiites have reported today that some restaurants in the Shine Hills area of Shunyi (pictured above) have been closed indefinitely, allowing for inspectors to conduct tests on staff. It's unclear how long the tests will take and if they'll move to other areas, but it appears that the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention is currently undertaking huge testing of the city's food and beverage establishments, sending out inspectors in hazmat suits to check on venues such as hotels and restaurants to minimize the chances of additional spread of the virus via contaminated goods.

Likewise, following the reinstatement of one-meter social distancing dining measures yesterday, it appears that authorities are ramping up measures today to reduce group dining. We would not be surprised if this is the beginning of a move toward dining restrictions as they stood around mid-March, so if you're heading for dinner with friends we suggest contacting the venue to find out whether you'll be allowed to sit together ahead of time.

All-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster

While Beijing reels from an ongoing clampdown on salmon (Susu, Hatsune, First Floor, and many others around the city have all cut salmon products from their menu) after a contaminated fish was blamed for the latest outbreak, Red Lobster in Taikoo Li is intent on plugging our seafood-shaped hole with their new endless shrimp deal. From now until Jul 15, diners can enjoy an onslaught of six shrimp dishes – which can only be ordered two at a time – including Hawaiian coconut shrimp, popcorn shrimp, and shrimp pasta, all for RMB 128. True shrimp-eating diehards will be disappointed to hear that you have to vacate the table after 1.5 hours, so plan accordingly!

UnTour's hutong breakfast and dinner tours

UnTour is preparing for their latest round of in-the-know gustatory tours, including a Beijing Hutong Breakfast tour at 9am on Jun 26 and two Old Beijing Dinner Tours at 7pm on Jun 25 and 27. Each promises to whisk you around several local haunts that even the capital's most seasoned diners are unaware of. Not only will you learn about some of the city's most beloved foods, you'll test the very limits of how much a single person can eat over the course of a few hours. Click here for more information on how to book and start fasting now.

READ: Boutique Hotels for Your Next Beijing Staycation

Images: Red Lobster, dichandadang.com, UnTour