Four Hangover Cures Beijing Locals Swear By

The National Day Holiday is nearly over, the work week is about to begin, and some of us out there might be looking for an optimal hangover cure to get us ready for the week ahead. This got us thinking, how to Beijing locals go about curing a nasty hangover?

While there are a great many Chinese hangover remedies, some of them TCM related, we've compiled a list of four that can easily be found at your nearest convenience store, no pharmasist required.

Sour Plum Soup 酸梅汤 （Suānméitāng）

Dating back to the Song Dynasty, suanmeitang is a beverage made from smoked plums and rock sugar. While this drink is usually enjoyed by old Beijingers in the summer months, it's also used as a hangover cure. Beijingers believe sour plum is beneficial for the liver, and that drinking suanmeitang can accelerate the decomposition of alcohol.

Dòuzhī er 豆汁儿

This concoction, made from fermented mung beans, is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of dish; the slightly sour, egg-like smell isn't for the light hearted. Being a classic capital breakfast, many swear by douzhi'er after a night of booze, as they believe it'll help that  hangover go away real quick.

Chinese Cabbage with Mustard 芥末墩儿 （Jièmò dūn er）

No one can say they're a true Beijinger until they've eaten this dish. It may not seem like much, but the mustard used here is allegedly 10 times stronger than Japanese wasabi, making for a potent snack indeed. While commonly served for Chinese New Year celebrations, it's also a must eat for Beijingers looking to sober up after a night of booze.

No matter how hungover you are, a mouthful of this is going to wake you up instantly. Try to challenge yourself to see how long you can stand the heat.

Old Beijing Yogurt 老北京酸奶 （Lǎo běijīng suānnǎi）

You’ve seen these adorable little clay pots with paper tops that you can insert your straws into everywhere in Beijing. Maybe you will be even more surprised to find that this Beijing-styled yoghurt works wonder for a bad hangover. You ought to try it in the morning the next time you wake up from a hangover, and believe me these laobeijing suannai will rejuvenate your body and make you feel energetic once again.

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Images: Unsplash, Uni You, Dianping, Weibo