Kylin Private Kitchen 麒麟阁私房菜

True to its namesake – a mysterious Chinese creature (part deer, part fish, part dragon) – Kyline is a hard-to-find courtyard restaurant secluded in the heart of the Dongcheng hutongs. But it’s well worth seeking out. This place is quite a gem, not to mention a historical landmark: The hutong in which it is set once housed royal midwives during the Ming dynasty. The savory house specialty is a flavorful pot of braised, succulent lamb, and the menu also features fusion-inspired dishes like goose liver layered with sesame and bread crust. Other items include soft slices of deep-fried eggplant dressed in a sweet onion chili sauce and fried taro cake, a crispy pastry with sweet creamy taro spilling out of its shell.