Winter Warmers: Hearty Chinese Dishes to Keep You Warm this Beijing Winter

Winter is here, meaning we are no longer pining after liangpi and other traditional cold Chinese dishes. As the temperatures outside change, we have gathered our favorite easy Chinese dishes to warm you up. Some are found at street stalls, while the rest can be found in your local neighborhood Xinjiang, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Beijing-style restaurants, providing both single servings and huge, meaty dishes perfect for sharing.

Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍)
Imagine lamb noodle soup with added tasty croutons: that is exactly what yangrou paomo is, perfectly stodgy for winter and full of northwestern Chinese flavors. Get this soup at Zhangji Mianguan, complete with a generous topping of succulent lamb.

Dapanji (大盘鸡)
This Xinjiang-style dish of potatoes and chicken is hearty and full of flavor, and is ideal for sharing among friends. Order some extra naan bread for dipping in the leftover sauce, and you’re sorted. We recommend getting your plate of dapanji at Jianghu Weidao, where the whole spices really bring the ingredients to life.
 

Sweet Potatoes (红薯 hongshu)
You will have seen them on the roadside – their arrival always coincides with the onset of cold weather: the sweet potatoes, or hongshu, roasting on hot tins throughout the city. They make for the ideal Beijing snack, whether it’s to eat at your desk or on the go, going down a somewhat messy treat. They also warm your hands, which is an added perk. To find hongshu, just head out onto the street, they’re usually available near subway stations. Just make sure you peel them – the barrels in which they are roasted were not necessarily sanitary before being converted for cooking.

Geda Tang (疙瘩汤)
A big fan of fried egg and tomatoes? Geda tang is basically that – steamy tomato and egg soup with delicious dough balls to fill you up. Great to accompany a meal, or just by itself, this dish is available at many jiachang cai restaurants throughout Beijing, but Lvshi Gedatang are the self-proclaimed specialists. 
 

Chongqing Noodles (重庆小面 chongqing xiaomian)
If spice is your chosen method of warming up this winter, Chongqing noodles are a great way to achieve that – full of character, spice, and everything nice. Get yours at one of the many branches of Chongqing Ciqi Xiaomian.

Roast Leg of Lamb (烤羊腿 kao yangtui)
A long-time favorite, roast leg of lamb, or kao yangtui,  is a great way to experience hutong dining with a large group of friends. Don’t forget to try all the different sauces and spices for dipping. Our favorite spot is on Beixinqiao Santiao, the hutong just north of Beixinqiao Station. Try Tanhua Kaoyangtui for a solid leg of lamb. 

Wonton Soup (混沌 hundun)
This southern Chinese treat of small dumplings in soup is quick and steamy, with warm soup keeping the parcels hot. Go for shrimp and pork for the traditional southern Chinese version, or try something unique like lamb. We highly recommend the wonton at Hundun Hou, one of the oldest wonton establishments in the city with branches throughout.

Directory Listings

Chongqing Ciqi Xiaomian (Andingmen branch)
98 Andingmen Neidajie, Dongcheng District (186 1038 0143)
重庆磁器小面：东城区 安定门内大街98号

Jianghu Weidao
26 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District (5710 8890)
疆湖味道：东城区东四北大街26号

Lvshi Gedatang
108, 4/F, 100 Balizhuang Xili, Chaoyang District (8586 9759)
吕氏疙瘩汤：朝阳区八里庄西里100号4号楼108号

Tanhua Kaoyangtui
63 Beixinqiao Santiao Hutong,Dongcheng District (138 0129 3221)
碳花烤羊腿：东城区北新桥三条胡同63号

Hundun Hou (Dongda Qiao branch)
14 Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District (6507 6003)
馄饨候（东大桥店）：朝阳区工人体育场东路14号

Zhangji Mianguan
38 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District (6217 2489)
张记面馆：中关村南大街38号
 

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Photos: Uni, Margaux Schreurs, Tom Arnstein