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Where to Eat in China 🇨🇳 12 Must Try Chinese Restaurants + Our Favorites!
Cross-Country China Food Tour 12 Must-Try Restaurants from X
There are countless reasons to visit China, but for us, the food left the biggest impression. Everything from centuries-old dim sum houses to massive hot pot palaces carved into mountains surprised us in ways we didn’t expect.
Whether we were stumbling upon hidden noodle shops or diving into...
There are countless reasons to visit China, but for us, the food left the biggest impression. Everything from centuries-old dim sum houses to massive hot pot palaces carved into mountains surprised us in ways we didn’t expect. <br><br>Whether we were stumbling upon hidden noodle shops or diving into regional specialties like xiaolongbao, donkey burgers, and salted duck, China’s food scene felt like a nonstop adventure (and we barely scratched the surface). <br><br>Join us on this cross-country food tour through Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and beyond as we share 12 must-try Chinese restaurants—plus our absolute favorites you won’t want to miss! 🇨🇳
Mike and Ashley take us on an unforgettable cross-country food tour through China, sampling everything from centuries-old dim sum houses to massive hot pot palaces carved into mountains. They share 12 must-try Chinese restaurants, plus their absolute favorites. Whether stumbling upon hidden noodle shops or diving into regional specialties like xiaolongbao, donkey burgers, and salted duck, China's food scene felt like a nonstop adventure. From Beijing to Shanghai, Chengdu to Guangzhou, and beyond, they barely scratched the surface of this incredible culinary landscape. Join them as they explore the flavors that left the biggest impression on their journey through China.
There are countless reasons to visit China, but for us, the food left the biggest impression. Everything from centuries-old dim sum houses to massive hot pot palaces carved into mountains surprised us in ways we didn’t expect. <br><br>Whether we were stumbling upon hidden noodle shops or diving into regional specialties like xiaolongbao, donkey burgers, and salted duck, China’s food scene felt like a nonstop adventure (and we barely scratched the surface). <br><br>Join us on this cross-country food tour through Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and beyond as we share 12 must-try Chinese restaurants—plus our absolute favorites you won’t want to miss! 🇨🇳
Mike and Ashley embarked on a two-month culinary tour across China, sampling an incredible variety of dishes and visiting everything from humble noodle shops to legendary dining palaces. They kicked things off with an adventurous bite at Fatty Wang's Donkey Burgers in Hebei, where the roasted donkey meat on crispy flatbread was surprisingly delicious. A high-speed train carried them to Guangzhou, where Tao Tao Ju, a historic dim sum house dating back to 1880, served up baked barbecue pork buns and bottomless tea, making it a contender for their top spot in China.<br><br>In Chongqing, they visited the world's largest hot pot restaurant, Pipa Yuan, carved into a mountainside with 888 tables. The extra-spicy mala broth was an acquired but beloved taste, and the experience rated an 11 out of 10. Back in Shanghai, they enjoyed a cozy dinner at Old Jesse Restaurant in the French Concession, where the braised pork belly and red dates with glutinous rice exceeded all expectations. On a rainy day in Chengdu, they stumbled upon Lao Gan Meat Dumplings, a hidden gem found only by zooming around Apple Maps. The pork dumplings in clear soup and red chili oil were so good they ordered a second round, and the sweet shop owner made the visit even more memorable.<br><br>A local bar owner in Beijing recommended Fangu Guest House for traditional shabu-shabu hot pot, where the simple broth and sesame dipping sauce created a perfect first-time experience. In Shanghai, they found a tiny shop serving what might be the best xiaolongbao and shepherd's purse dumplings on the planet. Back in Guangzhou, Panxi Restaurant—famous for authentic Cantonese dishes—fell a little flat, but the lakefront gardens were still impressive. For something unconventional, Mr. Shi's Dumplings in Beijing offered cheese-stuffed dumplings and a famously polarizing banana-and-chocolate variety. HaiDiLao, the global hot pot chain, impressed them with its sauce bar, impeccable service, and surprise manicures. Din Tai Fung in Beijing gave them a Michelin-starred meal with top-tier soup dumplings and beef noodle soup. Finally, Nanjing Impressions took the crown as their absolute favorite: the moody lanterns, live music, and stunning salted duck made every bite feel like a trip back in time, and the entire feast cost under $30.
From donkey burgers to mountain-sized hot pot palaces, Mike and Ashley’s cross-China food tour serves up 12 unforgettable restaurants. Discover the historic dim sum at Tao Tao Ju, the world’s largest hot pot at Pipa Yuan, and the hidden dumpling gem in Chengdu. Each meal is a story worth tasting.
Mike and Ashley taste 12 must-try Chinese restaurants, from historic dim sum to the world's largest hot pot palace. A delicious cross-country adventure.
12 Must Try Chinese Restaurants: Best Food Tour Across China
2:14 Reserve a table at historic dim sum houses like Tao Tao Ju during peak season to avoid long waits. Tea is included and bottomless.
2:51 Book a reservation for the world’s largest hot pot restaurant, Pipa Yuan, as it often fills up despite having 888 tables.
4:16 Make reservations at popular Shanghai restaurants like Old Jesse to avoid an hour-long wait, especially in the French Concession.
5:02 Carry cash when visiting small local shops in China. Many only accept Alipay or WeChat linked to mainland bank accounts.
5:57 Arrive right at 5 p.m. or after 8 p.m. for Beijing-style hot pot at Fangu Guest House to avoid the dinner rush.
6:45 Start with meat, then veggies, and finish with noodles when eating Beijing-style shabu-shabu. Dip noodles in sesame sauce for a perfect finish.
2:14 Reserve a table at historic dim sum houses like Tao Tao Ju during peak season to avoid long waits. Tea is included and bottomless.
2:51 Book a reservation for the world’s largest hot pot restaurant, Pipa Yuan, as it often fills up despite having 888 tables.
4:16 Make reservations at popular Shanghai restaurants like Old Jesse to avoid an hour-long wait, especially in the French Concession.
5:02 Carry cash when visiting small local shops in China. Many only accept Alipay or WeChat linked to mainland bank accounts.
5:57 Arrive right at 5 p.m. or after 8 p.m. for Beijing-style hot pot at Fangu Guest House to avoid the dinner rush.
6:45 Start with meat, then veggies, and finish with noodles when eating Beijing-style shabu-shabu. Dip noodles in sesame sauce for a perfect finish.
0:31 Donkey burgers in Hebei
1:29 Historic dim sum in Guangzhou
2:34 World’s largest hot pot restaurant
3:54 Shanghai braised pork belly
4:35 Hidden dumpling shop in Chengdu
5:44 Beijing shabu-shabu hot pot
7:07 Best xiaolongbao in Shanghai
8:28 Fusion dumplings in Beijing
9:21 HaiDiLao hot pot experience
11:22 Nanjing Impressions finale
0:31 Donkey burgers in Hebei
1:29 Historic dim sum in Guangzhou
2:34 World’s largest hot pot restaurant
3:54 Shanghai braised pork belly
4:35 Hidden dumpling shop in Chengdu
5:44 Beijing shabu-shabu hot pot
7:07 Best xiaolongbao in Shanghai
8:28 Fusion dumplings in Beijing
9:21 HaiDiLao hot pot experience
11:22 Nanjing Impressions finale
china travelchina food tourchinese foodbest chinese foodchinese street foodbest food in shanghaibest food in chengdubest food in nanjingbest food in chongqingfood guide chinabeijing food tourxiaolongbaochinese hot potnanjing impressions restaurantasian food tourtravel couple chinacouple travel vlogfood travel vlogmike and ashleyworld’s largest hot pot restaurantmust try chinese restaurantschinachina 2025where to eat in chinaWhat were the donkey burgers like?
They were surprisingly delicious—roasted donkey meat on a light, crispy flatbread, with cilantro or green peppers.
Is the world's largest hot pot restaurant worth visiting?
Yes! The food was an 8 out of 10, but the experience was an 11. It has 888 tables and is built on a mountainside.
Where can I find the best xiaolongbao in Shanghai?
A tiny mom-and-pop shop serves what might be the best xiaolongbao and shepherd's purse dumplings you'll ever have.
What was the most surprising restaurant on the list?
Probably Fangu Guest House in Beijing for shabu-shabu. The broth is just water with herbs, and the flavor comes from the meat.
Which restaurant was Mike and Ashley's absolute favorite?
Nanjing Impressions—the decor, live music, salted duck, and plum-braised pork ribs were incredible, and the whole meal cost under $30.
