Intimate Beijing Hutong Food Safari: A Private Walking Expedition

Overview

Immerse yourself in the heart of Beijing's culinary and cultural heritage. Traverse the narrow, winding hutongs with a private guide who will lead you to hidden 20+ eateries and bustling food stalls. Sample an array of traditional Beijing delicacies, from savory dumplings and noodles to sweet tanghulu and delicate pastries. As you stroll, admire the quaint courtyard houses and soak in the vibrant local life. This exclusive, personalized tour offers a unique opportunity to savor authentic flavors and discover the stories behind Beijing's most beloved foods away from the crowds.

Highlights

• Enjoy exclusive access to hidden local eateries in hutongs on a private tour, savoring authentic Beijing dishes with in-depth stories from your guide.
• Immerse intimately in hutong culture, observing local life, learning history from your private guide, and exploring at your own pace.
• Benefit from a private tour's flexibility to tailor the hutong food experience, catering to your tastes, dietary needs, and specific interests.

Itinerary

Hotel pick up at 17:00, 17:30 or 18:00 

Start

Before setting off, the guide will give you a concise preview of the exciting hutong food tour ahead. They will share fascinating insights about the hutongs, like how these narrow alleyways are the living tapestry of Beijing's past, and offer a sneak - peek into the mouthwatering local delicacies you're about to savor.

Entering the Hutongs

Upon arrival at a meticulously preserved section of Beijing's hutongs, you'll be immediately struck by their unique charm. The hutongs, with their narrow, winding lanes flanked by traditional courtyard houses (四合院), are an integral part of Beijing's rich historical and cultural heritage. As you stroll in, your guide will provide in-depth explanations about the layout of the hutongs, their significance in Beijing's social fabric, and the stories hidden within each courtyard.

First Food Stop: Local Snack Shop

Here, you'll encounter the colorful and delicious tanghulu(糖葫芦), a treat made of skewered fruits, usually hawthorns, coated in a shiny layer of hardened sugar.  Alongside it, the savory jianbing(煎饼), a crispy crepe filled with eggs, scallions, spicy sauce, and the crispy mahua, a twisted fried dough snack, await your taste buds. And then there's the refreshing kaolengmian(烤冷面), a cold noodle dish perfect for a hot day. Your knowledgeable guide will not only introduce you to these iconic snacks but also delve deep into their history and their importance in Beijing's dynamic food culture.

Second Food Stop - A Simple Chinese Malatang Experience

As you continue exploring the hutongs, you'll stumble upon a popular malatang joint. Malatang(麻辣烫), a spicy and flavorful Chinese street food, is a vibrant medley of various ingredients. The eatery is filled with rows of fresh vegetables, as well as an array of meats. There are also different types of noodles, fish balls, and tofu waiting to be added to your malatang creation.     

Third Stop: Muslim Kabobs

These succulent skewers of marinated meat, often lamb or beef, are grilled to perfection over an open flame. Your guide will share the cultural significance of these kabobs in Beijing's diverse culinary landscape, explaining how they are an integral part of the local Muslim community's cuisine. 

Fourth Stop: Indulge in Soup Dumplings

Prepare to be amazed at the fourth stop, where you'll get to sample the famous guantangbao(灌汤包). These delicate parcels of dough are filled with savory broth and minced meat. You'll learn about the intricate art of making these dumplings, from the thin, almost translucent dough to the carefully crafted filling.

Fifth Stop: Soup Doodle which is called Banmian

Banmian(板面), or "soup noodle doodle" is unique dish features thick, hand-pulled noodles in a rich, savory soup, often topped with vegetables and slices of meat. Your guide will tell you about the long-standing tradition of making noodles by hand in Chinese cuisine and how banmian has been a staple comfort food for generations of Beijingers.

Sixth Stop: Local Beijing Restaurant

Here, you can savor classics like luzhu(卤煮), a slow-cooked, flavorful stew of pork offal, and mendingroubing(门钉肉饼), a savory meat pie filled with tender, seasoned meat. Your guide will explain the traditional cooking methods and the cultural significance of these dishes, which have been passed down through generations.

Finish off the Tour
To end this delightful food tour on a sweet note, you'll visit a charming dessert shop. Here, you can sample traditional Beijing sweets such as aiwowo(艾窝窝), a round, glutinous rice ball filled with sweet bean paste; lvdagun(驴打滚), a rolled-up, sweet bean-filled rice cake dusted with soybean flour, which looks like a "rolling donkey"; and shanzhagao(山楂糕), a tangy, sweet hawthorn jelly. Your guide will share the stories behind these desserts, how they are often served during special occasions, and the artisanal techniques used to create them.

Include

• Bottled water
• Food tasting (20+ different food tasting)
• Professional guide
• Private tour just for you and your party
• Private Transfer (if the option been selected)

Exclude

• Gratuities
• Transportation fee and hotel drop off if you choose the tour without transfer

Additional Information

1. Hotel pick up for hotels within the 4th ring road of Beijing city.
2. Please fill in your hotel pick up address in the delivery address, so that we can confirm it.

Confirmation Detail

You'll get confirmation within 8 hours. If you don't receive a confirmation email, please reach out to our customer support (support@realchinatrip.com)

Cancellation policy

You'll get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity starts.