Beijing Private Hutong Food Walking Tour Including Mongolia Hotpot

The journey, in full

While there are many Hutongs to visit in Beijing, most tourists only go to a handful of them which can be overrun with other tourists. On this off-the-beaten-path food walking tour you will visit Dong Si Area with a local guide who has intimate knowledge of the surrounding area. Here you will get to experience what it truly feels like to be a local on a more personal level without the crowds. The itinerary and food items included can be tailored to suit the dietary requirements of the guests. Included will be 15+ different food tastings at various diverse locations, such as markets, shops, bakeries and restaurants. You will visit local haunts, get a chance to meet the owners and explore historical sites that few tourists have an opportunity to experience. The commentary from your expert foodie guide includes an overview of Chinese culinary habits, a description of different regions' cuisine and an introduction to selected specialties in the shops. You are encouraged to interact with your guide and ask as many questions as you like. For adventure foodies we do have food surprise for you, just tell our guide “You are real foodies” Some food tastings you will experience on this tour: Tang Er duo–Fried Sugar cake Ma Hua-Fried Flour Jianbing-Thin Millet flour pancake Beijing Suan Nai–Beijing Yoghurt Baozi–Stemmed dumplings round in shape Roujiamo–Beef in the bread Spicy Hotpot–with either meat or vegetable on sticks Muslim Kebabs -including lamb kebabs, leek, eggplant etc Beijing Snacks Set–around 6-10 different snacks Fu Jian Medicine Soup Moon Cake Fried bread with red beans Baijiu-Chinese liqueur Finally, sit down with the locals for one of the most popular dishes- Mogolia Hotpot, accompanied by an ice-cold beer. The hot pot has a long history of over 1,000 years in China. It used to be favored only in winter, but recently it has appeared on tables all year round. Besides its delicious flavor, there are two other important reasons for the deep affinity with the hot pot of Chinese people. The first one is that hot pot is a visual symbol of warmth, enthusiasm and family gathering. The other is that hot pot is a kind of “healthy meal”. Boiling is better than frying, and bone nutrients are released into the broth. Eating hot pot can warm the body and improve blood circulation in winter, and increase perspiration to help cool the body in summer. Once you arrive at the restaurant, your meal will served with a big pot filled with hot water and surrounded by plates of raw meats and vegetables.. Don’t worry about what to order and how — your guide will provide tips. At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel (at your own expense).