Beijing Hutong Food Tour: Night Markets, Rice Wine & Dinner

Summary

Old beijing flavors at night walking hutong alleys for dinner

You’ll wander old Beijing’s hutongs by night with a local guide, tasting juicy dumplings and lamb skewers shoulder-to-shoulder with Beijingers. Try six kinds of craft rice wine in a boutique shop and end your evening near lively Ghost Street—all included. You’ll leave full, maybe a little tipsy, and with new stories to tell.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I thought Beijing street food meant those wild stalls with bugs on skewers. But our guide Li just laughed and waved us away from the main drag, straight into these tight hutong lanes where the air smelled like sizzling garlic and something sweet—maybe caramelizing soy? We squeezed past locals playing cards on plastic stools. It was busy but not chaotic, just neighbors arguing gently over who owed who for noodles. The first stop was this family place with dumplings so juicy I nearly lost half down my chin (Li handed me tissues before I could even ask).

We kept wandering deeper into the hutongs, where the lights got softer and you could hear someone practicing erhu behind a window somewhere. At one point a tiny dog barked at us from a doorway, then promptly ignored us like we weren’t worth his time. The main keyword here is “Beijing dinner tour” but honestly it felt more like being invited to someone’s neighborhood than any kind of tour. Li told stories about her grandma’s recipes between bites of lamb skewers—she tried teaching us how to say “chuanr” properly but I definitely butchered it (she laughed again). The cold air made the hot food taste even better.

The rice wine tasting was a surprise—I’d only ever had sake before, never Chinese mijiu. Six tiny cups lined up in front of me, each one smelling different: osmanthus, rose, something almost grassy. My favorite was the plain one; it tasted like warm bread somehow. By then we’d all loosened up and swapped stories about weird things we’d eaten elsewhere (someone mentioned fermented shark from Iceland—no thanks). We ended near Ghost Street where neon signs flickered and people queued for late-night snacks. I still think about that dumpling shop when I’m hungry at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Beijing's traditional dinner cuisine

• Meet guide at Guijie (Ghost Street)
• Walk through Hutong neighborhood
• Visit mom-and-pop local food shops
• Try authentic traditional dishes
• Visit boutique mijiu rice wine producer
• Taste six-cup sampler of craft rice wine

Top questions

How long does the Old Beijing Dinner Tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified, but expect an evening tour with multiple stops and a large meal—it usually lasts several hours.

Is hotel pickup included for this Beijing food tour?

No, you meet your guide at a convenient location near Guijie (Ghost Street).

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes, but you need to advise specific requirements when booking so they can prepare in advance.

What foods are included on this Old Beijing Dinner Tour?

You’ll try traditional dishes like dumplings and lamb skewers plus sample six types of craft rice wine.

Is this Beijing dinner tour suitable for children?

Yes—infants and small children can join in prams or strollers; there are non-alcoholic drinks too.

How big are the groups on this food tour?

The standard group size is 8 people; sometimes up to 12 if there’s a second guide.

Does the price include drinks?

Yes—bottled water, soft drinks, local alcoholic beverages including rice wine are all included.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the end of Guijie (Ghost Street), one of Beijing’s famous snack streets.

What’s included

Your evening includes all tasting stops adding up to a very large meal (you probably won’t need dinner after), soft drinks and local alcoholic beverages like craft rice wine, bottled water, your bilingual guide fee, plus a post-tour packet with restaurant tips and travel advice for exploring more of Beijing on your own.