7Days Premium Beijing International Trade Jinsong Subway Station Branch

A Wenzhou native opened this joint over 10 years ago to serve authentic dishes from his hometown. Without complicated preparations and fancy plating, the food appeals with absolute freshness. Pick your favourite seafood from the live fish tanks by the entrance and ask for the best way to have them cooked. The mud snails in scallion oil taste crisp and velvety; the gingery pork tripe soup with egg omelette hits the spot without being too spicy.

Upon arrival at this upmarket restaurant, diners step into a hallway lined with steeply priced dried fish maws. With years of experience in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Chef Cheung reimagines Chaozhou classics with sophistication and finesse. Braised fish maw with 30-year-aged dried radish is one of his proud creations – the lingering aromas of the radish lend the dish extra depth of flavour. Both the wine list and tea menu are packed with excellent choices.

Jingji specialises in royal cuisine that not only pays homage to the nation's culinary traditions, but also captures the essence of regional recipes. The two set menus served in the main dining room focus on dried seafood and vegetables. Try the firm-textured braised fish maw in a flavoursome broth. Those booking a private room can customise their menus. The name is a portmanteau of "Beijing" and "Yueji" – the official flower of the city.

The speciality here is Shandong cooking, especially Confucius cuisine, sea cucumber and live seafood shipped daily from Jiaodong peninsula. The chef is from Yantai and knows the food from his home province inside out. Try his roast 45-day-old duck served with caviar, prawn crackers and Shandong pancakes, which embodies features of both Beijing and Shandong cuisine. The lengthy tea menu and bespoke tea service make for a very special experience.

The upmarket chain is famous for flawlessly fresh seafood flown in from Taizhou daily and this branch is no exception. If you find the à la carte menu overwhelming, go for the set menu to sample various specialities all at once. Besides their signature wild-caught yellow croaker and fried hairtail, make sure you save room for the bird’s nest sweet soup with coconut water and buffalo milk. For the best experience, book a table and pre-order in advance.

With over 40 years of experience, this owner-chef from Hong Kong samples what his team makes daily to keep improving the quality. He is justly proud of his crispy deep-fried squab – 30-day-old birds are basted three times to crisp the skin while keeping the meat juicy and silky. Other standouts include double-boiled soups, dim sum, as well as sago and pomelo in mango purée that strikes a perfect balance between sweet and tangy.

This brand under the Xin Rong Ji group specialises in Sichuan fare, in particular cuisine from Yibin, the chef's home city. Most of his ingredients are from Sichuan and seasonal. With its deep fiery heat, the plateau loach hot pot with green Sichuan peppercorns on the vine is a hit. The quick-fried pork liver and kidney is another must-try. The drinks list focuses on wine and sparkling tea from Sichuan. Ask the sommelier about wine pairings.