UrCove by Hyatt Beijing Tiantan Hospital

This small, obscure shop in an alley features an understated grey-brick façade and pared-down décor. The calligraphic menu is short but sweet, heavy on river fish and home-style cooking. Try their braised tofu with fish roe, or hot and sour young lotus root with chicken gizzards. Round it out with grass jelly in Osmanthus honey, or the piping-hot egg-drop glutinous rice wine (in winter). Seats are limited, so come early or expect to wait in line.

The flagship establishment of the chain has been around for over 30 years. The kitchen team of Hubei natives is picky about its ingredients, most of which are shipped daily from their home province to ensure freshness. The menu changes according to the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar and stars the best seasonal produce. Long-snout catfish with tomato boasts silky flesh and a tangy, mildly spicy sauce. Sautéed young lotus seeds are sweet and crispy.

As the name suggests, the kitchen is helmed by chefs hailing from the Sichuanese city of Yibin, from whence most of the ingredients are shipped, before they are cooked in authentic Yibin style. The menu is extensive and the portions generous. Try Lizhuang boiled pork, and Yibin noodles with bean sprouts dressed in a nutty, spicy sauce. Reservations are not accepted, so expect to queue at mealtimes, often for over an hour.

Founded in 1822, Tong He Ju is one of the oldest Shandong restaurants in Beijing and was heralded the first of the ‘Big Eight’ eateries. The signboard itself is a historic relic, featuring handwriting by Emperor Puyi’s younger brother. Specialities such as braised cuttlefish roe in a spicy-sour glaze; cod fillet in distillers grain sauce; and san bu zhan, an egg yolk pudding fried with mung bean flour and sugar, all adhere strictly to old-time recipes.

From its decor to its dishes, this restaurant is a celebration of Fujian culture. Diners can book one of the 13 private rooms, where tea sommelier service is provided, and pre-order a set menu. For authenticity, the all-Fujianese kitchen team insists on most ingredients being flown in daily from their home province. Signatures include braised eel with red mushrooms, pork cheek braised with dried squid, and sliced clam blanched in chicken stock.

This place stands out from the crowd of typical Dongbei restaurants with its modern decor done out in red and white, and servers in tailored suits. That said, the food is unmistakably Dongbei, covering recipes from Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin, albeit in smaller portions and finer presentations. In addition to classics such as fried pork loin in sweet and sour sauce, and pork stew with pickled cabbage, try rare culinary gems such as crayfish "tofu".

Run by a team from Anhui, this restaurant opened its doors in 2023. The two-storey architecture seamlessly melds classical Anhui style and modern touches. The kitchen team imports most ingredients from Anhui for maximum authenticity. The signature dish, braised Huizhou smelly mandarin fish, is fermented in a wooden barrel for one month and boasts firm flesh and unique briny umami. In addition to the á la carte menu, check out the seasonal offerings.