Zengyou Qingzhen Xiaochidian sells only two dishes;Shaobingjiarou (RMB 3), clay oven baked cakes stuffed with mutton or beef, served in such a large quantity that the filling squeezes out of the cake, and intestine soup (RMB 2.5) with cheap refills (RMB 0.5). If demand outweighs supply, each diner will be allowed one Shaobingjiarou (clay oven cake) only.

Location: Next to the Summer Palace, take a left turn at Qinglong Flyover then continue to the first crossroad and turn west. It's 1km away on the southern side of the road.

Tianfuxing Xinjiang Jiashi Specialty Eatery

The specialty here is mutton shashlik roasted by Uighurian (one of the minority ethnicities living in Xinjiang) chefs with fresh and tender Xinjiang mutton and has a unique local flavor. Most diners come especially for the mutton shashlik. Many do not even enter the eatery but just stand in front of the barbecue watching the fat mutton sizzling on top of the charcoal, smelling the floating fragrance of roasted mutton, and waiting for their shashlik. The Uighurian chefs don't speak good Mandarin but are quite kind. Even the kids buying only one after-school mutton shashlik will be greeted with a smiling face and some Uighurian songs.

Location: At the entrance to Xinjiekou Dongjie, opposite to the Yundong Zhizu Specialty Shop.

Xinchuan Mianguan (Xinchuan Noodle House)

Out of all the noodles this restaurant offers, the Malaliangmian (RMB 5), spicy cold noodles seasoned with sesame sauce and savory sesame grains, prepared beforehand and served instantly after you pay, is the best. Turn on the tap for as much broth as you can handle. Indoor seats are always in demand with many diners standing around the tables waiting or eating their noodles standing in the open air. Cost per person averages at RMB10.

Location: No. 14, Xinjiekou Nandajie, Xicheng District