Cai Yi Xuan wins one Michelin star at the inaugural Michelin Guide Beijing in November. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"For Spring Festival dinner, we must have Cantonese dishes as well as dumplings, which is a must for northern culture," he says.

Li heads up two different teams preparing northern and Cantonese food, respectively.

"Each cuisine has its own specialty. Even the pots and scoops they use to fry the dishes are different," he explains.

"We offer high-end Cantonese cuisine. But since our customers come from all over the world, I want them to get a taste of Beijing during their visit. So, I added some northern-style dishes."