5. Datong, Shanxi Province
The Datong dumpings tamed China's Qing Empress
Shanxi is home to one of China's great eight cuisines, jin cai, characterized by the liberal use of vinegar, round breads and pastries (known as bing) and hundreds of varieties of noodles.
Located in north of the province, industrial city Datong is an unassuming choice for dedicated Chinese foodies, with a burgeoning number of restaurants serving innovative and elegant jin dishes.
Phoenix Court, housed in an intimate Ming Dynasty mansion since 1518, serves the most refined jin cuisine in Datong.
Specialties are the delicate chrysanthemum shao mai (steamed dumplings favored by the Empress Cixi when she last visited), and the unusual yangsheng hulusi, which is carefully coiled shredded bottle gourd dressed with aged Shanxi vinegar, chilies, and finely sliced scallions.
Across town the 500-seat Yonghe Fine Food City gives a new spin on traditional dishes, with must-tries like golden millet pudding studded with tiny orange sea buckthorn berries.
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The Phoenix Court Restaurant, Huayan Temple Street, Datong 凤临阁, 大同城区华严寺街, +86 352 2059 699, open daily 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Yonghe Fine Food City, 8 Yingbin Dong Lu, Datong 永和美食城山西省大同迎宾东路8号, +86 352 5100 333, open daily 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.
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