Xiao Diao Li Tang

Xiao Diao Li Tang / Small Hanging Pear Soup Restaurant
66 Zhong Guan Cun South 1st Alley
Haidian District
Beijing 100190
China

14 He Ping Li East Street
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100013
China

Unique Shop With Tasty Food And Efficient Service

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $14 / CNY $70 per person.

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Xiao Diao Li Tang, otherwise known as Small Hanging Pear Soup, is a rather oddly named restaurant, famed for their tasty traditional Chinese food, hearty portions, reasonable prices and efficient service. Xiao Diao Li Tang is tucked away in the alleys, away from the main streets, so unless you know where it's located, finding it can be a challenge. Xiao Diao Li Tang is a franchise with outlets across Beijing.

Ambience at Xiao Diao Li Tang is pretty good. Typical Chinese decor, but not too over the top. Lighting is bright in spots, dim in others, creating a playful contrast of light and shadows over the place, although tables are fortunately lit so you can see what you're eating. Layout is small, and cramped, and the enclosed environment not only means you'll keep warm, but also increases the ambient noise level. Furniture is functional and relatively comfortable, though Xiao Diao Li Tang tables and chairs are on the smallish side, more suitable for locals.

Service at Xiao Diao Li Tang is very efficient. Food is cooked and served very quickly, and staff will check on how your meal is going. The menu is in both English and Mandarin, and helpfully has pictures, though staff mainly understand only Mandarin. I noticed that staff, despite having a busy full house, were still quite observant and attentive.

As Xiao Diao Li Tang caters more to locals than tourists, prices are relatively cheap, and portions are big enough to share between 2 - 4 people. Dishes at Xiao Diao Li Tang pack good flavour, and are generally quite tasty and full-bodied, as are the drinks. Signature items have bigger pictures in the menu, and ordering these, such as the Marinated Lamb, Pea Cake, Cold Bean Cake, or Stir Fried Tomato With Scrambled Eggs, are a safe bet. Actual local Beijing dishes in Xiao Diao Li Tang are available as well, though most of the menu features general Chinese dishes from all over China.

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Signage isn't very prominent, but a short walk into the alley from the main street will bring you pass this shop.

Communal dining is common here, and the menu doesn't really offer one-dish meals. Best to dine in groups, but if you do come alone, you can still order a few dishes, are the small servings can be consumed by one person.