Donglaishun (Wangfujing)

Donglaishun is one of the oldest and most famous names in Beijing's halal cooking. It was founded in 1903 by Ding Deshan, a Hui man, who started with a porridge stall in Dong'an Market. After a fire destroyed the stall in 1912, the business was rebuilt, and over time it moved from mutton soup and offal to the dish that made its name: instant-boiled mutton, thin slices of lamb cooked at the table in a pot of simmering water. The name is usually explained as meaning that everything coming from the east will go smoothly. The brand was recognised as a China Time-honoured Brand by the Ministry of Commerce in 2006.

The Beijing government lists the main branch on the fifth floor of the Beijing APM mall at 138 Wangfujing Street. The restaurant serves halal food, and the government's brand profile credits its reputation to carefully chosen ingredients, fine slicing, well-balanced seasonings and attentive service. The same profile records that Lao She, the writer, and Qi Baishi, the painter, are among famous names who dined or hosted guests here.

The meal follows a simple pattern: thin slices of mutton are dipped briefly into the hot pot and then into a sauce, and the table shares the meat as it cooks. The government's profile describes halal Beijing cooking as an important branch of the city's cuisine, and Donglaishun is often the first place visitors try it.

The brand profile gives an average spend of around 136 yuan per person and opening hours of 11am to 9pm, but check before visiting, as branch hours can differ. Hotpot is best shared, so this is a good choice for families and groups.

Instant-boiled meat has a long history in the city. The Beijing government's list of time-honoured brands also includes Yitiaolong, founded in 1785, at 68 Guangming Middle Street, and on Niujie the halal restaurant Man Heng Ji, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, cooks its lamb in copper pots heated with charcoal.

Wangfujing is one of Beijing's main shopping areas, about 1.5 kilometres from the Forbidden City according to the nearby Novotel Beijing Peace. The Peninsula Beijing and Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing are also in the area, which makes Donglaishun an easy dinner for visitors staying nearby.