Discover Mei Lanfang's epicurean taste in a courtyard restaurant

This chicken porridge is said to have been a must-have for Mei Lanfang before each performance. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The restaurant has no menu. It is a set list of dishes that changes about every two weeks, according to China's 24-solar-terms calendar, and the chefs decide what to serve based on what's fresh and in season. All the dishes served are chosen from "the Mei cuisine" containing more than 200 dishes passed on from Mei's personal chef, Wang Shoushan.

Now, guests can enjoy dishes prepared by the third and fourth generation successors of Chef Wang at Mei Mansion. After confirming the menu, the manager will write down the names of the dishes with a brush pen on a fan for the guests in the private dining rooms.

A must mention from the menu is the green and white chicken porridge. Despite its name, it does not contain any rice. The soup takes 48 hours to braise until the chicken is smashed enough to look and taste like rice, according to the restaurant. By dressing half of the soup with green spinach juice, it looks like a taiji diagram. It is said that Mei Lanfang had to have a bowl of this chicken porridge before each performance.

To enhance the experience, book a private, live Peking Opera performance for dinner.

The restaurant is experienced in receiving foreign customers and English language service is provided.

If you go

24 Daxiangfeng hutong, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6612-6845.