The Outside
1 / 10

Xianlaoman

,

A beloved Beijing institution famous for its vast array of delicious dumplings and traditional northern Chinese dishes.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
The Outside

Xianlaoman

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beloved Beijing institution famous for its vast array of delicious dumplings and traditional northern Chinese dishes.

"Could be the best dumpling we ever had!"

TIP

Avoid Peak Hours

Visit during off-peak times to bypass potentially long queues and enjoy a more relaxed meal.

Order Wisely

Dumplings are often ordered by weight or in batches of 5-10. Be mindful of how much you order to avoid overeating.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

Chinese

Price

$

Phone

+86 10 8402 5779

Address

316 Dongsi N St, 东四 Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100009

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Northern Chinese Dumplings

Authentic Northern Chinese Dumplings

Savor a vast selection of 25 unique dumpling fillings, from classic pork and cabbage to innovative vegetarian options.

Bustling Local Atmosphere

Bustling Local Atmosphere

Immerse yourself in a vibrant, local dining experience that captures the essence of traditional Beijing.

Beijing on a budget8 Best Places/Restaurants to Eat Noodles in Beijing
Traditional Beijing Specialties

Traditional Beijing Specialties

Beyond dumplings, discover authentic northern Chinese dishes like shredded potatoes and kung pao chicken.

The Best Restaurants In BeijingThe 10 Best Places to Dine in Beijing
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🥟BEST Dumplings in Beijing! My favourite dumplings from my favourite Old Beijing eatery, 馅老满 Xian Lao Man. Not a vegan restaurant, but loads of veggie options and clear English menu! 📍No.316 Dongsi North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing China 东城区东四北大街316号(东四六条西口) #veganinchina #beijing #jiaozi #dumplings #chinatravel
@veganinchina_
623 likes • 11.2K views

Avoid Peak Hours

Visit during off-peak times to bypass potentially long queues and enjoy a more relaxed meal.

Order Wisely

Dumplings are often ordered by weight or in batches of 5-10. Be mindful of how much you order to avoid overeating.

part 4: an emotional goodbye to china 🇨🇳 🇨🇳 explore gubei watertown 🇨🇳 go to a tie dye workshop 🇨🇳 traditional chinese lunch at Xianlaoman 馅老满 🇨🇳 visit the summer palace We started the day with breakfast at our hotel in gubei watertown. We then headed to a tie dye workshop. Tie dye originated in china thosands of years ago. We were able to create a hat and a handkerchief. After that we walked ar...
@mattandshan
84 likes • 1.9K views

BYOB Option

Bring your own beer or wine, as outside beverages are permitted at a reasonable corkage fee.

Vegan Options Available

The staff can help identify vegan dishes, and many vegetable fillings are available.

Tips

from all over the internet

Avoid Peak Hours

Visit during off-peak times to bypass potentially long queues and enjoy a more relaxed meal.

Order Wisely

Dumplings are often ordered by weight or in batches of 5-10. Be mindful of how much you order to avoid overeating.

BYOB Option

Bring your own beer or wine, as outside beverages are permitted at a reasonable corkage fee.

Vegan Options Available

The staff can help identify vegan dishes, and many vegetable fillings are available.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Xianlaoman is highly praised for its authentic and delicious dumplings, with a wide variety of fillings that cater to diverse tastes. Diners also appreciate the hearty northern Chinese dishes and the bustling local atmosphere. While some reviewers note a language barrier, the attentive staff and overall quality of food make it a highly recommended spot for an authentic Beijing dining experience.

"Lots of vegan options & the staff can explain what dishes can be made vegan. They dont speak English so if you dont speak Mandarin then you'll need a translator app.

Portions are huge!"

Lilly

"10/10
One of the best Xiaolongbaos I had so far. Soup is very rich. Also pan fried dumplings are very good.
Very friendly!"

Frank Joseph

"A true delight especially after eating too much traditional roasted duck, hot pot, and BBQ. We ate here two times and ordered delivery one time during our Beijing stay. Dumplings were indeed better served hot at the shop. The signature salad and the steamed dumplings were exceptional. Juicy and flavorsome. Could be the best dumpling we ever had."

Daniel Yeung

What People Like

Incredible variety of dumplings
Authentic northern Chinese cuisine
Bustling, local atmosphere

What People Dislike

Potential language barrier with staff
Can be crowded during peak hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Xianlaoman is most famous for its 25 varieties of dumplings, including pork and cabbage, and lamb and chives. They also offer authentic northern Chinese dishes like shredded potatoes and kung pao chicken.

The Best Restaurants In BeijingBeijingers’ Favorite 10 Dumpling RestaurantsThe 10 Best Places to Dine in Beijing+2

Yes, Xianlaoman offers several vegan-friendly dishes, and the staff can help identify which options can be made vegan. Translator apps may be helpful for communication.

TikTokGoogle Review

The restaurant is a popular local spot and can get very busy. Visiting during off-peak hours is recommended to avoid long waits, and reservations might be beneficial if possible.

Google Review

Yes, Xianlaoman allows diners to bring their own beer or wine, which is a cost-effective option compared to typical restaurant pricing.

Be mindful when ordering dumplings, as they are often sold by weight or in batches of 5 or 10. It's easy to over-order, so start with a reasonable amount.

Google Review+1

The restaurant offers a bustling, local, and authentic Chinese cultural atmosphere, popular with locals and expats alike.

8 Best Places/Restaurants to Eat Noodles in Beijing

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

The Culture Trip

The Best Restaurants In Beijing

Xiao Lao Man is known for its dumplings, which come in 25 different varieties including classics such as lamb and chives, egg and carrot, and veg and cilantro. You can easily fill up on dumplings alone, but if you’re after something a bit more substantial, then go for the shredded potatoes or kung pao chicken. The service is, well, serviceable, but what it lacks in over-enthusiastic waitstaff, it more than makes up for in the quality of the food.

Visit Source →
Lonely Planet

Beijing on a budget

Xian Lao Man (252 Andingmen Neilu), a bustling joint and secret expat favourite, serves delectable dumplings and other authentic northern Chinese dishes. The menu is immense, but the classic madoufu (麻豆腐) – a mountain of pulped mung beans – is truly unmissable. There are several branches, but the most central one is one block from the Lama Temple on Andingmen Lu.

Visit Source →
Eater

The 38 Essential Beijing Restaurants

Visit Source →
Times of India Travel

Places To Eat In Beijing | 8 Best Places In Beijing To Try Local Food

If you are looking for an inexpensive joint serving the most popular of Chinese cuisine under one roof, Xian Lao Man is the place to be. Although the joint has several branches spread out in different parts of the city, ...

Visit Source →
Condé Nast Traveler

An LGBT-Friendly Guide to Beijing

Visit Source →
english.visitbeijing.com.cn

Beijingers’ Favorite 10 Dumpling Restaurants

Although Xianlaoman Dumpling in Beijing is no match for those time-honored brands like Quanjude in reputation, it does gain a reputation among dumpling lovers in Beijing. Its many subbranches in Beijing are quite a great convenience for dinners dwelling in different districts. Apart from an extensive selection of dumpling flavors, it, indeed living up to its name, “Xianlaoman”, features thin wrappers, ample fillings and rich soup.

Visit Source →
China Highlights

8 Best Places/Restaurants to Eat Noodles in Beijing

Get away from the foreign crowds and find a seat in local friendly Xian Lao Man. Known for its immersive Chinese cultural atmosphere, this is a local favorite that has customers lining up around lunch and lining up around the corner. Placing a specific focus on noodles, visitors can try original styles and flavors that Beijingers have been eating for centuries as well as the more modern tastes.

Visit Source →
Esquire

The 10 Best Places to Dine in Beijing

A “not-so-secret” secret, Xian Lao Man is known for its delicious dumplings, which are served up at a reasonable cost. And there are so many variations—including pork, carrot, and tofu—that even picker palates can find something to enjoy here. Beyond the dumpling, this restaurant also has traditional dishes one might not find anywhere else.

Visit Source →
thebeijinger.com

The Ultimate Guide on Where to Eat Dumplings in Beijing

Authentic Beijing-style restaurant Xian Lao Man serves up some great dumplings, personal favorites being the cabbage and peanut dumplings, and the house special with shrimp, pork, and crab. With plenty of vegetarian fillings, plus lamb and beef options, Xian Lao Man is a great choice for groups of diners with various dietary requirements.

Visit Source →
chinatravel.com

Top 10 Restaurants in Beijing

Xian Lao Man is a good place to try Beijing's local dishes and snacks. It provides 25 kinds of dumplings with different fillings, including pork, shrimp, lamb, eggs, vegetables, and more. Beijing traditional snacks can also be found here: Rolling Donkeys, Golden Pea Cake, Bean Rolls, Stewed Pork Liver, Fired Beijing Sausage…

Visit Source →
Konner Krystine

Best Places to Eat in Beijing

They have a wide variety of dumplings, both fried and not fried. They also have a lot of other tasty options like noodles, hotpot, soups, appetizers and meat dishes. If you like garlic, check out the large glass urns against the wall near the entrance!

Visit Source →
That's Online

8 Places to Find Delicious Dumplings in Beijing – That’s Beijing

But the Andingmen location remains incredibly popular – and for good reason. Their dumplings are damn good and the prices are refreshingly reasonable. If you’re craving more than dumplings, they have plenty of other options on their menu, too.

Visit Source →
Trip Ways

22 Best Restaurants in Beijing, China

Xian Lao Man offers a fantastic variety of dumplings at a great price. Also, Kung Pao chicken is perfect here. The restaurant is vegetarian-friendly.

Visit Source →
New York Magazine

Where to Eat Near Beijing’s Biggest Tourist Attractions

Visit Source →
Xianlaoman (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide