Quyuan Restaurant is a time-honored brand offering Hunan food. Set up in Emperor Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, it has a history of 115 years. In 1949, it moved to Beijing from Changsha in Hunan Province, and was located on the second floor of Xidan Department Store. Later it was moved to Xidan North Street opposite Xidan Department Store.

  Hunan food is originated in Changhe, Hengyang and Xiangtan in Xiangjiang River range, with foods in Changsha area as the typical ones. Before it came to Beijing, Quyuan Restaurant had developed to a certain scale with branches in Kunming, Nanjing and other places.

  After it was moved to Beijing, Quyuan Restaurant won reputation for it genuine Hunan food. Celebrities at that time often held banquet here and left their painting and calligraphic works, such as Qi Baishi, Mei Lanfang, Yang Hansheng, Zhou Yang, Wu Han. Hunan people staying in Beijing preferred this restaurant and often held party here. In 1955, after the Military Rank Conferring Ceremony for the Ten Marshals, a grand celebration banquet was held in Quyuan Restaurant. In the same year, chefs of the restaurant were invited to join in foreign affairs. Chairman Mao sang high praise of it as “genuine hometown flavor” when he tasted the food made by Quyuan Restaurant.

  Quyuan Restaurant focuses on material and flavor, and is good at using smoked and preserved materials. Highlighting the color, it has the dishes spicy, sour, chili and tender.

  Featured dishes: Sautéed Maw in Sour and Spicy Flavor, Braised Chicken, Steamed Preserved Meat Roll, Sautéed Preserved Meat, Steamed Fish Head with Red Pepper