Beijing Hot-pot Spot: Unbeatable Fresh Lamb at Xinxin Xiaochi

Xinxin Xiaochi (鑫鑫小吃), tucked away in a residential area in the south of the city, is an unsung hero of lao Beijing hot pot. Its authentic shuan yangrou (lamb hot pot, 涮羊肉) is beloved by neighborhood locals and serious eaters on a tight budget.

There’s no décor, no waiters, no menu. But it probably serves the best lamb in town – fresh, not frozen, and sliced by hand rather than by machine. The lamb, though lean, never gets chewy even after a long boil in bubbling broth. More amazingly, the mutton is flavorful but not gamy.

Though the thick sesame paste for dipping is excellent, without it you can better savor the rich taste of lamb.

Such flavor is hidden in a flat white house in a courtyard. Look for the small blue-and-white sign, under which are listed a range of Beijing breakfast items, mian, bing, mantou and doufu nao. Ignore them. Instead, commit these three words to memory: tan guo shuanrou (炭锅涮肉), shuibao yangrou (水爆羊肉) and shui baodu (水爆肚). That’s charcoal-fired hot pot, lamb and tripe, respectively. Hanging on the wall is a golden plaque from the Fengtai District government reading “Dining Table for the Elderly and the Disabled,” indicating that these categories of people may enjoy these eats using a welfare voucher. But hey, don’t walk away – your cash works too.

A Muslim couple owns this small 30sqm gem. As you sit down, just say “tan guo shuanrou,” and they will heap glowing coals into a traditional copper pot, and place sesame sauce, scallion and cilantro on the table.

Now order up some “shuibao yangrou” and tell them the number of plates you want. Shui baodu – well, that’s optional, as tripe is an acquired taste. (Maybe today is the day you’ll acquire it?)

If that’s too much meat for you, there’s also tofu, cabbage, tonghao (茼蒿), mushrooms, and of course, shaobing. Load up and tuck into a traditional Beijing feast.

Try it: Xinxin Xiaochi. Daily 6-9am (breakfast only), 11am-2pm, 4.30-9.30pm. Yulinli Residential Area (near the community service station), Youanmen, Fengtai District (6305 0721) 鑫鑫小吃, 丰台区右安门玉林里小区社区服务站