Places to Eat & Drink on Hongxing Hutong

This small hutong, whose name literally translates to Red Star Hutong, lies just above Dongdan and not far from the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen. Despite its prime location, it’s still pretty quiet for the most part, and the perfect spot to try some snacks, drinks, or even have a meal on a weeknight or after a weekend out.

What makes it extra nice is most of the good spots along the lane are right next to one another, making them easy to find and pick from.

Choc-a-Lot

Although it has multiple locations across the capital, this branch of Choc-a-lot might just be the most Instagrammable – or RED-able? – of them all. Here you’ll find all the good goodies the brand is known for, from jam and chocolate sauce scone sandwiches to all kinds of brownies and cookies to flavorful takes on both hot and cold chocolate. Great for an afternoon sweet treat or even breakfast if you consider their generously topped cinnamon rolls.

Choc-a-lot (Hongxing Hutong branch)
14 Hongxing Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区红星胡同乙14号
Hours: Daily, 9am-8.30pm
Contact: 135 5227 4728

Feel Coffee

Right next to Choc-a-lot lies this little coffee shop. With a straightforward and paired back design and an even simpler menu, it’s a good spot to head if you actually want to get a *feel* for the coffee you’re drinking. Americanos (RMB 36) and Lattes (RMB 40) are on offer, but where it really gets fun is the rotating pour-over options and, for those who can’t decide, combos. These allow you to choose two to three coffee options – like Americano + Latte (RMB 58) or Americano + Latte + Creative Coffee (RMB 88).

Feel Coffee
HX-3, 14A Hongxing Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区红星胡同甲14号迤西HX-3
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
Contact: 153 0115 2811

shifter

This “farm to bar” concept is another favorite of ours after Choc-a-lot. As the motto suggests, shifter specializes in a seasonally rotating menu of cocktails and bar snacks made from locally farmed and sourced ingredients. For those with an eye for art, there’s also a small art gallery space hidden down some steps behind the bar.

shifter
South Gate, 1/F, Jinbao Hui Shopping Center, 88 Jinbao Jie
金宝街88号金宝汇购物中心1层南门旁
Hours: Daily, 2pm-2am
Contact: 153 0138 3942

Yintea

As the name might suggest, Yintea is all about tea. Not milk tea or tea with a whole ton of sweet stuff added in, mind you, but actual loose leaf tea brewed to order. There’s quite a fair bit to try, from oolong to white to green to black (all ranging from RMB 78-168). For those looking for a bit more, Yintea also serves coffee, plus whiskey and even cocktails.

Yintea 酉隐 (Hongxing Hutong branch)
14 Hongxing Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区金宝街红星胡同乙14号
Hours: Mon-Thurs & Sun, 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-midnight
Contact: 132 4131 9347

Chigui Hengding

A Japanese joint through and through. Chigui Hengding has all kinds of Japanese izakaya standards on offer, from udon to rice bowls and then some, but the barbecue here is where it’s at. With multiple pages of skewers, there’s everything from yakitori to marbled Wagyu beef to bacon-wrapped mushrooms and vegetables.

Chigui Hengding Barbecue 赤鬼横丁.串烧酒场
14A Hongxing Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区红星胡同甲14号
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11.30am-2pm, 5-11pm; Sat-Sun, 11.30am-2pm, 5-10pm
Contact: 185 1556 7673

READ: Mandarin Monday: A History of the Word "Hutong"

Images: Uni You