24 Hours in Beijing With Foodie Entrepreneur Rabiul Baksh

The Beijingers | Mar 26, 2025 5:30 pm | Add a comment | 189 reads

24 Hours in Beijing is a series in which we ask some of the capital’s movers and shakers how they’d spend a full day in the city.

The newest restaurant in the Dastaan empire – Rabiul’s Kitchen – opens in 798 tomorrow (Mar 27), and in honor of his latest, we caught up with chef and founder Rabiul Baksh to ask him about his take on Beijing.

Tell us about yourself and your connection to Beijing.
I’m Rabiul Baksh, founder of Dastaan Indian Restaurant in Beijing. Born in Kolkata, I grew up in a family of chefs – my father cooked Indian cuisine in Japan, sparking my passion. After years in India’s culinary scene, I moved to Beijing in 2015, working at top hotels like Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing, where I promoted Indian cuisine across China.

In 2022, I launched Dastaan to share authentic, innovative Indian flavors. My goal? To connect people through food. Join me at Dastaan, Bollywood Tales, Mumbai Impression or my newest, Rabiul’s Kitchen, for a true taste of India.

You have 24 hours in Beijing – how do you start your day?
As an entrepreneur and chef in Beijing, I would start my day with a visit to a local market, such as Sanyuanli vegetable market to source fresh ingredients.

This not only inspires my creativity but also connects me with local producers.

What's for breakfast?
Often, I enjoy Dosa, an Indian rice and lentil crepe, at my own restaurant. If not, I'll opt for one of the delicious crepes at Panorama in Sanlitun.

You're fueled up. What next?
From there, I head to my kitchen to experiment with new dishes that celebrate traditional flavors while adding my own twist, followed by meeting with my team to discuss our menu and the day’s service.

This morning routine fuels my passion and keeps my culinary vision aligned with the vibrant food culture of Beijing. Afterwards, I will visit each of my outlets in person to observe staff performance, provide and boost morale.

What is your must-visit spot in Beijing when you have a day off?
The must-visit spot in Beijing has to be the Great Wall of China. Walking along the wall allows you to experience China's ancient culture and enjoy beautiful natural landscapes. It's a symbol of strength and perseverance, making it a truly unforgettable destination.

How about for lunch or dinner?
For lunch, I often indulge at local Muslim restaurants such as Western Mahua (西部马华) with one of my favorite Chinese dishes – Stir-Fried Shredded Potatoes (酸辣土豆丝 suānlà tǔdòusī) or Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken (新疆大盘鸡 xīnjiāng dàpánjī). For dinner, I like to go to Ziguang Yuan (紫光园) at Niujie (牛街) to have their BBQ.

For a splurge, I treat myself to Japanese cuisine at one of my favorite spots in Beijing, Shunpachi at the Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing. Chef David's signature dishes are Roast Yuzu Saikyo Miso Black Cod (柚子味噌西京烧黑鳕鱼 yòuzi wèicēng xījīng shāo hēi xuěyú) and Teppanyaki Wagyu Beef Ribeye Steak (铁板烧和牛眼肉 tiěbǎnshāo hé niúyǎn ròu).

Turkish Feast's JinShang Yuan location

Other places I love are Turkish Feast, Al Safir and Taiba.

Post dinner, where are you headed and how do you wind down for the night?
After dinner, my habit is to either immerse myself in a soothing TCM massage, or to devoutly perform Namaz prayers before going to bed, so that my mind and body can relax and gracefully welcome the arrival of the night.