For old Beijingers, it is a tradition to eat a bowl of Chao Hong Guo in heat. Chao Hong Guo, or stir fried hawthorn, is a traditional dish of Beijing cuisine. The main ingredients of this dish are Chinese hawthorn, ginger powder and sugar. Hawthorns with seeds removed are cut into small pieces and boiled in water. Afterwards, the hawthorns are stir fried with sugar until they become semi-transparent.

Stir fried hawthorns have a beautiful bright red color, and a sour and sweet taste. It was one of the favorite desserts of the royal family. Taste sweet and sour, people in Beijing also believe that it can lower blood pressure and improve one's appetite.

Recommended restaurants:

Hua's Courtyard Fine Dining Restaurant at Guijie

No. 237 Dongzhimennei Street, Dongcheng District

Baoji Douzhi Restaurant

No. 27 Shuru Hutong, Niujie, Xicheng District

Juer Renjia Restaurant

No. 63 Xiaojuer Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District