Moslem food is divided into East Style and West Style in Beijing. According to insiders of food circle, the East Style has Donglaishun and Youyishun restaurants as representatives with their stir-fried, roast foods and chafing dishes, while Xilaishun stands for the West Style with magnificent and delicate dishes. Xilaishun is good at sautéed food, rich variety, and integrates western cooking methods. It outstands from all Moslem restaurants in Beijing.

  Set up in the 19^th year of the Republic period (1930), Xilaishun was located in the West Chang’an Avenue which was called the Restaurant Street, and later moved to the present location. It was well-known among all Moslem restaurants in Beijing and offered banquet service and Beijing Roast Duck on April 25, 1935, Beijing Shibao Newspaper had an article writing: Xilaishun, which is located in the West Chang’an Avenue, is relatively modern among all Moslem restaurants…it invents new dishes using its philosophy. It is partially Chinese and partially Western, and is partially vegetable and partially meat. It is a good choice for rich people holding banquets, and small parties of friends.

  Xilaishun offers both traditional and new style Moslem food, Beijing Roast Duck, and chafing dishes. Foods made here are lite, tender, mellow and have not unpleasant smell, and are popular in Beijing. In 1986, chefs of Xilaishun participated in the Fifth International Cooking Competition and brought home two gold medals, two silver medals and one copper medal. Nowadays Xilaishun maintains the tradition of West Style with its delicate and rich foods.

  Featured dishes: Shark’s Fin in Casserole, Braised Bird’s Nest, Stewed Sliced Mutton, Chrysanthemum Chafing Dish (named after the flower in autumn), Fried and Boiled Pawns, Sautéed Chicken Wrapped with tinfoil, Sea Cucumber with Glutinous Rice Balls