Tucked in a glass-fronted courtyard down a hutong to the east of Oriental Plaza, Zhuyufang specialises in Chongqing barbequed fish served three different ways – mala (spicy and numbing), salty black bean, or pickled chilli. A whole carp (34.8RMB per jin; approximately 80RMB per fish) is marinated in Sichuan spices and grilled before being topped with a generous amount of al dente cauliflower, lotus root, fragrant celery and the selected sauce – in this case the refreshingly fiery pickled chilli.

A large dish is set over hot coals and placed in the centre of the table for diners to share. There is a limited offering of accompanying cold dishes, including freshly chopped tomatoes sprinkled with sugar, but the fish is so substantial that sides are hardly necessary at all. Serving intensely flavoured fish at very reasonable prices, Zhuyufang is worth getting lost down a couple of hutongs to find.

Address: 53 Beijige Santiao, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District 东城区东单北极阁三条53号

Source: timeoutbeijing.com