We’re not talking about McDonald’s or KFC. Come on. These truly delicious restaurants brands can be found in most major cities around China, and will both impress your date and won’t break the bank. You’ve probably walked by them before not knowing the date night potential that lay within. Well, we’ve broken out the list to bring you restaurants from a variety of categories expats and locals love. You’re welcome.
HOT POT: HaiDiLao Hot Pot (海底捞火锅)
Hot pot is amazing, especially in the winter. If you haven’t tried hot pot yet, what the heck are you even doing here? Grab a date and get yourself to Hai Di Lao now! Hai Di Lao comes from Sichuan, the motherland of hot pot, so you know it’s good. On top of the great food, the service is so good it’s scary. The energetic waiters will pull noodles right in front of you at the table, staff members will give you neck massages, and there are even complimentary snacks and drinks while you wait in line for a table. Tons of other awesome customer service options are available, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.
Average price per person: 100 RMB
Locations — Hai Di Lao is pretty much everywhere, with 33 cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, Xi’An, Shenzhen, Suzhou, etc. Check Spoonhunt to see where the closest one is to you and then go there.
TEPPANYAKI: 57 Degrees Hunan Teppanyaki (57 度湘)
Teppanyaki is the Japanese style of grilling foods on a flat iron grill right in front of your face. 57°C Xiang is a Hunanese Teppanyaki chain that can be found all over China. The chefs make fire, cook your food and even dance around the restaurant (it’s quite amusing). Dinner and a show, where your dinner is the show. Definitely a great dinner date activity, unless you’re allergic to awesomeness.
Average price per person: 95 RMB
Locations — Changsha, Shanghai, Taiyuan, Beijing, Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Hebei, Jilin, Jiangsu…the list goes on. Spoonhunt will guide you to the closest one.
Shanghainese Food: Grandma’s Home (外婆家)
Grandma’s Home is a cool Hangzhou chain restaurant in China known for it’s comtemporary decor and hip background music, which is not at all like my grandmother’s house. Locals love this place and you should too. They know what’s up. The service is very prompt and the food is super affordable. I mean, 3 RMB for quality Mapo Tofu is a sweet deal. For obvious reasons it draws a pretty big crowd for lunch and dinner, but if you can avoid the peak meal rush, this place is a great option for everyone.
Average price per person: 50 RMB
Locations — Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Hefei, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, Qingdao and Xi’An. Spoonhunt has got you covered.
Korean Barbeque: HanNaShan (汉拿山)
Korean Barbeque is like hot pot but with a grill. You’re given raw meats and uncooked vegetables and it is your job to place them on the charcoal or gas grill in the middle of the table for as long as you see fit. What sets Han Na Shan Korean Barbeque apart are the spices and sauces they give you to complement your cooking. Their sauces are a secret recipe and help cool down the meat before you put it in your mouth. This reasonably priced Korean BBQ chain will amaze your taste buds and your lover.
Average price per person: 80 RMB
Locations — Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Changsha, Wufei, Ningbo, etc. They have over 70 locations. And yes, Spoonhunt will help you find one.
Beijing Roast Duck: QuanJuDe (全聚德)
If you know anything about Beijing cuisine, you know that Beijing Roast Duck is extremely delicious. Quan Ju De’s origins go all the way back to 1864 in Beijing. The duck chain sells over 2 million roast ducks annually across China. While their birds may cost a few hundred RMB, the chefs will slice the ducks right in front of you and you will not be disappointed. Like all other good things in this world, lots of people flock (haha pun) to Quan Ju De everyday, so reserve a spot in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Average price per person: 130 RMB
Locations — 50 locations countrywide: Beijing (duh), Shanghai, Chongqing, Changchun, Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Wuxi, Hefei, Changzhou, Nanjing, and Urumqi. Quack quack Spoonhunt quack quack.
Taiwanese: Chamate (一茶一坐)
Chamate is a Taiwanese chain that embraces the idea of customers coming in to take a rest and stay for a while. The atmosphere is designed to make you feel comfortably at home while you enjoy a cup of tea or many of the other Taiwanese food items. Their philosophy is “Treat customers as friends and partners as family.” The 3 Cup Chicken is one of the signature dishes of this casual restaurant and a great dish to share on a casual date.
Average price per person: 60 RMB
Locations — There’s pretty much at least one store in every of the top 50 cities in China. Basically wherever there are people. Do I need to mention Spoonhunt again?
Cantonese Food: Bi Feng Tang (避风塘)
If you’re a fan of Cantonese food and dim sum, Bi Feng Tang is for you. This affordable Hong Kong food chain restaurant has fast service and some of the stores are open late if you need a post-drinks dumpling fix. The decor of each location varies, but ultimately the same principles hold true for each of the locations. “Fine food within reach.”
Average price per person: 85 RMB
Locations — Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Huzhou, Changzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Hefei, Wuhan, Yangzhou, etc. Spoonhunt it, seriously.
Spoonhunt is your ultimate tool and service for finding restaurants, seeing English menus with pictures and ordering food all over China. We are dedicated to making all of China’s cuisine, from popular Western restaurants to the most local Chinese restaurants accessible to everyone. Follow us at Wechat ID: Spoonhunt or scan the QR code below to get started!
