CHUAN BAN

5 Gongyuan 1st Alley, Chaoyangmen, Dongcheng District +86 10 6512 2277

Attached to the Sichuan provincial government representative office, Chuan Ban is very authentic and became a firm favourite when I last visited Beijing. You can’t book, you’ll probably have to queue and the service might be a little gruff but if you love spice, this is the place.

The spicy chicken salad is a must, as is the tingling chicken with green Sichuan peppercorn dressing that delivers a citrus hit while being pleasantly numbing at the same time.

Another standout is the stir-fried rabbit featuring small chunks of meat with vegetables, peanuts and loads of dry-fried chilli. Also try the firewater beef. And to help cool the fire, follow it all with steamed custard. Or have a couple of cold beers to quell the heat from these wickedly hot and seriously good Sichuan dishes.