International Dining in China
Western, European, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Persian, Southeast Asian and more — a guide to non-Chinese international dining for foreign visitors in China's major cities.
International Dining Overview
Best Cities for International Dining
Shanghai — most diverse and highest quality. Beijing — strong diplomatic community drives demand. Guangzhou — Southeast Asian and African cuisine standouts. Shenzhen — fast-growing, good Japanese and Korean.
Finding Restaurants
Use Dianping (大众点评) — China's most comprehensive restaurant review platform. Filter by cuisine type. Read recent photo reviews for accurate current status. WeChat mini-program is easier than the app for foreigners.
Booking
Top international restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai require advance booking. Use the restaurant's WeChat mini-program, Dianping reservation system, or simply call. Most high-end international restaurants speak English.
Price Reference
Budget international (¥80–150/person): Western fast casual, Korean BBQ neighbourhood spots. Mid-range (¥150–350/person): proper Japanese, Italian, French bistros. Fine dining (¥500+/person): Bund restaurants, Michelin-level.
Japanese Restaurants
Shanghai Japanese Cluster
Shanghai has Japan's largest restaurant scene outside Japan. The Hongqiao/Gubei (虹桥/古北) area — known as "Little Tokyo" — has an entire district of authentic Japanese restaurants, izakayas, ramen shops and convenience stores serving the large Japanese expat community.
Beijing Japanese
Sanlitun, Chaoyang CBD, and the Liangmahe area have quality Japanese options. Omakase sushi at higher price points is available in Beijing's upscale hotel restaurants. Ramen shops are widespread across the city.
Mall-Based Japanese
Every major mall in China (IAPM, TAIKOO LI, Mixc) has quality Japanese options. Yoshinoya and other chains aside — look for independently-operated ramen, sushi and yakiniku restaurants in the B1 and L1 food courts.
Korean Restaurants
Wangjing — Beijing Korean Town
Wangjing (望京) in northeast Beijing is home to the largest Korean community in China. Authentic Korean BBQ, Korean fried chicken (炸鸡), kimchi jjigae, and Korean bakeries. Walk Wangjing West Road for the best selection.
Shanghai Korean
Korean restaurants in Shanghai are widespread in the Jing'an and Hongqiao areas. Many run by Korean expats. Korean BBQ remains the most popular format — charcoal grills, banchan spreads, and soju.
Korean BBQ Tips
At table-grill Korean BBQ (自助烤肉): staff usually grill for you in upscale places; self-grill in mid-range spots. Order samgyeopsal (三层肉) or galbi (排骨) first. Wrap in lettuce leaves with garlic and ssamjang paste.
Western & European Restaurants
The Bund — Shanghai Fine Dining
The Bund buildings house some of Asia's best international restaurants. Jean-Georges, Ultraviolet, Mr & Mrs Bund, and The Chop Chop Club. Booking weeks in advance required for most. Prices match comparable fine dining globally.
Sanlitun Casual Western — Beijing
TAIKOO LI Sanlitun has a strong casual Western dining cluster — burgers, pasta, pizzas, and brunch cafes. More affordable than Shanghai equivalents. Good base for Western food during multi-day Beijing stays.
Italian Restaurants
Both Beijing and Shanghai have numerous Italian restaurants ranging from affordable to fine dining. Pizza and pasta quality in top-end Shanghai Italian restaurants is genuinely world-class. Look for wood-fired ovens (柴火窑炉) as a quality signal.
Brunch Culture
Shanghai and Beijing have a strong brunch culture in expat areas. The French Concession in Shanghai is the best area — Egg, Shake, Smart, and Brut are popular spots. Weekend brunch bookings fill up — reserve Friday evening at the latest.
Turkish & Persian Restaurants
Turkish in Beijing
Several Turkish restaurants in Sanlitun and Chaoyang serve the diplomatic community. Kebabs, mezes, börek and baklava. The Turkish Embassy area has the most authentic options. Mostly halal-certified.
Turkish in Shanghai
A handful of Turkish restaurants in Jing'an and the Former French Concession. Less common than in Beijing but quality has improved. Search 土耳其餐厅 on Dianping for current options.
Persian / Iranian
Persian cuisine is rare in China but exists in Beijing and Shanghai near Iranian business communities. Chelow kebab, ghormeh sabzi, and saffron rice. Search 伊朗餐厅 or 波斯餐厅 on Dianping. Mostly halal-certified.
Southeast Asian Restaurants
Thai Restaurants
Thai food is the most widely available Southeast Asian cuisine in China. Tom yum, pad thai, green curry, and Thai BBQ are popular. Both cities have Thai restaurant clusters in upscale areas. Quality varies — look for restaurants with Thai ownership.
Vietnamese
Vietnamese restaurants are common in major Chinese cities, especially near university areas. Phở, bánh mì, and fresh spring rolls. Yunnan province's proximity to Vietnam means the border cuisine is particularly good.
Malaysian & Singaporean
Nasi lemak, laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, and char kway teow are available at Malaysian restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing. Some Malay restaurants are halal-certified. Search 马来西亚餐厅 on Dianping.
Indonesian
Indonesian restaurants are less common but growing, particularly in Shanghai. Nasi goreng, rendang, satay and gado-gado. Several are halal-certified serving the Indonesian Muslim community in China.