Guijie Street (Ghost Street) in Beijing: Restaurants & Map

Written and updated by Ruqin
Last updated: September 27, 2026

I’ve been to Guijie Street many times. I returned late this afternoon and noticed a few changes, so I’m updating this guide with what I saw. The red lanterns were already hanging above the restaurants, ready for the evening crowd.

Many travelers know Guijie as Ghost Street, but locals usually call it Gui Jie. It’s a lively place for a late dinner, with restaurants serving spicy crayfish, hotpot, Xinjiang Muslim food and Beijing-style dishes. If you have time, walk along the street before choosing where to eat.

1. The Origin of Its Street Name

When I walked along the street this afternoon, the road sign read 东直门内大街 (Dongzhimennei Dajie), or Dongzhimen Inner Street. That is the name to look for on a street sign or map. Guijie Street (Ghost Street) is just the nichname of the street. The stretch between Beixinqiao and Dongzhimen is about 1.4 kilometres long.

The Dongzhimennei Dajie street sign

The name visitors know is 簋街 (Guijie Street). Before it became a food street, people called it 鬼街 (Ghost Street), pronounced the same way but written with the character for “ghost.” Around 2000, the food street adopted 簋 (Gui) instead. A gui is an ancient vessel used to hold food, so the new character suited the restaurants that had gathered here.

The colourful character 簋 (Gui) near the western end of Guijie Street

There are several stories about how “Ghost Street” began. One describes vendors arriving before dawn, their lamps casting faint light along the road. Another points to the coffin shops that once stood near Dongzhimen. I would treat these as local stories rather than a settled explanation of the name

2. How to Get to Guijie Street

Guijie Street follows Dongzhimen Inner Street (东直门内大街) for about 1.4 kilometres, from Beixinqiao in the west to Dongzhimen in the east. You can reach it from either subway station, so I would choose your starting point based on how much of the street you want to explore.

Location Map: Guijie Street with its major restaurants

For the busier restaurant area, get off at Beixinqiao Station and take Exit E or A, which leads toward Guijie. Walk east along Dongzhimen Inner Street and you will soon see the restaurants and red lanterns. This is the end I would choose if you have a particular restaurant in mind or want to look for dinner without walking the full street.

Dongzhimen Station is useful if you want to start at the eastern end. Take Exit A or D, then walk west along Dongzhimen Inner Street. There are restaurants on this side too, though the dining scene becomes busier as you continue toward Beixinqiao. Allow about 10–15 minutes to reach the more crowded western stretch.

I like to arrive a little before dinner and walk for a while before choosing a table. It gives me time to read the menus, see which places are filling up, and enjoy the street as the lanterns come on.

3. Recommended Restaurants on Guijie Street

Whenever I bring friends to Guijie Street, the hardest decision isn’t whether to eat — it’s where to start. This lively stretch of Ghost Street is packed with restaurants, each with bright lanterns, busy doorways, and menus full of bold northern and Sichuan flavors. Walking down Gui Jie in the evening, you’ll see long lines forming outside a few particularly famous spots.

Two names you’ll hear again and again are Huda Restaurant (胡大饭馆) and Hua’s Restaurant (花家怡园簋街店). Both have become local institutions on the street. In fact, there are four different branches of Huda along Guijie Street alone — a good sign of just how popular it is with Beijingers who come here for late-night seafood and spicy dishes.

Huda Restaurant (Right) and Hua’s Restaurant (Left) next to each other

1) Huda Restaurant (胡大饭馆)

If you walk along Guijie Street in the evening, one restaurant name you’ll hear again and again is Huda. I still remember the first time I passed by — the line of people waiting outside stretched halfway down the sidewalk. That’s usually the case here. Huda Restaurant (胡大饭馆) has become one of the most famous dining spots on Ghost Street, especially for its spicy seafood dishes.

Spicy Crayfish (麻辣小龙虾)

The star of the menu is the famous spicy crayfish (麻辣小龙虾). The crayfish are cooked in a rich, aromatic broth full of chili, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. It’s messy, spicy, and incredibly satisfying — exactly the kind of dish that brings groups of friends together around the table.

Beyond crayfish, the menu includes many classic Sichuan-style dishes such as spicy boiled fish and cold beef slices with chili sauce. Like many places on Gui Jie, the restaurant stays busy well into the night, and late dinners here are part of the street’s food culture.

A small tip from experience: expect to wait during peak hours. The good news is that there are several Huda branches along Guijie Street, so if one queue looks too long, you can often find another nearby.

2) Hua’s Restaurant – Guijie Branch (花家怡园簋街)

While Huda is loud and lively, Hua’s Restaurant – Guijie Branch offers a slightly calmer place to sit down and enjoy a proper meal on Guijie Street. I often suggest it to travelers who want to experience the food scene of Ghost Street without standing in long queues or squeezing into a crowded dining room.

The atmosphere here feels more refined. The restaurant blends traditional Beijing courtyard elements with modern touches — wooden screens, calligraphy, and warm lighting that make the space feel comfortable for a longer meal.

Sliced Peking Roast Duck

The menu is also broader than many places along Gui Jie. You’ll find well-known Beijing dishes such as Peking roast duck, alongside classic favorites like Kung Pao chicken (宫保鸡丁) and Beijing-style braised beef (酱牛肉). The restaurant is popular for group dinners and family gatherings because the dining space is larger and more relaxed.

If you plan to visit during peak dinner hours, making a reservation can still be helpful. And if you have room at the end of the meal, try the light dessert almond tofu (杏仁豆腐) — a refreshing finish after richer dishes.

Which one should you choose?
If you want the full late-night energy of Guijie Street, go for Huda and its famous spicy crayfish. If you prefer a quieter table with a wider range of dishes, Hua’s Restaurant is a very comfortable choice.

3. Yili Loulan Restaurant (Guijie Branch) 伊犁楼兰餐厅（簋街店）

Guijie is known for spicy crayfish and hotpot, but Yili Loulan ( also known as YILITAAMRILI) offers another choice: Xinjiang food. The dining room has Xinjiang-inspired décor, and the menu is well suited to sharing.

Yili Loulan ( also known as YILITAAMRILI)

If you are eating with friends, I would start with big plate chicken (大盘鸡) and ask for wide noodles to go with the sauce. Lamb skewers, naan-pit roasted meat, and baked lamb buns are other good choices. For something less spicy, try the hand-grabbed rice (手抓饭) and finish with Xinjiang-style yogurt, often served with raisins.

You may also see pepper chicken, stir-fried diced naan with meat, spicy fish, and Yili-style rice noodles on the menu. Diners have praised the generous portion of big plate chicken and the pieces of lamb inside the baked buns. Some reports say the restaurant brings ingredients, including its yogurt, from Xinjiang, though I would treat that as a restaurant claim rather than a reason to choose it.

Address: No. 282 Dongzhimen Inner Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京市东城区东直门内大街282号)
Reported hours: 11:00 a.m.–midnight
Typical cost: About ¥75–82 per person, depending on what you order

4) Yude Fu Traditional Lamb Hot Pot (裕德孚老北京涮羊肉)

If you want to try one of Beijing’s most classic winter dishes, Yude Fu Traditional Lamb Hot Pot is a wonderful place to do it on Guijie Street. This restaurant focuses on old Beijing–style lamb hotpot, where the quality of the meat and the traditional cooking method really matter.

Here, the lamb is hand-sliced fresh, with different cuts such as tenderloin and sirloin carefully prepared so they cook quickly in the pot and stay tender. Like many traditional hotpot restaurants in Beijing, the meal is served in a copper pot heated with charcoal, which keeps the broth at a steady simmer throughout the meal.

Yude Fu Traditional Lamb Hot Pot (裕德孚)

The dipping sauce is the familiar Beijing sesame sauce, rich and nutty, and it pairs perfectly with the thin slices of lamb. Add a few vegetables or tofu into the pot, and the meal becomes simple, hearty, and very satisfying.

The restaurant itself is fairly modest — a bit small and softly lit — but that’s part of its charm. People come here for the food rather than the décor. On a busy night along Ghost Street, you’ll hear lively conversations around the tables as diners enjoy one of Beijing’s most traditional hotpot experiences on Gui Jie.

Address: No. 264, Dongzhimen Nei Street, Beijing 北京东直门内大街264号

5) Guijie Zai Zai Crayfish (簋街仔仔小龙虾店)

When you walk along Guijie Street at night, you’ll quickly notice that crayfish is the unofficial star of the street. One place locals often mention is Guijie Zai Zai Crayfish, a lively restaurant known for its bold flavors and late-night energy right in the middle of Ghost Street. Guijie Zaizai has three outlets along Gujie Street.

The menu focuses on crowd-pleasing dishes like spicy crayfish, grilled fish, and spicy frog legs—all classic favorites for groups sharing food over drinks. The crayfish here are cooked in rich, aromatic sauces packed with chili, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorn, the kind of dish that keeps people lingering at the table long after dinner.

Guijie ZAIZA Flasgship Restaurant (簋街仔仔总店)

Like many restaurants on Gui Jie, the hours are very late. The restaurant typically opens around late morning and stays busy well into the early hours of the morning, making it a popular stop for late dinners and after-midnight meals.

If you’re exploring Guijie Street for the full night food experience, Zai Zai Crayfish is one of those places where you can sit down with friends, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the messy, flavorful fun that this street is famous for.

Address: No. 181-1-3, Dongzhimen Nei Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. 北京市东城区东直门内大街181-1-3号

6) Bainian Qianmen Copper Hotpot (Guijie Branch) 百年前门铜锅涮肉（簋街店）

If you want to try a traditional Beijing meal on Guijie Street, copper hotpot is a good choice. Bainian Qianmen Copper Hotpot specializes in shuan yangrou: thin slices of lamb swished briefly through a simmering pot, then dipped in sesame sauce.

Bainian Qianmen Copper Hotpot 百年前门铜锅涮肉 （簋街）

The meal centers on a charcoal-heated copper pot, a simple clear broth, and freshly hand-cut lamb. Because the broth is light, you can taste the lamb itself. Order a few vegetable dishes to cook alongside it, and take your time around the pot. It is an easy meal to share, especially on a cool evening.

The restaurant has its main location in the Qianmen area; this is its Guijie branch. Copper-pot lamb hotpot has a long history in Beijing, though stories linking its invention to Kublai Khan are best treated as legend.

Address: No. 188 Dongzhimen Inner Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京市东城区东直门内大街188号)

7) Beiping Three Brothers Hotpot (北平三兄弟涮肉)

Among the many seafood and spicy restaurants on Guijie Street, Beiping Three Brothers Hotpot offers something a little more traditional. This restaurant focuses on old Beijing–style lamb hotpot, served the classic way in a copper pot heated with charcoal. It’s the kind of meal many locals grew up eating in winter, and the atmosphere here reflects that older Beijing dining style.

Beiping Three Brothers Hotpot (北平三兄弟涮肉)

The interior has a nostalgic feel, with simple décor inspired by traditional Beijing restaurants. The first floor is usually for walk-in diners, while the second floor has private rooms that work well for small gatherings. Even on busy evenings along Ghost Street, the dining room here often feels a bit more relaxed than some of the louder seafood spots.

Beef and Lamb Combo

The highlight, of course, is the thinly sliced lamb, which cooks quickly in the hot broth and stays tender and flavorful. Many diners also order the beef and lamb combination platter for variety. A classic sesame dipping sauce accompanies the meat, along with small side dishes like cucumber, peanuts, and radish for a refreshing contrast.

To finish the meal, a glass of homemade sour plum soup is a nice touch — slightly sweet, slightly tart, and perfect after a rich hotpot dinner on Gui Jie.

Address: No. 5-6, Dongzhimen Nei Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
北京市东城区东直门内大街5-6号
Tel: (010)84064086

The official name is A Fan Ti Xiao Zhen ( shown on the plague at its facade

Thank you for checking the sign. Use the restaurant’s own English name:

8. A Fan Ti Xiao Zhen (Dongzhimen Branch) 阿凡提小镇（东直门店）

Near the Dongzhimen east end of Guijie Street (close to Dongzhimen subway station), A Fan Ti Xiao Zhen (Afanti Town) serves Xinjiang-style halal food in a dining room decorated with Xinjiang-inspired details. It is a comfortable place to settle in with friends or family after a walk along the street.

A Fan Ti Xiao Zhen (Dongzhimen Branch) 阿凡提小镇（东直门店）

I would start with the charcoal-grilled lamb skewers on red willow branches (红柳羊肉串). For the table, try the lamb ribs served with naan (馕包肉). The seasoning is fairly gentle, and the dish does not feel too heavy. The house-made yogurt with Xinjiang raisins makes a refreshing finish.

If you want Xinjiang flavors without a particularly spicy or oily meal, this is a good option on Guijie Street.

4. The Culinary Highlights of Ghost Street

One thing that makes Guijie Street special is that the food scene rarely sleeps. Most restaurants stay open late into the night, and many run almost around the clock. During the evening, Ghost Street really comes alive—rows of red lanterns glowing above busy tables while the smell of seafood, chili, and garlic fills the air.

The most famous dish here is spicy crayfish. Bowls of bright red crayfish arrive covered in chili, garlic, and aromatic spices. It’s messy, flavorful, and meant for sharing with friends.

hot and spicy crayfish

You’ll also find excellent Peking roast duck, especially at Hua’s Restaurant, where the duck is served with thin pancakes, scallions, and sweet sauce.

Other popular choices include garlic grilled oysters and seafood, often eaten with cold beer, and the fiery Sichuan-style boiled fish, where tender fish fillets soak up a rich chili-oil broth.

Together, these dishes capture the bold, social spirit of Gui Jie dining.

5. Dining Budget at Guijie Street

Eating on Guijie Street doesn’t have to be expensive, which is one reason the area is so popular with locals. Most meals here are shared, so groups often order several dishes to place in the center of the table. The experience is lively and social—much more about enjoying food together than sitting down for a formal dinner.

In general, the cost is quite reasonable for central Beijing. Most people spend somewhere between 50 and 200 RMB per person, depending on the restaurant and how many dishes you order. Simple barbecue or noodle spots fall on the lower end, while seafood or hotpot restaurants tend to be a bit higher.

Like anywhere in a busy food district, prices can vary, and a few places may feel slightly overpriced. Still, the majority of restaurants along Ghost Street offer good value, especially if you come with friends and share a few of the street’s signature dishes on Gui Jie.

6. Guijie Street Nearby Attractions

One thing I like about Guijie Street is how close it is to some of Beijing’s most interesting historic neighborhoods. It’s easy to combine dinner on Ghost Street with a short walk or taxi ride to a few nearby cultural spots.

A great place to start is Yonghe Temple, also known as the Lama Temple, about 1.5 km away. It’s one of the most beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing, filled with incense, prayer halls, and intricate carvings.

Just nearby is Wudaoying Hutong, a relaxed lane with cafés, small boutiques, and traditional courtyards. It’s a pleasant place to wander before heading to Gui Jie for dinner.

If you’re interested in Chinese history and philosophy, visit Temple of Confucius, Beijing and the nearby Guozijian Museum.

A little farther west, you’ll find the historic Drum Tower of Beijing and Bell Tower of Beijing, along with the scenic lakes of Shichahai and lively hutongs like Nanluoguxiang. These places pair nicely with an evening meal on Guijie Street

Guijie Street, or Gui Jie, is more than just a food destination; it’s a vibrant slice of Beijing’s rich cultural tapestry. This legendary street, with its intriguing history and bustling contemporary scene, offers a unique blend of traditional and modern flavors that cater to every palate.

Whether you’re seeking a taste of authentic local cuisine or a spicy Sichuan adventure, Gui Jie promises an unforgettable dining experience. With this guide, you can easily plan your Beijing itinerary and include a night out in Gui Jie – it’s an experience that epitomizes the heart and soul of this magnificent city.

Frequently Asked Questions — Guijie Street (Ghost Street), Beijing

1. Where is Guijie Street and how do I get there?
Guijie Street runs along Dongzhimen Inner Street for about 1.4–1.5 km. The easiest subway stop is Beixinqiao Station (Exit A or E). You can also walk about 10–15 minutes from Dongzhimen Station.

2. Are restaurants open late on Ghost Street?
Yes. Most restaurants open from late morning or afternoon and stay busy until around 3–5 AM, which is why the street is famous for late-night dining.

3. How much does a meal usually cost?
Most meals range between 50 and 200 RMB per person, depending on the restaurant and how many dishes you share.

4. What food is Guijie known for?
Popular dishes include spicy crayfish, hotpot, grilled seafood, and Peking roast duck. Well-known restaurants include Huda, Hua’s Restaurant, and several lamb hotpot spots.

5. Is Guijie Street busy every night?
Pretty much. After sunset the street becomes lively, with long lines forming outside popular restaurants.

6. Are menus foreign-visitor friendly?
Many restaurants have photo menus or some English, but a translation app can still be helpful.

7. Is it safe at night?
Yes. Ghost Street is bright, busy, and generally very safe for evening dining.

8. Best time to visit?
Around 7 PM to midnight, when the lanterns are glowing and the street is most lively.

9. Any quick tips for first-time visitors?
Use the subway or taxi (parking is difficult), come with friends to share dishes, and don’t be afraid to try something spicy.

About the Author

 Ruqin is the founder of Ruqintravel.com and has spent more than four decades working in China’s travel industry. Drawing on hands-on experience in cities like Beijing and Hangzhou, he personally researches and updates each guide to help international travelers navigate China with confidence.

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What to Eat in Beijing: A Visitor’s Guide
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