Roast chicken wing has become extremely popular in Beijing, especially during this summer. Restaurants offering various tastes and flavors of roast chicken wings can be found everywhere in the city. However, the best and the most original roast chicken wings can only be found in a few restaurants located in various parts of the city.
Hidding in a crowded Hutong between Dongsi Batiao and Dongsi Jiutiao, Wuge Roast Chicken Wings is undoubtly the most famous, not only for the crispy and flavored taste of roast chicken wings, but also for the style and character of the place and its owners. The restaurant is also recognized as the first of its type and the one that started all. Like most roast chicken wing restaurants, main flavors they offer are original, medium hot, single-side hot, double-side hot, and the ULTIMATE INSANE HOT. You must call to reserve places at least one day prior, and you must be specific about the number of people going and the hours between which you are going to stay. Remember this by heart because if you fail to come on time, the places will be given to others without notice. And if you don’t finish your food and leave at the specified time, while, the daughter of Wuge is charming, and friendly most of the time, you still need to get ready to be kicked on your ass 
. In addition, don’t yell to the waitresses for beer because they won’t respond. You will have to grab them yourselves from the fridge. And, remember, don’t ever try to hide empty bottles when checking out, you will only humiliate yourself. Their phone number is 010-64001626. Average cost per person is around 50 RMB. If you are lost in the Hutong, ask the neighborhood or look for the smoke .
Also located in a Hutong near Xidan shopping centers, Xidan Roast Chicken Wings is another well-known spot for premium roast chicken wings. The restaurant is always crowded with mouth-wartered customers, so you need to call days earlier to secure a place. Of course you can try your luck to pay a visit without calling first, but you must don’t mind losing your grace by having the roast chicken wings standing outside of the door, amongst numerous others. Recommended flavors are original and medium hot. The taste is a little more mixed than Wuge’s, you’ll need to stretch your tongue to experience the minor but surprising difference. Call them at 010-66032605 to secure a place. Average cost per person is 40 RMB. Remember also to try the roast steam bread and numerous cold dishes, you won’t regret it.
Originally opened near the west gate of Peking University, Peng’s West Gate Roast Chicken Wings is now operating near the west gate of another most prestigious university in China, Tsinghua University. Old customers, mainly university students, say that the flavor has changed after the move, but the restaurant is still crowded, especially during weekends. Apart from their famous crispy roast chicken wings, they also offer roast vegetables and Geda Soup (dough drop and assorted vegetable soup). Since most customers are students, the average cost is the lowest among similar restaurants. Only 35 RMB per person. You can call them at 010-62555915.
Xingyue Bar Roasts, another famous restaurant offering quality roast chicken wings is now moved to No. 78, South 3rd Road of Zhongguancun. Space is the largest comparing with the above, and some of the waitresses and waiters are equipped with wireless communication devices for efficiency purpose. The roast chicken wings they offer have a medium taste of garlic, which make them stand out from the others. Cost per person is around 40 RMB. Phone number is 010-62566703.
Now, my personal recommendation goes to the 2008 Roast Chicken Wing Originality Award (I made it up) winner Chuanmen! The small restaurant became famous among neighborhood really quick for their continuous effort on creativity. Among all the common flavors, you can find roast chicken wings in the taste of honey, cumin (jeera), curry, wasabi, and others. And don’t forget to try the TERMINATOR ULTIMATE INSANE SUPER HOT flavor, I’m sure you’ll remember it for life . Due to their fast success and the recent opening of the new branch at Dongsi Street, sometimes the chicken wings are not fully cooked. But the owner is happy to replace it for you with no additional cost. Also try their roast clams, banana bread, and pineapple bread. See, I wasn’t joking on their creativity!
