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烧麦
都一处
Imperial shaomai · Qianmen, Beijing · since 1738

24 folds, by hand.

Every shaomai takes sixteen steps. With a "rolling hammer" (走槌) each wrapper is pressed translucent, then gathered into twenty-four folds — one for each solar term of the year (二十四节气) — that bloom open like a flower, by hand, unchanged since the imperial era.

A new generation trains under the old masters, inheriting the art of rolling the wrapper thin as a cicada's wing — a skill that takes years to hone and a lifetime to keep.

1738
Founded
24
Folds, by hand
16
工序 · Steps
3
Houses · Beijing

Heritage

Since
1738

The only place of its kind in all the capital.

— The Qianlong Emperor, New Year's Eve 1752

  1. 1738Wang Ruifu arrives from Shanxi by donkey and opens the "Wang Ji" tavern at Xianyukou, near Qianmen.
  2. 1752Qianlong, incognito, proclaims it "the only place in the capital" and gives it a plaque in his own hand: 都一处.
  3. 1956Under the public-private partnership, the house moves to larger premises just north of Xianyukou and reopens.
  4. 2008Duyichu's shaomai craft is inscribed as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Imperial decree · 1752
乾隆御赐
National heritage · 2008
国家级非遗
Time-honored brand
中华老字号

Three houses · Beijing

One name, three tables

Choose a house to see its details.

前门
01
Qianmen
前门大街 36 号
36 Qianmen St · Since 1738

Nearest subway · Qianmen Station, Lines 2 & 8 · about 5 min walk

Open daily 10:00 – 21:00

Last seating 20:15

Open daily, including most public holidays. Hours may shift during Spring Festival (春节).

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都一处
北京市东城区前门大街 36 号
Diet
Six fillings, each labelled by allergen. Please tell us about any allergy when you book.
Payment
Cash (RMB) and UnionPay always welcome. Alipay & WeChat Pay accept foreign cards in-app; a physical Visa/Mastercard may not be accepted.
Tax
Included — the price you see is the price you pay.
Tipping
Not expected. There is no tipping in China, and no service charge is added.
Language
Our front desk will help you in English. Show this page or your booking on arrival.