Food
The colonial influence in Harbin is evident in much of the city's cuisine and eating here is a very different experience from dining elsewhere in China or indeed in the province.
For starters, the exterior of the restaurants is pretty unique. Lanterns hang outside each restaurant, each denoting different characteristics about the food and facilities available. Red lanterns denote a typical Chinese place and blue lanterns indicate that the restaurant serves Muslim food (no pork). What's more, the greater the number of lanterns hanging outside, the higher the standard of cooking and accordingly, the larger the size of your bill!
In accordance with the historical influence, Russian styles are used abundantly in the preparation of most dishes. Stroganoff and caviar are also available in a few places, including the Huamei Restaurant.
For more typical Harbin food, check out the Futailou Restaurant, serving good fish soups and some of the city's more exotic dishes. The Beilaishun Restaurant is an authority on Muslim dishes (note the plethora of blue lanterns suspended from outside). The Laodu Yichu Dumpling Restaurant, is one of the few places in town serving authentic dongbei dumplings.
Restaurants
1) Wang Ji--now rename:Zheng Yang: Bone
The restaurant has been chosen one of the top 50 restaurants is HeiLongJiang Province. Here you can taste real north-east China food. And this restaurant is also quite well-kwon in Harbin.
Address: No.252 Zhong Shan Rd
2) Xiangcun Dayuan
It is a very special restaurant in Harbin.Y
ou can taste truely Chinese farm dishes here in this restaurant. All the waitpersons wear Homweibin ( Red army ) or Chinese type uniform. But the price there is a bit higher than normal price in China.
Address: No 13 Tai Shun Street
3) Dongfang Jiaozi Wang
This is the flagship store of a chain of dumpling restaurants.
It is on the chic pedestrian street.
The dumplings are small. Do not hesitate ordering at least 12 for yourself, 36 for two.
It is all a bit confusing, but excellent.
Address: No. 39 Zhongyang Avenue
4) Da Fengshou
Dongbei cooking is extremely copious, so you should find some famished friends before you visit Da Fengshou. Also, like anywhere else in China, don't expect a non-smoking section.
Address: No 283 Yimian Street