5 great Beijing meals under 10RMB

Beijing is still one of those cities where the taste sensation of the week can be less expensive than the flag drop of a cab ride. Better yet, cheap Chinese food doesn't have that concocted-in-a-laboratory quality of Kentucky fried, Western fast food.

In fact, if you know where to go and what to order, the city serves up a surprising variety of cheap cuisine for no more than a blue 10 kuai note. You might not be full to bursting, but your wallet will be. Below, check out some of our favourite places to go for a taste of the city's cheap eats.

Yunnan mian (noodles)

This spicy, boiling hot bowl of flavor is filled with thick noodles, sprouts, boiled eggs, a choice of meat and allows adjustments to your taste. In Chedian hutong (辇店胡同) just off Andingmen Nei, you will find some of the best Yunnan noodles in town, served in a humble restaurant of no more than ten square meters.

The owner chats happily with his customers and knows most frequent visitors by name. Foreigners are relatively new to his restaurant, so he likes to conclude visits by taking a picture of his new friends. Order the 10 kuaibowl, explain your preferences and enjoy the meal! But be warned, your clothes will smell overwhelmingly like noodles for the next few days.

Shandong jianbing (pancake)

Many Bejijngers are familiar with the jianbing (煎饼; pancake) stands that appear on street corners all over the city. A lesser known version of this food is the Shandong jianbing. This is a crispier and more exciting version of the to-go dish.

You can find it at the Peking University campus hidden at the top of the staircase of the Wumei supermarket close to the southwest gate. The owner takes pride in telling anyone who asks that the dish is completely vegetarian, filled with simple ingredients like salad, coriander and lajiao (辣椒; hot pepper).

It is then made perfect through the addition of a mysterious sauce and the unbelievable crispiness of the pancake. Enjoy its perfection for a mere 4.5RMB.