
Next Wednesday (29.01.2025), the Year of the Snake will be ushered in with the Chinese New Year – it marks the beginning of the new lunar year. There are a number of festive rituals on this day, which are intended to bring luck and prosperity in the new year, such as the sharing of jiaozi, which is a firm fixture in many families (especially in northern China) on this special day. Where else can they be found? When I order them at Ming Dynastie on Jannowitzbrücke. Ming Dynastie offers authentic Chinese dishes at two locations, where traditions are upheld. The restaurant also insists on tradition when it comes to ambience and will undoubtedly put you in a festive New Year mood on Wednesday. At first glance, the color red is the dominant color in all the rooms: Red lanterns, red wallpaper and red lacquered tables guarantee a warm ambience. But back to the jiaozi: these are of course handmade here, from the dough to the filling, with a choice of juicy pork, prawns or a vegetable and herb mix, and are my personal “must have” on the menu. If you want to try them all, it’s best to order the large mixed portion, which is particularly suitable for sharing. Incidentally, this applies to all the dishes here: The portions are huge (I swear) and taste best when you enjoy them in a large group. The separate rooms are also designed for this, with large round tables including lazy Susan’s, so that everyone can really get a bite of everything without having to constantly interrupt other people’s conversations.
From classics such as Peking duck and gong bao to lesser-known but no less traditional dishes such as chicken feet and jellyfish salad, you can get an insight into Chinese cuisine here. And if I hadn’t decided to make dumplings myself this year and invite my friends over for New Year, you’d probably find me here. But if you’ve planned a lavish feast with your closest friends or family (whether on Wednesday or any other day), then you should get everyone together and head here. It’s best to book in advance to get one of the very limited tables with a turntable.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Ming Dynastie, Robyn Steffen
Ming Dynastie Jannowitzbrücke, Brückenstr.6, 10179 Berlin–Mitte; map
Ming Dynastie West, Tauentzienstr.9-12, 10789 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
@ming_dynastie