If you're on a budget and find yourself getting sick of fried egg and tomatoe with rice, here are five places in Dongcheng District which offer something a little different, without breaking your piggy bank.

1) Ju'er House 菊儿人家 View In Map
The large red sign outside proclaims, "Gravy Meat Rice", which pretty much tells you what this restaurant is about. Stewed meat, gravy and rice fuse into a delicious mush in your bowl. There are also frozen yoghurt desserts, and cute cups of iced rose tea. A Nanluoguxiang staple for over three years, Ju'er House now looks like the last bastion of low prices as the meals in the area become increasingly hard to afford.

Add: 63 Ju’er Hutong, off Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区南锣鼓巷小菊儿胡同63号(近南锣鼓巷北口)
Tel: 010 6400 8117
Price: 20 RMB per person

2) Mian Dui Mian 面兑面 View In Map
As you might've guessed, this place is all about noodles. Eight RMB buys you a bowl of Korean-style cold noodles, with meat and vegetable toppings available. Order a plate of crispy Guatiao (deliciously seasoned cucumber strips) and you’ve got an unbeatable budget lunch. Noodles are served from behind a 'bar', and the wood interior gives the place an IKEA feel, though meatballs don’t make the menu.

Add: 7 Dongsi Toutiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区东四头条7号
Tel: 010 6400 8781
Price: 20 RMB per person

3) Saliya 萨莉亚 View In Map
Do you remember growing up in "the West"? That's when you ate "Western" food all the time, right? Well at Saliya you can relive those glorious days at low, low prices. The Dongzhimen branch of this chain has your old friends: pizza, sausages, omelets, spaghetti and lasagna, with most dishes priced less than 15 RMB. Wash it down with 6 RMB mugs of milk tea, and end with cheese cake at 8 RMB a slice. Most food is oven cooked from frozen, and tastes like it, while the decor is non-existent. But with prices like this, you'd be a fool to complain; not least because your mouth is probably full of cheesecake and pizza.

Add: Floor C, Ginza Baihuo Building. 48 Dongzhimenwai Daijie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区东直门外大街48号银座百货写字楼夹层3C楼
Tel: 010 8454 9645
Price: 25 RMB per person

4) Xian Lao Man 馅老满 View In Map
If you think Jiaozi are boring, prepare to be surprised by this restaurant’s head spinning range of unusual fillings: fruit (apple and pear), seafood and Japanese style tofu to name just a few. The cold dishes are zesty and come in at around 10 RMB each. Herbal tea comes free with the meal. Locals are in on the secret, so you might have to wait around 15 minutes for a table in the evenings.

Add: 252 Andingmennei Daijie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区安定门内大街252号
Tel: 010 6404 6944
Price: 25 RMB per person

5) Pipali Grill House 噼啪哩铁板屋 View In Map
Pipali's reputation rests on its iron bowls of sizzling rice and meat in the style of Korean bibimap. But other dishes including the cold noodles are also good. The Black Pepper beef is recommended, as are the milkshakes. There's even a self service salad bar, where you can add your own dressings. So cram as much on to your little plate as you can, you pauper.

Address: 18 Beijing Station Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区北京站街18号
Tel: 010 6559 9866
Price: 25 RMB per person

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Keywords: Cheap eats in Beijing restaurants in Beijing cheap Western food Beijing budget restaurants Dongcheng district