Number 8 School Hotpot (八号学苑)

The story Valid IDs (or passports for non-Chinese residents) are mandatory for entry into this hutong resto. The reason? It only allows those born in the 1980s to dine here. The interior resembles an '80s-style Chinese primary school classroom (portraits of Marx and Lenin observe every bite); it's basically a love letter to the first generation that grew up under the yoke of China's one-child policy. We say try the mashed potatoes (10 yuan) and chuan chuan (20-38 yuan) – a Sichuanese hotpot that involves boiling your chuan'er (0.3-3 yuan per skewer) in a spicy broth. But be sure to book your table at least a day in advance; this place is pretty popular.