Tun Er Ya Iron-Pot Stew (屯二丫铁锅炖, Central Street branch)

Tun Er Ya Iron-Pot Stew (Tun Er Ya Tieguo Dun), Central Street branch, is on the ground floor at 6 Shangyou Street in Harbin's Daoli District, Heilongjiang province. It serves tieguo dun, the iron-pot stew that is one of the defining rural dishes of the Northeast, traditionally cooked over a wood fire in a large iron wok set into the table. The format is communal and generous, and it suits Harbin's cold winters especially well.

The stews are cooked in wood-fired iron pots for two to four people, priced at about 120 to 260 yuan (roughly 18 to 39 US dollars) per pot. Iron-pot goose and iron-pot fish are the emblematic choices, simmered with potato, beans and seasonings. Corn-flour pancakes are traditionally stuck around the rim of the pot to steam in the rising heat. Hand-made three-colour la pi cold noodles are a popular cold side dish, and frozen pear juice, a classic Harbin drink served ice-cold even in winter, is the usual beverage.

The dining room is rustic in style, echoing a Northeast farmhouse, with a warm, lively and fairly loud atmosphere. It is a group-oriented restaurant, best for families and friends rather than solo diners, and no dress code applies.

Because the stew takes time, the pot needs about 40 minutes from order to table, so diners should order promptly on arrival. Reservations are recommended at dinner and can be made by phoning 13134509031. Opening hours are roughly 10:30 to 21:30 daily, and visitors should confirm on Meituan. Weekend evenings, national holidays and the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival period from late December to February are the busiest times, so booking a day ahead is wise.