Liji Islamic Restaurant

Liji Islamic Restaurant is a halal beef-dumpling and wonton shop at 1 Dading Lane, Pingshi Street, in the Qinhuai District of Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, set in the old town. Nanjing has a long-established Hui Muslim community whose cooking has become part of the city's everyday food culture, and small halal shops such as Liji offer inexpensive breakfast and lunch dishes built on beef rather than pork. The restaurant is a plain casual eatery, so there is no Michelin recognition or chef lineage to note; the draw is a straightforward halal menu in the old lanes. Signature dishes include pan-fried beef dumplings at about ¥22, browned to a crisp base with a juicy filling; beef wontons at about ¥18, served in a light broth; and a bowl of beef soup at about ¥15, a savoury, clear soup often taken with bread or as a side. Diners commonly order a dumpling tray and a wonton bowl to share, adding vinegar and chilli oil at the table. The room is simple, with modest tables and quick service, and a moderate noise level as locals come and go through the day; dress is informal. Tea and soft drinks are the norm, and alcohol is not served in keeping with the halal setting. The shop does not take reservations and operates on a walk-in basis, and it is halal, so it is a reliable option for Muslim travellers who need to avoid pork. Opening hours are 7AM to 8PM, with continuous service, so it works for breakfast, lunch or an early dinner. Prices are low at the $ level, with a filling meal of dumplings and soup usually costing about ¥30 to ¥50 per person. The old-town location, in an alley off Pingshi Street, may take a moment to find, so visitors often navigate by map or ask locally. It sits within reach of the Qinhuai riverside and the Confucius Temple district.