Let’s be honest—if you’ve been in Berlin long enough to know Rutz from Rogacki, then you've definitely heard of Ming Dynastie. And if you haven't, congratulations: you've just discovered the city’s most iconic Chinese restaurant. Or rather, restaurants—because this dynasty doesn’t rule from a single palace.
There are two branches, depending on which side of Berlin your cravings strike. Out West? Head to the Europa Center, just across from Bikini Berlin, where the Ming Dynasty West has been holding court for decades. Out East? The bigger, bolder sibling sits on the Spree across from the Chinese Embassy at Janowitzbrücke—grander in scale, just as formidable in flavor. Either way, you're walking into a culinary institution. This is not your average neighborhood noodle joint. This is where chefs eat.
And we’re not just tossing that around lightly. In our ongoing BFS Eat Like a Chef interview series, where we grill Berlin’s sharpest culinary minds about where they go when they’re off duty, Ming Dynasty is the most frequently mentioned Chinese restaurant by far—second only to Barra in overall name drops. That’s chef’s kiss levels of endorsement. If you're looking to eat like a pro, this is where you go.
“ This is not your average neighborhood noodle joint. This is where chefs eat
A Menu That Travels the Regions—And Nails the Landing
The menu at Ming Dynasty reads like a travelogue through China’s regional cuisines—Sichuan, Dongbei, Northern Chinese, Cantonese etc.—all coexisting on one improbably cohesive card. It's vast. And yes, that can be intimidating. But unlike most pan-Chinese menus in town that fall flat from trying too hard, Ming Dynastie pulls it off with surprising finesse.
There’s precision here. Complexity. Fire and fragrance in harmony. Whether you’re craving something face-numbing or something delicately braised, there’s a dish here that’s going to make your whole week better. And after more than a dozen visits (and one very well-fed outing with a dozen our Berlin Food Club members), we’ve finally cracked the code.
“ And after more than a dozen visits we’ve finally cracked the code.
Here is how you can order like a pro at Ming Dynastiie —no guesswork, no regrets:
🔥 D60G – 大饺子拼盘
Mixed Fried Dumplings Platter
Golden, crisp-bottomed pockets of joy. The perfect intro bite. Shareable, snackable, and gone too fast.
🌶️ T4 – 酸汤肥牛
Beef in Sour Soup
A bold and warming bowl with sourness that hits in waves. Paper-thin beef swirls through an umami-rich, spicy vinaigre broth. The sleeper hit!
🐔 H3 – 大盘鸡
Spicy Chicken with Hand-Pulled Noodles
Chopped chicken legs in a pool of dark, aromatic chili sauce, on a bed of chewy, hand-pulled noodles. This is a full meal—and then some.
🥟 T14 – 大明窝窝头
Steamed Corn Buns with Pickled Veg & Minced Meat
A specialty you rarely see done right. Ming’s version is fluffy, funky, and fabulous.
🔥🔥 A3 – 沸腾牛
Super Spicy Beef in Chili Broth
Not for the faint-hearted. Fatty, tender beef submerged in a bubbling, crimson chili inferno. Lip-tingling, sweat-inducing, deeply addictive.
🥩 T2 – 铁板牛仔骨
Sizzling Black Pepper Beef Ribs
Served on a hot plate, still sizzling. A punch of sweetness, umami and pepper heat with tender rib meat you’ll be licking off the bone.
🐔 L8 – 去骨凤爪
Boneless Chicken Feet in Vinegar Chili
For the seasoned palate. Chewy, gelatinous texture meets zingy, spicy depth.
🧄 L10 – 五香牛肉
Five-Spice Beef Shank
A cold cut classic. Aromatic, tender slices that make you want to pour a glass of Baijiu and settle in.
🐟 G3 – Sichuan Fish Farmer Style
Fleshy white fish bathed in a complex, oily broth of chilies and fermented funk. Hits like a fever dream—in the best way.
🐷 T1 – Crispy Pork Belly
What it says on many menus, but done right. Crackling skin, melting fat, pure joy.
🐷 P1 – Yu Xiang Pork
Sweet, sour, garlicky—textbook version. Shredded pork in that classic Yuxiang sauce.
🍆 P5 – Yu Xiang Eggplant
The pork’s veg counterpart. Silky, fried eggplant, bold sauce. Non-negotiable.
🌿 V9 – Water Spinach
A wok-seared, garlicky green to balance the spice. Don’t skip your veggies.
The Verdict
Ming Dynasty isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a rite of passage for anyone who eats with intent in Berlin. It’s where you go when you want to be safe that your Chinese meal will live up to your expectations. It's a place that respects the breadth of Chinese cuisine while making it accessible, craveable, and actually worth crossing the city for. Twice. Iconic? No doubt. Overhyped? Not even close. Ming Dynasty has earned its crown—and if you're smart, you'll bow down with a table full of dumplings and chili oil.
