During British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to China, around 140 guests—including government officials, journalists, and business leaders—dined together at Yizuoyiwang, a popular Yunnan-style restaurant located in Beijing’s Sanlitun district. The event caught widespread public attention, especially after photos and videos of the dinner went viral on Chinese social media. What particularly stood out, according to the restaurant’s manager He Xiangming, was the unusually high number of white foreign diners present. “It was the first time we’ve seen so many international guests at once,” he told the Global Times. “What made the scene even more remarkable was that nearly everyone used chopsticks.”
The buzz online intensified not only because of Starmer’s presence but also due to the fact that this wasn’t the first time the restaurant had hosted a high-profile U.S. political figure. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had dined there in July 2023, a point not lost on either the restaurant or the British delegation. In fact, when the British side made the reservation, they specifically mentioned Yellen’s previous visit, which He found to be a curious and amusing coincidence.
So why did Starmer choose Yizuoyiwang? According to He, it came down to familiarity—the UK Ambassador to China is reportedly a longtime fan of the restaurant’s cuisine and visits regularly. That connection likely helped pave the way.
One culinary highlight of the evening appeared to be mushroom dishes. During her visit last year, Yellen famously ordered four servings of jian shou qing—a wild mushroom native to Yunnan Province that turns bluish when cut or exposed to air. Known scientifically as the lurid bolete, jian shou qing has earned praise internationally, including from CNN, which dubbed it “an unusual yet highly sought-after delicacy.” Following in Yellen’s footsteps, Starmer’s group opted for three mushroom-based dishes.
Reflecting on the evening, He noted that Starmer and his party arrived at approximately 8:30 p.m. and stayed until just past 10 p.m., describing the mood as warm, cheerful, and relaxed throughout the meal. Afterward, the restaurant shared a clip showing a staff member presenting Starmer with a traditional woodblock New Year print, a symbolic gesture meant to convey wishes of prosperity and good fortune—particularly tailored for the Year of the Horse. Speaking in English, the staffer offered thanks, and Starmer replied with a polite “xie xie” in Mandarin. Curious about his pronunciation, he even turned to others nearby to double-check if he got it right.
Following the attention brought by the visit, the restaurant updated its profile picture on a major Chinese food delivery and review platform to include a group photo featuring Starmer with members of the staff. Looking ahead, He revealed plans to introduce a special “Prime Minister’s Set Menu,” giving patrons the chance to taste the exact dishes served during Starmer’s visit.
