Zhuang
Foodservice establishments with names ending with the Chinese character zhuang
(simplified Chinese: 庄; traditional Chinese: 莊; pinyin: zhuāng; literally: "village"),
or zhuang zihao (simplified Chinese: 庄字号; traditional Chinese: 莊字號; pinyin:
zhuāng zìhào; literally: "village brand"), were the top ranking foodservice
establishments, not only in providing foods, but also entertainment as well. The
form of entertainment provided was usually Beijing opera, and foodservice
establishments of this class always had long term contracts with a Beijing opera
troupe to perform onsite. Moreover, foodservice establishments of this class
would always have long term contracts with famous performers (such as
national treasure class performers) to perform onsite, though not on a daily basis.
Foodservice establishments of this category did not accept any different
customers on walk-in basis, but instead, only accepted customers who came as
a group and ordered banquets by appointment, and the banquets provided by
foodservice establishments of this category often included most, if not all tables,
at the site. The bulk of the business of foodservice of this category, however,
was catering at the topnotch customers’ homes or other locations, and such
catering was often for birthdays, marriages, funerals, promotions and other
important celebrations / festivals. When catering, these topnotch foodservice
establishments not only provided what was on the menu, but upon customers’
requests, also those not on the menu, properly fitting the occasions.
