Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday visited a local noodle restaurant in Beijing to sample the distinctive Beijing food.

After visiting the Langfang Home for Planners and Architects in Langfang city of North China's Hebei province, Harper came to Yiwanju Old Beijing Noodles to have lunch.

Founded in 1995, the restaurant is renowned for serving up Beijing cuisine, especially Zha Jiang Mian, a kind of fried sauce noodle popular in northern China.

Canadian entertainer and goodwill ambassador to China Dashan (2nd R, front) introduces Beijing local food to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (L, front) and his wife Laureen Harper (2nd L, front) during lunch in a local noodle restaurant in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by Zhang Yunbi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Joining the prime minister was his countryman Dashan (Mark Rowswell), who is popular on entertainment shows in China and was recently named a goodwill ambassador to China.

Jiang Lanying, a model waitress at the restaurant, recommended some dishes, introducing the ingredients and flavor of each.

With the help of Dashan, Harper ordered some traditional cuisine popular among visitors to China: Kung Pao Chicken (Spicy diced chicken with peanuts), red bean cakes, Chinese cabbage with mustard, Aiwowo (Steamed Rice Cakes with Sweet Stuffing). The Harper couple also had two bowls of fried soy sauce noodles.

During the meal, the prime minister enjoyed a Peking Opera performance along with other diners at the restaurant. A 72-year-old diner said he never expected to see a foreign leader at a snack restaurant.

Dashan told China Daily that the prime minister wanted a chance to interact with ordinary people and "savor distinctive Chinese culture," and this restaurant would help Harper learn about Beijing's food culture.

The Canadian prime minister arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a four-day visit and will continue his China tour, visiting Chongqing municipality in Southwest China and Guangzhou city in South China after leaving Beijing.