Prik Thai

If you must eat a meal before you get on the plane, choose carefully as the Beijing Airport’s options are middling at best. Prik Thai is the top Asian choice. Sit and look out over the ticketing hall next to a faux gold–topped Wat temple set among potted palms and silk-shaded lamps. Enjoy a decent green chicken curry, rice, and a Singha beer ($11), or head across the hall to Burger King for a Whopper, fries, and a Coke ($4.50).