Xi joins diners for dumplings(2)

President Xi Jinping at a steamed dumplings restaurant in Beijing on Saturday. [Photo by Sihaiweichuanbo/weibo.com]

The table was later removed as a keepsake, a Hexun.com report said.

Wu Shengli, a 62-year-old retiree, took his wife and grandson to the shop in the evening, although he'd already had brunch there that morning.

"Knowing that the president was in the same restaurant we usually visit made us feel connected with him," Wu said.

"There's no better definition of the new-generation Party leaders' approachable style and kind manner."

Wang Xingkai, a kiosk vendor outside the restaurant, agreed, citing Xi's simple motorcade.

Youth.cn quoted Wang as saying: "There wasn't traffic control before or after his visit, so we didn't know it was the president until we saw him. Actions speak louder than words as a response to the central government's call for reducing public spending and extravagance."

Earlier on Saturday, Xi visited a heating-supply company and a nursing home, extending New Year's greetings to frontline staff members and seniors all over the country.

He chatted and took photos with the elderly residents of the Sijiqing Nursing Home.

Xi said China's elderly care industry remains relatively underdeveloped and asked institutions to improve management and service quality to ensure people can happily spend their old age in comfort.