24 for '24 #1: Beijing's Only Azerbaijani Restaurant – Maiden Tower
24 for ‘24 is a series showcasing 24 of Beijing’s best places to drink, eat, and relax in 2024, to help folks get out of the house and into all these great F&B spots around the city.
Tucked away on the third floor of Dongxin Commercial Plaza on Xiaoyun Lu lies Maiden Tower, Beijing’s only Azerbaijani restaurant, a true hidden gem and the first restaurant to be featured in our 24 for ’24 series. Here you can not only experience a range of authentic Azerbaijani food cooked by a highly experienced Azerbaijani chef but also purchase a range of directly imported Azeri goods courtesy of their companion establishment Azerbaijan Trade House.
The Food
Where else could we start but with the food! With its prominent place on the ancient Silk Road, the cuisine of Azerbaijan combines flavors and influences from a vast range of countries and areas including Iran, Turkey, and the Mediterranean.
All of Maiden Tower Restaurant's cooking is Halal, and most of it is done with their traditional charcoal grill, an integral part of Azerbaijani cooking. It's on said grill their number one must try dish is prepared: the Kebab & Shashlik Set (RMB 298/four-person set pictured in the cover image, RMB 588/eight-person set). It features chicken, lamb and beef kebabs; lamb chops; grilled tomatoes and onions all served with a bed of rice on a lavash, a type of flatbread. Each meat showcases a different blend of spices and flavorings combining together to make a dish that is every meat lover’s dream.
Another stand-out dish is the Lamb Stew (RMB 88/per lamb shank), cooked inside an earthenware pot enclosed with a lavash "lid". The moment you cut into the lid, a mouthwatering waft of aroma filled steam is released. The lamb is so tender that you merely need to tap it on the plate for it to fall straight off the bone. It's matched with a rich and gravy-like sauce and slices of soft red pepper and onions which add just the right amount of sweetness.
An almost literal crown jewel on Maiden’s menu is their Shah Plov (RMB 488/serves four to six people) which roughly translates to “Crown Pilaf”. Often considered Azerbaijan’s national dish, saffron-infused basmati rice is combined with your choice of beef of lamb as well as a mixture of dried fruits and nuts all stuffed inside a pot lined with lavash and plenty of butter. It’s cooked until the flatbread is perfectly golden and crispy to form a beautiful pie that resembles the crown of its namesake.
If you’re seeking a smaller side dish to have with your meal, they have multiple appetizers and salads available, with the Mimosa Salad (RMB 48) being our top pick. Shredded carrot and radish are layered alongside minced chicken, egg, fruit powder and smears of mayonnaise for a salad that is both hearty and refreshing in taste.
Last but by no means least is their special Afternoon Set (RMB 118), which includes a pot of their signature Azerbaijan Black Tea and your choice of either a sweet or a Chicken Wrap. Or if you just want a pot of Azerbaijan Black Tea on its own to go with your meal, they can be ordered separately as well for RMB 38/pot.
The Restaurant Space and Decor
Now, on to the restaurant space itself, which is just as in keeping with Azerbaijani traditions as the food with meticulous decor. The entire space is of Azerbaijani touches like colorful, patterned tablecloths, decorative tiled floors and walls displaying gorgeous pottery and dishware.
There is a large, main dining area complete with a bar area and stage where they have cultural videos and music playing in the background or, come later evening, even live performances. In addition, they have multiple luxurious private rooms, each named after a city in Azerbaijan, if you’re looking to have more of an intimate dining experience.
Azerbaijan Trade House
Maiden Tower Restaurant is but one part of this venture, with the other being Azerbaijan Trade House which directly imports products from Azerbaijan. Here you can take a taste of Azerbaijan home with you from their array of goods such as wine; pomegranate juice; hand-woven wool carpets, each accompanied by a certificate of authentication; tea and numerous others.
Of these, the pomegranate juice and wine are of particular importance, with the former being known as Azerbaijan’s national drink due to Azerbaijan being home to more than 200 varieties of pomegranate. They have three different brands of pomegranate juice for sale; all are 100 percent natural without any added sweeteners, flavors or colorings and not from concentrate.
Along with pomegranate juice, Azerbaijan is also famous for its wine, especially red wine, with wine production in the region dating as far back as around 7,000 BC. They have wine from all three of Azerbaijan’s major wineries: Goygol Sherab, AzGranata and Shirvan available for purchase.
Century Silk Road International Block
Also connected to the restaurant and trade house is the Century Silk Road International Block. Located on the same floor, it features a number of other shops selling imported goods from Belt and Road countries like Sri Lanka, Iran, Georgia and many more. It’s the perfect place to take an after-dinner stroll that traverses you across the globe without leaving Beijing!
The Beijinger’s Fan Addicts Dining Club will be having a small get together for a tasting at Maiden Tower this Friday at 7pm. The owners are preparing a special selection of their signature dishes for RMB 220 a head – more than 20 percent off their menu prices. Interested? Add tbjhelper on WeChat by scanning the QR code below and let us know you'd like to join the dinner!
Azerbaijan Trade House-Maiden Tower Restaurant 阿塞拜疆国家品牌馆-少女塔餐厅
F3, Dongxin Commercial Plaza, 35, Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区霄云路35号东信商业广场-3层
Hours: 10am-11.30pm
Phone: 189 4917 4126
READ: 24 for ‘24: ‘Jing’s Best Eats for the Year of the Dragon
Images: Uni You, Wang Tian
