Rice Crispy: Six Spots for Clay Pots
As you may have read at the bottom of our May issue announcement, we discovered after going to print that Tongluowan, the claypot rice restaurant featured this month in our Alleyway Gourmet column, is no longer in business.
It was a sudden departure; during the recent rains, the tiny venue was flooded and the proprietors decided to pack up. They tell us that they plan to reopen at another location, but we’ve learned to never hold our breath. For now, we’re giving you a list of six other places where you can get your fix of crackly rice and juicy meat.
Ri Chang Restaurant
The greasy spoon of Cantonese cuisine – quick, plentiful and cheap, with locations at Xizhimen, Chaoyang Park, Houhai, Yayuncun and Dongdan. Expect your claypot to be oily, salty and filling.
Shizi Shanxia (狮子山下)
Both locations (Sanlitun and Nanxincang) serve up good Cantonese fare, but most customers rave about their clay pots (and daily soups). Go with a generous individual portion or share a larger pot.
Hengshan Hui
Our former Dining Assistant had great things to say about this place in her review, and we’re delighted to find they also serve up a popular lawei (腊味) claypot.
Mei King Restaurant
If you’ve ever wondered what the classiest version of this street-stall dish might taste like, head to this eatery. The high-quality Cantonese sausages and fragrant rice come at quite the price (and the large portion necessitates sharing), but you won't lose an afternoon of your life on greasy food coma with this one.
Hong Guang Lou
With its several locations throughout the city, this chain chacanting is always a dependable option, and fortunately for us, claypot rice is one of the offerings on their extensive menu. A good way to get your fill without thinking too hard.
IFW
If you’re having trouble committing, IFW at Yintai Center offers a little personal pot (pictured above) with delectable chunks of taro mixed in with the rice. The sausages are a sweetly savory marvel, and the portion size will leave you enough belly space for other eats.
Photo: Dianping.com
