Enjoy Colorful Vegan Dining This Weekend at Two Pop-Up Meals by Dirty Beet Vegan Cooking

Beijing's vegan dining options have improved dramatically in recent years, with some creative, delicious dishes emerging from multiple restaurants, but some people remain skeptical about vegan dining. To show you that clean, vegan eating can be done in a colorful and fun way, Dirty Beet Vegan Cooking – Beijing’s latest plant-based cooking project – is hosting two pop-up events this weekend, in the form of a dinner on August 25 and a brunch on August 27, both held at Ramo.

Dirty Beet's founder, Michael (who is also the ops manager at Ramo), said that the idea for Dirty Beet came about after a series of vegan cooking classes he put on recently received an overwhelmingly positive response from vegans and non-vegans alike. "This prompted me to take it a step further and create a menu that would feature popular vegan dishes," he says. "It also goes without saying that promoting a plant-based diet I myself have been on for the past 15 years was another important factor."

The weekend kicks off with dinner on Friday, August 25. The four-course dinner (which is paired with a glass of organic, vegan wine) includes dishes like sauerkraut and mushroom pierogies and strawberry parfait with whipped cream and meringue – if you're wondering how these dishes can be made without any eggs or dairy, then prepare to be astonished by the sheer creativity of modern vegan cooking. Asked about his favorite dish on the menu, Michael says that, being Polish, the pierogies have a special place in his heart but that he is "a sucker for rustic Italian cooking and so the lentil soup gets to be my number one choice." 

If you can't make it to dinner on Friday, then be sure to pencil in brunch on Sunday, August 27. For RMB 218, you'll get a set brunch spread that includes a cold platter, a hot platter, and a cinnamon roll for dessert, accompanied by coffee or tea. There are only a handful of seats available for both events, so booking is essential by texting 183 1051 0250.

Michael is optimistic about the development of vegan eating in Beijing: "I discover almost every day that another person I know turns to a plant-based diet, or at least shows a great interest in cooking sans meat." He hopes to settle down in his own restaurant at some time in the future, but for now, he is open to collaborations and catering events. 

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos courtesy of Dirty Beet