Holesome Fun: Six Places to Eat and Source Bagels in Beijing
The time when Beijing was a barren wasteland when it came to good bread is long gone and we lucky Beijingers can now stuff ourselves silly with styles of dough from all around the world. Case in point: bagels. Whether you want to buy and fill your own, or indulge in a toasty, cheesy bagelwich, these five venues have got the (w)holesome good stuff.
There Will Be Bread
There Will Be Bread’s bagels, usually available in plain, sesame, and everything flavors, are lighter and less dense than a traditional bagel but do still boast a little of that requisite chewy texture. The plain bagel is actually made with wholemeal flour, which gives it an extra layer of flavor and texture. The bagels also a little pricy at around RMB 20 each but all that being said There Will Be Bread’s central location and proximity to other stores like April Gourmet makes it a convenient spot to satisfy your bagel habit (you can also order for delivery via Meituan).
The Rug
Long a favorite of the Beijing brunch crowd, The Rug’s bagel offerings won’t necessarily win any points for authenticity but they will certainly satisfy your inner Instagrammer. Take the "Three Times the Fun Farmers' Market Brunch" (RMB 128) for example. This picturesque plate features three half bagels, one topped with shrimp and avocado, one topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese, and one topped with mushrooms and veggies.
Green Cow City Cafe
Another of Beijing’s long-time bagel purveyors, Green Cow City Cafe has gained plenty of fans over the years for its simple yet tasty bagels, available in flavors like sesame, onion, and jalapeño-cheddar. For the perfect late breakfast, go for a toasted bagel with cinnamon and walnut cream cheese or classic smoked salmon and cream cheese. This coupled with a commitment to using homegrown or organic produce where possible make Green Cow City Cafe a good choice for the conscious bagel consumer.
The Bake Shop
Some of the best bagels in Beijing come from delivery-only bakery The Bake Shop. The bagels hit the right balance of soft and chewy, while the topping of roasted onions, sesame seeds, and sea salt makes them deliciously savory. At RMB 54 for five they’re competitively priced for a handmade product. Order for delivery via their WeChat mini program (search for 老面发酵) between 9am and 4pm or add them on WeChat via thebakeshop.
The Daily Bagel
The Daily Bagel has relocated several times over the past couple of years, finally settling in Maizidian. Through all this, they have retained a deservedly loyal following for their authentic New York-style bagels and, more importantly, their creative, indulgent bagel sandwiches. Our favorite is the Tokyo Morning (RMB 65), a Japanese-inspired twist on the traditional smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, adding on ume-shiso cream cheese, avocado, and nori, although the broccoli melt (RMB 50) with mozzarella and romesco sauce comes a close second.
Catch Bagel
The latest comer on the list, Catch bagel opened their Fangcaodi stand in late 2020, mainly serving up bagel sandwiches not unlike the Daily Bagel's, though they have made them their own in a number of ways, including with their popular oat-topped bagels. As for fillings, in addition to the cheesy and meaty options like the Mexican Chicken and the Club Sanwhich, the "California Rose" has proven to be a colorful and tasty vegetarian alternative with bright pink filling made from apples, beetroot, cheese, and red onion. Beyond bagels, they also offer a number of interesting pound cakes (Osmantjus and Chestnut, Earl orange, and Sea Salt Lemon, to name a few), best enjoyed with coffee.
READ: Your Ultimate Guide to Xiaolongxia: How, Where, and When to Eat Them
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