Do Shoppers Dream of Electric Sheep?: WTF Art Meets Endless Food Options at SKP S
The new SKP South mall in Guomao was full of rubbernecking visitors on its opening day, all of them eager to gawp at robotic sheep (not to mention the robotic penguins, trees, Mars rovers, and Styrofoam statue carver) and snap pictures of the many bizarre installations that appeared to be in every single store. Down the rabbit hole we go...
The novelty art and installations may get feet through the door, and the mall is stocked with the usual luxury stores like Louis Vuitton, Moncler, Balenciaga, and Korean eyewear brand (and mall concept co-creator) Gentle Monster, but the real drawcard of SKP S is the food. Here is our roundup of the mall’s must-try restaurants.
Ku Kitchen Dim Sum
Like any good dim sum restaurant, there is a lot to choose from at Ku Kitchen. A few of the highlights from this Hong Kong-style eatery include roast pigeon (pictured above right), Shaoxing wine-steamed crab, seared three-layer pork (above left), and their special salt and pepper tofu. It is also a nice spot to try some interesting twists on dim sum classics, like their barbecue pork buns with strawberry and mushroom dumplings with black truffle. Approx. RMB 404 per person
Chengdu Snack Handicraft Workshop
Just around the corner, more dumplings are to be had at this Chengdu snack shop, including the adorable little panda-head dumplings (above right). As is to be expected from a Chengdu store, the menu is spice-heavy, and you won’t want to miss out on the real, non-dumpling duck heads (above left). Approx. RMB 112 per person
Youpo Noodles 029
Unsurprisingly, there are more than a few noodle shops in SKP South, but none are as worthy of your attention as Youpo Noodles 029. Also known as biangbiang noodles, youpo or "oil splashed" noodles Shaanxi specialty commonly served with plenty of veggies, ground meat, and a spicy sauce. Noodle fans will recognize the name '029' from the other noodle shops under the same brand name, which is also the dialing code for Xi'an. Yet what makes this outlet special is the sci-fi atmosphere that makes it feel a bit like stepping into a canteen of a dystopian future. Approx. RMB 35 per person.
NUDAKE
On the sweets front, dessert shop NUDAKE makes a respectable effort to create some really unique desserts to pair with your coffee without falling into the trap of selling tasteless fodder that's only good for social media. Here, you will find chocolate mushrooms, sheep made of bread, and an edible bar of soap. Pair with salted coffee or strawberry ice cream in a bubbly soda for a delicious and distinctive afternoon break. Approx. RMB 151 per person
Shadow of the Cloud
Even some Beijing beer aficionados might be surprised to learn that brews from Yunnan have topped the podiums of international beer competitions. Such beers and other liquors from the southern province can be hard to come by, and Shadow of the Cloud is a one-stop-shop for all of them. Here cans of Jing Mai Mountain Pu'er Tea Camellia Lager and Nujiang River Wild Rose Ale are poured alongside snacks specific to Yunnan like specialized pot noodles, grilled pumpkin, and spicy pineapple. Approx. RMB 78 per person
Zhuwaitaohua
Offering seafood, noodles, snacks, and even pizza, Zhuwaitaohua sure has a diverse menu, albeit unoriginal. That is, except for the peach blossom wine. Pink in color and a bit sweet, netizens rate it nearly as well as the restaurant's tasty xiaolongbao. Approx. RMB 147 per person
Rourou
Shrimp hot dogs have become a popular snack as of late, and now Rourou is adding variety to the mix with their international sauces that represent countries like American cheese, Thai curry, and Singaporean egg sauce. If that's not worldly enough for you, top the whole thing off with a bowl of deep-fried shrimp, to be tipped over your hot dog of choice or over a plate of noodles or rice. Approx. RMB 45 per person
Pho Lab
Pho has become a favorite among foodies, but not every Vietnamese restaurant will let you make your own. In the vein of hotpot, Pho Lab lets diners place their own ingredients in a steel pot on their table. Choose between a spicy red broth or the milder beef bone broth, and fill it up with beef chuck, brisket, stomach, or oyster blade, plus plenty of veggies and shrimp-heavy Vietnamese side dishes. Approx. RMB 200 per person
Camaca Gelato
More good news for sweet tooths: Gelato stand Camaca brands itself around mindful eating and encourages customers to meditate on what they taste there. They also sell coffee and will give out free samples of their fine chocolate. Approx. RMB 37 per person
SKP South
Daily, 10am-10pm. 86 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国路86号
READ: 2019 Year in Review: 12 Restaurant Openings That Got Our Tongues Wagging
Images: Uni You, Joey Knotts, Dianping
