EAT: Saigon Mama Opens at Chaoyang Joy City, Q Mex Taqueria New Menu, Malagasy Cuisine
EAT: Your bite-sized guide to the best eats to be had in Beijing this week.
Saigon Mama opens new branch in Chaoyang Joy City
Vietnamese chain Saigon Mama have opened their fourth restaurant in Beijing in Chaoyang Joy City. The new restaurant replicates their successful formula of tasty pho and other Vietnamese dishes in modern, Instagrammable surrounds (we love the floral wallpaper in the seating area near the windows). However, the Chaoyang Joy City restaurant also has a unique hook in the form of the "super beef pho," a huge bowl designed to serve three to four (or perhaps one truly famished eater). The massive serving of rice noodles comes topped with oxtail, beef tendon, homemade beef balls, and raw slices of Angus beef. The wait staff pour hot beef broth over the bowl at the table, lightly cooking the raw beef slices, which also infuses the stock with extra flavour. It may be massive but at just RMB 138 it's also a massive bargain. Note that there are only 20 portions available per day.
New menu at Q Mex Taqueria
Q Mex Taqueria have given their food menu a makeover in time for summer, adding a number of new dishes. Choose from new treats like juicy slow-roasted beef cheek tacos topped with chimichurri sauce or enchiladas with your choice of meat or vegetarian filling topped with melted cheese, jalapeño slices, fresh tomato salsa, and onion slices. Hurry over there before June 24 to get 20 percent off the new dishes.
Jun 26: A taste of Madagascar at The Orchid Lodge
Join Juli from 'Gasy House for a special feast of Malagasy cuisine in celebration of the 61st anniversary of Madagascar's independence day, hosted by The Orchid Lodge. Learn more about the diverse culinary traditions of the island as you enjoy dishes such as catless au poulet (potato and chicken croquettes served with chili salsa), ravitoto amin-ny voanio (stewed cassava leaves au coco with beef), and kabara sy carry (stewed lima beans with traditional Malagasy curry spice blend), served family style. Dinner is priced at RMB 358 per person including one drink. Scan the QR code on the poster in the event listing to book.
Opposite House "Chefs Story" menu
This summer, the chefs from The Middle House in Shanghai, The Opposite House in Beijing and The Temple House in Chengdu have joined hands to launch a limited edition "Chefs Story" menu. Using their respective hometowns as inspiration, the creative menu recreates a nostalgic taste of their childhoods. The menu features dishes like a selection of four appetizers including crab meat wrapped in hawthorn fruit leather created by chef Li Dong from Jing Yaa Tang in Beijing, balsamic cherry pork ribs created by chef Tony Ye from Sui Tang Li in Shanghai, and handmade spinach dandan noodles created by chef Tony Xu from Mi Xun Teahouse in Chengdu. The menu is available at Jing Yaa Tang from June 24-August 15 and is priced at 588 per person. Click here to purchase.
READ: New in the Neighborhood: More openings in Sanlitun
Images: courtesy of the restaurants, Robynne Tindall
