New in the Neighborhood: Thai Edition
Do you know how we know that people in Beijing are starting to long for the days of a quick weekend jaunt to Thailand? No less than three big-name Thai restaurants have opened in Chaoyang district in recent weeks, all serving a high-end, highly-Instagrammable take on Thai cuisine. We’re talking Michelin tipped international chains here. These places have found a need, and they're definitely worth a go.
Mango Tree
International chain Mango Tree has chosen Parkview Green for its first restaurant in Beijing (but not its first in China – the brand already has restaurants in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Qingdao). As you might expect from a chain, the kitchen serves classic, crowd-pleasing stuff: Massaman curry beef, grilled pork neck, mango sticky rice. Nevertheless, the surroundings look stylish and Parkview Green is a convenient location for CBD workers. Grab a great-value two-person set for just RMB 298 on Dianping.
LG2-01, Parkview Green, Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (5690 7028)
芒果树餐厅：朝阳区侨福芳草地购物中心LG2-01
Keeami
Modern Thai mini-chain Keeami just opened its third restaurant in Beijing on the first floor of Indigo Mall’s Winter Garden (so you can at least pretend you’re sunning yourself in Thailand). The other two restaurants (in Chaoyang Joy City and WF Central) are noted wanghong destinations and were awarded a Bib Gourmand (given to affordable restaurants) in the 2021 Beijing Michelin Guide. The menu has all the usual Thai favorites given a bit of a presentation twist – the appetizer platter is served on a two-tiered afternoon tea-like stand, for example. Go while the restaurant is in soft opening to get 21 percent off before Nov 20 and 12 percent off from Nov 21-30.
L1-53, Indigo, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (6184 1664)
朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐提港L1-53商铺
Pure Thai
One of the first restaurants to open in the new Sanlitun Taikoo Li West development (formerly Yashow Market), Pure Thai serves Royal Thai cuisine, inspired by the dishes served to the Thai royal family, which have specific rules governing the quality of ingredients, preparation, and presentation. We love the look of the modern yet retro interior with its parquet floors and golden palm tree floor lamps – a far cry from the stereotypical “colorful silk and wooden carvings” style interiors you used to see at Thai restaurants in the past. Dishes to look out for include the crab curry and the tom yum goong soup – try both on a set menu for two you can get via Dianping for RMB 798 (down from RMB 997).
4/F, Sanlitun Taikoo Li West, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang district (6410 6646)
萃泰：朝阳区工体北路三里屯西区4楼
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Images: Dazhong Dianping
