Here's What's in The New Taikooli West Mall (So Far!)
These days, much-awaited debuts in the capital tend to suffer delays (Looking at you Universal). But Swire Properties seem to be the exception to the rule, having now opened Taikooli West a month prior to the promised December date.
Taikooli, which expanded northward to take over what was once Dirty Bar Street and beyond several years ago and further expanded the same northern plaza earlier this year, has finally made good on their plans to open a third branch of the plaza in the building that once housed the Yashow shopping center.
While the opening in itself is exciting, it could be a bit premature as only a few of the planned shops and restaurants in the 8-story (plus double basements) building have actually opened to the public.
Here’s what you’ll find there thus far.
Apparel shopping
As we reported prior to its opening, UNIQLO has moved its flagship store from Taikooli South to the West plaza and transformed it into a global flagship store. Just like before, it’s got three floors of goods and it’s even a bit more spacious. Oh, and escalators are a nice addition, too.
But they wouldn’t just open the same old UNIQLO 200 meters westward and call it a day, now would they? This is UNIQLO, with flowers. Yes, a variety of bouquets are available on the first floor for your purchasing delight.
More in the brand’s traditional vein, however, the second floor also hosts the UT section, with several series of clothes and household goods (graphic T’s, mugs, and so on) designed in cooperation with other brands, artists, and designers.
The first floor of the mall also hosts winter sportswear brand Descente, and casual designer wear shop Nice Rice has opened on the third floor. A Nike Rise will soon open on the first floor as well, along with a shop called M. One will occupy the sixth, seventh, and eighth floors.
Exterior shops
Several small shops have opened on the exterior walls of the mall on the east and west sides.
To the east, Manner Coffee has made a bit of a splash with the wanghong crowd with their very reasonably priced banana lattes (RMB 20-25). Made with a mix of oat milk and banana-flavored milk, the flavor’s not bad at all, though it will help if you’re already a fan of banana Laffy Taffy. There's no seating in the cafe – it's more of grab your cup and go shopping kind of place. However, they do sell bags of beans, which is another one for our list local of spots to start you out on home brewing.
Next door to Manner stands Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, a Japanese pastry shop specializing in ice cream, cheesecakes, and other pastries.
On the other side, you’ll find an intriguing little shop storefront that houses Dresscode, though there is little more inside this shop than a few potted flowers and it’s own brand of pre-bottled cocktails. (The business's main service is flower arrangement for events).
Somewhat more interesting is Jetlag Books, which has moved their collection here from their previous Taikooli North location, making it more convenient to access. If you’re not familiar with Jetlag, they carry a variety of uncommon English-language travel, fashion, architecture, and literary magazines as well as novelty coffee table books.
Dining
Fans of Chinese fine dining might find something worthwhile in the current state of Taikooli West, but those who were looking forward to a few hip new casual dining spots in Sanlitun will have to wait a bit longer.
On the fourth floor, Black Pearl single-diamond winner Chao Café has opened a venue alongside pot-fish restaurant Longrenju. Neither of these, however, is a first for Beijing, so we are more looking forward to trying Pure Thai, a Thai joint specializing in Royal Thai cuisine, with an expected price tag of about RMB 300 per person.
Soon, the same floor will also open a Fat Sister's Noodle Shop, the same noodle restaurant brand at Dongsi that always boasts long lines down the hutong.
Currently, though, the only restaurant attracting lines out the door in Taikooli West is on the fifth floor – a dim sum restaurant called Taotao Ju. Dishes here are quite reasonably priced, most between RMB 40-80, so you can make a meal out of it for about RMB 150-200 per person.
READ: Beijing News You Might Have Missed this Week, Nov 13
Images: Joey Knotts
