2009 Jul 16 Highland Enchantment - Tastes of Tibet
Tibet has never been the easiest place to get to, and there are few who would make the pilgrimage for the food alone. If you are a fan of tsampa, momos and yak meat, however, or are curious to try any of the above, Beijing has a few Tibetan restaurants worth their butter tea. Find your Himalayan soul – or perhaps just the hippy backpacker in you – at one of these spots.
Akyi Dong Tibetan Restaurant & Bar
Not the most outstanding among Beijing’s Tibetan restaurants, but pleasant enough with its homely stylings and hospitable staff. Try the Amala mashed potato (阿妈拉土豆泥) and roast leg of mutton (烤羊腿). Daily 11am-11pm. 141 Jiugulou Dajie, Xicheng District. (135 5298 5680)
阿吉崇西藏拉萨风情餐吧, 西城区旧鼓楼大街141号
Ganglamedo
The Illy coffee is a glaringly un-Tibetan offering, but that quirk aside Ganglamedo has all the authenticity you can expect so far from the plateau. Doubles as both a cafe and restaurant, serving dishes like stewed yak tongue (RMB 86), yak steak (RMB 98) and butter tea (RMB 80/pot), all sourced in Tibet. Nightly dance shows. Daily 9am-2am. (6592 3159) Ganglamedo.
Gangrenpingcuo Yak Meat Hot Pot
Combines traditional Tibetan flavors with Sichuan-style hot pot – a rare but pleasurable discovery in Beijing. Dare to try the fresh Yak meat (RMB 36), which is flown across China from Tibet to Beijing, and homemade yogurt (RMB 5). Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10pm. 188 Zhaodengyu Lu (near White Pagoda Temple), Xicheng District. (6612 9548)
冈仁平措牦牛火锅, 西城区赵登禹路188号 (近白塔寺)
Luobulinka Tibet Restaurant
This gorgeous restaurant astonishes with every detail. That’s not to say that the food plays a supporting role, though. The shiguo maoniurou (stone-pot yak meat, RMB 79), suyou renshenguo (buttered ginseng fruit, RMB 56) and suanluobo maoniurousi (shredded yak meat with sour radish, RMB 39) are among the most popular dishes. Performers take to the stage at 7.30pm daily. Daily 10am-2pm, 5-10pm. 30 Yonghegong Dajie (200m south of the west entrance of Lama Temple), Dongcheng District. (6407 8288)
罗布林卡藏餐吧, 东城区雍和宫大街30号(雍和宫西门南200米)
Makye Ame Tibetan Restaurant & Bar
This restaurant is decorated in the fashion of a traditional Tibetan family home. With its Tibetan furniture, lanterns, paintings, and prayer wheels, Makye Ame brings out the unpretentious essence of Tibetan culture. The kao yangpai (roasted mutton chops, RMB 118) and homemade yogurt (RMB 18/bowl) are unmissable. Besides the distinctive dishes, you’ll also find books and DVDs about Tibetan culture. Enjoy the nightly song-and-dance shows, performed from 8-10.15pm. Daily 11.30am-late. Mayke Ame
Qomolangma
Wary of scaring diners off with the rugged tastes of authentic Tibetan cooking, Qomolangma’s assimilates local flavors into the mix. Sit in this restaurant, with its Potala Palace-style design features, and get down to the fantastic kangbahanzi (roasted lamb leg with highland barley cake and “secret” sauce, RMB 58) and shousi maoniurou (yak beef jerky, RMB 45). Daily 11am-2pm, 5-8pm. (6401 8822 ext 2828) Qomolangma
Tibet Cafe
Most customers come to Tibet Cafe not for dining, but rather to enjoy the comfy atmosphere and sip on a drink while playing poker or reading. Tibetan-style beverages such as butter tea (RMB 20/cup, RMB 50/pot) or sweet tea (RMB 25/cup, RMB 70/pot) are available along with staples of Tibetan cuisine. English menu and Wi-Fi available. Mon-Thu 10.30am-midnight, Fri-Sun 10.30am-2am. 97 Nangulou Xiang (near to Gulou Dongdajie), Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng District. (6402 2165)
西藏咖啡馆, 东城区交道口南锣鼓巷97号(近鼓楼东大街)
Compiled by Wang Xueqiao
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