Element Fresh and Li Na Launch Fall/Winter Menu in Time for the China Open, Plus What to Eat at the Event

Element Fresh have launched the latest round of their cooperation with retired tennis star Li Na, just in time for the start of the China Open, which takes place at the National Tennis Center from September 25 to October 9. The China-wide restaurant chain first teamed up with Li Na in April 2015 and have renewed their menu several times since. 

Li Na's fall/winter menu features three entrées: a Korean-style steak cobb, an edamame and kale pesto pasta, and a beef fillet and red quinoa chili, and two smoothies, both heavily featuring berries and superfood ingredients such as chia seeds. Of these dishes, we're most excited to try the Korean-style steak cobb, which sounds just like our type of salad i.e. barely a salad at all. The "salad" is topped with chili-miso beef fillet, brown rice, kimchi radish, grilled eggplant, roasted mushrooms, bean sprouts, and crispy fried tofu, and served with creamy sesame-tofu dressing and spicy Korean chili sauce.

By pure coincidence, I happened to order the new Winterberry Blast for a change along with my Cobb salad for lunch today and, while a little sweet, found it to be on par with Element Fresh's existing excellent smoothie offerings (although not as good as last year's avocado-coconut concoction). 

While Li Na and Element Fresh might not be at the China Open this year, there will be plenty of other catering options available for spectators. 

Firstly, the biggest addition of the year to the China Open catering: restaurant and lifestyle brand (they would probably say tribe rather than brand ...) Tribe Organic has announced that they have been named the "official healthy food supplier" for the duration of the event. They'll be selling grab and go versions of some of their most popular dishes, including the Bangin' Bulgogi Beef Wrap and Carrot Cake Donuts, from booths in the main food court and the prestigious Diamond Court. They'll also be running a cocktail bar during the tournament, offering their signature "healthier cocktails" to thirsty tennis fans. 

On a slightly less healthy note, long-time China Open partner and Beijinger reader favorite Tube Station will be selling their slices in the main food court throughout the tournament. Other hospitality partners include Intercontinental Beichen, Baxi ice cream, and Beijing Hospitality Institute.

Tickets are still available for most matches, including the finals on October 9. Full day tickets for the finals start from RMB 580, while tickets for the earlier rounds start from RMB 100 for day sessions. Tickets can be purchased from 4007076666.com. If you're buying online, you'll need to register with a Chinese mobile phone number and pay for the tickets with a China Union Pay card. Pay with a card with a number starting with "62" (which, if we're not mistaken should include debit cards from most major banks such as Bank of China and China Merchant's Bank) and you'll get 10 percent off. Tickets will need to be collected from the ticket office at the west gate of the National Tennis Center (note you will need to bring your passport or China ID card with you). 

If that all sounds like too much hard work and too much Chinese, the website address also happens to be the number for their hotline, which offers an English-language service (open Mon-Fri, 10am-5.30pm). 

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Photo: Element Fresh, Wikimedia Commons