Cindy's Umami by Han: Dutch Michelin Delights That Won't Break Your Bank Account

Tucked in a quiet side street near the Liangma River is a unique new restaurant with some of Beijing's most savory, gorgeously presented dishes. While you may expect to find Michelin-caliber dishes like these in the posher Sanlitun or CBD eateries, you'll be all the more surprised to see what corner of the map Cindy's Umami By Han draws on for culinary inspiration: Its fine Dutch fare is a welcome addition to a dining scene overrun with Italian and French options.

Opened by Han Ji, a Chinese chef who spent years training in Amsterdam, this new Beijing branch of the Cindy's Umami chain (the others being in locales like Rotterdam, according to this review) features a six-course menu for a surprisingly reasonable RMB 298.

From the flavorful tuna tartare, to the Australian panko scallops and Aussie black Angus beef tenderloin, the dishes are eclectic as they were colorful. Minimalism is by no means the motto at this eatery, with each plate piled with ingredients, be it fragrant curry, or glistening and crunchy crystal lettuce. Some of the dishes arrived on boldly textured plating, while others were placed in cube frames with smoke that wafted out for an all-too-Instagramable moment.

We also thoroughly relished the pandan creme brulee, which was enchantingly creamy and topped with fresh fruit. We'll be back to try the equally tempting coffee cream pudding, which apparently has hints of cumin in its sweet-and-savory mix. 

Together, these dishes exceeded our expectations and then some, making for a vibrantly colorful and flavorful meal readied in a style that has yet to be overdone in Beijing. It's one of the capital's best new restaurants of the year thus far, and we suggest you hurry over soon – while it's in a burgeoning neighborhood, it's of high enough quality to surely attract plenty of brisk business before long. 

Cindy's Umami By Han
Daily, 10am-11pm. F1, Building 6 Xinyuan Xili (6464 5150)
北京市朝阳区新源西里东6号楼1层

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Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
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Photos courtesy of Cindy's Umami By Han