10% Coffee Lab Breaks the Mold With Offbeat Decor, Affordable Coffee

From the moment you enter 10% Coffee Lab, you'll be struck by the Meishuguan café's offbeat decor. Particle board is a prominent feature of both the counter and a bench opposite, the latter of which has cushions and small tables on which to rest laptops and cups of java. You won't feel quite as indulgent as at other venues with cushy chairs, but this is a refreshing alternative for those of us who want to sit upright, get some work done, and enjoy an atmosphere that is both uniquely rustic and Western. 

When it comes to those steaming glassfuls of joe, Ten Percent has several varieties that are decently priced. Black espressos and Americanos will only set you back RMB 18. Same goes for an option that we don't see on all Beijing menus: Lungo, essentially an espresso with more water, so that you can savor a larger cupful. Those options are made with a La Marzocco high-end espresso machine, and the staff handles it skillfully, quickly readying our order and handing it over with a warm and welcoming demeanor. Meanwhile, milk coffees like cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites are RMB 25, while special lattes like matcha, red bean and chai are RMB 30, and filtered coffees are RMB 35.

A major standout for sugar lovers looking to eschew caffeine: hot chocolates available for RMB 40 with either 25, 35, or 40 percent cocoa, along with an even more indulgent mochaccino. 

It's a simple but effective menu. What's less obvious, however, is the café's moniker. When asked, owner Yuan Ding said: "We think a good cup of coffee breaks down like this: 40 percent beans, 30 percent roasting quality, 20 percent equipment quality, and 10 percent coffeemaker's skill, the last of which is the most critical point."

Though we thought the name 10% was too measly for such a quality spot, that explanation makes perfect sense, considering the careful balance of those elements from the clearly impassioned staff. While this is by no means as trendy a café as Soloist or other competitors of that ilk, 10% has a more down-to-earth vibe that makes for a refreshing alternative. Its succinct, affordable menu also helps it stand out from some of its more ostentatious competitors, which certainly doesn't hurt for those of us who amble in, sleepy-eyed and in dire need of a cup of joe pronto. 

10% Coffee Lab
Daily 11am-7pm. 68-4Meishuguan Back Street, Dongcheng District (138 1023 7024)
北京市东城区美术馆后街68-4号

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Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photos courtesy of 10% Coffee Lab