Groupe Flo Caters to the Masses With New Upscale Food Court in Sanyuanqiao
Ask a foreigner if they want to go to a food court, and you’re bound to get an eye roll and a groan of contempt. Yet they'd be missing out because while mall dining back in the West is dominated by bland, low-quality chains, the scene in Beijing is several notches above with trendier, tasty options popping up every day. Prime example: the newly opened Miam Miam food court, which brings eclectic offerings like its eponymous Vietnamese rice noodles, Thai green chicken curry, pizzas, burgers, and more to Galleria Mall in Sanyuanqiao.
Upon first impressions, Miam Miam might seem like yet another fancy mall food court akin to Hello Mart or the now dwindling Woodstage. One of Miam Miam’s major distinguishing factors, however, is its owners: Flo, the ever-expanding Beijing F&B empire behind Maison Flo, Café Flo, F Bistronome, La Rosee, and more.
READ: La Rosee Catches the Eye With its Innovative French-Asian Fusion Menu
Despite being a far cry from Flo’s prior French-focused ventures (with its Asian-focused cuisine, plus burgers and pizzas), Miam Miam nevertheless looks like another winner for the company. Take, for example, the silky, stringy namesake Vietnamese noodles, which are juxtaposed with juicy slices of beef. Its beef balls, unfortunately, are a little bland in comparison, and at RMB 58 this bowl is about 10 kuai more than it should be, given its portion for one. But the broth and above average noodles make it a cut above what you'll find in a cheaper, far less fresh chain restaurant.
The menu spans practically all of Southeast Asia with its flavorful Thai pork (RMB 55) and green curry chicken rice (RMB 68), Malaysian braised chicken (RMB 55), and Miam Miam seafood soup (RMB 58). Their burger bar grills up sizzling patties, though there isn’t much range outside cheeseburgers and egg-topped burgers (RMB 48-65, or a too pricey RMB 88 for two patties). The pizza menu is far more expansive, featuring nearly a dozen brick oven varieties in the vicinity of RMB 100 for 12-inch pies. Most impressive of all: the eponymous Miam Miam pizza, featuring above-average burrata as well as pepperoni, ham, and basil (available only as a 12-inch pizza for RMB 138).
That wide array of options, along with inviting neon signs at each food counter and potted plants near the dining area, all make this upscale food court easy option for a group with varied tastes. While it lacks the Chinese assortment of nearby Hello Mart or the entrepreneurial spirit of local small-biz championing Woodstage, it nevertheless satisfies with its selection of SE Asian options. It also scores bonus points for being a bold departure from its parent company’s prior successes, which all adds up to helping Miam Miam – meaning yum yum in French – live up to its name.
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Miam Miam
Daily 10am-10pm. 40, B1, Fenghuanghui Shopping Center, 5 Shuguang Xilijia (near Sanyuanqiao) (8436 7501)
曙光西里甲5号凤凰汇购物中心地下一层40号
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Photos: Kyle Mullin
