New in the Neighborhood: More Openings in Sanlitun

Craving freshness? For Beijingers, there's always something New in the Neighborhood.

New beers galore at Xingfucun's Salt Lake Inn 

Remember when everyone was going crazy for whiskey? Well, it turns out that was a fad, and Beijing's drinkers have turned back to ol' reliable: beer. That's why the owner of whiskey bar Her in Xingfucun – despite being stuck back in the US – had the bar converted into Salt Lake Inn, synonymous with his other venue in Wudaokou and named after the owner's hometown of Salt Lake City. 

We tried a few of the on-tap beers (RMB 40-65), which are brewed in Qingdao-based breweries, and we have nothing but nice things to say about them – in fact, they may end up being worthy competitors with neighboring Jing-A while also becoming a replacement watering hole for fans of the now-defunct Prodigy Brewpub which previously stood next door (now Mai Fresh Steak House) with a bar space of about equal size.

Four of the seven are IPA's, and both that we tried were distinct in flavor yet wholly downable. But we were most impressed with the fine balance of the sweet-but-not-too-sweet Xinjiang Honeydew Ale – something that's not easy to achieve for fruit brews.

There's also a wide variety of burgers on the chalkboard menu, ranging from RMB 40-98, and things get a little, shall we say... creative. Keep an eye out on our video review series of the city's latest burgers to find out more about their beefers next week.

Salt Lake Inn 盐湖酒场
Xingdonglu Xingfuercun 39-9, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东路幸福二村39-9

Truckin’ for Tacos at Taco Go

Sanlitun, ye shall not want for tacos.

Taking the escalator to the tippy top of 3.3 Shopping Center in Taikoo Li North, you’ll immediately find yourself facing an indoor food truck, settled into the rear of the pebbled walls of yet another quickie Mexican diner to land in the neighborhood – this one dubbed Taco Go.

In the truck, staff grills up beef tongue (RMB 26 per taco), beef face (RMB 25), carnitas (RMB 22), and Cajun chicken (RMB 18), to be placed in tortillas that are themselves lightly blackened by the grill, along with cheese and onion and served with lime slices for squeezing. You’ll also find red and green hot sauces on the tables, neither of which are particularly challenging, but they can add some flavor.

In all, the tacos are not quite carefully designed products that you’re going to get from sit-down style neighbors like Taco Bar or Las Musas, but neither are they haphazardly concocted salads-on-tortillas that we’ve so often seen fail to meet up to standards. Rather, they’re somewhere in between – a quick meal, and hardy with meat nonetheless, not unlike what you might expect from an actual on-the-street food truck.

Obviously, tacos are the main draw, but fried chicken (RMB 19), chicken wings (RMB 22), and carnitas nachos (RMB 38) are also on the menu.

Taco Go
Taikooli North, 3.3 Shopping Center, 5F, Chaoyang District
朝阳区太古里北区3.3服饰大厦5层

Burger’s Bistro moves in next to Slow Boat

After a short-lived cocktail bar called Naozi failed to survive the pandemic, Burge’s Bisto & Bar has moved into its space, doing away with the vaporwave-ified traditional Chinese décor and bringing in a more modern bistro vibe – but those who took fancy the drinks at Naozi are in luck because they’ve kept the same bartender.

Beyond the beverages, of course, there are a few dishes of note, namely the cheese pan with toasted bread (RMB 88), the pork ribs (RMB 288), the roast chicken (RMB 180), and the beef on cornbread tapas (RMB 55).

Burge Bistro & Bar
6 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯南路6号

Bubble up at Pupu Lili

Last week, we covered Wafuri, the latest croffle shop at the southeast corner of Nali Patio. Now it’s got a new next-door neighbor, Pupu Pili, who is latching onto the rebellion against milk tea in favor of soda-mixed fruit teas. Ranging from RMB 32-38, their teas include the Proust Moment (Jasmine tea with green grape), the Burgandy Red (frozen grape with strawberry and coconut milk), and the Till Dawn (Lychee and grape jasmine tea), among several others.

There’s even non-alcoholic orange beer, making for a perfect summer refresher without compromising your sober wit. Oh, and did we mention the soft-serve ice cream?

Pupu Lili
Nali Patio, Southeast corner, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯那里花园东南角

READ: More Closures Announced Ahead of Jul 1 Anniversary Celebrations

Images: Joey Knotts, Dianping