Mifan/Mafan: Bite-sized Food News and Reviews

By Noelle Mateer

In Mifan/Mafan, we cover the latest restaurant and bar openings in the form of bite-sized reviews. Here are the best openings of the past month, because all we hope to do is answer a simple question: is the rice worth the hassle?

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Obentos (Liangmaqiao)

Obentos is not just for lunch. Or at least it isn’t any longer – the healthy-Japanese joint’s second location in Liangmaqiao introduces new dinner-friendly offerings. Our hearts are tender for the equally tender braised pork with daikon and water chestnut (RMB82), but plates are small and shareable, so get a little of everything. 

B1-109, The Grand Summit, 19 Dongfang Donglu, Liangmaqiao, Chaoyang 朝阳区东方东路19号官舍 (8531 5098)

Long Jing

Long Jing specializes in ‘cockteals’ – an amalgamation of ‘tea’ and ‘cocktail’ – and nothing else. Anyway, these cockteals (RMB80-90) represent a fresh take on the traditional concept of a teahouse, which is something we can get behind… when the cocktails improve. Currently, they’re too light. Make yours a double. 

Daily, 10:30am-2am; 112, Bldg 22, 4 Gongti Beilu, Courtyard 4, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号机电院22号楼112 (6593 5998) 

Ikkousha

At Ikkousha, waiters bellow salutations every time someone enters. In theory, this is endearing. In reality, it is obnoxious. In practice, though, it’s worth it for the ramen. The ‘Spicy God Hot’ variety (RMB43) is indeed spicy and godly. Fried chicken (RMB18) is similarly heavenly. Bring your own beer.

Daily, 11am-8pm; LG2-10, Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东大桥路9号侨福芳草地B2楼LG2 (5730 6035)

Glaçage

Glaçage’s eclairs are both stunningly flavorful and fresh as fuck. There’s really not much else to say, because that’s all they have – bomb-ass eclairs (RMB60) that are worth a trip to Liangmaqiao for, no matter where you are. We can’t imagine an occasion that wouldn’t be improved by the presence of one of these tender, phallic cream missiles. In short: Eclairs! Go get some!

Daily, 9am-9pm; F104A, 1/F, The Grand Summit, Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang  朝阳区亮马桥官舍1层F104A (8531 5135)  

Queenie's

Large, American-style sandwiches are about to cause a stir on Yonghegong Dajie, which is a booze-heavy and foreigner-heavy area that could probably sell a lot of large, American-style sandwiches. Offerings at Queenie's include steak-and-cheese, braised lamb and Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, all wickedly cheap (RMB20-25).

Daily, 6.30am-2am; 183 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区雍和宫大街183号 

Remicone

Remicone is a wonderful place to get ice cream – if you get ice cream for the express purpose of posting a photo of it to WeChat, that is. Otherwise, you can end up paying RMB50 or more for what is simply a nice cone of nice cream. Good for a teen date though? 

Daily, 11am-9pm; 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北街81号那里花园1层南门 (5208 6037)  

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