The best Southeast Asian restaurants in Beijing
Where to get the best Vietnamese, Malaysian and Thai food in the capital
Pho? We've got it. Curries? In abundance. Get ready to tuck in to some of the tastiest Southeast Asian cooking around, because all these places offer good value, considered flavours and a metaphorical trip to more tropical climes, all for the price of dinner. You can thank us by sending summer rolls to the office, okay?
Vietnamese
Saigon Mama
Retro, attractively furnished and with a menu hitting all the Vietnamese high notes, Saigon Mama is a Sanlitun gem with some of the best pho in the capital. With its everyday price point and decent coffee, the menu provides great weekday lunch options, which arrive in the kind of cauldron-sized bowls we can't help but love.
S6-32, 3F, Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district
Susu
If you love seafood, summer rooftop dining and authentic pho, the attractive Susu should appeal; located in a 140-year-old siheyuan, Susu has a wide-ranging menu of Vietnamese delights, stretching from northern to southern specialities, and some interesting cocktails made with homemade bitters and syrups.
10 Xi Xiang, Qianliang Hutong, (near the National Art Museum, 150m north of Sanlian Bookstore), Dongcheng district
Singaporean
My Humble House
You get what you pay for at this luxe option, serving refined versions of Singaporean dishes in upscale, light-filled surroundings. Beautifully designed according to contemporary Chinese aesthetics and showcasing the high quality of ingredients used, My Humble House is far from a casual option but is a worthwhile occasional treat.
Unit 01-07, Level W3, Oriental Plaza Podium, 1 Changan Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district
Ji Kun Hainan Chicken Rice
Although novice chicken rice eaters might freak out at the bloody joints
of their tender, boiled bird (and admittedly, that doesn't sound
appetising when written down like that, but it's perfectly normal because science), this Singaporean staple is one of those things that
once tasted is never forgotten. Ji Kun serves up one of the best plates
in town, with lashings of all the traditional accompaniments and an
abundance of delicate flavour.
4 Sanlitun Dongsanjie
Thai
Pak Pak
With two branches (one in the CBD and the other in Wangjing), this classy Thai concept is run by the same team as the one behind Susu and serves up both vibrant, chilli-flecked versions of classics and more obscure temptations for the intrepid diner. The menu is comprehensive and portions are generous: we recommend trying the lemongrass showcase that is the tom kha gai or one of the excellent potato dishes.
1F, Building AB, 10 Jintong Xi Lu, The Office Park, Chaoyang district
Home Thai
Pad Thai, green curry, and papaya salad, you know the drill. Home Thai
nails down the flavours of classics, which are influenced by strong,
pungent and powerful ingredients. It's highly likely you'll wait for a
table during peak hours, but service is efficient so you won't wait too
long.
S2-32, 3F, Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district
Malaysian
Malacca Legend
Hidden away next to a lake in Shunyi district, Malacca Legend should sit
at the top of your list for tasting the dynamic flavours of Malaysian
cuisine. We highly recommend topping off your meal with some traditional
desserts like the seri muka, kueh lapis and kueh ketayap. There's also a variety of durian sweets that are sure to have you leaving your windows open on the drive home.
6 Luodong Road, Luogehhuang Village, Shunyi District
Nyonya Kitchen
For a real introduction into Peranakan cuisine, Nyonya Kitchen does it best. The warm and comfortable natural wood interior mimics Southeast Asian vibes and provides a cosy haven in China World Mall. Curry pastes and spices are all imported from the motherland so you're sure to get a real taste of ♬Malaysia truly Asia♬.
5F, China World Mall, Chaoyang district
Indonesian
Nom Nom
The attempts in the city for authentic Indonesian food have been mostly
unsuccessful, but Nom Nom gets it just right. This budget Indonesian
eatery is that unique, authentic, four-menu-small, no frills place
you've been dying to find. Serving affordable, wholesome and delicious
food that bursts with flavours and spices, a few bites of the classics
like beef rendang and ayam geprek will have you thankful you made the trek out to Haidian.
11 Qinghua Lu, Haidian district
For more places to get your fix of Southeast Asian food, hit 'Read more'.
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