First Look: The New China World Mall is Beijing's New F&B Heaven
Some of you might have already heard about the new China World Mall, located across from the CCTV Tower, after our look at the yet-to-be-finished Hotel Jen last month. The huge number of restaurant openings already makes us both anxious and thrilled in equal measure, the former because how the hell are we going to cover it all, and the latter because there hasn't been this many new restaurants in one single sweep in Beijing for a good number of years. Rushing to the mall this morning, we found a lot of familiar faces, and some new ones that'll see us returning over and over again in the coming weeks.
First things first, the nitty-gritty: The "New Zone" mall's B1 is connected to Guomao station, at the intersection of Lines 1 and 10 (making for some serious footfall). Shops are spread throughout basement level 1 and up to 4, and restaurants are on levels 3 through 7. There's also a massive K Tribe KTV on levels 4 and 5. Parking is on B2. One word to the wise: be prepared to get lost during your visit because the mall links all China World buildings and subway together into one humungous monster of a building.
Holy mother of restaurants
The following restaurants have already opened, and each currently has an appetite-whetting discount available (up to 50 percent off) until April 10, so grab a map and get going! (@NL + number for the level, @NB for basement.)
Sproutworks @NL 4022: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1
Little Susu @NL 5014: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1
The Mission @NL 4020: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1
Subway @NL 5006: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1
Meat Up @NL 5017: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1
Saboten @NB 1025 50 percent off on selected appetizers on Apr 14, selected set for RMB 98, Apr15-May 1
Dong Tian Kitchen Bar @NL 6003: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off Apr 15-May 1
Venchi @NV 1030: 50 percent off on selected chocolate on Apr 14, buy selected ice-cream and get a chocolate free, Apr 15-May 1
Lotus @NL 4006: 50 percent off on selected dishes Apr 14, 20 percent off on selected dishes, Apr 15-May 1
Delicious From Tradition @NL 5001+NL 5002: 50 percent off on selected dishes Apr 14, 20 percent off on selected dishes, Apr 15-May 1
Nyonya Kitchen @NL 5008: 50 percent off on selected dishes Apr 10
Beef Hot Pot @NL 6002: 50 percent off on selected dishes Apr 14
Putien @NL 5004: 20 percent off on selected desserts on Apr 15-May 1
Du Hsiao Yuen @NL 4009: 50 percent off on noodles Apr 14, 20 percent off on a selected dish, Apr 15-May 1
Atta BJ @NL 3015: 50 percent off on drinks and dim sums, on Apr 14, Apr 15-May 1
Dong Tian Kitchen Bar is already a favorite
There's also Blue Frog (with a terrace), Chikalicous, Cold Stone, Costa Coffee, Hatsune, Lotus Thai, Taiwanese Cuisine, Taoyuan Village, The Dining Room, Original Fresh, and Starbucks can also be found in the mall but not all are open yet.
A sneak peek at level 7, which is not yet open to the public but where F. Bistronome and Migas will be located come mid-April
Migas Mercado is quiet
The following restaurants have not yet opened but should be come around April 14.
F. Bistronome @NL 7005+NL 7-5: 50 percent off on selected lobster and steak dishes on Apr 14, 20 percent off on selected sets, Apr 15-May 1
Migas Mercado @NL 7003+NL 7-3: 50 percent off on paella and tapas on Apr 14, Arp 15-May 1
Brotzeit @NL 7006 +NL 7-4: 50 percent off on beers and selected dishes on Apr 14, 20 percent off Apr 15-May 1
Chaotang @ NL 5012: 20 percent off on selected drinks and desserts on Apr 15-May 1
Café de Paris @NB 1031: 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1. For all the customers, 50 percent off on second fruit products at midday-2pm and second cake or bread at 2.30-5.30pm until May 1
Singapore Seafood @NL 4010: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off Apr 15-May 1
Golden Lake Restaurant @NB 1041: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off Apr 15-May 1
The Woods Café @NL 1022: 50 percent off on selected dishes Apr 14, 20 percent off on selected dishes, Apr 15-May 1
Snap Wine Shop & Bar @NL 5018: 50 percent off on selected drinks on Apr 14, 20 percent off on selected drinks, Apr 15-May 1
Hope Tree @NL 5010: 50 percent off Apr 14, 20 percent off, Apr 15-May 1
Brick Pop @NL 5009: 50 percent off on ice-cream on Apr 14 (up to 50 a day), 20 percent off on ice-creams, Apr 15-May 1
Hot Iron @NL 6001: 50 percent off on Apr 14, 20 percent off Apr 15-May 1
Restaurants from L4-7
Officially, all of the discount are for “friends of China World,” which includes “loyalty members, office tenants, apartment residents and guests of China World Hotel, China World Summit Wing or Traders Hotel.” But since the restaurants are not checking IDs whatsoever, it's likely that the discounts are open to everyone although this may tighten in the coming days.
Shops on B1-L3
Enough of the food and drinks, there’s also SpaceCycle gym, which features a 4D studio for cycling, barre, and vinyasa yoga classes. There's also a new branch of vintage hairdresser Two Face, opened by Bruce Chen Meng and Ni Rui (see our review of the 3.3 Sanlitun location here). As for the shops, there's Calvin Klein, Falke, Nike, Ugg, Ecco, Ed Hardy, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versus, Chris by Christopher Bu, Mo&Co., Canali, Juste un Clou, and many, many more.
Le Cool Ice Rink
Also, Skate Beijing 2017 will be held at Le Cool Ice Rink, located just west of the mall, between April 14-16 for the 12th time. It marks the first of five stops for the Ice Skating Institute Asia (ISIAsia) 2017, and over 400 people have already registered to compete.
To get into the mall, walk through this foodie gate from subway and follow the signs
Or use the ground floor entrances found around the building
Avoid entering from the Hotel Jen side, which is still under construction
How to get there? Guomao subway station already has a direct link to the China World Mall New Zone on B1; when you get off, simply follow the signs. The New Zone also has several entrances located around it on the ground floor. If you're approaching from one of the other China World buildings, try level 3, which is also linked.
Make no mistake, the opening of this new mall is a huge boost to the CBD and Beijing's food scene overall. In fact, the space is almost too big and during my visit I got lost five times and walked more than 5,000 steps, which may just be what we need given all the eating we're now scheduled to be doing in April.
Photos: thebeijinger.com, Tracy Wang
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