The Mission Serves Big and Sturdy Burritos in China World Mall
We can’t convey just how much we envy people who work in CBD, right by the new China World Mall with it's ever-growing number of new restaurants. We can't go big every day given monetary restrictions, so we usually take it easy for lunch (and aim for a little healthy too), and CBDers will be happy to now have The Mission, a new grab-and-go Mexican joint on the fourth floor of Beijing's newest F&B enclave.
Just like at most burrito outlets, you line up and stand in front of the counter, and watch on as your choice of either a burrito, a burrito bowl, a taco, or a salad is made using meat (chicken, RMB 42; carnitas, RMB 42; sirloin steak, RMB 52; barbecue beef, RMB 52) or teppanyaki tofu, RMB 42, before selecting a mixture of beans, vegetables, and rice. Next up, the sauce, which ranges from The Mission's in-house salsa, green tomatillo, jalapeño pineapple, and spicy tomato. You can also soup up with chips and salsa (RMB 20), guacamole (RMB 10), sour cream (RMB 5), cheese (RMB 5), or fajitas (RMB 5).
The barbecue beef burrito (RMB 52, pictured at top) with guacamole and sour cream (RMB 15 extra), was hefty in a way that a respectable burrito should always be and comes served with a free soft drink. The plethora of fillings give plenty of variety to each bite while the guacamole adds some texture to the chewy lentils, and the sour cream balanced out the spice and tang of the fresh salsa. Compared to the usual smaller and sloppy burrito varieties found in Beijing, The Mission delivers a sizable and good value log of oozing ingredients; one more bean and it probably would've exploded.
Carnitas burrito bowl (RMB 42) with guacamole and sour cream (with extra RMB 15)
The carnitas burrito bowl (RMB 42) with guacamole and sour cream (add extra RMB 15) comes in at the same price as the burrito, which we found hard to comprehend given that the result is a lot less satisfying. The combination of vegetables – tomato, lettuce, lentils, corn, and rice – made us feel like we were making a slightly healthier choice, but the bland jalapeño pineapple sauce was unable to elevate past just a mediocre salad.
During our lunchtime visit, there was a long line but the staff at this neat and modern little eatery were on their game. They were also helpful and friendly, and in fact, The Mission accomplished its one mission (to feed us a fine burrito), plus more, making it hard not to like them. Unfortunately, they have yet to cooperate with any online delivery platform (yet ... we hope), which means we will be heading back imminently to get even more of a fill of The Mission's satisfying take on one of the best foods in the world.
The Mission
Daily 7.30am-12am. NB4020, North Zone, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (8535 1191)
朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区NL4020
Photos: Tracy Wang
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