Take a Trip to South America With Andino
Andino isn’t new to the Beijing restaurant scene -- they’ve been around for at least a year -- but when I asked people about this mysterious shop specializing in South American fare right beside Tuanjiehu Station, not many folks had heard of it.
Andino owner Antonio Frias preparing andinitos to go
I decided to try it on a whim the other day, eyeing one of their special "Passion" sets. For RMB 87, a set comes with an arepa -- a sandwich stuffed to the brim with a topping of choice, namely beef, pork, chicken or cheese -- an empanada, andinitos (aka corn fries), a salad and soft drink.
Arepas come packaged up with empanadas and andinitos
When I first got a look at an arepa, I thought it was some kind of South American roujiamo, and it sort of is. It’s even been around as long or longer than the roujiamo, having first been recorded in pre-Columbian times. But looks can be deceiving, as it’s like a roujiamo on steroids.
A closer look at an arepa
The arepa comes stuffed to the brim with shredded beef within bread made from maize. Look closer and there’s more than just beef, with bits of chili and corn studded here and there. It’s accompanied by andinitos, which, fries made from maize as well, which lends them a nice light flavor, even better when dipped in the green sauce that comes with it.
Empanadas and andinitos being prepped for cooking
Then there’s the empanada. Empanadas are turnovers made from maize dough, yet again, stuffed with a variety of fillings. I got one filled with beef and a small cheese-filled one to try.
Washed down with a bit of Goya Passion Fruit Cocktail, it’s a filling set.
Wash it all down with a Goya juice cocktail
If it’s all a bit much, the arepas can be purchased with andinitos for around RMB 57 each, and are a filling meal perfect for a quick lunch or dinner all on their own.
Andino 源自拉美正宗美食
A12 Panda Star Kitchen, 4/F Bldg 2, 12 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区农展馆南路12号2号楼4层4002，4003室熊猫星A12
READ MORE
Daily Delivery Tour: A Plethora of Beijing's Finest Sandwiches
Images: Vincent R. Vinci
advertisement
Top Stories This WeekBeijingers Are Buzzing About