24 Hours in Beijing is a sequence by which we ask among the capital’s movers and shakers how they’d spend a full day within the metropolis.
This time round, we hear from Alex Ogden, a full-time foodie, entrepreneur, and content material creator greatest identified for her movies showcasing China’s wealthy panorama of “by chance vegan” eats. Initially from Vancouver, Canada, she’s referred to as Beijing house since 2019.
Observe her foodie journey adventures on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok at @veganinchina, or 爱吃草的阿莲 on all main Chinese language platforms.
Each hour of my life just about revolves round planning or consuming the following meal. So, in the event you ask me to plan a 24-hour itinerary in Beijing, you most likely received’t be checking off any main vacationer sights — however I can promise you the very best dumpling meal of your life.
Whereas the remainder of China likes to tease Beijing for being a “meals desert,” I feel it has one of the numerous ranges of genuine regional cuisines within the nation. You possibly can do a good meals tour of the entire nation with out leaving Beijing!
You may have 24 hours in Beijing – what’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
For me, espresso is an absolute non-negotiable. And for the final word Previous Beijing breakfast pairing, you’ve received to strive 红糖芝麻花卷 hóng táng zhī ma huā juǎn. Think about if a chocolate croissant and cinnamon roll had a steamy love affair in a Xicheng alleyway… However the child someway appears like neither of them.
It is a gentle steamed bun with thick, candy sesame paste folded into its many creases. One of the best ones depart you with a crumbly mess and persist with the roof of your mouth like peanut butter. Paired with an oat milk flat white, it is absolute bliss! You may get these buns at any Previous Beijing or Halal bakery, however my favorite one is from 隆福寺小吃 Longfusi Xiaochi as a result of they’re very beneficiant with the filling.
For lunch, it is dumplings, clearly! My go-to is 馅老满 Xiàn Lǎo Mǎn. Their wrapping-to-filling ratio is legit, and I’m obsessive about the boiled fennel dumplings (清香素茴香水饺 qīngxiāng sù huíxiāng shuǐjiǎo). If potstickers are extra your factor, strive the 罗汉素 luóhàn sù. They end them with starchy water to type a lacy, crispy skirt — divine when dipped in black vinegar!
I wish to stroll off lunch by trying out a unusual exhibition someplace within the metropolis. Lately, I visited the 100% Ladies (百分百妇女) pop-up at Wangfujing Xiyue Mall — that includes a wall of hand-embroidered menstrual pads with some very daring designs.
In case you can learn Chinese language (or are a professional with cellphone translation apps), don’t miss the ebook of non-public tales from ladies throughout China about their experiences navigating womanhood. It’s highly effective and surprisingly daring for a conservative metropolis like Beijing. The exhibition runs till Aug 20* and is free to go to (though they settle for donations, which go in direction of offering menstrual merchandise to ladies in rural China).
If Vegans of Beijing (WeChat ID: Food_Meditation) is internet hosting a meetup, I all the time attempt to go. Lately, we gathered at Duli for dinner, a plant-based East-meets-West fusion spot. I really like their experimental dishes — private faves embody the Pistachio Pesto Burrata and the Cauliflower and Corn Fritter Bao.
After dinner, I would swing by Zhazha Bistro for a cocktail or a cheeky rice wine shooter. In case you’re nonetheless somewhat peckish, their 丝娃娃 sīwáwá wraps — a Guizhou-style DIY veggie roll-up — are the right late-night snack.
What’s your must-visit spot in Beijing and why?
I’m completely obsessive about Chaochao, a comfy hutong hideaway specializing in Sichuan-inspired tapas. The vibe feels such as you’ve been invited into somebody’s art-filled front room, and the meals is unreal. In case you’re feeling fancy, deal with your self to a glass of sake — so crisp and refreshing!
*If you cannot make it to the 100% Ladies pop-up earlier than it ends, remember to comply with them on RED @百分百妇女 for future occasions.
READ: 24 Hours in Beijing with Poet Anthony Tao
Pictures courtesy of Alex Ogden
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