Tucked away from the urban landscape of Beijing, the only sound you’ll hear among the greenery of the new Ras restaurant is the hum of cicadas. Large trees loom overhead and the low boundaries of the brick patio allow for perfect sight lines to keep an eye on playing children. With an extensive outdoor area, Ras is perfectly situated for an indulgent afternoon or evening of Ethiopian fare. Large canvas umbrellas, good-sized tables and a variety of seating options grace the patio, accommodating groups or families of any size. For the winter months, the inside space provides a glimpse of Ethiopian culture through traditional art and décor, including mesobs – traditional hand woven tables. The menu features an array of barbeque options as well as the stews and injera bread distinct to Ethiopian cuisine. With the change in location also comes the addition of a children’s menu, integrating authentic Ethiopian dishes with well-known crowd pleasers like fries and chicken wings. As an even bigger bonus for kids, Ethiopian food is traditionally eaten without silverware, allowing guests to scoop, mix and consume different stews and dishes with the help of thick pieces of spongy injera. For a light taste of traditional flavors, try the sambussa – a fried appetizer filled with lentils, onion, ginger and spices (RMB 15). Take advantage of the injera and dip into kitfo, a dish made of ground beef marinated in chili spices (RMB 60). If you feel like adventuring beyond the beef and chicken skewers offered on the barbeque menu, try the tender lamb chops marinated in mitmita, an Ethiopian chili rub (RMB 65). For those who don’t eat meat, all of Ras’ vegetarian options are also vegan. Whether you are in search of a new type of cuisine or a place to spend a lazy afternoon outside, Ras has something for everyone.
Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-2am. 21 Liangmaqiao Lu (inside the drive-in movie theater park), Chaoyang District (6436 8998). 朝阳区亮马桥路21号 (燕莎桥往东1500米路北汽车电影院内)