This one’s more for teens, and you’ll know exactly what I mean the minute you see their menu. Since the moment our kids learn to walk on their own and start wandering around the house by themselves, parents lock up the drain cleaner, put the laundry detergent up high, and drill into our kids’ heads that certain things should never, ever go into their mouths. At PinkDojo Market’s DojoCafe, they’ve done the exact opposite.

Located in Sanlitun’s 3.3, this quirky shop sells cute novelty toys and snacks, it’s better loved for its Instagrammable backdrops. But they’ve got a cafe with an odd menu where their signature cake is a Brillo pad. The Scouring Sponge Cake makes regular feature appearances on social media.

Then there’s DojoCafe’s Sea Salt Orego Soap Mousse that’s shaped like a bar of soap. This dessert balances salty and sweet, with crunchy Oreo bits contrasting against a smooth mousse. Like the sponge, this one is also cute and quirky.

But their drinks are where, as a parent of a young child, I cringe a bit. Their Blue Velvet Coffee tries a bit too hard to resemble household cleaning chemicals…

So what are your thoughts on these cleaning product-themed food items? Cute and whimsical or desperate cash grab? Let us know in the comments section.

Find it:
2nd Floor, Unit 2015, 3.3 Plaza, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯3.3大厦二层2015号

Looking for real family-friendly restaurants? Join the group! Scan the QR code below or add Wilhelmina87 on WeChat to join the FamFriendlyEats group on WeChat and find real recommendations from fellow parents in Beijing.

Images: Dianping, Freepik

Recently during a visit to Sanlitun SOHO I discovered a cafe just for pets. No, not one of the many pet cafes there where you sip coffee and destress while petting dogs, cats, or one of their more exotic furry animals. This one is a cafe where all the food is freshly made for dogs.

Okie Dukey has a wall of refrigerators filled with pet food that are vacuum-sealed in single-serving packages for both cats and dogs made from a variety of meats like chicken, duck, lamb, and beef that range from RMB 15 – RMB 18. They mix the meat with rice and veggies to give your pet a balanced diet. 

At the counter, you’ll also find snacks like dehydrated jerky and purees for your fur babies.

The food is prepared and packaged right in the store and its spotless kitchen is a good sign that they’ve got the animal’s health and wellbeing in mind.

They’ve got a small dining area where you and your pet and sit and relax for a while, but their primary business is the takeaway pet food.

Find it:
1F Store 5151, Sanlitun SOHO Building 5
Tel: 131 1150 7514

Images: Mina Yan, Unsplash

Don Nino, a gelato chain that originated in Rome, has opened a new location on the vibrant south side of Sanlitun. Providing outdoor seating, the gelato shop not only offers delicious frozen treats but also serves delectable cones and waffles, along with exquisite coffee choices.

The shop provides an extensive range of flavors to choose from, which caters to all taste preferences. From timeless classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, to many other options such as mint, pistachio, and raspberry.

Compared to nearby gelato shop Venchi, Don Nino’s gelato is a less expensive alternative. They offer you two scoops of ice cream, a chocolate-covered waffle, and a chocolate-covered cone, all for the price of RMB 59.

Furthermore, by checking in and saving this shop on Dianping (大众点评), customers will automatically receive a coupon where they can receive a bottle of water for free! You can choose from three different brands of water, including the famous Italian sparkling water brand S.Pellegrino.

When my friend and I went to the shop, we shared two scoops of gelato along with the two waffle cones that were included. One of the scoops was milk-flavored, while the other was Oreo-flavored. The gelato was incredibly creamy, and the addition of crispy waffle cones added a unique and delightful texture to it. The shop itself has a relaxed and quiet environment, which makes it the perfect place for people to enjoy their gelato and chat with friends at the same time. The added bonus of outdoor seating provides the perfect setting to relax, enjoy your gelato, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Sanlitun.

Find here:
朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区F1层, S2-19a 商铺
Shop S2-19a, 1/F, Taikoo Li South Area, Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District

Don Nino is open every day from 10am to 10pm.

Come try it out!

Image Credit: Abby L

All winter long, #024 has been undergoing a makeover, and now they’ve finally reopened! Before their renovation, the Beijinger, our sister publication, visited #024, and while they loved the space and its futuristic design, they weren’t as impressed by its menu options. But along with a new look and vibe, the space has reopened with a new flavor as well.

The new menu at #024 keeps it simple and offers a limited number of items – mainly comfort food, but with a twist. Take their fish and chips, for example (RMB 58). Two crispy fish fillets, one coated in regular batter and the other in squid ink batter, on a bed of regular and sweet potato fries. Then there’s what I’m assuming is their signature burger. Instead of buns, this burger comes in a big, freshly baked croissant (RMB 38). It reminds me of the time when cronuts took over New York City. Are croburgers the next big thing?

Then there are the bakery and cafe options. They’ve got a variety of coffees and juices available. For RMB 32 you can get a coconut latte that has an interesting layer of coconut jelly at the bottom. I’m basic when it comes to coffee. The most “exotic” I’ll get is switching my whole milk to oat milk  so this was a bit odd for my taste, but hey, if you love coconuts and have a sweet tooth, by all means give it a go.

The bakery counter is filled with freshly baked pastries that are both recognizable and unique at the same time. Like the cinnamon bun (RMB 32). We all love a good bun, but the one at #024 is soft on the inside, with just the right amount of cinnamon, but there’s no sugary glaze anywhere to be found.

Months ago, when we asked our teen interns where they go for dates, multiple people surprisingly answered Solana. For me, Solana’s the family-friendly mall where you take toddlers to play, but for many of our interns Solana works because you can spend time together without having to spend a lot of money just to hang out.

So, with that in mind, the new #024 is right by the corner of Taikoo Li, but not smack in the middle where teachers and us moms hang out. It’s priced about the same as Starbucks, making it affordable on the average allowance. And it’s got enough free entertainment inside to keep teens chatting for hours. Throw in the futuristic interior that’ll no doubt become the next Insensation backdrop for impromptu photoshoots, and this new-again hangout spot has a promising future ahead.

Find it:
24 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路24号
Tel: 60240024

Images: Mina Yan

Last year, delivery chains like Luckin and Coffee Box began to redefine the coffee market in China, but in Beijing, good old fashioned sit-down cafés have proved resilient. In response to the success of local chains like Metal Hands, independent shops and international brands alike have popped up, many of them striving to create surprising concoctions while also carrying specialty brews for the coffee purists. A number of pricy try-hards also popped up in the city’s hutongs, as well as plenty that are worth checking out. Here is our pick of the bunch.

Big Small Coffee expands to Qianmen and Dongcheng

Starting off the new year right, coffee and beer purveyor Big Small only waited one month to open yet another shop in Dongcheng after expanding into Qianmen in January. Though the new location was just off of the trendy Beiluogu Xiang, some questioned whether a coffee shop at the bottom of a hutong apartment complex could prove successful. Sure enough, however, the new spot quickly became a neighborhood favorite, charming visitors with a regularly updated art gallery, outdoor seating overlooking the ping pong table, and, in good weather, a farmers market held around back. Big Small isn’t much of a lunching spot, but specialty butters on toasted rolls make for a nice breakfast.

M Coffee and Alessia hit 77 Park

It has been a good year for caffeine-addicted artists. In April, 77 Culture & Creative Park welcomed M-Coffee into one of its aged brick buildings. The artsy folk in the neighborhood were drawn in by the carefully designed interior and their seasonal options, as well as the rarer coffees like Ugandan espresso. Meanwhile, French bakery Alessia La Boulangerie Française also cornered a tiny spot in the park next door to the George V Art Center, and in addition to the delectable pastries imported from the original bakery, this location offers sweet soufflés with a side of ice cream.

%Arabica brings its Japanese brand to Beijing 

Building off of immense success in Kyoto, %Arabica has now christened 20 outlets in China, with more to come. The coffee brand landed in Beijing with a splash in Sanlitun’s Taikooli North, selling their brews out of the circular windows of a cute, compact trailer. Later, when the new M Woods Longfusi gallery opened its doors, %Arabica nabbed prime real estate on the gallery’s ground floor. A third (non-trailer) shop is expected to open in Sanlitun next year.

Berry Beans tries its hand at wacky flavors

Summer 2019 saw the birth of a local coffee brand that decided to push the edges of creativity, both with their drink and with the interior of their three-floor shop. Berry Beans’ Dongzhimen location has made every effort to be an interesting spot to have a cuppa, and their iced coffees are one of Beijing’s must-tries with flavors like honey and watermelon. In the fall, they opened up another spot in the Sanlitun hole in the wall that was once Chunli Coffee, where they sell their cold brews to go in little, reusable glass bottles.

Cabo Coffee wakes up Bar Street with coffee and a side of flowers

Cabo Coffee opened its doors on Sanlitun bar street, sharing a space with a flower shop. The result is a small but beautifully decorated and fragrant café with mid-priced drinks – RMB 30 will buy you a Vietnamese coffee, and tack on an extra RMB 5 for coconut coffee or a dirty chai latte.

Duo Whiskey and Coffee wows with bizarre and beautiful design

Down in the CBD, this beautifully surreal shop/café/whiskey bar opened up this summer. By day, books decorate the coffee bar, but by night, a secret door opens up to a stylish whiskey bar. No matter which kind of brown stuff you go for, this may be one of the most unique openings of the year.

Elephant Grounds brings healthy and not-so-healthy options to the table

Another café brought exciting breakfast options to Sanlitun’s Taikooli. Elephant Grounds’ nature aesthetic goes nicely with their healthy berry and oat bowls, or opt for something a little heartier with their American grilled cheese sandwiches. More dairy is available at the shop’s ice cream bar. In terms of coffee, boundaries are not pressed at Elephant Grounds, but all of the most common options are on the menu, including a nitro brew and pour-over coffees.

Café Duet sneaks a cheeky shot into your coffee

On Chunxiu Lu, a quiet shop opened its doors this fall with an impressive autumnal menu that tempts customers to try a little booze with their coffee. The drinks are only slightly spiked and its quiet atmosphere is conducive to relaxed work or study. A winter menu has since replaced the pumpkin and osmanthus flowers, and now customers can try concoctions like the yuzu spirits with Japanese whiskey, Ethiopian drip coffee, and a bit of guava.

The Bake Shop tops off The Orchid

Settling into a brick-and-mortar location on the rooftop of the building connected to the Orchid Hotel, The Bake Shop has started selling more than just their famous bread and bagels. Their drinks are not the cheapest in town, but choices like the whipped tonic espresso sparkling pomelo cold brew are intriguing enough to draw customers up the spiral staircase and into their train car-like room. Hungry? The sandwiches and avocado toast are made with the aforementioned famed bread, and breakfast strata cake will fill you right up as well.

This article first appeared on our sister site, The Beijinger, as part of their 2019 Year in Review series

Photos: Joey Knotts, Kyle Mullin, Tautvile Daugelaite 

There are people who couldn’t care less about Halloween, those who like Halloween, and then there are my kind of people who are obsessed with Halloween! As someone who starts creating a Pinterest board with Halloween costume ideas 6 months in advance, I was thrilled to find out that there’s someone with a Halloween obsession to rival my own. 

Hulu’s owner and founder, Ignace Lecleir, has created the most extensive Halloween menu that’s kid-friendly and brings back those nostalgic childhood memories in grown-ups. The entire Halloween menu book – yeah, it’s that extensive – is available at both Hulu and Merci from now until November 3.

Hulu by TRB
Daily from 11am-12am Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm Sunday-Thursday, S4-32 Taikoo Li, Sanlitun South, Chaoyang District, 6512 5701

With this series we want to help you plan the perfect weekend out with the family through highlighting great activities going on in different neighborhoods around the city. We hope this helps you to make the absolute best of your weekend leisure time! All of the venues listed on either Saturday and Sunday are in the same area, which will allow you to easily get between places conveniently on foot or with public transportation.

Saturday in Sanlitun

Sanlitun (best pronounced with a proper Beijing “rrr” at the end) is in some ways the expat epicenter of the city. But it’s better known for its bars and malls than its family-friendly experiences. However, here’s a day out that’ll put the family fun into Sanlitun.

Play at Little Player

The legendary Fundazzle, grotty but beloved play center near the Worker’s Stadium, is now just an unhygienic memory. But a new breed of play centers is springing up to replace it, places where they actually clean the balls in the ball pit. Little Player (小玩家儿童主题乐园, xiǎowánjiā értóngzhǔtílèyuán) is one such place. Nestling at the top of Shimao Department Store, this “children’s paradise” promises hours of fun, without added germs.

Age 3-10, height 75cm-140cm. RMB 150 per session. 10am-9pm. 4th floor, Shimao Department Store, 13 Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District. (6466 8980) 工体北路13号世茂广场工三4层南侧(便宜坊旁).

Lunch and a Movie at Taikooli

This fashion-oriented mall doesn’t have much for kids, apart from a fountain to dance in. But it does have a huge range of restaurants, with something to please even the fussiest of eaters. Healthy food at Wagas? Burgers at Blue Frog? Japanese at Hatsune? Tacos at Cantina Agave? Pizza at Pizza Marzano? A whole world of flavors awaits you. And afterwards, you can take in a movie at Megabox while letting it digest.

All ages. Check restaurant listings for times and prices. Tai Koo Li Mall. 19 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District. (6417 6110) www.taikoolisanlitun.com/en. 朝阳区三里屯北路19号三里屯太古里南区

A Soccer Match at the Workers’ Stadium

There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere at a Beijing Guo’an match. Even if you think you don’t like the Beautiful Game, the chants, flags, and spectacle will enthrall you. This weekend is particularly special, as arch rivals Shanghai Shenua are coming to town. Buying tickets from official sources is nearly impossible (because China), but don’t worry, you can just buy from a scalper outside the ground like everyone else does. Enjoy the walk to the ground, with the crowds, the merchandise stalls, and the excitement, but get to your seats in good time, because seating allocations are viewed as mere guidelines. Jia you Guo’an!

This post has been amended to correct an error: Beijing Guo’an played Shanghai Shenhua on Friday June 14, not Saturday June 15. Apologies for any confusion caused.

Check here for Beijing Guo’an match dates and times: www.espn.com/soccer/team/fixtures/_/id/2052

All ages. Workers’ Stadium, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6501 6655 ext 5033) 朝阳区工体北路

Sunday in Hegezhuang

Beijing’s north, while often praised for its cleaner air and more abundant greenery than downtown, can sometimes appear a little lacking in culture. To counter that reputation, here’s an elegant Sunday schedule, particularly suitable for sophisticated Dads this Fathers’ Day. (The distances involved are perhaps a little too far to cover on foot, but are perfect for a family bike ride… or Didi, if you want to take advantage of the free-flow wine at Orchard!)

Brunch at the Orchard

The Orchard is an oasis in Hegezhuang, a haven of fabulous food at reasonable prices and beautiful gardens in which to relax. Its Sunday brunch is justly celebrated, with a wide range of meats, veg, cheese, nibbles, and of course all the dessert you can eat. Free-flow wine, beer, and fizz are available for the adults. Make sure to book, as it’s understandably popular.

All ages. Various prices. 11am-3pm. From Jingshun Lu, turn left (west) at Shunbai Lu Intersection, (turn at the driveway just west of the Hegezhuang Village Sign) Chaoyang District (6433 6270) 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村(过何各庄村路标往南转

Afternoon at Red Brick Art Museum

Red Brick Art Museum is one of Beijing’s best galleries for contemporary art. Away from the dazzle and commercialism of 798, it presents the work of world-renowned artists in a cool, contemplative setting. Until June 26, you can see an exhibition of winners and nominees of the Marcel Duchamp Prize, France’s foremost award for experimental art. Contemporary art is often an easier sell to kids than traditional oil paintings, as it can be surprising, immersive, even interactive. But if your little ones aren’t inspired, the maze-like grounds of Red Brick are the perfect place for hide-and-seek or tag.

All ages. RMB 130, RMB 110 for students and seniors, free under 1.2m. 10am-6pm (last entry 5.30pm). Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang Township, Chaoyang District. (8457 6669). www.redbrickartmuseum.com/en/top/index.html. 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村，邮编 100103

A Concert at La Plantation

La Plantation is a hidden gem, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built concert hall for chamber music. This Sunday (June 16) it’s hosting a piano recital by rising star Jin Wenbin, but check their website for the details of their other jazz and classical performances. You’ll need to have kids old enough to sit quietly throughout, but it’s a lreaxing, elevating way to round off your weekend.

All ages. RMB 180 advance, RMB 200 on the door (RMB 80/ RMB 100 students). Art base 1, D area, Shunbai road, Hegezhuang village, Chaoyang district . (5166 1201, WeChat: chineseliving) 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村一号地国际艺术园D区

Photos: Uni You, thebeijinger.com

Beijing consists of 16 districts containing over 21 million people. In this series, we will be focusing on seven neighborhoods in four separate districts, which have become the most popular among Beijing’s expat community. While these aren’t the only areas that are home to waiguoren, these are the most accessible and offer, in our opinion, the best Beijing experience depending on your tastes and preferences.

Sanlitun and its surrounding areas have long been major expat hubs. With many bars, clubs, and restaurants concentrated in one place, it’s a fast-changing, very commercialized area, but very convenient when it comes to not being far from homely comforts like western cuisine, shopping your favorite brands, or international schools. Just west of Sanlitun lies the slightly quieter Xingfucun with its own developing bar and restaurant scene. All in all, it’s the perfect place for newcomers who wish to be close to the action.

Pros

+ A high concentration of international restaurants and bars

+ Lots of events for couples and families

+ Convenient access to schools

+ Western-style amenities

+ Many other expat families

Cons

– Living inside the expat bubble

– Inconvenient subway access (nearest Lines are 2, 6, and 10), but this will change in the near future

– Frequent traffic

– Seedier areas at night such as Sanlitun

– Not as green as some of the other neighborhoods covered

Compounds

Seasons Park in particular is popular with expat families as it is close to banks, restaurants, and western supermarkets and has a kids’ playground. Located just behind the foreign grocery chain April Gourmet in Xingfucun, Lianbao Garden has a convenient location, spacious apartments, and a children’s playground. Tayuan DRC has historically been a more upscale choice for well compensated professionals or diplomats. It is one of the five diplomatic residence compounds (DRC) originally built to serve Beijing’s diplomatic and foreign community. Located just north of the Canadian Embassy, the compound contains relatively spacious western-style apartments, a big stretch of grass within the gated community, and even has its own import market.

Schools

In Sanlitun, you can choose between a number of top notch schools including Daystar Academy’s Sanlitun campus, British School of Beijing (BSB), Sanlitun, and Beijing No. 55 High School which offers both middle and high school in Xingfucun.

Shopping

Shopping abounds in Sanlitun, from foreign goods markets to mom and pop shops and huge malls. One major shopping and dining hub is Taikoo Li, a sprawling village-style mall with many name brand products. While many of these stores are on the pricy side, it can also be nice for window shopping and getting a walk in. Just south of Taikoo Li is Sanlitun Soho and Topwin Center. This is a great spot for getting your bubble tea fix or finding an affordable tailor to make some of your bespoke fashion fantasies come to life!

Beef tartare, Beyond Yakitori style

Dining

Beijing’s dining scene is highly developed. Besides the many western-style restaurants in Taikoo Li and the adjacent Nali Patio, there’s plenty of options at Topwin Center, like Beyond Yakatori and a popular food court in the basement. There’s also the Slow Boat Taproom, where you’ll find a wide variety of craft beer and burgers, and the neighboring Courtyard 4 which is home to Home Plate BBQ, Taco Bar, and a smattering of other foreign-friendly establishments. Xingfucun is also home to a growing number of bars and restaurants, including O’Steak, the 쑴-A Taproom, and many others at the YU food court or Yoolee Plaza.

Nali Patio is a popular spot for both high-end and casual dining

Where to Play

Beijing is a huge city with a lot of places to go and things to do, yet many venues can be intolerably crowded during the weekend. During the hot days of summer, Tuanjiehu Park is home to the downtown’s best water park, and also features roller-skating and rides. There are also serval cinemas in Sanlitun (Taikooli, Yoolee Plaza) that show a handful of Hollywood films. Just a short walk west from Taikoo Li you will spot Shimao Department Store, which is great for finding many kid-friendly activities including play learning venues, toy stores, and much more. For bibliophiles, The Bookworm is Beijing’s long running bilingual bookstore and book lending library with regular story times, baby sing groups, and other family-friendly fun that can be a great escape from the hustle and bustle of this commercial neighborhood.

This article appeared in the beijingkids June 2019 Home & Relocation Guide issue.

Photos: Kipp Whittaker