Super-hip South Silk Road Lands at Gongti

This super-hip Yunnan chain has now landed a branch in the nightlife mecca of the Workers’ Stadium West Gate. Fans of South Silk Road’s time-honored take on the distinctive spicy and sour flavors of Southwest China’s culinary powerhouse will be pleased to have this as another option for what is a fabulous neighborhood for dining.

The chain was opened by Beijing-based artist Fang Lijun, as the restaurants reflect with theirs minimalist loft interiors often bedecked with the owner’s own artwork. Yunnan specialties available include fried goat’s cheese (ru bing), crossing the bridge noodles (guoqiao mixian RMB 38), fried beef skins (cui niupi), and their home-brewed rice wine (RMB 78/pitcher). This was the first restaurant in Beijing to make it chic to eat ethnic minority cuisine. As this new branch shows, minority cuisine today is as chic as ever. Voted “Outstanding Yunnan” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards.

Good for: Exotic and stimulating flavors of Yunnan in a swish artistic environment.

While you’re in the neighborhood: Either stop in here for a post football match repast or fuel up before dancing the night away at one of the neighboring West Gate nightclubs.

1)Daily 11.30am-midnight. 1/F, 58 Zhuang, North side of Workers’ Stadium West Gate, Chaoyang District. (8580 4286) 朝阳区工体西门北侧58幢一层; 2) Daily 11am-2.30pm, 5-10pm. 3/F, Bldg D, Soho New Town, 88 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (8580 4286) 朝阳区建国路88号Soho现代城D座3层；3) Daily 11am-12pm. 19A Lotus Lane, Qianhai Xiyan, Shichahai, Xicheng District. (6615 5515) 西城区什刹海前海西沿荷花市场甲19号