Two Guys, One Pie: We Take Beijing's Newest Pie Purveyors for a Spin

There are a lot of niches in Beijing that desperately need filling. A decent place for dulce de leche. A real poutine. A good cocktail bar in Haidian. And ever since 12SQM stopped supplying, a good Aussie pie place. Mao Mao Chong had a good thing going with their two one-off pie nights, but aren't a dedicated pie outfit. Understandably, when notice of Two Guys and a Pie crossed our desks, we got very excited. So excited that we promptly ordered 11 in one go.

A new start-up delivery service run by two Australian guys called Andrew & Matt, Two Guys and a Pie are based out of Shuangjing. Minimum order is six pies, and each pie is RMB 20. Currently two flavors are available - Original Aussie (minced beef) and Chunky English (curry chicken and veggies). There's free next-day delivery to Shuangjing, Jinsong, Guomao and CBD.

The beef pie is decidedly Aussie. Puff pastry on top with both flake and substance. A typical dodginess in structural foundation - there's definitely a bit of sog coming across on the bottom. A slightly chunkier mince than you'll find in the Greater Common Australian Pie. I'm a Melbourne girl, and despite boycotting pies since age nine, one bite takes me right back. This is the stuff of crowded stalls at the football, of teenage tuckshops and of late-night runs to the milkbar. And yes, it's called a milkbar. A definite crowd-pleaser, though there were murmurings that it could've done with an added layer of flavor complexity - cheese, pepper, mala ... Still, it's a good, solid Australian pie.

The curried chicken was slightly more controversial. Decent chunks of chicken in a yellow gravy, with peas, carrots and potato. The same pastry as the beef, but without the flavor punch. One of our tasters noted that "undersalting" probably indicated judicious salting, and gave it an 8/10. The ingredients taste good, but there were elements missing. Perhaps a touch of salt, a tad more cumin and a little creaminess would have rounded it out better.

Size-wise, they nestle easily in the palm, and are on the smaller side. Paired with veggies, gravy and mashed 'tater, it's a good lunch or light dinner. We received the pies warm, but they're usually delivered frozen and require microwaving or a spell in the oven. Word of warning - they will get damp on the bottom if you microwave. We also hear that they're working on Shepherd's Pies, with potato tops, and a Moroccan lamb.

From another perspective, our forum also hosts one review of the beef pie, as well as an image of one of the founders slinging pies in his bathrobe. We approve. Cooking in a bathrobe is great.

Two Guys and a Pie.

Daily 9am-9pm. (186 1105 3912)

Photo: Susan Sheng