Che Diego: Argentinean Flavors in Sanlitun Soho

Anybody who’s ever witnessed the fiendish grace and raw excitement of an Argentinean soccer match will not be surprised to find a similar passion in the cuisine. Che Diego, Beijing’s only Argentine restaurant, brings that pure love of nourishment to town with unfussy but complex flavors.

Heeding the recommendations of Diego, the restaurant’s owner and namesake, we started with a trio of empanadas (RMB 40), which had our taste buds bouncing between creamy sweet corn, tender shredded pork and ground beef flavored in its own rich juices. A roasted potato soup (RMB 36) stole our hearts with a barbecue flavor underlying the starchy creaminess; our eyes saw spuds while our mouths tasted smoked meat.

For the main course, tensions arose as my dining companion and I both went for the signature sirloin (RMB 199). The sizeable steak, whose charred exterior hid a red, juicy center, came accompanied by three delicious sauces. A briny chimichurri stood up to the meat with more kick than a tango. The persillade’s garlicky, pesto-like lightness beautifully contrasted with the steak’s heaviness. And the Argentinean sauce sparkled with crisp vegetables, giving crunch to the tender meat. A side of golden, fresh-cut fries were a welcome accompaniment.

After a plate full of meat and potatoes, you’ll feel like a gaucho ready to blaze out into the wilderness. But don’t rush out before you’ve sweetened the meal with Diego’s dulce de leche or a glass of the country’s grape.

Also try: Alameda, SALT

Che Diego Daily noon-2.30pm, 5.30pm-late. B1-217, Sanlitun Soho, 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (130 2124 1597) 朝阳区工体北路8号三里屯Soho B1-217

By subway: 700km southwest of Tuanjiehu station (Line 10)

Photo courtesy of Che Diego