Not Just Fish and Chips: British Cuisine Takes Center Stage in Beijing, Nov 2-8

Time was, British food was the butt of many a joke but today, far from being a depressing wasteland of beige food (I'm looking at you, Turkey Twizzlers), we are producing some of the best food and drink in the world today – just ask one of our more than 150 Michelin-starred restaurants. Now, Beijingers will have a chance to get in on the action with upcoming British Menu Week, held around Beijing from November 2-8.

British Menu Week will see some of the leading lights of Beijing's culinary world whipping up limited edition menus designed around the best ingredients Britain has to offer, such as Scottish salmon, succulent pork, and unique cheeses from Stilton to Double Gloucester. The event is part of a wider campaign called Food is GREAT, which aims to promote Britain as a food destination.

In addition to the restaurant menus, GREAT is also running a couple of one-off public events (most of the rest of the week's activities are invitation-only), including a special edition of the Great British Carnivore's Club at EAST Beijing's Feast on November 5, offering a six-course tasting menu based around British pork at Feast, and an evening of cocktails with legendary British drinks columnist Olly Smith at The Opposite House's Mesh on November 6 (look out for our interview with Olly coming soon).

Find a full list of all the menus below. Prices and menus may be subject to change, and be sure to call the restaurants first to book.

Bistrot B (RMB 375 / four courses)
Beet cured Scottish salmon, shaved fennel salad, fennel pollen crème fraîche
Cranswick Farms côte de pork à la Dijonnaise, green beans, bacon
Selection of artisanal British cheeses, Wilkin and Son acacia honey, dried figs
Caramelized apple cobbler, almond streusel, Jersey dairy organic vanilla ice cream

Feast (price TBD)
Cured UK Salmon with beets, crumbed egg, and salmon roe
UK pork belly with pork fillet, bok choy, and brown onion sauce
Pink meringue with strawberry, raspberry sauce, and sorbet

Jing Yaa Tang (a la carte)
Stir-fried pork belly with chili and black bean paste (RMB 98)
Steamed pork ribs with rice flour and lotus leaf (RMB 168)
Wok-fried pork tenderloin with sweet and sour tomato sauce (RMB 98)
Pan-fried pork chop with satay sauce (RMB 168)
Beijing noodles with minced pork belly and sliced vegetables (RMB 48)

Johnnie Walker House (price TBD)
Cullen Skink: A silky Scottish soup with a splash of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, smoked haddock, and fresh herbs
Hickory smoked Scottish salmon, pickled radish, lime, crème fraiche, and Johnnie Walker Platinum
Crispy pork belly, tobacco parsnips, Yunnan mushrooms, 10-year barrel-aged Modena balsamic

Mosto (RMB 268 / four courses)
Amuse bouche surprise
British salmon cakes with beetroot and capers, served with egg and anchovy pâté on warm toast
Roasted pork belly served with garlic potato fingers, red apple-wine sauce, Brussels sprouts, and carrots
Floating island with caramel and almonds

Stuff'd (a la carte)
British Pork Sausages (choice of English, Chorizo or Bratwurst) (RMB 33)
British pulled pork shoulder in pitta bread (RMB 76)
Scotch egg (RMB 55)
Selection of Jersey ice creams

+ Brunch (weekend only): The Full English using homemade English sausages (RMB 90)

Arrow Factory Taproom (a la carte, prices TBD)
Selection of UK cheeses: Served with house made chutneys and crackers and paired with Arrow Factory beers

TRB Bites@The Courtyard (available a la carte alongside regular mix-and-match menu format)
Salmon in shellfish and beer sauce served with chestnut praline and stir-fried cabbage variation
Slow-cooked pork belly served with English-style pickles and cheddar cheese
Traditional rice pudding served with toffee honeycrunch ice cream and seasonal fruit

Vineyard Cafe (a la carte)
Watercress and Stilton soup (RMB 40)
Scottish smoked salmon served with arugula and fennel salad and toasted rye bread (RMB 60)
Pork chops served with mashed potato, minted peas, glazed carrots and apple sauce (RMB 78)
Fish and chips: UK beer-battered haddock served with hand cut triple cooked chips and pea puree (RMB 84)
Classic English fish pie: House smoked haddock and haddock in a rich creamy sauce and topped with cheesy mashed potato (RMB 90)
Bangers and mash: Classic UK comfort food with homemade English sausages cooked slowly in chicken stock. Served with mashed potato and minted peas (RMB 90)
Selection of UK cheeses
Selection of Jersey ice creams

+ Brunch (weekend only): The Full English breakfast, using homemade English sausages (RMB 90)

Village Café (RMB 138 / two courses, RMB 158 / three courses, +RMB 48 for cheese course)
Double cream mushroom soup with Tintern cheddar croutons

Grilled pork chop with mashed potato, sautéed green peas and garlic herb butter
or
Slow braised pulled pork burger with homemade barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato and double Gloucester cheese fries
or
Grilled salmon with black soy bean rice, green kale and sweet soy sauce

Warm apple and blueberry crumble with vanilla ice cream
or
White chocolate trifle with strawberry

Get stuck in!

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Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
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Photo: Wikipedia, gov.uk, Photobucket