Karaiya SLT Closes Jul 30, Celebrates With Half-Price Deals, Plus New Location Announcement

After eight years in Sanlitun Taikoo Li, Hunan restaurant Karaiya Spice House has announced that it will close on Monday, Jul 30 due to the expiration of their tenancy agreement. 

Since first opening in 2009 (back when Taikoo Li was still known as The Village), Karaiya has gained a reputation for true-to-form Hunan dishes served in a buzzy environment with accessible English menus. As we commented when we revisited for a “Back for More” review of Karaiya in late 2017, those English menus might have been prepared with foreigners in mind but the spice level of some of the dishes might still blow the tastebuds off fresh-off-the-boat visitors (thankfully they have Jing-A beer on tap to cool you down). 

To celebrate their last eight years in Taikoo Li, they have concocted half-price deals on four of their signature dishes from Jul 27-30. Full details below:

• Jul 27: Signature perch fish with two types of Hunan peppers, RMB 94 (down from RMB 188)
• Jul 28: Liling spicy pork stir-fry with vegetables, RMB 29 (down from RMB 58)
• Jul 29: Signature bullfrog with shiso leaves and ginger, RMB 34 (down from RMB 68)
• Jul 30: Signature pork ribs with peanuts and pickled vegetables, RMB 84 (down from 164) [Ed’s note: One of my favorite dishes in Beijing]

Expect these nights to fill up fast with Karaiya fans eager to say their goodbyes, so call ahead to book on 6415 3535.

It’s not all bad news, however, as Karaiya have also announced that they will open a new branch in September on the third floor of the Damei Shopping Center near Qingnian Lu (we don’t have many details on this new retail/dining center yet but will have nearer the time). In an official statement via their official WeChat account, management note that any Karaiya membership or points cards will still be redeemable at the new restaurant and (more excitingly) that they have plans in the pipeline for another Karaiya in the CBD/Sanlitun in the near future. 

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos courtesy of Karaiya Spice House, Lum Dim Sum