Leave No Food Lover Behind: Seafood and Meat-Free Options at the Beijing Spicy Fest
If you're vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian or just a little bit choosey about what you eat, the prospect of attending a food festival like Hot & Spicy Festival can be a little daunting. What if you won't be able to find anything to suit your diet? How will you enjoy the epic spicy food festival that is the highlight of our spring calendar? Never fear, friends, here's a list of some of the delicious seafood and meat-free options that will be on hand come April 20-21. Semper fidelis.
The Bell
The Bell are serving up not one, but two seafood options come this Hot & Spicy Festival weekend. First up: their spicy home-made ceviche (pictured) which is made with fresh seabass and shrimp, and sure to delight spicy food and seafood lovers alike. The Bell will also be kicking the spicy levels of this dish up a notch especially for the festival. Secondly, their 'choco loco' is not to be missed: a crazy combination of sweetcorn, cheese, and the restaurant's signature spicy sauce, this Mexican street food-inspired dish is pure crazy, spicy, comfort-food joy.
Huda
It should come as no surprise to you that Huda, who are famous for their spicy seafood dishes, are making an extra strong presence during the weekend's festivities. Pescetarians will love digging into their garlic or spicy crayfish (pictured) which is made with high-quality freshwater crayfish, and perfectly cooked with three different peppers and ten kinds of spices to create a bright red, spicy, flavor explosion.
Panda Brew
In honor of Beijing's best hot food extravaganza, Panda Brewed Beer Kitchen has prepared Hunan-style spicy vegetarian "chicken" slices (which are made of tofu skin), spicy cauliflower, and potato chips. "We are not afraid of spicy food!" they cry, and now vegetarians don't need to be either.
Pinvita
Known for their delicious ice cream and ever-expanding range of Western-style comfort food grub, Pinvita will be serving up a very special ice-cream during the Spring food festival weekend: Spicy Chocolate Gelato. Made fresh with top-quality 95 percent imported Italian cocoa, and China's own spicy Guizhou Zunyi chaotian (facing heaven) pepper, this creamy gelato contains zero artificial colors, flavors or additives. Make a mental note to seek this one out after you've scorched your tongue on all of the other delicious spicy foods that will be on offer!
Side Street Bar & Grill
Beloved Indian food and plant-based food heroes, Side Street will not disappoint you with their vegan meatballs. Made with Sichuan peppercorns, Manchurian sauce, fried chili and stuffed with tamarind pulp, they pack a gigantic spicy flavor punch.
READ: Get your tickets to the Hot & Spicy Festival here
Photos courtesy of vendors
