Happy International Coffee Day! Here's How (and Where) to Order the Perfect Cup of Coffee in Beijing

The world takes today to appreciate the farmers who grow and produce their favorite bean. No, it's not lima bean day (thank God), it's International Coffee Day. And while China is celebrating the anniversary of the country on this day, here too people are finally feeling the addiction of that chocolatey brown go-go juice.

With coffee shops popping up in increasing numbers throughout Beijing, it gets easier every day to find a good spot for a cuppa. The prospects for more (and better) coffee options in the capital is promising. 

One major development is that Beijing-founded Luckin Coffee, despite being in operation just over a year, has set its sights high and hopes to surpass behemoth Starbucks in the Chinese market. Their current ambitions are to have 4,500 outlets by the end of 2019. Incumbent Starbucks currently has about 3,000 across the country; the first location opened just before the turn of the millennium, hosted by the China World Trade Building.

Behind the big chain names, there’s a host of other options, including Shanghai-founded Wagas, which offers coffee brews along with smoothies and healthy meal sets. Korean-run Maan Café boasts spacious working areas and decadent waffles. American legacy brand Dunkin Donuts has also made several forays into the Chinese market, and we’re hoping this latest effort will stick. Even Australian chain Gloria Jean's has a presence in the Jing.

Thus, while we may grumble when stuck in traffic, or get exasperated when elbowing through an endless sea of people, the size of Beijing’s market also has its benefits.

If chain cafés leave a bad taste in your mouth, there’s also a solid selection of third-wave independent cafés. There’s Soloist (they roast their own beans in-house) and Berry Beans in historic Dashilar. Basic Coffee south of Guomao, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, is also worth a try. On the west side is Bear Brew – which must have the best coffee shop view in all of the PRC, overlooking the stately Baitasi White Cloud Dagoba.

Finally, Gulou is dotted with more established cafés (Zarah and Alba, to name just two), but our favorite newbie is the new Beiluogu Xiang location of Jing darling Big Small Café. Cafe Flatwhite, meanwhile, makes delicious namesake brews using New Zealand beans; Barista Speciality serves a mean expresso and equally tempting dirty coffee. Lastly, there's Metal Hands, who have plenty of quality imports, delectable desserts, and rustic hutong digs off of Jiaodaokou.

In short, while China has for centuries been steeped in rich tea culture, there’s certainly no shortage of coffee options in Beijing, whatever your budget or palate.
 

Key phrases for ordering the perfect cup of coffee

Where do your coffee beans come from?
你们的咖啡豆从哪里来的？
Nǐmen de kāfēi dòu cóng nǎlǐ lái de?

I am drinking here. Please use a normal cup.
我在这儿喝，请用普通杯子。
Wǒ zài zhè'er hē. Qǐng yòng pǔtōng bēi.

I would like a small/large/extra large...
我想要一个小/大/超大...
Wǒ xiǎng yào yīgè xiǎo/dà/chāodà...

Hot/iced Americano/espresso/latte/cappuccino/mocha/macchiato/flat white/drip/decaf.
热/冰美式/意式浓缩/拿铁/卡布奇诺/玛奇朵/平白/滴滤/脱因。
Rè/bīng měishì/nóng kāfēi/ná tiě/kǎ bù jī nuò/mókǎ/mǎ qí duǒ/píngbái/dī lǜ/tuō yīn.

Please add (an) extra shot/sugar/milk.
请加(一个)单份/糖/牛奶。
Qǐng tiānjiā (yī) éwài de shèjí/táng/niúnǎi.

Please use my reusable cup.
请用我带的杯子装。
Qǐng yòng wǒ dài de bēizi zhuāng.

Do you have cream here?
请问有奶油吗？
Nǐmen zhè li yǒu nǎiyóu ma.

No need to pour the cup too full, I will add cream.
不用倒得太满了，我还要加奶油。
Bùyòng dào dé tài mǎnle, wǒ huì jiā nǎiyóu.

Where is the sugar?
糖在哪里？
Táng zài nǎlǐ?

Can you make the milk foam thicker/thinner?
奶泡能打得厚/薄一点吗？
Nǎi pào néng zuò de hòu/báo yīdiǎn ma?

For all of Beijing's coffee news, click here.

Photo: Unsplash