Straight From Turkey, Qubbe Lifts the Travel Restrictions on Your Plate
As the cool breeze hit my face on the way to lunch, I realized that summer has already bid its farewell, and autumn's blazing colors are on their way. For the coming season, there is no better nourishment than some roasted protein to feed the growling stomachs, readying themselves to put on some extra weight for the colder weather. Chuan’er and Yakitori are good, but for my liking, a huge chunk of meat is always more tempting; a sip of wine, a bite on the lamb shank and I'm living the life of an ancient royal. As luck would have it, just as I was about to start meandering around for such a place, my friend suggested we try Qubbe, a newly opened Turkish restaurant. And it perfectly catered to my cravings.
Having just opened its doors to the public on Sep 5, this newcomer has already managed to set a milestone on Beijing’s diverse gastronomic landscape by being the first Turkish restaurant that's both owned and managed by Turkish talent. Located in Shang Beijing (yes, right next door to Turkish Feast), the plaza that has harbored many outstanding eateries and bistros, Qubbe can still catch your eyes with its spacious outdoor patio and flavorful Middle Eastern interior design with a modern twist. The dandling pierced chandeliers and the floor inlaid with geometric patterns will certainly remind you of the country that bridges Europe and Asia, along with its fascinating history. And don’t be surprised if you see groups of people dressed in suits going in and out here, because the restaurant sits right under the Yunus Emre Institute, aka the Turkish cultural center in Beijing.
Travelers who visit Turkey are likely to be entranced by numerous dishes they didn’t expect before the trip, as the cuisine is indeed less known compared to, say, Chinese or Italian food on the international stage, yet it has amazed countless diners with its unique flavor profile and expertise in handling various proteins. As a key position on the centuries-long Silk Road, the culinary culture thriving on this land has been influenced by multiple civilizations and has benefited from the dazzling produce and spices sold in the local bazaars and caravans.
At our visit to Qubbe, which means “prosperity” in the Turkish language, the first dish that we welcomed to the table was the puffy bread, a lovely inflated pastry that is served piled up like fluffy pillows, reminiscent of a hot air balloon waiting to rise above the horizon of Cappadocia. Once you take a bite, it will turn into a spacious pocket in which you can add any ingredients that are to your liking. That can be a hard choice to make here in Qubbe, but I personally think it gets along quite well with either the hummus or those palatable doner kebabs
Speaking of the doner kebab, nothing can challenge the place that Iskender kebaps hold in my heart when it comes to Turkish cuisine, and it's done right at Qubbe. This dish may still be a novelty for many Chinese diners but has already lured considerable loyal fans around the world with its tender thin sliced meat soaked in the appetizing tomato sauce and can be smeared with a layer of melting butter or yogurt to add flavor. Though it may share the same name with the legendary emperor Iskender who once conquered the vast lands of the Eurasia continent, this dish was invented in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century by a man called Iskender Efendi and represents the culinary culture of that once invincible empire.
If you are a dairy lover, then the assorted cheese platter served here may amaze you even more than their kababs, since it not only features some iconic regional cheeses but also comes with authentic side dishes and dipping sauce, including different olives from three Turkish cities, Nutella, regional jam, and tahin-pekmez which is a local treat consists of sesame paste and molasses that is rare to be found anywhere outside of Turkey.
Oh, and before you stuff yourself with all these goodies like I did, don’t forget to leave some space for the sweets. Besides the famous (or notorious) Turkish ice cream, Qubbe offers something a little nutty – the Mediterranean weather pattern in Turkey is a boon for apiculture and the growth of various nuts. In Turkish culture, sweetness is usually linked with virtue and pious hearts, so it's no wonder the sweetness of their desserts often exceeding the imagination of many visitors. You've probably heard of Baklava, for instance, with its layers of walnuts, almond or pistachios hidden within layers of paper-thin pastries – together they form this little cube that probably contains all sugar you will need for an entire day, not to mention that it is usually served with honey dressing.
With the fluctuation of the pandemic situation and global travel restrictions, your next international adventure still be “to be determined,” so why not seize the chance to visit Qubbe and take your palate to Turkey.
Qubbe 酷贝土耳其餐厅
20 Xinyuanli Xu, SHANG F1 109
新源里西20号楼金商首层109
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Images: Zeus Zou
