Take a Trip to South America with Andino

Andino isn’t new to the Beijing restaurant scene -- they’ve been around for at least a year -- but when I asked people about this mysterious shop specializing in South American fare right beside Tuanjiehu Station, not many folks had heard of it.

I decided to try it on a whim the other day, eyeing one of their special “Passion” sets. For RMB 87, a set comes with an arepa -- a sandwich stuffed to the brim with a topping of choice, namely beef, pork, chicken or cheese -- an empanada, andinitos (aka corn fries), a salad and soft drink.

When I first got a look at an arepa, I thought it was some kind of South American roujiamo, and it sort of is. It’s even been around as long or longer than the roujiamo, having first been recorded in pre-Columbian times. But looks can be deceiving, as it’s like a roujiamo on steroids.

The arepa comes stuffed to the brim with shredded beef within bread made from maize. Look closer and there’s more than just beef, with bits of chili and corn studded here and there. It’s accompanied by andinitos, which, fries made from maize as well, which lends them a nice light flavor, even better when dipped in the green sauce that comes with it.

Then there’s the empanada. Empanadas are turnovers made from maize dough, yet again, stuffed with a variety of fillings. I got one filled with beef and a small cheese-filled one to try.

Washed down with a bit of Goya Passion Fruit Cocktail, it’s a filling set.

If it’s all a bit much, the arepas can be purchased with andinitos for around RMB 57 each, and are a filling meal perfect for a quick lunch or dinner all on their own.

Andino 源自拉美正宗美食
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READ: Daily Delivery Tour: A Plethora of Sandwiches

Images: Vincent R. Vinci