Gung Ho Moves into Ikea's New Digs in Beijing's Largest Shopping Mall

Ikea is famous for affordable furniture, Swedish meatballs, and cheap but tasty ice cream and hotdogs. But pizza? We can picture it now: Beijingers biting into a slice of Gung Ho Pizza and sipping on an Ikea beer before taking a hard-earned nap on a display couch. Why would we ever leave?

That dream can now become reality as two-time Beijinger Pizza Cup winners Gung Ho will open their next branch at the Ikea Livat Shopping Center in Xihongmen, way down in southeast Beijing. Never heard of the Livat Shopping Center? Well, currently it’s Beijing’s largest shopping center, wholly owned by Ikea, with 400 other surrounding, including Suning, Decathlon, Zara, and a cinema.

The new Gung Ho will open this summer, designed by Coro Urdaneta (Mosto, Moka), and has “already started renovating,” as confirmed by co-founder Jade Gray. The new store will be the largest of their four outlets and can seat nearly 100 people. It will also feature an open kitchen at the front of the restaurant, so you can see how they throw the dough and get the most out of their ingredients. They will also to provide some exclusive juices from if Juice, a great fit for those customers wanting to sip on something healthy while they scoff down slices.

"It's still Gung Ho, but like every other store it's a slightly newer version of Gung Ho, using everything we've learned about restaurants and delivery since we started. This market moves so fast, it's incredibly important to keep trying new things!" Gung Ho’s marketing manager, and member of our Dining Hall of Fame, Rich Akers said.

Beerheads, don’t despair. When it seems you will never get out of the Ikea maze, and you’re tired your partner measuring furniture, what’s the solution? Beer! Check out the Swedish Food Market on the first floor, where there are several beers, including imported, canned beers such as Pistonhead, Guld, and two IKEA store brands: a lager and a dark larger (RMB 12). Or go directly upstairs to the Ikea restaurant and café and grab one from the fridge. Not strong enough? They also provide several kinds of Absolut Vodka and wines throughout the year.

By the way, there's no truth to the rumor that Gung Ho Pizza will now come uncooked in a box with wordless directions on how to assemble it at home, and for that we're truly thankful.

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Gung Ho! Pizza, Tracy Wang