| Hot Bean Cooperative |
| Dōngchéngqū Kuān Jiē Lùkǒu Běi 30 Mǐ Lùxī |
Reviewed by Superchunk ..  |
This is a crazy place, and in a good way. Just down a hutong its built around a giant tree and was packd when i was ther on saturday. There are a handful of rooms off the main landing each sporting a kitsch collection of wall hangings and random collectibles sitting on an ikea book shelf.
I chose the roof to enjoy the last of the summer weather (good timing) which doesn't boast much of a view but has a nice come as you are feel to it. Across from me was a full table of what seemed to be a band plus female friends. They spontaneously asked me where i was from and what i was doing in Beijing, which i think is the first spontaneous interaction i have had with other dining guests in Beijing. What a friendly place i thought at the time, and if only i knew more Mandarin...
Its all about the wings here and i ate a bunch- they come two to a skewer sat in a champagne bucket. There's a handful of varieties ranging from spicy to tomato, bbq and korean: I tried them all and was not disappointed. At 4rmb ish a pop i stuffed myself with numerous re-ups and with a couple of big tsingtaos the tab was only 60rmb. Oh and i ordered a side of black pepper mash potato which was useful in dampening the fire in my mouth at times.
Two of the blokes that own it were on duty and its great to see this kind of creativity and initiative come to life. I had read the anecdote below and it helped in framing my expectations when i was there. Sure the beer glass is a melamine sippy cup, the menu was hand made and the WC is down the st. That and the rest fit with the 'its all about the food' and 'we dont take ourselves seriously' vibe that make it worth the trip when your in keepin it real mode. The experience reminded me why i like Beijing.
I wish i had the cojones and vision to realize something as original and happening as Hot Bean. They deserve your patronage and will make sure you walk out with a smile on your face. If your a fancy western restaurant manager go pay a visit and take it all in. They probably built it all for the cost of one of your daily lobster & caviar shipments.
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