Ahh…the gentle, calming sounds of the gong chime, the giant banana trees, the scent of lemongrass… no, you’re not in Thailand, but dinner at this rather gorgeous little boutique Thai restaurant on Wudaoying hutong is probably the closest you’re going to get, so our advice is to go and give your taste buds (and brain) a little holiday.
Just a short walk away from Beijing’s ultra Zen Lama Temple, it’s a great place to enjoy a light and tasty meal in an equally calming environment, and almost certainly Beijing’s most stylish Southeast Asian restaurant.
The menu features all of the highlights you’d expect – and it’s these that you should stick to. The Thai Green Curry Chicken, the Spicy Green Mango Salad with Crab, the Mushroom and Coconut Soup, the Spring Rolls – it’s all beautifully presented, simple, fresh and delicious.
Other dishes (the Homemade Red Beef Curry, Green Papaya Salad and Barbeque Pork) are a little bland and don’t hit the mark, but who needs them when the others are done so delightfully?
Particularly pleasing is the price. With every dish on the menu costing around 30RMB, this little moment of calm doesn’t cost a lot either.
Lan Ting 78 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng district (Open midday-10pm Wednesday-Monday; Closed Tuesdays)