Beijing is playing host to African nations this week with the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in full swing.
We here at the Beijinger normally don’t write much about geopolitics and all that jazz, but what we do have a knack for is food. So, we’ve put together a list of African restaurants and food delivery services offering food from the continent that’s available in the capital.
Tribe Garden
Smack dab in the center of Sanlitun SOHO, Tribe Garden was born out of African Tribe, a food delivery service cranking out West African delicacies like jollof rice, fufu – a sour, spongey dish made from pounded starchy foods like cassava and yams – plantains, with jollof rice or okra paired with grilled meats like chicken and goat for RMB 100. At their physical location, they bring all these dishes and more to the masses, all served in portions perfect for sharing with friends and groups.
Tribe Garden
B1, Sanlitun SOHO Bldg 1, 8 Gongti Beilu (30m west of Subway restaurant), Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路8号三里屯SOHO商场1-B1层（赛百味往西30米）
Hours: Daily, noon-2am
Contact: 139 1055 0676
CODED+
This bar, restaurant, and part-time club in northeastern Chaoyang also specializes in West African food. Jollof Rice (RMB 69.60) and Fufu (RMB 24) make appearances here, along with their fan favorite Chicken Jollof Rice (RMB 105.60), plus specials like Fish Couscous (RMB 105.60) and Grilled Tilapia.
CODED+ also lets their food choices turn to East Africa on a weekly basis, regularly welcoming Eritrean and Ethiopian staples and coffee prepared by Martha Woldou and Sossi, Eritrean and Eithiopian expats, respectively.
Although on hiatus for the summer holidays, Woldou has told the Beijinger they might host another event at CODED+ soon, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, you can scan the QR code in the poster above to get in touch and join their Eritrean and Ethiopian events group.
CODED+
203, 2/F, 19 Tianze Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区天泽路19号2层203号
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11am-4am; Fri-Sat, 11am-6.30am; Sun, 6pm-4am
Contact: 137 1603 2294
Velma’s African Kitchen
Operating out of Victory Bar & Bistro in Sanlitun as well as for delivery via WeChat, Velma’s specializes in East African food. Think meats and veggies served with aromatic pilau rice, chapati flatbread, or ugali, a cornmeal staple food of the region (all dishes start at RMB 125). Although in-house dining is currently on hiatus until October, you can still order from Velma’s by scanning the QR code in the poster above.
Pinotage
This Beijing institution, which recently relocated to Shunyi from its previous location near the Western Academy of Beijing, is the city’s premier location for South African fare. Menu staples include Peri Peri chicken (RMB 90/half, RMB 50/leg with fries), Biltong (RMB 15/small, RMB 45/large), plus specialties like Bobotie (RMB 108), a casserole with curried ground beef and thin layer of egg custard atop; and Lamb and Chicken Bunny-Chow (RMB 80/chicken, RMB 98/lamb), curried meat served in a hollowed out bread loaf.
Pinotage
206, Bldg 7, East Asia Creative Exhibition Hall, Shunyi District
顺义区东亚创展国际7号楼206室
Hours: Daily, 11am-9pm
Contact: 138 0131 9470; 137 0120 0746
La Medina
Although it’s more of a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant, Sanlitun embassy area eatery La Medina also has a few North African dishes on their menu. These include mergez sausage served as part of a platter with fries and salad (RMB 108), in a wrap with fries and salad (RMB 58), or with couscous and vegetables (RMB 108). Speaking of couscous, La Medina has a whole medley to choose from, including chicken (RMB 88), lamb (RMB 98), or with BBQ selections (all RMB 98).
La Medina Restaurant
18 Liangmahe Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马河南路18号
Hours: Daily, 11.30am-10.30pm
Contact: 010 8532 4523; 185 1992 7129
READ: Taste Global & Chinese Delights at This Big Food Fest, Sep 6-8
Images: Unsplash, Dianping, courtesy of the venues