Hutongs

Hutongs (simplified Chinese: 胡同; traditional Chinese: 衚衕; pinyin: hútòng) are a type of narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated with Beijing, China. In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences.[1] Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining onesiheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such neighbourhoods.

Much of this weekend was spent in and around Hutongs. On Thursday night I was lucky enough to be taken out by the Hershan family to Madam Zhu, a spacious Chinese mod deco restaurant with its walls covered in quirky posters. We kicked on by making our way to the bars and cafes tucked away in Hutong alley ways. Our first stop was Amilal, a predominantly expat watering hole in Nanluoguxiang. This was followed by some pool and cocktails at Siif in North Luogu Alley.

Madame Zhu

Amilal

Siif

Once more, I hit the town with the Hershans on Friday night by venturing into the aptly named Bar Street, sandwiched between north and south Sanlitun villages where confronting food stalls and mojito vendors line this bustling strip of bars and clubs. I even got to practice my Hebrew at Biteapita, the Israeli joint smack back in the middle of it all.

Bar Street

Turdish Kebab anyone?

On Saturday, a work colleague, Iris (on top of taking me out for lunch every day at work) was kind enough to invite me on day trip with her house mate Eckal. Again we ventured into the depths of the Goulou Hutong, and crossed the Ingot Bridge, separating Houhai and Qianhai lakes lined with buskers, kite flyers and elderly Chinese men playing Chinese Chess.

Shuang Di Nai (yogurt with red beans)

Bin Tang Hu Lu (toffee covered sour fruit kebabs)

Creme Caramel, pear tea

Sichuan fish 

Chinese Chess

Late afternoon I found my way to 4corners for the birthday party of Katarina, a girl I was put in touch with by a mutual friend (thank you Ekta!). Fittingly, I along with a crowd of 25 locals and expats from all corners - Canada, the US, Austria, Singapore, France, Germany and Australia, most of which had not previously met, sipped on ginger mojitos til late over a delicious Vietnamese/Thai/Chinese fusion dinner. Yum!

Gan Bei!

Myself, Nikhil (Ekta's brother), & Katarina 

Katherine, Dodd, Myself, Katarina

Birthday Kamikazes

Sunday I couldn’t resist but return to the Hutong district during daylight for a homely breakfast of poached eggs with salmon on multigrain and a latte at the well discovered expat Vineyard Cafe and capture the surrounding atmosphere; so here you go:

Nan Luogo Alley

Anyone need a faux Chinese passport?

meow!

Until next time, Zai jian! xx