Savouring Culinary Enlightenment

Temple Kitchen Restaurant, Miao Ying "Baita Si" Temple

An addition to the recently reopened Tibetan Miao Ying Temple on Fuchengmennei Dajie, Temple Kitchen is just three months old and already has made a name for itself. The temple also houses a famous Beijing landmark, the 700 year-old White Pagoda Temple (Baita Si).

Under the watchful eye of owner/manager Liu Xu, Temple Kitchen provides stylish private dining in former imperial quarters within the Maio Ying Temple complex. The eight minimally-refurbished buildings, now surrounded by still water and a backdrop of trees, were once used by Emperor Qianlong during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In these spaces, the emperor would carry out official exchanges with temple masters on spiritual matters.

Close to the revamped buildings, coloured flags and the aroma of incense still pervade the majestic White Pagoda, just as in imperial times. Now entertaining up to 40 diners at a time, Temple Kitchen caters for exclusive clientele. Highly satisfied clients include big-name film stars, musicians and government officials.

At night, imperial delicacies are carried in quick succession across the temple courtyards by angelic-looking waiting staff. Surrounding water slurps in the gentle breeze and guests perambulate in and out of doors, from space to space and across candle-lit balconies and pretty bridges.

A number of menus are available, meals ranging from 300-1,500 yuan plus 15 percent per person service charge.

With clever presentation and exquisite touches, the clever culinary combinations of wild chicken rolls, steamed mandarin fish, century-old eggs and sliced-fish soup provide the health-giving properties of food cooked and served with no noticeable trace of MSG, garlic, or ginger. Green kegia tea from the ethnic Hakka minority is an example of yet more discerning ingredients from this original and satisfying temple-dining concept. A memorable experience indeed.

Find Temple Kitchen Restaurant, 171 Fuchengmennei Dajie, Chaoyang District. Reservations only: call +86 10 6617 1119, 6618 1119