Prime Cuts Without Sky-High Prices at Wangfujing's Steak House

Tom Arnstein theBeijinger

Steak House in Wangfujing's Macao Center has grand aspirations to conquer Beijing's steak scene, but not with the air of pretension, stiff gentleman's club atmosphere, and wallet-emptying prices often found at its US-imported competitors. Instead, Steak House wants to make steak accessible to the masses without sacrificing what makes the experience special: a decadent design and moody atmosphere, besuited and congenial staff, and some of the best cuts of meat in town.

While Steak House still looks the part, the experience is less stuffy than at some of the bigger name brands

After all, a steakhouse without proper steak isn't worth its salt, and in its three short years, Steak House's Wangfujing branch has skyrocketed to the top of Trip Advisor's rankings, placing as the third most popular Western-style restaurant in Beijing in 2019 and winning a coveted "Travelers' Choice" award. Thanks to its prime location alongside some of the city's biggest hotels, Steak House made for an easy choice among foreigners visiting the city and looking for a taste of home, but as restrictions on entry into China drag on, management are keen to spread the word to Beijing's expats.

Steak House prides itself on using the same quality meat as its competitors but at lower prices

All cuts at Steak House are imported from Australia and its biggest sellers are its Angus short rib (RMB 328 per person; RMB 688 for two-three) and M5 Wagyu rib eye (RMB 688 for two-three people), both cooked to tender perfection and oozing with the flavor that has made them some of the world's favorite varieties of beef.

As well as your usual T-bone, rib eye, and filet mignon, you'll also find Wellington and striploin

All premium steaks – the T-bone, M5, and M7 ribeye – are dry-aged for at least 28 days, reducing moisture and aiding the production of enzymes to help break down muscle fibers and accentuate its signature marbled appearance before being cooked with fruit tree wood to help lock in juices and give a slightly smoky taste.

While that's all par for the course, where Steak House sets itself apart is in their clever takes on Chinese favorites. The Wagyu beef spring rolls (RMB 68), for example, beautifully combine deep-fried crunchiness with Chinese herbs and melt-in-your-mouth meat. Meanwhile, the 24-hour slow-cooked double-boiled oxtail soup (RMB 68) is packed with nourishing goodness thanks to additional ginseng, goji berries, and a variety of mushrooms.

The kitchen uses their beef to put a creative spin on a number of Chinese staples

That creativity extends to the dessert menu where the frozen sorbet raspberry balloon filled with summer fruits (RMB 88 for two people) stands as a clear favorite among customers both thanks to its nifty presentation and its perfect palate-cleansing qualities after a rich meal.

The customer favorite frozen raspberry balloon tastes as good as it looks

To make the most of the restaurant's indulgent ambiance and to avoid the lunch-time rush, it's recommended to visit during dinner service and choose from a variety of excellent value set menus or dine à la carte. For the latter, Steak House is offering the Beijinger readers 20 percent off the entire bill throughout 2020, including everything on their extensive drinks menu (see more details below).

A mixture of private, booth, and outdoor seating make the restaurant fit for any occasion

In all, Steak House has everything you'd want from a higher-end dining experience – fine dining, a low-key ambiance, and extra attention to detail – but thanks to its "luxury for less" approach, we can all enjoy a taste of the good life no matter your budget.

The restaurant is offering readers 20 percent off their entire à la carte menu, including all drinks

For the remainder of 2020, Steak House is offering the Beijinger readers 20 percent off their entire à la carte menu, including all drinks. Simply show management this article for your discount.

Steak House

Daily, 11am-10pm. 1/F, Macao Center, 8 Jinbao Avenue, Dongcheng District (5840 5488)

东城区金宝街8号澳门中心1层

This post is sponsored by Steak House

Photos provided by Steak House

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