Popular Korean Bistro Saveurs de Corée Returns With New DZM Spot

The hutongs' loss is apparently Dongzhimen’s gain. Yes, alleyway foodies were sad to see Saveurs de Corée leave the hutongs last August after succumbing to the Great Brickening, but the long-loved Korean bistro never stays down for long. The venue now resurfaces for the third time, this time in a squarer neighborhood that unfortunately lacks the rustic charm of the hutongs but makes up for in space and glean.

The new digs are located on a quiet street just northwest of the frenzied Dongzhimen subway and bus station and boasts white brick and wood trim that’s inviting, though the faux hutong roof jutting out of the open kitchen may be a bit too much for some. Aside from the relaxing ambiance, Dongzhimen's slew of office workers in need of a lunch reprieve are likely to feast on the plentiful bowls of haemul jjamppong spicy noodle soup with clam, squid, prawns, and vegetables for RMB 59. It's a spicy, saucy, and salty bowlful brimming with prawns, squid, and mussels, the juices of which are all resolutely soaked up by stringy wheat noodles. Think of it as a lighter seafood variation on your regular Korean beef noodles.

Other creative options include beef tartare bibimap (RMB 69), along with more typical variations of that Korean staple. Aside from the creative fusion elements in some of these recipes, health-conscious Beijingers have, of course, also long been drawn to Saveurs de Corée because of its penchant for organic ingredients that are strictly MSG-free. Chef and co-owner Eun Jung Yoo certainly has plenty of flair with those recipes, while her husband and co-owner King Tai Chow, who hails from Hong Kong, adds charm to the front of the house.

The haemul jjamppong spicy noodle soup with clam, squid, prawn, and vegetables is a must-try

All in all, fans of this veteran Korean eatery will be happy to hear that the change in digs hasn't drastically altered Saveurs de Corée's menu or vibe, and while it's no longer nestled deep in central Beijing, its move to the northwest edge of Dongzhimen is by no means far-flung. What's important here is that we can now welcome back yet another of the capital's veteran restaurants after they were able to brush off the dust in the midst of Beijing's tumultuous redevelopment.

Photos courtesy of Saveurs de Corée, Kyle Mullin

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