Hopson One Now Home to the Sauciest Hotties w/ the Juiciest Buns
Although Baiziwan appears to be on a boom, with dozens of restaurants cropping up in the south Beijing neighborhood's year-old Hopson Mall, the growth has so far largely skipped Western food. Patrons have instead been privy to quality Asian eats at Quanzhou Beef and celebrity Korean chef Andrew Ahn's Maru (though expect to pass a lot of mediocre brands to find those diamonds in the rough). We're happy to report, however, that we were quietly wowed by a new addition that's sure to satisfy burger lovers’ cravings: Hotties.
Now that the name's out of the way, we can tell you Hotties has already established somewhat of a following in its native Shenzhen, and the burger joint quietly opened in a nook of Hopson One’s basement dining sprawl in late 2018. While they lack the eye-widening diameter and creative toppings of upper echelon spots like Arcade, Slow Boat Brewery, or Q Mex, these midsized burgers cater to a different niche, namely that of being extremely good value for money.
Mmmmm... mozzarella...
For RMB 30, Hottie's burgers are lip-smackingly fresh and decently sized. Be sure to try the Hotties Smoked (RMB 32, RMB 41 for a meal), which comes topped with chunky mushrooms and mouthwatering mozzarella, all wedged between a buttery and toasted bun that’s crunchy and textured. The meat was juicy without being greasy, and again, you really aren't going to get better for the price.
Their RMB 28 chicken burger, meanwhile, isn’t half bad thanks to its heftier size, though the meat proved a little tough. Next time we’ll upgrade to the sour chicken variety (also RMB 28) for something a little more flavorful.
Their chicken burger is heftier but less tasty than the beef option
Hotties' atmosphere, meanwhile, has a Royal Stacks-meets-Cannon’s combination of loud colors and throwback vibes. An army of deliverymen were a staple at the counter, giving the impression that they are already doing a brisk trade with neighboring Chinese customers. Despite the bustle, our order was ready in no time and the staff were notably amiable.
It's a cramped spot, but the staff are dilligent
As gourmet burgers get pricier and more elaborate throughout Beijing, these guys offer a plainer but solid alternative that stands head and shoulders above similarly priced McDonald’s and Burger King. If this first venue is anything to go by, a few more outlets in easier to find spots around town will see to it that Beijing embraces Hotties as eagerly as we have.
Daily 10.30am-9pm
B2, 68A, Hopson One, 21 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区广渠路西大望路22号院合生汇地下2层68A
Photos: Kyle Mullin
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