Two New Coffee Shops Open in Chaowai SOHO

原创 Joey Knotts theBeijinger

收录于合集

advertisement

The capital has been undergoing somewhat of a coffee revolution over the past several years. It's gotten to the point where the city sips enough bean to justify three or four festivals dedicated to the drink within a single summer. But that doesn’t mean that all of Beijing’s neighborhoods are fit for coffee snobs.

If there is one central-city locale that we can deem the hottest spot for excellent brewing, it may just be Chaowai SOHO – and that’s becoming all the more true with the arrival of two new, side-by-side shops popping up in the main strip.

The shops have appeared right next to Coffeeholic, which is known for its meticulously crafted pour-overs – but with pour-overs having become nearly ubiquitious in shops around town, the newbies have had to get a bit more creative with their art.

So, what both of these shops – Alley Mouth Coffee and Tang Café – have leaned into is complete use of single-origin coffees. That is, where pour-overs commonly use single-origin beans, the duo is using it for their espresso drinks as well. The result is a much higher quality cup of Americano for about the same price that you’re used to paying (or less, coming in at under RMB 20).

Tang is little more than a single bar, but it's what happens behind the bar that counts

advertisement

The brew at Tang Café is a bit more on the acidic side, but certainly satisfying, especially with the opening deal of just RMB 1 for a cup when you buy a coupon on Dianping. Of course, you’re also welcome to sit at their small counter and choose from their wide selection of pour-overs, or even one of their three coffee cocktails.

Meanwhile, there aren’t any Dianping deals at Ally Mouth, as the store hasn’t yet listed on the app. But there is still a very nice, more well-rounded single-origin Americano in addition to some coconut and Eisbock coffees. The joint recently took over the space from a novelty shop that was set up like a micro-cinema and showed movies all day. (The owner once told me, when I asked what movies played there, "Whatever I feel like watching.") But what has been lost in novelty has been made up for in quality of product.

Alley Mouth has just a bit more interior comfort to speak of

While I would recommend these spots to Beijingers seeking out quality brews on the cheap, there’s a bit of give and take – these are, unfortunately, not great spots for work or study, as the space just isn’t there. But if you’re in the neighborhood and craving a warmer autumn-time replacement for those high-quality cold brews you’ve become so accustomed to, then be sure to give one or both a try.

Tang Cafe and Alley Mouth Coffee
6 Chaowai Dajie, 1F, 156-1&2
朝外大街6号1层156-1&2