Go to BingBing for Burgers, Coffee And… Tattoos?
Every now and then I have to explain my love of Shuangjing and the nearby Jiulongshan area to incredulous folks. I tell these people that you can get some legit bang for your buck rent-wise, and you won’t be without options for entertainment or dining, either.
All tastes are catered to at Hopson One's 21 Block
If you don't believe me, just hit up Jiulongshan's prime shopping mall, Hopson One (合生汇 héshēng huì), which has gathered quite the range of options in 21 Block, its two-story underground food court. They must have felt it still wasn't enough, though, because they recently added yet another wing full of eateries and restaurants. Recently, I had lunch at one of the newest joints there, located right at the end of the first floor: BingBing (秉秉 bǐngbǐng).
Welcome to BingBing
There were quite a few things that caught my eye at BingBing. Firstly, two of the words prominently written all over the restaurant's windows: "burgers" (hey, I'm in already) and… "tattoos"! I also liked that the place is actually two-dimensional: there is a smaller sitting area fit for a quicker bite, as well as a proper enclosed restaurant space. Last but not least, this place is so new they were doing food photoshoots in a corner when I arrived.
The venue's newly-minted seating area
BingBing's menu features some decent options, with the usual fare of salads, pizza, pasta, snacks, BBQ, steaks, and a drink selection that includes beers, coffee, shakes, and sodas. Prices are largely below RMB 100. The staff was kind, if only a little distracted, and I was promptly recommended their Australian Beef Burger (澳洲牛肉汉堡 àozhōu niúròu hànbǎo, RMB 58).
With the restaurant area empty, I chose a table facing the entire space: grey concrete walls, plenty of neon, and the motto, "Music and beer, make friends here." Snazzy industrial, if you will, with a side of easy-listening jazz. My order took some time to arrive, so I got chatty with one of the waiters.
A place so new, they're still doing menu photo shoots
This is, in fact, how I discovered the whole deal about BingBing. Are they a chain? Naw, ma'am — only this here shop. When did they open? Merely a couple of days ago, though they've opted for putting 2021 on their sign since that's when they started laying the foundation. Can you find them on Meituan for delivery? Not quite yet, they're new.
They're so new, the ongoing photoshoot in the corner was actually to get pics for their menu, which isn't even fixed yet. At this point, I was somewhat amused but also tempted by the coffee drink they happened to be shooting at the time. It was not on the menu, so I placed my order with the waiter: BingBing's Wall-Peel Coffee (秉秉墙皮咖啡 bǐngbǐng qiáng pí kāfēi, RMB 31), an homage to the restaurant's walls. My amusement, dear reader, was in crescendo.
First meal at BingBing
So, how was my meal? I've seen bigger burgers in the capital, but BingBing's patties hit the right spots and are just filling enough that you'll still have room for a side. The burger was not overly greasy, the bacon was good and the fries were pleasantly solid, seasoned just right. The coffee was indeed the same grey as the walls and counted as a dessert with a thick layer of cream, plenty of brown sugar, and a small speculoos cookie to boot.
Rounded off with a coffee fit for dessert
All in all, not bad, and I might even bring some friends next time, though I expect it to be fuller by then. Oh, and the tattoo claim was not empty décor. BingBing does have a small tattoo studio. It was closed when I visited, but watch out — they'll be dishing tatts in no time. And they say the suburbs are boring!
BingBing Burgers 秉秉西餐厅
B1, Hopson One Mall, 21 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区西大望路21号合生汇B1
10am-10pm
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Images: Ana Padilla Fornieles
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