Beijing, China — My husband and I left San Francisco and moved to Beijing in January 2007. Leaving the variety of restaurants in San Francisco, though heartbreaking, we found solace in Beijing’s myriad of restaurants. I can still remember when my husband suggested Café Sambal and led me on a short hunt down a hutong to find authentic Malaysian cuisine nestled in a siheyuan. Café Sambal has remained a special place where we celebrated a new year’s eve, introduced our parents to each other, and continue to entertain out-of-town guests.
Chili Crab - Flower crab cooked with Sambal chili, dried shrimp, and curry leaves — the ultimate seafood dish
Yesterday, we celebrated another special moment at Café Sambal — our two-year wedding anniversary. Inspired and curated by owner Cho Chong Gee’s daughter, Shauna Cho, our dinner was an adventure relishing our favorite Chili Crab and discovering new dishes. Earlier in the day, Shauna’s suggestions enticed me instantly, and the wait until 7PM was maddening.
“For dinner, why not start with a Mojito, and have Champagne to pair with the food (the bubbles are wonderful with the crab, as it cuts through the spiciness without making the ingredients overwhelming). Also, its a celebration!
A tasting plate of appetizers to share, followed by the Chili Crab, then either the Fried Malay Honey Chicken or King Prawn with Lemongrass Pesto served with broccoli or 4-sided bean in a cashew nut sauce.
To end, a homemade Austrian Chocolate Cake with Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream.”
Irresistible! We had it all!
The tasting plate
The tasting plate introduced us to a few new appetizers. Much to Shauna’s surprise, we had never before ordered the Satay Chicken. I tend to never order Satay Chicken anywhere, because I’ve had it a zillion times. However, Café Sambal’s tender chicken fillet topped with a hearty traditional Malaysian peanut Satay sauce, stacked on top of a cucumber slice was a rise from the norm and an encore for the future. Other notable delectables on the plate included Fresh Vietnamese Roll with prawn, herbs, and homemade peanut sauce; Fresh Mango Roll with lettuce, herbs and mango, served with fresh lemon sauce; and Otak-Otak, a traditional malay fish cake baked in banana leaf.
Drank the Mojito before I could photograph it.
I swear by the Mojitos here! I have been to Cuba, and though blasphemous to say, I’m putting it in black-and-white — Cho’s Mojito’s trump Fidel’s. The King Prawn with Lemongrass Pesto and Fried Malay Honey Chicken impressed our palates despite the limit of our appetites. Finally, yes, there was still room for dessert and espresso.
Always hungry for more, I’m looking to the future at their other restaurant, Paper, for the new organic/sustainable concept. Also coming soon, when in Shanghai, I won’t be without more whims of Cho’s Café Sambal.
Cafe Sambal
中国北京市东城区豆腐池胡同43号
(Zhōngguó běijīng shì, Dōng Chéngqū, Dòufuchí hútòng #43), China
010-64004875
cafesambal.com
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[...] China — After a delicious celebration at Café Sambal, I was invited by the owner’s daughter, Shauna Cho, to taste dishes from the [...]
[...] have mentioned before, “Cho’s Mojitos trump Fidel’s.” Shauna surprised me with a cool twist on their best by making me a Coconut Mojito! With [...]