The Return of Hani Gejiu Yunnan Resto with Sue Zhou

Posted: August 22nd, 2013 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene | Tags: Ai Mo Town, Chef Sue Zhou, Dali Courtyard, Drum & Bell Tower, Gulou, Hani GeJiu 哈尼个旧, Hani Minority, Pre-Opening, Rice Noodles, Soft Opening, Yun Er Town 云洱小镇, Yunnan Cuisine, Yunnan Mushrooms | 12 Comments »

Clever and Stylish Lamp Shades of the New Hani Gejiu Yunnan Restaurant

Originally located on Baochao Hutong in the same space that Southern Barbarian has now taken over, Hani Gejiu 哈尼个旧 Yunnan Restaurant was a quaint, tastefully decorated restaurant that was regularly packed with foreign customers who came back regularly for their sweet rice wine, humble ambiance and reasonable prices. Though I enjoyed my dining experience at the original location of Hani Gejiu, I admit it was hard to choose to dine at that Yunnan spot over the many others that are pretty much all within walking distance. From the original Dali Courtyard and the new Dali 2 to Ai Mo Town 埃蒙小镇 on Fangjia Hutong, and Yun Er Town 云洱小镇 on Beiluoguxiang, there’s yummy Yunnan at practically every corner in Gulou.

I previously described the original Hani Gejiu restaurant as “a humble little hutong find with Yunnan posters plastered across the walls, decorative lights and Yunnanese decor throughout the restaurant” but with Chef Sue Zhou (cooking teacher, food consultant, catering provider and recipe inventor all rolled into one talented foodie) as the restaurant’s new co-owner, she’s given the restaurant concept, design and menu an entire make-over.

What was once a cute little Yunnan spot, has now blossomed in its new location to maintain its Hani minority style but in a way that’s a hundred times more stylish, detail-oriented and just gorgeous. Still your Yunnan-restaurant-next-door, but Hani just got a little more grown-up, confident and stylish.

From the restaurant’s entrance just east of the Bell Tower to its glowing interior, it’s so well put together. Where before Hani’s decor consisted of a whole lot of posters taped onto its walls, the new Hani is much better groomed. From the sturdy wooden tables to small bits of artwork painted along the walls to the lovely dishware, Hani is looking better than ever and the location is fantastic. Just off the beaten-path but still very easy to locate.

LDS Snapshots of the NEW Hani Gejiu: 

Hani Gejiu Entrance by Bell Tower

Beautiful Interior Decor

Bar/Drinks Area, I recommend tasting their Yunnan rice wine

Looking up: the 2nd Floor’s loungey table area

Map of Yunnan to highlight Hani Area

Since the restaurant isn’t officially opened yet with normal opening hours, Chef Sue invited our crew of foodies to a soft-run tasting last night and since I was privileged enough to be among the very first to sit down and enjoy a meal at the new Hani Gejiu, I feel it’s my duty to share and spread the word as they will be opening their doors to the public starting Monday, August 26.

Tasting with Friends: Sample Set Menu

Chef Sue’s tasting menu features a range of her very own creations inspired by her recent travels to Yunnan learning specialty Hani minority dishes.

Taking authentic recipes, Chef Sue hand-picks the best ingredients (with regular shipments of fresh Yunnan produce delivered every week), she proudly uses only free-range chicken to cook the restaurant’s noodle broth and she makes their own organic soybean custard. Chef Sue adds her own magic touch to the menu with a variety of dishes that are quite distinguishably Yunnan, but with a twist.  For example, most Yunnan restaurants will offer Yunnan Goat Cheese served sprinkled with spices, but Chef Sue tops their Yunnan Goat Cheese with Yunnan Ham and stir-fried green peppers.

Favorites at the table included Hani Gejiu’s Cold Rice Noodle Salad with noodles made from locally grown red rice noodles, the cold tofu dish that disappeared almost instantaneously, the unique dipping sauce for the tasty and tender Hani roasted fish and chicken and her beautifully presented (and very healthy) multigrain rice which features 5 different grains to be mixed together.

LDS Snapshots of Dishes at Hani GeJiu 哈尼个旧 Yunnan Restaurant:

Tofu Skin Mint Salad

Yunnan Goat Cheese with Yunnan Ham and Green Peppers

Organic Soybean Homemade Custard

Cold Rice Noodle Salad

Hani Roasted Chicken with Dipping Sauce

 Deep-fried Yunnan Mushrooms

Pickled Daikon

Hani Fried Potato Balls

Hani Roasted Fish with Special Dip

Seasonal Greens

Eggs and Jasmine Flowers

Multigrain Rice Close-Up

Chef Sue Zhou Proudly Introduces her Signature Multigrain Rice

Rice Noodles Soup

Hani’s Cooling Jelly Hawthorne Dessert

Hani Gejiu Opens its doors to the public starting Monday, August 26th! 

Hani Gejiu Restaurant Contact Details:

• Address: East side of Bell Tower, turn right just after you see public restrooms. 钟楼湾胡同48号(鼓楼北侧50米，钟楼东侧胡同口) See Map below

• Tel: +86 10 6401 3318

• Opening Hours: 11AM-10PM Daily

• Venue available for private bookings and parties with custom created menus

• Facebook Website: Click here. 

Other Suggested LDS Articles:

• Little Yunnan Restaurant: Crazy for Fresh Crawfish

• Southern Barbarian: A Wine & Dine Approach to Yunnan

• Dali Courtyard: Discreet, Delightful & Delicious Yunnan

• Middle 8th 中八楼: A Classic Choice for Yunnan in SLT

• Guoyao Xiaoju 国肴小居: Nearly Extinct Tan Cuisine

• Lan Ting: Tasty Thai & Serene Style in the Hutongs

• The Hutong Kitchen: Seasonal Yunnan Cooking Class

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