Nathan’s New Salad Wraps & Jinshisong Delivery

Most of you who follow LumDimSum.com know that I am always looking for a healthier option (should a healthy option be available) whenever I’m eating out.

So instead of stuffing myself with Nathan’s 100% pure beef hot dogs and chili cheese fries multiple times per week, I am now stoked to be eating (and sharing with you) their newest menu items: 3 New Savory Salad Wraps!

Available in three flavors: Spicy Chicken Tender Salad Wrap, Phillycheese Steak Salad Wrap and a warm, buttery imported Lobster Sensation Wrap (my personal favorite), these are hands-down my new go-to menu items!

Aside from being a healthier choice, these wraps are so freaking good and such great value – priced at RMB 15-25 if ordered alone and if you want to be extra healthy, you can also switch out the side of Nathan’s crinkle cut fries for a bowl of steamed corn (another favorite of mine) and a drink for only RMB 27-37 for a complete combo meal.

For those who prefer to eat in the comfort of your home, Nathan’s is now partnering up with Beijing’s Best Delivery Service - Jinshisong Delivery!

To get Nathan’s delivered straight to your door, just call 4000300517 or you can even order directly online and save the headache of speaking to anyone over the phone: Click here to order Nathan’s on Jinshisong’s website.

Aside from Nathan’s, Jinshisong also delivers many other great restaurant options including:

• Kro’s Nest
• Blue Frog
• Hatsune
• Flamme
• Union Bar & Grill
• Karaiya Spice House
• Kagen Japanese Restaurant
• Colibri Cafe
• Biteapitta
• Crepanini
• La Pizza

And the list of restaurants continues…check out full list of restaurants here.

Nathan’s Famous Contact Details: 

• Dongzhimen Raffles City Branch 

• Address: Raffles City Shopping Mall B1-07, No.1 Dongzhimen South Street, Dong Cheng District, Beijing
• Hours: 8:30AM-10:00PM

• Wanliu BHG Mall

• Address: Beijing Wanliu Shopping Mall, No. 2 BaGou Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing (Located just outside of Ba Gou Subway Stop, the last stop on Line 10)
• Hours: 9:30AM-9:30PM

• Mastercard (Wukesong) Stadium

• Address: No.69 Fuxing Road, Haidian District
• Open for events

Have a Happy Lóng Chinese New Year 2012!

Like me, I’m sure many of your email boxes have been filling up the past week with Chinese New Year E-cards and thoughtful holiday messages. While I’ve received  lot of cool designs featuring dragons, the color red, symbols of good luck and fortune for the upcoming year of the dragon, I’ve got to say the most creative design for a CNY card would be by Nathan’s Famous.

This card creatively emphasizes its brand identity while simultaneously wishing Chinese New Year holiday wishes for all with a dragon head sketched out of our famous hot dogs, burgers and chicken tenders! A brand synonymous with the world’s best hot dogs, 100% beef burgers, unique golden crinkle-cut French fries, Arthur’s Treachers quality seafood products and Chicken Classics, they have branches all over the world and currently have three locations in Beijing.

Some additional good news from Nathan’s is that they have just launched a partnership with Beijing’s best delivery service – Jinshisong.com. Open throughout the Chinese New Year holiday week, you can get Nathan’s delivered straight to your door!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Lóng and Happy Chinese New Year!

* Lóng (龙) is Chinese for Dragon.

Healthy Japanese Obentos is NOW Open in Central Park!

Beijing’s dining scene is getting bigger and better by the day.  Most recently, I had the best pulled pork sandwich of my life at Home Plate BBQ and now that Nathan’s Famous just opened their newest branch at Dongzhimen Raffles City, I’m eating their chili cheese dogs, Phillycheese steak sandwiches and onion rings on a daily basis.  Don’t get me wrong, this food is all fantastic, but eating this every day can take it’s toll.

In an effort to be healthier, I’ve recently been trying to eat more salads and lighter meals. On the prowl for a greater variety of high-quality, healthy cuisine, I’ve been eagerly waiting in anticipation for OBENTOS 本之味to finally open it’s doors in Central Park.

Located on the left side of The Place Cafe in Central Park, Obentos is a new, healthy and simple Japanese food concept centered on fresh salads, quality bento boxes and simple maki rolls. They officially opened their doors to public yesterday, September 15 and the place looks fantastic!  Simple, clean and pretty, I love their look and I love their Bento Box and take-away packaging!

Some dishes I’m extremely excited to try:

• Obentos Salad (RMB 28/48 for small/large size): Mixed greens, cucumber, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, julianne carrot, apple, Asian pear, daikon shoots, avocado, white and black sesame seeds and oven roasted pumpkin seeds with citrus ginger dressing.
• Fresh Tofu Salad (RMB 25/48 for small/large size): Mixed greens, cucumber, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, Ohitashi, julianne carrot, sushi ginger, sunflower seeds, bonito flakes, white and black sesame seeds with sesame dressing
• Beef Sukiyaki Classic Bento Box (RMB 56): Comes with choice of rice/salad, Sesame Ohitashi & egg, wasabi potato mash and mixed vegetables.
• Seared Sashimi Tuna Gourmet Bento Box (RMB 78): comes with choice of rice/salad, Kinpira lotus root & egg, miso ginger shiitake mushroom and braised root vegetables.
• Obentos Special Onigiri Rice Balls (RMB 15)
• Chocolate Tofu  and Green Tea Panna Cotta Desserts (RMB 20 each)

*Lunch bonus: All bento boxes and large salads include a complimentary miso soup and soft drink.

For all those close to the Central Park CBD area, Obentos starts delivery on Monday, September 19.

LumDimSum Snapshots of OBENTOS:

Stay tuned for a full restaurant review of OBENTOS coming soon!

Nathan’s Famous Sponsors BBQ DAY for CMC Kids

As a part of Nathan’s Famous China National Championship Hot Dog Eating Competition back in June, Nathan’s Famous China generously donated 1,000 hot dogs to the children of Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC), a non-profit organization founded to help China’s urban migrant children through social and educational programs.

World-record holding hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut presented the donation himself in a giant check to the representatives and children of CMC.

To follow through with our commitment, Nathan’s Famous sponsored its first BBQ DAY at CMC’s Ping Xi Fu Center with a donation of 500 hot dogs to approximately 350 children on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

Transporting ourselves from Nathan’s Wanliu Branch, we packed a van with all our hot dog ingredients, four new BBQ grills (to be donated to the CMC Center as well) and of course our Frankster!  Together, we were ready to share the World’s Best 100% Beef Hot Dogs with a community of children where the majority  had never even heard of a hot dog, much less tasted one before.

Witnessing their all-consuming curiosity spread like wild-fire was thrilling and not only were these children incredibly well-behaved, their level of politeness and genuine gratitude was melting…if course it didn’t hurt that these kids are all absolutely adorable.  Shy at first, by the end of their first Nathan’s hot dog experience, they were running, skipping, jumping, playing with our Frankster, drawing us thank you cards and giving us giant bear hugs.

But in the end, class must resume.  Hugs were given, tears were shed and mutual gratitude was shared before we waved goodbye.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Nathan’s Famous Sponsored BBQ at CMC:

What happens to our Nathan’s Frankster after 4 hours of playing with 350 running, jumping children

About Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC)

“Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping children of migrant workers in Asia and their communities through social and educational programs.  CMC fills a gap in migrant communities by establishing community centers that offer comprehensive, holistic programming to migrant children and their families including vocational skills training, after school programs, teaching training seminars for migrant school teachers and family workshops.”

For more information about Compassion for Migrant Children and how you can donate or volunteer with their social and educational programs, visit their website: http://www.cmc-china.org/

Crazy for Cran梅子: Cranberries Concert in Beijing

Beijingers went crazy for Cran梅子!

I must admit that although I know the Cranberries from before and was familiar with a lot of their hits, I definitely became a converted fan only after seeing them perform live in Mastercard Stadium this past Thursday, July 18.

Representing Nathan’s Famous, I was in the stadium early to help out as one of Nathan’s very lovely “Nathan’s Girls” aka our brilliant team of marketing gurus who are playing an essential role in introducing Nathan’s Famous brand into the China market.  Because I had to check in early, I was lucky enough to catch the Cranberries rehearsing before their show.  Hearing their lead singer Dolores O’Riordan sing acapella gave me goose bumps it was so beautiful!

But of course seeing the band perform in concert- i.e., seeing ‘the real deal’ because I sat in the VERY FRONT ROW was a whole other experience.  From crazy get-up costumes to the crowd going wild, my favorite part of the concert was seeing such an abundant number of men shouting out all the lyrics to each song!

Cool Get-Ups for Dolores O’Riordan:

From Indian Chief/Pocahontas to a Gypsy, she covered all the bases!

Snapshots of The Cranberries Concert:

(Photos Courtesy of DJ Patrick Yu, thank you!)

Happy America Day: Celebrating the Fourth of July

America’s Independence Day, the Fourth of July, should be a day of BBQ picnics in parks with hot dogs and burgers on the grill, water balloon fights and fireworks, but as this year falls on a Monday, most are stuck in an office for the better part of the day.

But rest assured, there’s still plenty going on and a variety of destination options available to show off your Americanism.

theBeijinger gives a nice run-down of pro-American venues (click here for article) including Saddle Cantina, Kro’s Nest, the Stumble Inn, Blue Frog, the Culture Yard’s Independence Day Cook-Out, and NOLA.

After witnessing the world’s top hot dog eater, Joey Chestnut engulf 39 hot dogs in 5 minutes at the Nathan’s Famous Wanliu Store opening and the China National Hot Dog Eating Championship a few weeks back, my gang of usual suspects we be celebrating this great national holiday by ordering in a couple dozen orders of Nathan’s Famous Chili Cheese dogs and watching Joey Chestnut live on ESPN in action at 11PM Beijing time (actual contest begins at noon New York time, so midnight in Beijing). If you have a VPN or other IP proxy, you can easily watch the contest online at this link here.

Joey Chestnut jammed down 39 hot dogs in his own 5 minute exhibition in Beijing!

To see full article of Nathan’s Famous China National Championship Hot Dog Eating Competition, click here.

To see more images and video footage of Joey Chestnut exploring Beijing, click here.

For all those with a sweet tooth, I recommend ordering some All-American Apple Pie from The Pie House (buy 2 for a 30% discount!) to celebrate!

**Happy Fourth of July!**

The Joey Chestnut Entourage Conquers Beijing

Proudly sporting a “I Heart 北京“ t-shirt all over Beijing, Joey Chestnut is hands-down one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

The man is a hero to many and there’s no wonder why.  He’s incredibly kind, gentle, warm, friendly, open-minded and the man can eat like you wouldn’t believe.  A master of his own body, Joey has skillfully trained himself to improve year after year and with the world record for hot dog eating under his belt, the man’s widely recognized as the best competitive eater in the world.

From his pick-up at the airport and getting up at sunrise to beat the crowds to the Great Wall at 6AM, meeting the kids at the Pingxifu center of Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC) and touring Hou Hai Lake, he was nothing but smiles and good vibes.  Not once did he complain about jet-lag or being tired or uncomfortably hot, which is beyond crazy considering we were running all over the city in 30+ degree weather!

Here are some LumDimSum Snapshots of Joey Chestnut in Beijing:

Anxiously Waiting at Capital 3 Terminal Airport for Joey Chestnut to Arrive:

Joey on The Great Wall of China with the Nathan’s Famous Frankster:

Joey at Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC)’s Pingxifu Center:

Touring the Hou Hai Hood via Rickshaws:

Drinks and Dinner at the Exclusive, Members-Only China Club:

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition China National Championship:

On Saturday, June 18th, China saw it’s very first national eating competition take place at the Nathan’s Famous 3rd store opening at Wanliu BHG Mall in Haidian District, Beijing.  See full LumDimSum Article: Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition for the China National Championship.

Joey steps in as one of the judges for the China National Hot Dog Eating Competition! Here he is coaching China’s #1 Star Chris Lam (who ate 16 dogs in 10 minutes)

Joey jammed down 39 hot dogs in his own 5 minute exhibition!

Joey Chestnut with China’s Top 3 Hot Dog Eating Champions!

Joey with the 6 Judges (L to R): Jim Dawson, Alan Wong, Gaby Alves, John Flarhety

Check out this Video to see Joey Chestnut in Action!

(courtesy of The Wallstreet Journal, check out Laurie Burkitt’s full article here.)

Hot Doggie Dogs: China’s 1st National Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Champion!

On Saturday, June 18th, China saw it’s very first national eating competition take place at the Nathan’s Famous 3rd store opening at Wanliu BHG Mall in Haidian District, Beijing.

12 contestants from all different backgrounds and walks of life around China all tried for their chance to win an all-expense paid trip to New York City to compete in the king of all competitive eating contests, the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in Coney Island, New York on July 4th.

After 10 grueling minutes of non-stop face stuffing, three clear winners rose above the rest as China’s top dogs.

The winner of the contest, Chris Lam (from HK), took first place prize with a total consumption of 16 dogs followed by “Big Bear” Lv Ming Kui 吕明奎 at 13 dogs and Hebei-native Wang Ran Long 王冉龙 taking third place with 12.

Third Place: Wang Ranlong 王冉龙, 20 years old from Hebei Province

Runner Up (2nd Place Winner): Lv Ming Kui 吕明奎, 31 years old from Qingdao

China National Hot Dog Eating Champion:  Chris Lam, 32 years old from Hong Kong

While this is a good start for China, they are still a long ways to go until they can compete in the same league as 4-time world champ Joey Chestnut who holds the record for 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Both the President of Major League Eating, Mike Antolini and the world’s #1 hot dog eater Joey Chestnut both flew out to Beijing for this contest and stole the show.

With Mike’s hilarious and unforgettable commentary together with Joey’s jaw-dropping performance of 39 hot dogs in only FIVE minutes, he puts the Cookie Monster to shame ie, my ex-favorite eating champ.

Check out this Video Clip of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition & Joey Chestnut’s 5 Minute Eating Exhibition:

(courtesy of The Wallstreet Journal, check out Laurie Burkitt’s full article here.)

…and can you guess what everyone was craving for after watching this massive display of gluttony??

Nathan’s Famous 100% Premium Beef Hot Dogs!

The Champ is Here: Joey Chestnut Flies to Beijing!

The KING of hot dog eating, Joey Chestnut arrives to Beijing, China this afternoon and has announced that he is stoked to be coming out to China for the very first time as a celebrity Guest Judge for China’s very first Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in search of a China champion to fly to New York for the annual Nathan’s Famous hot dog competition on July 4th in Coney Island.  (Other local judges include Hatsune King Alan Wong, SALT & TERRA Queen Gaby Alves, Gungho Pizza King John O’Loghlen and Fitness Hero Jim Dawson representing the World Health Store.)

With trips planned for him to hike the Great Wall, hop on a rickshaw and ride along houhai to explore Beijing’s hidden hutongs, taste some local specialties including Beijing duck, visit the Olympic green and present a check for 1,000 hot dogs to Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC). Joey should be a local Beijinger by the time we’re done with them.

And the most exciting bit?  With the world-record set by him in 2009 at 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes, Joey has announced that in the 5 minute eating exhibition after the main contest at Wanliu, his goal is to devour 50 hot dogs in 5 minutes!!  Siiiicknesssss!!

Will be epic to watch the champ himself in action!

Nathan’s Official CHINA Hot Dog Eating Competition Event Details:

Date: Saturday, June 18

Time: 11AM-12:30PM

Location: Wanliu BHG Mall (last stop of line 10 – Bagou stop)

Address:  Bagou Lu #2

Free entrance, everyone is welcome!

Nathan’s Famous Donates 1,000 Hot Dogs to CMC

Nathan’s Famous is proud to announce that the official recipient of a 1,000 hot dog donation will be to the children of Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC), a non-profit organization founded to help China’s urban migrant children through social and educational programs.

“We appreciate Nathan’s Famous is using fun to help raise awareness about our work and the migrant situation.” – CMC Regional Programs Manager Hamilton Ho

The donation will be made with a casual ceremony at CMC’s Pingxifu Center together with world-record hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut who will be flying out to Beijing as a celebrity guest judge for the Official Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating China Competition at Wanliu BHG Mall at 11AM.

Nathan’s Famous CHINA Hot Dog Eating Competition Event Highlights:

12 Finalists will be selected to compete for the title of China’s National Champion

Panel of judges will include world champion Joey Chestnut who will be flying out to Beijing for the first time!

Other celebrity judges include Alan Wong, restauranteur and owner of the Hatsune Restaurant Group, Gaby Alves of SALT & TERRA, John O’Loghlen of Gungho! Gourmet Pizza Factory and Jim Dawson from the World Health Store.

Top 2-3 winners will be invited for an expense-paid trip to Coney Island, NY for their chance to to win USD$10,000 in international competition in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition on 4 July 2011.

The event is broadcast around the globe, covered live by ESPN and hundreds of both local and international news networks and print media including the Wallstreet Journal, CCTV, CBS News, China Daily, Global Times, China Radio International (CRI).

For live and up-to-the-date news, follow us on Weibo: http://weibo.com/nathansfamouschina

Nathan’s Official CHINA Hot Dog Eating Competition Event Details:

Date: Saturday, June 18

Time: 11AM-12:30PM

Location: Wanliu BHG Mall (last stop of line 10 – Bagou stop)

Address:  Bagou Lu #2

Free entrance, everyone is welcome!

–

“Compassion for Migrant Children (CMC) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping children of migrant workers in Asia and their communities through social and educational programs.  CMC fills a gap in migrant communities by establishing community centers that offer comprehensive, holistic programming to migrant children and their families including vocational skills training, after school programs, teaching training seminars for migrant school teachers and family workshops.”

For more information about Compassion for Migrant Children and how you can donate or volunteer with their social and educational programs, visit http://www.cmc-china.org/

In Search for China’s National Hot Dog Eating Champion

If Japan’s very own Takeru Kobayashi can munch down 65 hot dogs in 10 minutes and the world-record holding champion Joey Chestnut (USA) can devour 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes, I think everyone is dying to see how many hot dogs China’s national champion can throw back.

After the impressive scale of medals China achieved at Beijing’s 2008 Olympics, I have no doubt that it’s only a matter of time before China finds it’s “Yao Ming” of hot dog eating!

Aspiring competitive eaters have until end of May 2011 to submit their entries for The Official Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in Beijing, CHINA on 18 June 2011 at Wanliu BHG Mall for their chance to win round-trip tickets and an expense-paid trip to New York to compete in the internationally broadcasted Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in Coney Island, New York.

The competition is open to any aspiring competitive eaters who are Chinese national citizens over the age of 18 years old who have previously traveled internationally (ideally have traveled to the US) and who have a valid passport. Applicants will need to submit a basic application form to be eligible to compete (click here for details to register online).

The closing date for entries is 31 May 2011 so if you or anyone you know is looking for the opportunity of a lifetime to become a national hero of China, then please SPREAD THE WORD!!

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in China Highlights:

12 Finalists will be selected to compete for the title of China’s National Champion

Panel of judges will include world champion Joey Chestnut who will be flying out to Beijing for the first time!

Other celebrity judges include Alan Wong, restauranteur and owner of the Hatsune Restaurant Group and Brian McKenna of ROOMbeijing.

Top 2-3 winners will be invited for an expense-paid trip to Coney Island, NY for their chance to to win USD$10,000 in international competition in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition on 4 July 2011.

The event is broadcast around the globe, covered live by ESPN and hundreds of both local and international news networks and print media.

For live and up-to-the-date news, follow us on Weibo: http://weibo.com/nathansfamouschina

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011
• Time: 11AM-Noon
• Location: BHG WanLiu Mall
• FREE event
• Website: http://www.nathanschina.com.cn/en/component/content/story/35.html?ItemID=2

About Nathan’s Famous China

With a reputation built on quality for over 95 years, Nathan’s Famous started out as America’s very first restaurant chain and has grown from a single restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn in 1916 into an international corporation that has come to be recognized and trusted as having the tastiest, highest quality hot dogs in the world, making Nathan’s a delicious tradition and an icon of New York.

Spearheaded by Marcus Foods & Beverage Management (Beijing) Co., Ltd, a regional master franchisee of Nathan’s Famous brand in China, they have successfully opened the first Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Le Mall in Haidian District in August 2010 and in December 2010, Nathan’s Famous opened Beijing’s first permanent western quick service restaurant concession in MasterCard Center (formerly Wukesong Stadium). With new stores opening soon in Wanliu BHG Mall, Dongzhimen Raffles City, Nathan’s is prepared to follow through with over 80-100 Nathan’s Famous stores in China over the next 10 years.

For more information, visit www.nathanschina.com.cn

Nathan’s Famous: A Taste of New York

One of New York’s treasured traditions, Nathan’s Famous is one of those rare brands able to claim immeasurable brand equity. The name has always been synonymous with the highest quality, 100% beef hot dogs and unique, golden crinkle-cut French fries.

New Yorkers, you know what I’m talking about.

From a single restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn in 1916, Nathan’s has grown to become an international corporation and is officially making its grand debut in China, starting right here in Beijing this September 2010.

Currently in a soft-opening stage, the first Nathan’s Famous China store is located in B1 of Wukesong’s Le Mall Shopping Center (home of the Jackie Chan Movie Theatre Complex, China’s largest movie theatre). Rest assured East-siders, they plan to open a flagship store in the CBD before the end of 2010 and will quickly expand to have 80+ stores throughout China over the next 10 years.

Luckily, I had the privilege of being among the very FIRST to dine at Nathan’s first store in China. To say that I “went to town on the menu” is an understatement.

We tried everything from the legendary hot dogs (RMB 12), chili cheese crinkle cut fries (RMB 18), onion rings (RMB 12), lobster roll (RMB 25), Arthur Treacher’s shrimp platter (RMB 28), philly cheese steak (RMB 18), chicken tenders (RMB 16 for five pieces), spicy chicken wings (RMB 16 for four pieces),  5-ounce super cheeseburger (RMB 28), lemonade (RMB 8 ) and ice cream sundae (RMB 5).

A Sneak Peak of the first Nathan’s Famous restaurant to open in China: