LumDimSum Discovery: Susu’s Post Road Flip

Susu’s Post Road Flip (RMB 50)

Susu’s Soothing New Vietnamese Hot Pot

Susu’s recently gone through some changes and from the looks of it, they’ve had the foresight to prepare Beijingers for the long winter ahead with a newly released menu inclusive of new soups, stews and the best winter blues cure of all – Hot Pot!

I used to only think of hot pot as a Chinese specialty (first thing that comes to mind is a super Sichuan “mala” broth 麻辣汤), but that was before I got addicted to Kagen’s Japanese Sukiyaki Hot Pot (heaven on earth) and most recently, I fell in love with Susu’s Classic Vietnamese Hot Pot (RMB 68).  The broth is so delicious, a basic chicken brew loaded with lemongrass, onions and fermented rice, I would be happy just sipping on the soup of the hot pot!  Throw in a basket of assorted mushrooms, fresh shrimp, greens and snakefish fillet and I was beyond content with the spread in front of me.

Susu offers two different Vietnamese hot pot options: their Classic Susu Hot Pot (RMB 68) and their Seafood Hot Pot (RMB 88), which is Chef Quyen’s secret formula with coconut milk and shrimp paste. I tried both hot pot broths and although I liked them both, the classic broth was lighter in flavor and more fragrant with soothing lemongrass and ginger whereas the seafood hot pot was a bit too rich for my taste as there is both shrimp paste and coconut milk making the broth both thicker and more savory.

Susu Head Chef Quyen’s Secret Seafood Hot Pot (RMB 88)

Susu’s Classic Vietnamese Hot Pot packed with fragrant lemongrass (RMB 68)

Susu’s Hot Pot Fixings:

Beef Tenderloin (RMB 48), Shrimp (RMB 62)

Ceylon Spinach (RMB 18) / Mixed Mushrooms (RMB 42)

Snake Fish Fillet (RMB 58)

Susu Vietnamese Hot Pot Feasting:

Hot pot aside, Susu’s other menu additions include Chef Quyen’s Salmon Cucumber Salad (RMB 58), Shaking Beef (RMB 98) and Lemongrass Chili Chicken (RMB 78), new homemade Fish Cakes (RMB 58) and Charcuterie Plate (RMB 52), Steamed Ginger Sea Bass (RMB 108), Peasant Duck (RMB 98) and Galangal Pork Stew (RMB 88).  For dessert, Susu’s also added a new Lemongrass Panna Cotta (RMB 22).

I was so stuffed after trying both of Susu’s new hot pot meals, but I’m definitely keen to try their Shaking Beef, Steamed Ginger Sea Bass and Lemongrass Panna Cotta next time I SuSu (yes, I did just verb-ify Susu)!

Previous LDS Reviews on Susu:

• LumDimSum Discovery: Susu’s Banana & Prawn Spring Roll
• Just Can’t Get Enough: Susu Revisited
• Susu is Superb: A LumDimSum Discovery

Check out other Susu Restaurant Reviews here:

• China Daily Review
• Beijing Today Review
• Time Out Beijing Review
• CityWeekend Review

If you are planning to visit Susu for the first time, be sure to take note of their address and this map below:

Susu Contact Details:

• Address: Qianliang Hutong, West Alley No. 10, 钱粮胡同西巷10号
• Directions: Just northeast of National Art Museum and Sanlian Bookstorn on Qianliang hutong
• Tel: 8400-2699

*Note that Susu is closed on Mondays, I recommend calling ahead to book your next reservation

LumDimSum Discovery: Susu’s Banana & Prawn Roll

I’m always raving about Susu and introducing new people here because for me, this is one of those “no-fail” restaurant choices.  The decor is stunning, the food is authentic and the drinks are delicious.  And now, I have discovered a new reason to love Susu even more: Susu’s Banana & Prawn Fried Spring Roll

In all my dining trips to Susu, I had always ordered from the fresh spring roll menu options and had never even given a glance to their fried spring rolls.  Silly me because this is about one of the best dishes on their entire menu.  People go ga-ga for their La Vong Fish dish (their restaurant speciality) and their rich salad selection, but somehow a few other noteworthy dishes have been previously overlooked and I now feel an obligation to my fellow foodies to shed light on my new discoveries.

Susu’s Banana & Prawn Fried Spring Roll (48) is the perfect balance of crunchy and gooey texture and sweet and savory flavors

 Another noteworthy dish is their Tamarind Crab (RMB 168) which is bursting with tangy flavors and although it’s messy and not the easiest thing to eat, the succulent crab meat is delicious once you’re able to crack/bite your way through it’s tough shells.

Susu has some great vegetarian options including a couple excellent tofu dishes.  I had previously tried their stinky tofu dish (which is also delish), but I was happy to discover their Tofu Flower dish (RMB 48), which is a simple but mouthwatering dish of silky tofu encased in a crispy exterior and served with sweet and sour fish sauce.

Susu’s Tofu Flowers (RMB 48)

Tonight (Friday, September 30), Susu is hosting a great happy hour featuring new craft beers from 5:00-7:00PM.

“Enjoy authentic American style craft beer made in Beijing together with Susu’s spring rolls and shrimp toast or other Vietnamese fare.  We’ll keep pouring that night till the tap runs dry.” – Susu Team 

Previous LDS Reviews on Susu:

• Just Can’t Get Enough: Susu Revisited
• Susu is Superb: A LumDimSum Discovery

Check out other Susu Restaurant Reviews here:

• China Daily Review
• Beijing Today Review
• Time Out Beijing Review
• CityWeekend Review

If you are planning to visit Susu for the first time, be sure to take note of their address and this map below:

Susu Contact Details:

• Address: Qianliang Hutong, West Alley No. 10, 钱粮胡同西巷10号
• Directions: Just northeast of National Art Museum and Sanlian Bookstorn on Qianliang hutong
• Tel: 8400-2699

*Note that Susu is closed on Mondays, I recommend calling ahead to book a reservation

Just Can’t Get Enough: Susu Revisited

Converting more LDS Foodies into Big Fans of Susu

Susu is my ultimate favorite new summertime restaurant.  I love their rooftop terrace table and to all my close friends and foodies: I’m committed to converting you all to Susu lovers and that’s a promise!  (I swear, I am entirely unaffiliated with Susu, I just think it’s that good). But in any case, it’s really not a difficult task by any means..I fell in love as soon as I walked into this gem of a courtyard restaurant and it’s not hard to see why.

Susu’s Courtyard and Rooftop Terrace

Susu’s Stunning Interior Design

Susu is uniquely superb and different from all other hutong restaurants I’ve visited.  It’s brand new so while I was once crazy about Dali Courtyard, Susu is now my choice place to impress both local Beijingers and out-of-town visitors (even though it’s Vietnamese food instead of local Chinese cuisine).

See Previous LDS Review of Susu here: Susu is Superb: A New LumDimSum Discovery

I had previously gone to Susu in groups of 2-6, so it was nice to go in a big group of 8 so that we could sample even more of Susu’s menu.  After only been open for a few months, they’ve already made some upgrades in their menu. As I previously recommended, I highly encourage you to try their cocktails.  Out of the 3 I have sampled, they have all been equally excellent and perfectly refreshing for a hot summer evening.

From the food menu, I would advise for you to try a few of their salads (price range RMB 32-58). Almost all salads also come with a vegetarian option.  I’m a big fan of their Shrimp Salad and Five Color Salad (RMB 38) with lotus root, carrot, celery, red chilies, onions, and coriander, textured with shavings of pork. Don’t miss out on their fresh spring rolls (RMB 34-48) or Do-It-Yourself Spring Roll Action for RMB 88-98 options. Their Stinky Deep-Fried Tofu and Scallops were both highlights of our meal and of course I recommend to everyone to order their house specialty – their La Vong Fish Dish, served with vermicelli, shrimp chips, fresh mint and coriander, crushed peanuts and sauce made from shrimp-fish paste, the snakehead fish fillets are ”sauteed in fennel, turmeric and scallions, served sizzling over a flame.  Legendary.”

LumDimSum Snapshots of Susu’s Yummy Vietnamese Dishes:

Susu’s Salads are Delicious as they are Affordable (RMB 32-58)

Many Spring Roll Varieties (RMB 34-48)

Try Susu’s Stinky Tofu

Susu’s Signature La Vong Fish Dish

Susu’s Succulent Scallops

Susu’s Banana Coconut Pudding with sliced bananas and tapioca pearls with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts.

Check out other Susu Restaurant Reviews here:

• China Daily Review
• Beijing Today Review
• Time Out Beijing Review
• CityWeekend Review

If you are planning to visit Susu for the first time, be sure to take note of their address and this map below:

Susu Contact Details:

Address: Qianliang Hutong, West Alley No. 10, 钱粮胡同西巷10号,

Tel: 8400-2699

*Note that Susu is closed on Mondays, I recommend calling ahead to book a reservation

Susu is Superb: A New LumDimSum Discovery

The very first day Susu Vietnamese Restaurant opened its doors to walk-in customers, I was probably the first one in.   From all the talk I had heard, I was eager to check out the beautifully renovated courtyard space myself and Susu still managed to exceed my expectations.  The location is tricky to find, but once I walked through the double red gate doors and walked into the open courtyard, my jaw dropped.  It is stunning to say the least and as I watched the sunset sitting on the open-air balcony terrace sipping my refreshing Pims cocktail, I didn’t want the moment to end.

Sipping my Pims on the upstairs terrace of Susu

Not only are the drinks delightful, the food is exceptional.  Everything we ordered was fresh, light, fragrant and delicious.  With two native Vietnamese chefs in the kitchen, Susu is Vietnamese cuisine at its best.  Their menu offers plenty of fresh salads (RMB 32-58), a dozen fresh and fried spring rolls (RMB 34-48), caramelized claypots, stews and soups, and the fabled La Vong Fish (Chả Cá Lã Vọng).  An extra bonus is that many of the dishes have a vegetarian option as well.

Susu’s lunch menu features reasonably priced sets of Vietnamese baguette sandwiches (Bánh Mì), crepes (Bánh Xèo), and pho. RMB 55-72 for lunch set comes with choice of salad or fresh spring roll of the day and a Vietnamese lemon soda or soft drink.

Five color salad – Lotus root, carrot, celery, red chilies, onions, and coriander, textured with shavings of pork (RMB 38)

Fresh Salmon Spring Roll – Seared salmon bathed in balsamic vinegar & olive oil, rolled with rocket leaves, & ginger fish sauce (RMB 48)

Susu’s Restaurant Specialty – La Vong Fish (RMB 98)

Waitstaff demonstrating how to mix ingredients of La Vong Fish

Big enough for a group of 4 or 5 to share, the La Vong Fish dish was by far the highlight of the meal.  Served with vermicelli, shrimp chips, fresh mint and coriander, crushed peanuts and sauce made from shrimp-fish paste, the snakehead fish fillets are ”sauteed in fennel, turmeric and scallions, served sizzling over a flame.  Legendary.”

Although I would recommend dining on the top terrace, the decor inside the restaurant is also very well designed – simple, elegant and welcoming. This is a wonderful recommendation for a romantic dinner date, special occasion or a place to impress out-of-town visitors or a group of friends.

I’ve already been back twice now and I still can’t stop raving about it. Susu is a phenomenal addition to Beijing’s dining scene.

Review of Susu: Qianliang Hutong, West Alley No. 10, 钱粮胡同西巷10号, Tel: 8400-2699

Best Part:

• A real hidden gem, Susu’s decor, design and Vietnamese cuisine is spectacular

• All the dishes I’ve tried from their salads, spring rolls, main courses and desserts have all been very light and fragrant
• When they claim their La Vong Fish is legendary, they’re not exaggerating
• The outside courtyard space is perfect for summer lounging
• They have a very nice wine menu and list of cocktails
• Save room for dessert – I highly recommend the banana and coconut pudding dessert (RMB 22). Delish.

Comments:

• As they are still in their soft-opening stages, they are still working out temporary kinks like wait-staffing, charge cards, and fa piaos.
• They are closed on Mondays.
• By the same owners as Tuk Tuk Thai and Stone Boat.
• Definitely take advantage of their rooftop should weather be permitting

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 9
• Atmosphere: 9
• Service: 7
• Overall Experience: 8

Map to Susu (you’ll need it!):

LumDimSum Discovery: Banh Mi Now!’s Bun

As much as I LOVE Vietnamese pho, it’s just too scorching hot in Beijing to be in the mood for hot noodle soup.  Which is how I’ve discovered my new favorite thing to order at Banh Mi Now! (see here article on their Banh Mi sandwiches) – their Bún aka Vietnamese cold noodles.

For only RMB 22, you get served a massive bowl of cold noodles with veggies filled to the brim including shredded lettuce, pickled carrots and daikons, scallion oil, cucumber, mint, basil and topped with your choice of meats.

I opted for a side of Ga Nuong – Grilled lemongrass marinated chicken (RMB 7) and Dau Phu Nuong – Chilli and honey marinated grilled tofu (RMB 8). I highly recommend the marinated chicken, which had a delicious marinade and was grilled perfectly. (both sides are pictured in photo above)

Other side options include Bo Nuong – Grilled lemongrass marinated beef (RMB 9), Thit Nuong – Grilled lemongrass marinated pork (RMB 7), Tom Nuong – Grilled caramel marinated shrimp (RMB 12), and Cha Nuong – Grilled pork meat balls & pork belly slices/Charcoal grilled pork meatballs with carrots in a sweet and tangy fish sauce (RMB 18).

Photo of Bun all mixed together:

*Banh Mi Now! is part of the Luga Empire, located above Little Luga’s in Tongli Studio.  They specialize in quick & casual Vietnamese fare from spring rolls to pho & now these authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwiches & Summer Shakes!  41 Sanlitun Beijie, 三里屯北街41号. Tel: 135-2013-7915