Keep it spicy, keep it fresh! The 2021 Hot & Spicy Fest, May 15-16 at Instreet, is the fourth edition of Beijing’s only hades-in-the-mouth, hotter-than-lava, call-the-fire-department-for-my-tongue festival, but in no way does that mean it will be just a repeat!
Yes, we’ll have the faves – your Q-Mexes, your Homeplates, your Side Streets, your Turkish Feasts – but aside from the yogurt and dairy stands to ease your aching buds, there will be at least eight first-time, never-before-seen at Spicy Fest vendors! (And that’s not to mention the exclusive dishes you’ll find slung at the event.)
Scan to get your Early-Bird Tix for Hot & Spicy Fest 2021 now!
Just who are these fresh faces, and how much heat are they bringing to the party? Let’s take a look, but keep in mind that while they might not all have the hotness on their current menu, they will all be bringing something spicy to the fest!
Forno
The fest will be held at Instreet, where Forno, Roman cousin to Bottega, set up their first shop! If you haven’t tried their rectangle cuts yet, this is a perfect opportunity as they’ll be setting up a booth just outside of their restaurant.
Las Musas
Slowboat may be best known for beer and burgers, but just next to their Sanlitun location stands Las Musas, the brewery’s taqueria. If you’ve ever been inside, you may have noticed the counters are stocked with jars full of hot sauce that they make themselves! Que caliente. Oh, and did we mention the fabulous margaritas and horchata beer?
Encuentro
Another Sanlitun diner, Encuentro fits right in with this year’s Latin American theme. But they’re not another taco and burrito shop. Instead, the menu is dominated by the likes of roasted chicken, creamy quinoa and chicken, and Cuban beef with black beans and rice.
Mesa Madre
At long last, Filipino cuisine has a place in Beijing! Visitors to Mesa Madre are as wild about the Filipino pork belly and slow-braised chile con carne as they are about the homemade sourdough loaves on which the brand was built.
GLOU
Guomao’s go-to for fine imported beer on tap as well as bottled and canned, GLOU also carries a few tantalizingly fine dining options like the Angus beef steak, smoked mackerel, and a well-plated sausage platter.
Fireworks
Someone’s got to bring on the meat! Firework Restaurant & Bar has got you covered with the protein from their steaks so you can easily handle washing it all down with a heaping helping of beer.
Kitty & Daniel
This diner will be stepping out of its Hollywood-themed restaurant to bring a wide array of American-style cuisine to the masses at the fest.
The Äppler Company
Working with cideries all over Europe, The Äppler Company will be at the fest to provide a fruity alternative to beer – but equally as alcoholic!
READ: Quick! Early Bird Tickets for Hot & Spicy Fest 2021 on Sale NOW
Images: Miguel Andrade (via UNSPLASH), Dianping, courtesy of the vendors
