Hercules
This spacious establishment in Sanlitun is home to hearty soups, salads and sandwiches. Their selection for soup includes seven mouth-watering flavors (ranging from RMB 22-32): tomato bisque, curried carrot, cream of mushroom, cream of pumpkin, French onion, vegetable minestrone, and chicken macaroni. At an extra RMB 10, diners can request a bread bowl or an extra order of three slices of bread for select soups. Of note, however, is that this restaurant is surrounded by bars. Families are better off sticking to this sandwich joint for lunch or an early dinner.
Daily 11am-midnight. 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District (6415 0299) 朝阳区三里屯同里2楼
Bai Zhou Xiang
Bai Zhou Xiang is a Chinese chain that specializes in congee, or rice porridge (粥). Though not technically soup, congee is a great way to stay warm during the winter. The restaurant has over 60 kinds of porridge, from black sesame to dog meat (yikes). If you feel like something more solid, there are also pot stickers (锅贴), Chinese
dishes, and bing (bread).
Daily 24hrs. 1/F, Boning Park, 6 Zaoying Beili, Chaoyang District (6507 9656) 百粥乡，朝阳区枣营北里6号伯宁花园1楼
Herbal Cafe
This Hong Kong cafe chain serves up MSG-free soups, braised dishes, stir-fried noodles, dim sum, and desserts. Try their range of nourishing herbal soups and drinks, like the savory 8-Hours Essence Soup (RMB 38). If that’s not your cup of tea, there is also congee, wonton soup, and soup noodles. Be warned: Herbal Cafe often has a lineup during lunch and on weekends, so stop by during off-hours to beat the crowd.
Daily 8am-midnight. B02, 17 Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (5820 4679) 泰和草本工坊，朝阳区建国路93号万达广场10号楼B02
Hungry Horse
This restaurant echoes an American-style diner and doesn’t disappoint with large and delicious portions. The menu offers everything from salads and burgers to great soups (try their soupof-the-day). The Reuben and French dip sandwiches are highly recommended.
Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-10pm. Stall 609, Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District (8046 5519) 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场609
Very Siam
This elegant restaurant serves up a host of tangy and hearty Thai soups, like the Thai-style coconut cream chicken soup or tom yum kung (spicy sour shrimp soup). Very Siam can also modify some of its soups to accommodate vegetarians; just be sure to notify your server.
Daily 11.30am-11.30pm. 10A Xinyuan Xili Dongjie (in the alley northwest of Yuyang Hotel), Chaoyang District (8451 0031) 非常泰，朝阳区新源西里东街甲10号渔阳饭店西北胡同内
This article is excerpted from the beijingkids Jan/Feb 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
