The summer heat is definitely on! What better way to cool down than by snatching an hour or two indoors with an icy drink? Enter Maan Coffee, the Korean-run chain of coffee shops, also known for its waffles, with its first branch in Shunyi.
The Shunyi branch opened two months back, and while the funky interiors leave a lasting impression and the wifi is free with an easy-to-remember password (maancoffee), people always have different opinions on Maan’s food and service. Other branches are known for being smoky, but the latest Shunyi cafe had no pervasive cigarette odor. Open from 8.30am until midnight, Maan is probably the last cafe open every night in Shunyi, perfect when you are waiting to pick up your son or daughter from school and their music or drama rehearsal has gone overtime, or when you want to nip off for an after-dinner non-alcoholic drink with the spouse once the kids are in bed.
Their extensive drink menu means you never have to have the same thing twice. They have a long list of coffee, tea, and non-caffeinated concoctions. Feeling adventurous? Sweet pumpkin latte might interest you. The quirkily-named iced “ades” are worth trying too, but you may want to water it down a bit as they are heavy-handed on the syrup. Blue lemonade and pink lemonade are fun and thirst-quenching.
There are a few snags: the wait staff is trained to keep an ear out for the English name of drinks, but when they ask you to verify your order on a computer screen in front of you, the name comes up in Chinese characters. Stay patient and repeat your order and it will work out. Hopefully in the future, Maan will provide a copy of the menu behind the counter to save some time, but with the staff’s continual smiles and contagious enthusiasm, it’s easy to forgive them.
If you are in need of food, there are plenty of sandwiches, cheese toasts, French toast with or without a side of bacon or sausage, or the house specialty, waffles. Instead of an order number, you’ll get a stuffed bear ; it wouldn’t be Maan without those whimsical quirks.
Daily 8.30am-midnight. 7 Riverville Square, Tianzhu, Shunyi District (6450 8790) 顺义区天竺温榆广场
Photos by Dana Cosio-Mercado
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.
