I recently came across two butchers in the Shunyi area, both selling just Australian meat. “Beef & Family” sells both beef and lamb and is tucked away on the lower level of Europlaza. They have four meat ranges available – Red Austin Australia Beef, Duke Angus Beef, Ambassador Premium Lamb and Lambier. The prices are similar across all ranges, with a bone-in leg of lamb costing RMB 168/kilogram (kg), shanks RMB 148/kg, rack of lamb RMB 188/kg, burgers RMB 53/500grams and chops RMB 54/500g. You can pick up a couple of rib eyes for RMB 160 and some beef burgers for RMB 85 for 500g. The quality is very good, everything is well frozen and all of the meat comes with a variety of quality standard assurances. More details on these can be found on the website www.ausaia.com
If you’re looking for a different kind of gift for someone, they will put together a gift box of items for you. There is a small selection of red and white wines also available, which can form part of the gift box. On the wall is a chart, detailing every cut of beef and lamb you can think of and how best to cook them. So if you don’t know the mandarin for striploin or brisket, you can just point out what you want instead.
Over on Pinnacle Avenue, you’ll find “100 percent Australian Beef”. They stock a range called Aussie Flavor. Again all the meat is frozen and includes striploin, a variety of angus steaks, shin of beef, topside, silverside and Wagyu roll for RMB 1,089/kg. Not everything is priced, so best to ask before you buy. You can get a Membership Card for RMB 5,000 or 2,000 and when you use the card to pay for your goods, you receive 15 percent or 10 percent off. Only half of their freezers were full, so I’m assuming more products are on their way. They also stock a limited range of BBQ sauces and marinades.
Other options for Australian meat in Shunyi include BHG at Europlaza, which sells some beef cuts and mince. Jenny Lou over at Riviera Plaza was refurbished last year and the biggest improvement was in their butcher and deli section, with greatly improved storage and presentation. They now provide a wide range of local and imported meat, including plenty from Australia. They stock an impressive range of both fresh and frozen products with staff pretty clued-up on what they’re selling. They will mince, chop and de-bone and if you want something special they will try and get it for you.
As BBQ season arrives, it’s great to have this level of choice available in the local area. There’ll be no more trekking down to City Shop for a decent Aussie steak. It’s just a shame the prices aren’t a bit more friendly on the wallet.
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos by Sally Wilson
