While Alsafa gets glowing reviews for its hummus, it was the baba ganouj, or eggplant salad (no. 103 on the menu, ¥20) that really won us over. The smooth blend of roasted eggplant and tahina sauce is accented with olive oil and a taste of lemon juice for a slightly tart and utterly pleasing taste. Eat it on its own, with pita bread or as an accompaniment to some of the other stand-out Middle Eastern dishes. The warm, crunchy falafel balls (¥20 for a plate of five) also hit the spot, and we enjoyed making our own falafel sandwiches. Slightly squish the fried chickpea balls and wrap them in pita with a forkful of fattoush (¥20), a tangy salad of lettuce, cucumber, multicolored bell peppers and pita chips. Unfortunately, we found that many menu items at this small, homey establishment are regularly unavailable, but it’s clearly the delicious and reliable staples that make Alsafa a hit with Beijing’s Arab community.
Sienna Parulis-Cook
Find it: Liangmahe Nanlu, 亮马河南路, Tel: 6468-9866
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