Hutong Haze

You may have noticed that Purple Haze Bistro is no longer open in the China View building next to Gongti. But the restaurant hasn’t closed—it’s just moved to a new location on the corner of Dongsiliutiao and Chaoyangmen Bei Xiaojie.

The Bistro’s new home sports the same furniture, photos of jazz musicians and even the same wood flooring as the previous location, but now that it’s in more historic surroundings, the place has a much different feel. Although more out-of-the-way than China View, Purple Haze Bistro’s new digs have more character and charm. Housed in an old courtyard house, the restaurant has two indoor dining rooms, one large and one small, a small bar and a covered courtyard area with a stage for musical performances. There’s also a bathroom, a welcome addition that was missing from the China View location.

As is the case with most hutong establishments, it’s a little drafty in cold weather, but ample space heaters warm the place quickly. The smaller dining room is nice and cozy thanks to an air conditioning unit. Come spring and summertime, it’ll be ideal, as the courtyard is covered by the branches of a majestic old tree and will stay cool and shaded.

The food here is the same as at the former location, including some favorite dishes that we’ve been eating at the original Purple Haze for years, like the green curry chicken (¥46) and the beef satay with peanut sauce (¥42). The Bistro’s menu also features some more creative fusion dishes. We especially liked the salmon salad (¥48)—pea sprouts topped with a generous amount of spicy marinated fish and ringed by pieces of asparagus wrapped in salmon.

Sienna Parulis-Cook