A Fresh-Baked Bun in Beijing

By COLlive reporter

CRIEnglish.com, the English website of the state-owned China Radio International (CRI), has reported about Chabad in Beijing as part of the series Beijing’s Foreign Houses of G-d.

The article said that architecturally, the Chabad House employs both modern and traditional elements, taking direct influence from historic synagogues in Shanghai and Tianjin.

The center located not far from the 798 art district and directed by Rabbi Shimon Freundlich and his wife Dini, certainly isn’t the only Jewish community center in Beijing, but it is the most notable, the website wrote.

William Wang also reported:

Saturday afternoon also creates a peak time for Cafe Miniature, tucked into the far end of the building, CRI said.

The cafe provides a surprisingly contemporary aspect to the Chabad House. The smell of fresh-baked bread wafts through the brightly lit room filled with red designer chairs and glass tables. Servers are friendly, and the food is all homemade (though the regular coffee is instant).

The first floor of the building is largely occupied by the kosher restaurant Dini’s.

The decor leans towards the elegant (if a touch austere) side of things while the menu which embraces both traditional and Chinese fare has received mixed reviews. Kosher meats must have been slaughtered properly according to religious rituals, and only certain kinds of meats, birds or fish are considered kosher.

Just adjacent is the restaurant providing kosher foods and beverages, including traditional foods such as matzos.

For those who are not of the Jewish faith, the Chabad House remains open to all. Much of the staff isn’t Jewish, and all seem to be quite friendly and open there. Visitors who remain wary about the question of faith can just prioritize a cup of coffee, and a fresh-baked bun.