The Place
Xunmei Science and Technology Square just opened, but you can already find fast and friendly Western treats in the city’s fourth and largest Samking.
No longer just a pizza joint, the larger kitchen means a larger menu, with steaks and burgers of Angus beef alongside indulgent milkshakes with ice cream from Shanghai.
The interior is trim as an IKEA, with attentive staff clearing tables and directing customers to a bathroom a short distance down the hall.
The Food
The snacks, salads, pizzas, paninis, burgers, steaks and desserts fill two large-format menus, plus a third with deals for parties of two to six.
Pizza is king, with a dozen offerings from Parma ham to durian, pepperoni to prawn (RMB68 for nine inches, RMB88 for twelve). The golden crackling crust might be enough to overcome any bias against Chinese-owned Western restaurants.
Salads (RMB38-68) are large enough to share, with the hot spring egg delivering mild quinoa, flaky pumpkin, delicate soft-boiled eggs and attractive greens. Do yourself a favor: savor the dew-dappled Chinese ice plant without the bold dressings.
Finely ground meat in the Angus burger remains moist, if dolloped with ketchup, mustard and BBQ sauce. As a full-sized burger (RMB58-68) or in a mini-burger set (RMB58), it’s good value for the money. Fried fish is thin but sustainable, clad in crispy breading and hints of superior oil.
The Vibe
Samking works hard to go beyond the student-and-family set, offering substance to the office workers who want a reliable Western bite. The menu is point-and-go simple and turn-around is pretty fast, considering how much is prepared in-house.
Though not fine dining, it’s a very fine option for the neighborhood.
Price: RMB60
Who’s going: Xunmei office workers, coders, passersby
Good for: budget-friendly Western food, milkshakes
Nearest metro: Shenda (Exit A4) 18 minutes
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