Blending Nordic and Asian elements, the Meili & Mad restaurant, featuring fresh baking, curated ingredients and an assortment of lifestyle retail offerings, opened in Beijing's Chaoyang district this month.
"Meili" derives from old Norwegian, signifying "charming individual" or "god of travel", and intriguingly, shares an identical pronunciation with the Chinese term for "beautiful".
The restaurant's design seamlessly fuses Nordic minimalism with the Asian aesthetic, harmonizing Asian Wabi-Sabi elements with Scandinavian design. The overarching color scheme of the space revolves around muted beige tones complemented by the warmth of natural wood.
Meili & Mad refines the shared principles of healthy cooking found in Nordic and Asian cuisines, presenting them through innovative approaches. The outcome is a menu that exudes both flavor and vibrancy, infused with warmth and thoughtful intention.
One highlight on the menu is the grilled Caesar salad. Romaine lettuce, gently grilled and adorned with a white miso garlic sauce, is paired with crispy capers, delicate nori, and bonito flakes, creating a refreshing dish that seamlessly balances multiple flavors.
Another must-try dish is the miso roasted halibut with sun choke, kale, hazelnuts and broccoli. Danish halibut, marinated in miso for 48 hours, is slow-roasted to achieve a perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender, juicy flesh.
