Known for its creative take on contemporary Korean, One Pot 一锅 by SSAM is no one-hit wonder and with a newly expanded menu and weekend drink special, it’s time to head back for more.
Many foodies come crawling back for more of their mouth-watering Roasted Beer Chicken (RMB 118) impressively served standing on a platter filled with golden potato wedges, salad and 3 signature sauces for dipping. It’s not hard to see why people start salivating uncontrollably as soon as they just see the photos. Honestly, unless you’re vegetarian, this juicy, scrumptious plump chicken is irresistible.
While I encourage people to follow my restaurant reviews for tips on dish highlights, One Pot is an exception. Don’t order the same dishes I did because I found most all of these dishes by pure chance and would encourage you to take the time to explore their menu’s offerings. Since my last review of this restaurant about a year ago, I’ve been back so many times with friends and friends of friends because you can’t go wrong here. The food is excellent and it seems as if my “favorites” on their menu just keeps expanding. The more often we go, the more “favorite” dishes we continue to discover.
Chef and owner Andrew Ahn is as talented as he is innovative and continues to impress. On our most recent dining experience at One Pot, we were delighted to discover their Cocktail promotion every Friday and Saturday night with free-flow Fruit Soju and Yuzu Cocktails for only RMB 58 per person. Normally, each cocktail is priced at RMB 58 so here’s to one of Beijing’s best new pre-party dinner spots in Sanlitun! Between the two of us, we managed to guzzle down 5 cocktails – 2 lemon (our favorite), a watermelon (pictured above), apple and passionfruit. While I had high expectations for the passionfruit one, that was probably the most bland and had a bitter after-taste whereas both the lemon and watermelon were refreshing and bursting with flavor.
Passionfruit (L) and Lemon (R) Soju Cocktails
Though some of the dishes below are part of my original review of One Pot here, there are a few new highlights including the Beef Carpaccio (RMB 18 per spoon), Braised Pork Shoulder (RMB 58) and of course the Roasted Beer Chicken (RMB 118).
Beef Carpaccio with Sesame Soy Sauce Sphere, Truffle, Pear, Quail Egg, Pine Nuts and Chives (RMB 18 each)
Fitted just so in a curved metal spoon, this starter may only be one mouthful, but it’s also one of the best things you can treat your tastebuds to. This is a great example of Chef Andrew Ahn’s mastery of flavor and texture combinations.
Tangy & Tart Tomato Cauliflower Kimchi (RMB 20)
Another new experience for us was the Korean Grill option at One Pot. While they excel in slow-cooked stews and soups as well, we love that they’ve added this grill option to their expanded menu. Two different cuts of beef, their staff did all the work for us and it was served complete with lettuce, a savory sauce and sliced garlic and onion to wrap it all up.
Pre-Grill: Chuck Tender Beef Slices (RMB 48 per 150g)
Pre-Grill: Beef Short Ribs (RMB 48 per 150g)
Grill Chuck Tender Beef Slices (RMB 48 per 150g)
Beef Short Ribs (RMB 48 per 150g)
Roasted Beer Chicken with Potatoes & Salad (RMB 118)
The dish that steals the show, the presentation of the whole chicken perched standing is brilliant. Servers know to bring it out to your table for photo opportunities before taking it off to the side to slice it up for you in manageable pieces. Served with three different sauces and a generous portion of potato wedges and salad, this dish is a nicely balanced meal as is!
Beer Chicken Sliced and Chopped Tableside
Braised Pork Shoulder with Tomato Kimchi, Spicy Radish Pear Salad (RMB 58)
Saving the best for last, that pork shoulder just melts in your mouth and is worth a trip here alone. It may not look as impressive as the beer chicken, but it’s pretty much the dish that keeps us coming back time and time again.
SSAM Contemporary Korean Restaurant Details:
- Address: Go downstairs of Sanlitun SOHO complex and you’ll find One Pot in Tower 2 which is the second building on the left side of the complex. B1-238 Tower 2, Sanlitun SOHO, 朝阳区工体北路8号三里屯SOHO2号楼B1-238
- Tel: 5935-9475
- Open Daily from 11:30AM -10PM
About Kristen
Kristen Lum has an accomplished background in PR, communications and events in China. Born and raised in California, Kristen has been based in Beijing since 2006 and is founder of the lifestyle blog called LumDimSum, covering mostly restaurant news and reviews alongside upcoming events around town that relate to Beijing’s muti-faceted, quickly-developing creative industries like art, music, film, health and fitness, fashion, nightlife, charity events, and travel tips.
