Kempinski In the News

Beijing, 27 May 2024 – Leon Naumann, the new German Head Chef at Paulaner Bräuhaus Beijing, located in the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center, is thrilled to unveil his innovative à la carte menu. This menu features a selection of regional specialities, casual German-style burgers and refreshing summer ice cream sundaes, bringing a fresh perspective from the younger generation.

Leon Naumann, a 25-year-old chef from Frankfurt who recently joined Paulaner Bräuhaus Beijing expressed, ‘Over the past six months, I’ve dedicated myself to developing the new menu, focusing on giving Paulaner classics a modern twist. I aim to make the menu appealing to the young, chic crowd in town. Our repeat guests will discover refreshing surprises, while the younger generation will enjoy a photogenic and relaxing dining experience.’

Bavarian Specialities
Committed to serving authentic Bavarian cuisine, Paulaner continues to feature classic dishes such as crispy roasted pork knuckle and a variety of homemade German sausages. For non-pork options, Leon recommends two standout main courses: Whole roasted mackerel ‘à la Maison’ and German-style roasted beef with onions.

Whole roasted mackerel ‘à la Maison’

‘I often spend summers with my family in Bavaria, enjoying the beer gardens all day long’, shared Leon, describing the inspiration behind his dish. ‘Whole fish roasted on a wooden stake is a must-try, much like how people in China enjoy beer and skewers during the summer. The fish is skewered on a giant wooden stake and grilled over charcoal, resulting in a crispy skin and tender, juicy flesh with a smoky flavour. It’s delicious without much seasoning.’

To replicate the flavour of natural open-fire grilling in a hotel kitchen, Leon selects fresh fish for the day, marinates it, smokes it for two hours in a sausage smoker and then sears it on a hot pan to lock in the moisture. Finally, it is rotated in a rotisserie oven to achieve an authentic grilled flavour, perfect for summertime pairing with beer.

German-style roasted beef with onions

For the German-style roasted beef with onions, Chef Leon has elevated the dish by enhancing the meat quality, ingredients and sauce to create a refined version of this classic. He selects Australian M3 sirloin steak, grilling it with onions until it is juicy and tender and pairs it with crispy fried onions for a rich, layered flavour. The sauce is a key component; Leon employs classic haute cuisine techniques, simmering veal stock with pepper, butter and Marsala wine until it thickens into a demi-glace. A small amount of lightly whipped cream is added to create a silky, creamy texture.

Chilled German Fare
Regarding the newly added burger section on the menu, Chef Leon said, ‘In English, there’s a term called ‘comfort food’, referring to food that makes you feel relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable. For me, that’s burgers. You can eat them with your hands, bite them and feel the rich meatiness and sauce filling your mouth. Pair it with a chilled beer, and it’s pure bliss!’

Paulaner Knuckle Sandwich

The new menu features three signature burgers: the ‘LKW’, Leberkäswecken or Bavarian meatloaf burger in English, the Brewery Burger and the Paulaner Knuckle Sandwich. Each burger embodies a unique German touch. The Bavarian meatloaf burger boasts a pretzel bun, two layers of homemade meatloaf, a runny egg and a tangy German-style relish sauce, towering at 15 centimetres tall. The Paulaner Knuckle Sandwich offers a creative twist on the famous Berlin street food, Turkish kebab, with Bräuhaus’ signature crispy roasted pork knuckle, shredded, and paired with crunchy vegetables and creamy garlic sauce. The Brewery Burger stands out with its secret sauce, enhanced with the rich grain flavour of Bräuhaus’ homemade beer.

Afternoon Café by the Liangma River
One big change in the new menu is the dessert section. Leon has designed six new ice cream sundaes, fashionable in appearance and rich in ingredients, aiming to transform Bräuhaus’ afternoon into a relaxing coffee and ice cream haven. “After enjoying a hearty lunch or dinner with beer, guests are also welcome to visit Paualenr Bräuhaus in the afternoon. Take a walk by the Liangma River, escape the harsh sun and enjoy a refreshing iced coffee and dessert for a leisurely afternoon.’, said Chef Leon. 

The new ice cream selections include classic German flavours like the Black Forest Sundae, Strawberry Coupe and Banana Split, as well as innovative Chinese-inspired flavours like the White Rabbit Sundae and Peanut Sundae. The inspiration for these Chinese flavours comes from the warm welcome Chef Leon received on his first day in Paulaner’s kitchen.

Black Forest Sundae

‘We have a female colleague in the kitchen of Paulaner who has been working at Kempinski for 20 years. On my first day, she came over and smiled at me, giving me a White Rabbit Candy. I knew she was welcoming me in her own way. It was the first time I tasted this kind of candy with rich milk flavour and a slightly sticky texture, which even made me feel a bit homesick.’ Chef Leon decided to include this Chinese candy in the new menu.

The White Rabbit Sundae features Kempinski’s homemade milk ice cream topped with a secret milk sauce, resulting in a rich and creamy flavour. The Peanut Sundae combines peanut and vanilla ice cream, paired with chunky peanut butter to mimic the classic taste of peanut brittle.
The new menu is now available at Paulaner Bräuhaus Beijing. For reservations or more information, please call 01064653388.

About Paulaner Bräuhaus Beijing
Since 1992, the iconic Paulaner Bräuhaus Beijing has been serving authentic Bavarian cuisine and freshly home-brewed beer to the people of Beijing. As the first Paulaner Bräuhaus flagship in China, it upholds the tradition of brewing beer in strict accordance with Bavarian purity laws, ensuring superior taste and quality with every glass. Loyal customers delight in savouring authentic pretzels, sausages and pork knuckles, dish after dish. Paulaner Bräuhaus is renowned for its annual festivals and celebrations, including the summer sports season, Maifest, Oktoberfest and New Year’s party. These events attract thousands of people to the restaurant and terrace, where they indulge in live music, hearty food and craft beer amidst the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

-ENDS-

About Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center: Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center opened its doors in 1992, marking the debut of the first European five-star hotel in Beijing. Situated in the heart of the Chaoyang District, along the East Third Ring Road, the hotel resides in the diplomatic and business hub, adjacent to the picturesque Liangma River. Renovated in 2019, Kempinski Hotel Beijing boasts 480 guestrooms and suites, ten fully equipped banquet and conference facilities, two private gardens spanning over 3,000 square metres and an array of six international restaurants and bars. The hotel is also part of the Beijing Yansha Center complex, which encompasses offices, apartments, showrooms, You Yi Shopping City, banks, airline offices, a 24-hour medical centre, a health club and a kindergarten. Recognised with the EarthCheck Silver Certificate for four consecutive years by 2024, the hotel exemplifies its commitment to sustainability through ongoing efforts.

Renowned for a perfect mix of luxury, comfort and cultural diversity under one roof, Kempinski Hotel Beijing is the preferred choice for heads of state and royal family visits, while the Hotel’s annual events, including the European Ball seasons and Oktoberfest, embody European culture in Beijing. As an iconic riverside establishment, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center aims to reflect the spirit of its dynamic riverside community. From its river-view rooms to the Liangma Jogging map, and from themed banquets in collaboration with river cruises to the romance of cruise weddings, the hotel offers an ideal destination to experience the Liangma River lifestyle.

About Kempinski: Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today, the Kempinski Group operates 82 hotels and residences in 35 countries, and currently has more than 28 prestigious projects under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. www.kempinski.com www.ghadiscovery.com

Media contacts:
Katherine Wang                    
Director of Marketing & Communications, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center    
50 Liangmaqiao Road • Chaoyang District • Beijing 100125 • China
T +86 0 10 6465 3388
[email protected]

Valen Tian                    
PR Manager, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center    
50 Liangmaqiao Road • Chaoyang District • Beijing 100125 • China
T +86 0 10 6465 3388
[email protected]