Kiwipie, a mid-August newcomer to Eastern Beijing, is the only restaurant in the Chinese capital selling New Zealand pies. Let’s meet Jake Kao, the brains behind Kiwipie.

"In New Zealand, everyone knows how to make pies.  It's like the Chinese, they all know how to make noodles."  Seated on the terrace of the Shangdu shopping center in front of his restaurant, Jake Kao appears blasé.

For this 35 year-old Taiwanese, nothing seems more normal than to open a restaurant serving New Zealand pies, the first of its kind in Beijing, especially after having eaten so many during six years of study in Kiwi country ("Kiwi" refers to the emblematic nocturnal bird of New Zealand, and the familiar name used to refer to its inhabitants).

Jake Kao could have allowed himself to be content selling aircraft engines for a Chinese business in Beijing until a friend suggested the idea of sharing his passion for these filled, often salty, pastries.  Thus, Jake Kao took off again for New Zealand.  He stayed for two months to study the art of pie-making in a culinary school.  Upon his return, Kiwipie opened to the public on the 18^th of August.

Freshness

"In the beginning, we just wanted to import the pies directly from New Zealand.  Then we said, why don't we just make them ourselves?" recollects Jake Kao. 

Instead of the pies, he decided to order only the ingredients, because one of the secrets of the golden pastries is salted New Zealand butter (other fresh New Zealand products include beef, bacon, cheese, eggs and seafood.)  As a further guarantee of the authenticity of his recipes and pies, Jake Kao sent his employees for training in New Zealand. 

Compared with the generosity of the pies, the restaurant decor is minimalist.  A dozen tables in stained wood, set off by the vibrant orange of the chairs, are arranged haphazardly around the room tiled in beige and maroon.  A few posters of the All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team), and the black flag associated with them, are hung on the wall. 

At the back of the room, a menu that reminds you of a fast-food chain can be spotted under the counter.  But at Kiwipie, speed doesn't mean bad food.  And its great value too! 

The prices are very affordable: 18 to 23 RMB for a choice of seafood, beef, bacon and egg pies, or peach tarts (one of the few sweet tarts offered).  Budget on paying between 22 to 25 RMB for a pie, a salad or fries, and a drink.  

Budget on paying between 22 to 25 RMB for a pie, a salad or fries, and a drink.