What?
Jiao Zi Monday (JZM) was created three years ago by Brazilian Laura Guerra and American Alex Raymond. The name is something of a misnomer as it no longer sticks exclusively to jiaozi (dumpling) joints. But they continue to get together (almost) every Monday and have kept their original three cardinal rules: restaurants have to be Chinese, the meal has to cost under 50RMB a head, and they never go to the same place twice. From Xinjiang places near Gulou to Hunan hangouts near Sanyuanqiao, JZM picks hare usually small, cosy and often have some vegetarian options.
Why go?
To discover cheap eats and meet new people. The current head, Jeff Levinson, says: ‘It’s just something fun to do on a Monday, which would otherwise be the most boring night of the week.’
Who goes?
JZM meals tend to be intimate affairs, with usually less than 12 people. Most members are in their mid-twenties and thirties. They range from people working in the travel industry to those in the clean energy sector and from consultants to students. Conversations tend to be in English, but there are normally a few speakers willing and able to converse in Mandarin.
Get in touch
Addresses and meeting times can be found at
www.jiaozimonday.com. You can also add your name to the mailing list on the website.
What?
After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Xixi Cheng organised a dinner for friends and asked for contributions to the survivors’ appeal. Forty people showed up, gave generously, then asked when the next event was. Since then, Beijing Foodies has held monthly meals at top restaurants, including the likes of RoomBeijing and Hatsune. The Foodies team bargains with the establishment – no matter how pricey the venue is – to get the cost down to a 100RMB pre-set meal, including a glass of wine. At dessert, a representative from the meal’s designated charity addresses the guests. Blank envelopes are left on the table and diners can choose how much – if at all (there’s no obligation) – they want to donate.
Why go?
As suggested by the group’s motto, ‘indulge for a cause’, you attend Beijing Foodies to gorge on high-quality food at decent prices, and benefit others while you do so. ‘We simply want people to have a good time and develop the charity giving habit,’ says Xixi. ‘This is not a networking event and we give anonymously because we don’t want this to be about big donors parading their cheques on stage.’
Who goes?
With over 400 people on the mailing list, Beijing Foodies events regularly attract over 50 people at a time. Attendees range from young professionals and senior executives to families on a night out.
Get in touch
What?
First launched in New York in 1997 by a Goldman Sachs executive, this ‘social network’ for professional women now has over 30,000 members worldwide. The Beijing chapter opened last summer and regularly puts on dinner talks. Past speakers have included VPs, lawyers, designers, website entrepreneurs, human-rights activists, authors and Newsweek’s Beijing bureau chief, Melinda Liu. All speakers have one thing in common: they are inspiring women who have at least 10 years of experience in their field. Events normally cost 200RMB for members and 285RMB for non-members, and are usually held at restaurants either run or owned by women, such as Terra and Black Sesame Kitchen.
Why go?
Kat Don, the founder of the Beijing Chapter, says: ‘It’s a great opportunity to learn from the speaker and other women present. We keep the numbers to around 40 and have the speaker change places between courses, so you have a chance to make meaningful relationships.’
Who goes?
Professional women spanning a variety of sectors.
Get in touch
For more details, email beijing85broads@gmail.com. Places at dinner talks are capped and priority goes to members. To find out more about membership, visit
www.85broads.com.
What?
Best known for organising the popular Irish Ball, Irish Network China also puts on monthly dinner talks. Speeches normally have a business or economic focus, and past speakers have included the heads of Deutsche Bank in China and the IMF in China, as well as the former VP of Chrysler Northeast Asia. On occasion, they’ve branched out to include more diverse topics, such as a talk by a head priest on China-Vatican relations. The meals are mostly held at Dongbeiren restaurant, on Dongzhimenwai, and come to around 80RMB per head.
Why go?
Monthly dinner-talk organiser Mark Godfrey says: ‘We are a lot more informal than other chamber of commerce events. No one pumps out name cards. Our dinners are simply low-key, relaxed and informative.’
Who goes?
Normally about 20 to 25 people attend, ranging from businessmen to diplomats to students. There are usually more Irish Americans than Irish, but you don’t have to be either to go to any of the Irish Network events.
Get in touch
To join the mailing list, email beijingirishconnections@gmail.com. To find out about other Irish Network events, including the ball, socials and Christmas dinner, see
www.irishnetworkchina.com.
What?
Launched four years ago by a husband-and-wife team who wanted to support NGOs in China, this network meets for dinner once a fortnight. Meals cost under 50RMB a head and are held at a variety of provincial Chinese restaurants. Towards the end of the meal, a speaker gives a short speech; this is then followed by a Q&A session. Past speakers have included a Unesco expert, a representative from a low-carbon China project and a volunteer from Starfish, a grassroots project helping women to escape abusive situations. At the end of the dinner, an envelope is passed around to collect donations for the speaker’s chosen organisation.
Why go?
To engage with the Beijing NGO community. Co-founder Tzyy Wang says: ‘As well as giving back to the community and finding out about new issues, it’s a chance to get involved. People often discover job and volunteer vacancies in the charity sector through us.’
Who goes?
Dinners normally attract 20 to 30 people, including many local Chinese as well as expats. Regular diners are often employees working for NGOs or those simply interested in this sector.
Get in touch
For more information, or to sign up to the mailing list, visit www.beijingcommunitydinner.org.