I’m sure most people will agree that Hello Kitty, born nearly 40 years ago in 1974, is a creation that Japan can be proud of. She is now franchised in over 70 countries around the world. And once again, our beloved Ms. Kitty, the busiest and most famous cat in the world, is hard at work, this time at a restaurant in Beijing, China.

Yes, China is no exception when it comes to Hello Kitty’s popularity, and one of our reporters from Pouch recently had the chance to visit a Hello Kitty themed restaurant in the fashionable Sanlitun area of Beijing. And just in case you’re wondering, sure, we all know rip-offs are big business in China, but this shop is a legitimate operation officially recognized by Sanrio. So, let’s see what the aptly named “Dreams Restaurant (夢幻主題餐庁)” is like.

Visually, the shop is thematically decorated in white and pink colors, and even from the outside, you can see Ms. Kitty everywhere. At the entrance you’re greeted by staff wearing a pink maid’s uniform. Once inside, we were surprised at how many more staff (yes, also in cute maid uniforms) there were. To our delight, they were all very friendly and seemed happy to be photographed.

Naturally, the interior of the shop screams HELLO KITTY!!! It makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale setting. Pictures of Hello Kitty and her family on the walls are just the beginning. The big red signature ribbon above the counter in the kitchen area, huge Hello Kitty cakes and large stuffed dolls of Ms. Kitty all combine to create a fantasy world that’s sure to brighten your day, even if you’re not a die-hard Hello Kitty fan.

The menu, as expected, is also full of Kitty foods. They offer not only delectable sweets like Hello Kitty cakes and sundaes, but if you’re in the mood for something heavier, they also have Hello Kitty hamburgers and pizzas. According to our reporter, all the foods she tried were quite tasty. Apparently, it’s worthy of a restaurant officially recognized by Sanrio. (The only problem may be that the cake in the shape of Miss Kitty’s face is a little too cute to eat! Ouch!)

Our reporter does admit that the price of the menu here is a bit expensive compared to other restaurants in China. The Hello Kitty cake, for example costs 58yuan ($9.27). But anyone inclined to come to this restaurant probably understands this is a place where you come to enjoy the setting and atmosphere. If you’re a Hello Kitty fan traveling in China, this place is well worth a visit, since it really is a Kitty fan’s “dream restaurant”!

Original Article and photos by: Hatopon

Shop Details:
Dreams Restaurant (夢幻主題餐庁)
Address: Shimao Department Store, 13 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Business Hours: 11:00 – 21:00

Enjoy some more pictures taken at the restaurant:


[ Read in Japanese ]