Years ago, when the owner was a young soldier, he lost his way in a snowstorm one night and ended up at the wrong post. The ridicule he suffered for the mistake was eased when the man found himself facing the woman who would become the love of his love.

People must find it a catchy name, because the restaurant is always packed for both lunch and dinner. Westerners with adventurous palates would do themselves a favor by sampling the beef stomach.Served on wooden skewers and plunged into a boiling hot pot, this is the dish for which Mo Cuo Men is famous.

For those adverse to beef giblets, the restaurant also serves plenty of other, more ordinary items, to add to the soup. Beef meatballs,mushrooms and vegetables all make for a hearty hot pot meal. Beancurd on skewers is also good.

For your reference, an average adult diner could finish 10 beef stomach, 5 beancurd and 5 meatball skewers.

There are two kinds of pots. One is made of porcelain and can be used by one or two people. The other is a round pot with two - one for spicy soup and the other holding a mild, white broth.

The beef stomach skewers and meatballs look less than tempting when served, but this is just because they are pre-boiled to almost ready. Diners place the skewers in the pot, and let them boil for a while before taking them out to eat. The resulting taste is quite good, while the white soup alone is also satisfying.

Also recommended is the barbequed catfish, which is known as the "ugly fish" and with reason! Looks aside, it is very tender and tastes delicious.

Average spending is 40 yuan per person. There is alcohol-free beer. The menu is in Chinese only but has color illustrations.

Opening hours:11am-4pm, 5:30-10pm.
Address:A30 Wester North Third Ring Road, Haidian District, 200 meters east of Shuang'an Department Store.
Tel: 010-6840-0389.