High satisfaction. This restaurant is located in a residential area, and run by one man. Every Chinese dish is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. The seasoning is just right, not too strong or weak. The spring rolls are a must-try. I wanted to have seconds. Reservations are a must.

There is a charming hidden gem-like restaurant in a residential area a short walk from Nakano-Sakaue, which I had been curious about for a while. I finally found it open while taking a night stroll to see the cherry blossoms along the Kanda River. Upon looking at the menu displayed outside, I was excited by the authentic dishes offered. Inside, the friendly master recommended a special set menu for first-time visitors, which included 2 drinks and 3 assorted appetizers for 2000 yen. I decided to try their special sour drink, which was served with various frozen fruits to crush and enjoy. The appetizers included drool chicken, dumplings, spring rolls, and pickled vegetables, all simple yet delicious. The menu was reasonably priced, but also offered high-end items like shark fin soup and opus wines. The food was tasty, and the warm hospitality of the master made me feel like a regular customer on my first visit. I would love to come back again.

The set menu of two appetizers and two drinks for 2000 yen per person (tax included) was very satisfying. The dishes were delicious, and it was even better than the set menu I had at the sister restaurant, Trio. We had two drinks each along with tasty appetizers, stir-fried dishes, and shumai, and we left feeling very full. The price of 2000 yen for all that was almost too cheap, and I considered ordering more dishes, but we were already full and the place started to get crowded, so we left. I had two non-alcoholic drinks, and the Non-Alcoholic Lemon Highball was especially delicious. I would love to go back just to have that drink again. On another day, I got a takeout of fresh spring rolls for 900 yen (including tax and container fee). They were filled with only vegetables, probably because I requested a vegetable-focused dish. Thanks to that, I was able to have a healthy meal at night. The restaurant is much larger than Trio on Yamate Street, and the atmosphere is very relaxing. It used to offer lunch service until recently, but I'm not sure if they still do due to COVID-19. It's a shame.

"There's a great wine bar near my house," we gathered in Nakano-Sakaue after work. Without high expectations, we went to the small restaurant with 6 counter seats and 3 tables for 2 to 4 people. However, looking at the menu, it was clear that this was a special place. They offered homemade century egg tofu, Chinese-style carpaccio with angel shrimp, steamed dumplings with daily sauce, homemade shumai with chunky meat and mustard sauce, cumin-flavored lamb stir-fry with onions and celery, and mapo tofu with a nice meaty texture. We paired our meal with "Daiyame," a lychee-scented shochu, which was a great match for the Chinese dishes. The owner, who honed his skills at the popular "SEN YO" in Higashi-Koenji, single-handedly created these creative Chinese dishes with a personal touch. The portion sizes were perfect for enjoying with drinks. We were lucky to have been introduced to such a wonderful restaurant.

It's a small hidden gem of a shop tucked away just off the main street. Among the places I've recently explored, this one stood out in various aspects. The only downside is that smoking is allowed inside, but the positives more than make up for it: 1. It's cheap 2. The food is delicious 3. The fun names of unfamiliar dishes add to the experience 4. The appetizers are great The dumplings were so good that I think I'll order them again next time.

Today, I visited a hidden gem restaurant called "Otori-san" in Nakano-Sakaue. It was recommended by an acquaintance. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was relaxed, with regulars at the counter and two couples at the tables. The staff, who seemed to be working alone, were very attentive and explained the dishes well. We had a variety of dishes including appetizers, angel shrimp carpaccio, limited edition chicken broth xiaolongbao, authentic mapo tofu, and chilled tofu and soy milk tantan noodles. The portions were generous and the food was delicious, with distinct flavors that would go well with any type of alcohol. The staff also mentioned that they can adjust the portion size if needed. For solo diners, they recommend trying the chef's choice set.

A wine bar that pairs selected wines with Chinese cuisine. Wines are available by the glass starting at 800 yen. The white wines are dry with a smooth acidity, while the red wines are easy to drink with light tannins. They are mostly from regions like New Zealand and South Africa. Although I like the style of the wines, the prices may be a bit high for the labels. The dishes all have good flavors, but they tend to be salty. Especially the fried rice, with its simple seasoning, the saltiness can be overwhelming. I appreciate the creativity of dishes like century egg tofu with preserved egg, but the saltiness doesn't suit my taste. It seems the flavors are intentionally strong, making me want to drink a lot of water. Unfortunately, the water here doesn't taste good. They make their own carbonated water by adding gas to tap water, so the highball is just okay for the price. The owner runs the place alone, which can lead to slow service at times. However, the cozy atmosphere of the small restaurant makes it easy to overlook. It's a great spot for enjoying delicious wines for a casual drink.

Wine bar located in Nakano Sakagami. Visited for a private party invitation. Although it's a wine bar, the Chinese cuisine is delicious, so we had a Chinese course with wine. The dishes we had included: Hiramasu carpaccio salad, pressed vegetables, century egg, spring rolls, saliva chicken, dumplings, shumai, pakti hot pot with golden thread tail, and white brain mapo tofu. Each dish had a solid base with added accents that paired well with the wine! The century egg tofu was surprising as it was inside rather than on top. The spring rolls were fried perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside. The white brain mapo tofu had the perfect level of spiciness and numbness, and we enjoyed it with gusto (laughs). We toasted with Heartland beer, had white wine followed by lemon sour, enjoyed good food and drinks, and had a fun time celebrating the birthday person.

In November 2018, a slightly inconspicuous wine bar opened in a residential area in Nakano-Sakaue. The interior of the bar, styled like an old folk house, consists of a counter and table seating. My companion ordered the homemade sangria, while I asked for a recommended white wine from the selection priced at 800 yen and up per glass. The expression '800 yen and up' gives a somewhat unclear impression. Since there was no appetizer, we quickly ordered some small dishes. The marinated grilled tomatoes had a strong acidic taste, and the portion was surprisingly small. The pork rillettes had an average taste that went well with wine and was easy to eat. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxing, but the lone bartender's service felt somewhat unwelcoming for some reason. Perhaps they were working despite having a hangover... We decided to leave without ordering more drinks. The total bill for two people was 2,550 yen. If we visit when the bartender is in better condition, we might enjoy the experience more. Oh well, I decided to be a little generous with the rating this time for a change, haha.

A bar and Chinese restaurant that I didn't have high expectations for, given that it's in the neighborhood. The atmosphere is cozy with a nice counter and table seating. The interior lighting is dim and has a charming old folk house style. I felt a bit awkward coming in alone, but the young male waiter was friendly and made me feel welcome. I initially just wanted a quick drink, but when the person next to me ordered the mapo tofu and raved about how it's the best they've ever had, I decided to try it too. And it truly was amazing. The perfect amount of numbing spiciness from the Sichuan peppercorns. A must-try dish. They also recommended a shochu that paired well with the Chinese food. Other dishes like fried rice and tantanmen without soup were also top-notch. I've tried Chinese food in Ginza, Roppongi, and Nakameguro, but this place stands out as one of the best. However, the only downside is that smoking is allowed, and the compact space makes the smoke and smell linger. It can be a bit stressful for those who want to enjoy the food and drinks without the smell of smoke. I hope they consider having a designated smoking area outside. Other than that, it was perfect. I plan to visit again soon since it's in the neighborhood.