ノアマンクロウ
This time, the restaurant is "Authentic Sichuan Cuisine Shufuji" located in Ikebukuro. It is a place where you can enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine. It is located just a short walk from Ikebukuro East Exit, on the 7th floor of a modern building with many drinking establishments. The interior has a Chinese neon atmosphere and the scent of Sichuan cuisine, which really gets you excited. There are spacious table seats and private rooms at the back. The table seats seemed to be spacious even for 6 people. I ordered the Wood Ear Mushroom Salad, Saliva Chicken, Shrimp Mayo, Salt and Pepper Smelt, and Crab Fried Rice. I also had a glass of Xingluo wine. The menu is quite authentic, with familiar dishes like sweet and sour pork, saliva chicken, mapo tofu, and fried rice. Most of the customers seemed to be Chinese, perhaps craving the taste of home. The dishes arrived promptly, despite not being too busy. Let's dig in.
★★
- Wood Ear Mushroom Salad 680 yen
A starter dish of large wood ear mushrooms quickly stir-fried. The aroma of sesame oil is quite strong, and although the seasoning is not heavy, it is quite delicious. I never thought wood ear mushrooms could be tasty, so it was a delightful discovery.
- Saliva Chicken 880 yen
A generous portion of saliva chicken with the option to choose spiciness. I went for mild spiciness. The thinly sliced saliva chicken is surprisingly easy to eat and goes really well with alcohol. The seasoning is excellent, with a rich flavor, a hint of spiciness, and very delicious. I've heard that trying saliva chicken at a Chinese restaurant can indicate the level of the restaurant, and if that's true, this place is definitely top-notch.
- Shrimp Mayo 1580 yen
Prawns with a fluffy coating, generously covered in mayo. The prawns are large and plump. The fluffy coating, the rich sweetness of the mayo, and the bold seasoning that enhances the flavors are just perfect. I'd love to have this with white rice for lunch, but it pairs well with Xingluo wine. It also goes well with Xingluo wine.
- Salt and Pepper Smelt 1280 yen
Crispy-fried smelt seasoned simply with salt and pepper. The smelt itself has a strong umami flavor, with a slight bitterness that adds to the taste. It's like a simplified version of grilled ayu. It goes well with Xingluo wine, but it's definitely a beer kind of flavor.
- Crab Fried Rice 880 yen
I wanted to have more, but each dish was larger than I expected, so I saved the Crab Fried Rice for last. It was a huge portion, surprisingly great value. The flavor is light and simple, with fluffy eggs and salt, making it easy to enjoy with plenty of crab meat. The eggs and rice are fluffy, and I was really impressed. This kind of feeling is not often found in Chinese restaurants with a drinking atmosphere.
- Sesame Dumplings 480 yen
Three slightly larger sesame dumplings. The crispy sesame coating on the outside is fragrant, while the black sesame paste inside has a subtle sesame flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.
Drink
- Xingluo Wine Glass 480 yen
When it comes to Chinese cuisine, Xingluo wine is a must. This Xingluo wine is a bit milder and easy to drink. It may not be suitable for those who prefer a stronger taste, but I lean towards this smoother and easier-to-drink type.
- Xingluo Wine 480 yen
When it comes to Chinese cuisine, Xingluo wine is a must. This Xingluo wine is quite sweet and I love it. I feel like Xingluo wine can vary greatly in sweetness, and for me, the sweeter, the better.