It was a night of shock... The only dining option was an 8,800 yen course menu. The dishes were all creative and unique, but absolutely delicious! The Chinese cuisine had a delicate flavor that would suit Japanese tastes well. This is what "one of a kind" truly means. If I had to rank the dishes from that day, it would be something like this: 1) Crispy and fluffy spicy stir-fried eel 2) Fermented shrimp miso soup with vermicelli (a specialty dish. The chewiness of the shrimp and vermicelli goes beyond expectations. The additional egg and rice for 200 yen are a must-try) 3) Sweet and sour pork with black vinegar (rich and flavorful. The balance of sweetness and sourness is excellent). During my time in China, I drank a lot of Shaoxing wine, but this was the first time I felt it was so delicious. I asked for a wine pairing, and it was perfect with the dishes and delicious on its own. The owner seems to have been the head chef of the famous Chinese restaurant, Kuro Neko Yoru.

I finally visited this place that I had been curious about for a while but couldn't go because it was not close by. The atmosphere is like a back alley in Shanghai, with sounds coming from the kitchen, a warm welcome, and my expectations are high. I chose the 8,800 yen course with a bottle of Heartland and Bearing Shaoxing wine. The spices, aromas, fermentation flavors, textures, cooking techniques, and the mysterious Shaoxing wines all combined to create an exquisite dinner. The black vinegar pork, in particular, was the best dish of my life! Since it's a monthly changing course, it would be great to enjoy it every month. Thank you very much, I will definitely visit again.

I visited Matsushima-san, which was highly recommended by a gourmet acquaintance, and it was so delicious that I went there twice in a short period of time. The perfect balance of spiciness and acidity in the dishes is truly delicious and addictive. Each dish is carefully made and offers great value for money. The selection of wine and Shaoxing wine is also excellent. I will definitely visit again soon.

I requested a course of dishes from the Chinese border region. Some dishes may be too spicy for Japanese people, but they have successfully avoided serving anything that is too extreme, making it enjoyable for Japanese palates.

I chose the 8,800 yen chef's choice course, which was the only option available. I was able to make a same-day reservation and was thrilled! The restaurant has a small setting with 4 counter seats (for 2 groups), a round table, and a 4-seater table. I particularly liked sitting at the counter on this day. The dishes served were unique and not something I would typically eat at a regular or high-end Chinese restaurant. The flavors reminded me of the dishes I had at Kuro Neko Yoru in Ginza and Roppongi. Each dish showcased the chef's skill and was truly outstanding. Even if you're not used to eating Chinese cuisine, I think it's worth trying at least once! Highly recommended!

Chef Yoshi Takashi, who served as the head chef at the popular Chinese restaurant "Black Cat Night," opened this restaurant in March 2016. The menu focuses on dishes from Chinese minority groups such as Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. There is a wide selection of rare Shaoxing wines from southern and eastern China. I recommend consulting with the staff to find a Shaoxing wine that suits your meal, whether you prefer a light and refreshing type or a more robust one. The sweet and sour pork is made with only Zara sugar and vegetables simmered for three days to bring out the sweetness, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior. The Yellow Ball cocktail, made with Shaoxing wine soaked with apples, lemons, oranges, and sugar, topped with soda, is particularly popular among women.

I visited this restaurant on a Friday and had a great experience. There were no disappointments, and even though I don't like cilantro, they were able to accommodate that. The Shanghai crab tofu and sweet and sour pork were amazing, with flavors that are hard to find elsewhere. The shrimp miso beef noodles and risotto at the end were also fantastic. The staff may look like comedians, but I can't remember their names. Overall, the meal was delicious and I really enjoyed it. Thank you!

I visited a restaurant in Yoyogi-Uehara that I had been eagerly anticipating, as I had heard it offers Chinese ethnic minority cuisine prepared by the chef of "Kuroneko Night". The dishes were quite salty, which made me think that this is a place meant for enjoying with alcohol. The appetizers included various dishes such as fermented green beans with scallops, and the main course was a choice between dishes like beef with fermented green chili sauce. The meal ended with a delicious shrimp miso soup with noodles. The overall experience was great, although the dishes were on the saltier side. I would have loved to try the rice with the soup, as I believe it would have been a perfect match.

The chef of "Kuro Neko Yoru" opened this restaurant after working as a head chef. Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes from China's ethnic minorities. Located about a 2-minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station, in a hidden basement on a narrow street. The cozy interior has counter and table seating, with a casual atmosphere. We tried the 8800 yen course, which included dishes like Guizhou-style fern glass noodles with black vinegar, fermented mung bean and fermented tofu salad, Yunnan-style herb soup with lamb, smoked pepper stir-fried ayu, fermented green chili sauce with wagyu beef, fermented shrimp miso soup with vermicelli, and Chinese tea to finish. The flavors were bold and some dishes had a spicy kick. The unique use of spices and seasonings made the meal interesting and enjoyable. They also offer a variety of rare Shaoxing wines to pair with the dishes.

The underground of a mixed-use building in Yoyogi-Uehara. The atmosphere is a bit confusing at first, but if you muster up the courage to go down the stairs, you'll find a mysterious door. Behind that door, you'll discover a world of Chinese cuisine you've never tasted before. The menu consists of set courses, with options to choose a main dish and a dessert. The portions are generous, and you can even add mapo tofu at the end, although I declined this time. The owner has honed his skills at famous restaurants in Osaka like Fukurinmon and Kuro Neko Yoru. Each dish is truly delicious and offers a new culinary experience. I highly recommend this restaurant, which specializes in ethnic minority cuisine. On a side note, I also enjoy watching a Chinese ethnic minority cuisine YouTube channel called A Bon Xiao Jie. They offer a variety of Shaoxing and Chinese wines. I couldn't resist trying a Chinese Riesling, as I love Riesling wines. It had a rice-like nuance and was worth a try. I recommend trying the Shaoxing wines. I will definitely come back again and hopefully try the mapo tofu next time! It seems that mapo tofu is not always available, though. Looking forward to my next visit!

If asked for a recommendation in Yoyogi-Uehara, I would definitely recommend this place. Everything is very well-crafted and delicious, but the highlight is definitely the black vinegar pork. It's crispy, juicy, and melts in your mouth. The flavor is quite strong, but it pairs perfectly with the Shaoxing wine they offer. They have a wide selection of Shaoxing wine, so it's fun to try different ones!

A hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant known only to a few, where you can taste authentic local dishes from China that are not commonly found in Japan. Owned by Yutaka Matsumura, who honed his skills at "Fukurinmon Sakka" and "Kuroneko Yoru" in Osaka, the atmosphere is calm and the dishes are all unique and delicious. Matsumura transforms local Chinese dishes into a taste that Japanese people can enjoy, adding a touch of familiarity. His passion for showcasing lesser-known Chinese regional dishes is evident in his creative and interesting presentations. By trying his dishes, you will discover a whole new world of Chinese cuisine that is both delicious and beautiful. The set course menu includes various dishes such as duck tongue, grilled turnip, tofu and wood ear mushroom salad, Yunnan-style spicy octopus, black vinegar sweet and sour pork, and beef with Taiwanese satay sauce. Enjoy a non-alcoholic drink like the Yellow Ball for 800 yen, and the set course menu is priced at 9000 yen. Finish off your meal with a comforting bowl of shrimp miso soup and a cup of Longjing tea.

Yoyogi-Uehara's famous Chinese restaurant offers unique ethnic-style Chinese cuisine, starting with delicious dumplings, shrimp spring rolls, assorted appetizers, stir-fried dishes, and my favorite, fried oysters! The fried oysters with pickled vegetables were juicy and well-seasoned, perfect with drinks. The main dish of roasted duck with green chili sauce was full of flavor and I could eat it endlessly. Ending with the reliable mapo tofu, there's nothing to complain about. I definitely want to visit again!

A friend who knows a lot about Chinese liquor recommended this restaurant to me. The food is delicious, even though I can't describe it well. I always thought Chinese cuisine was strong in flavor, making it go well with alcohol. But the dishes here are delicate and have a rich taste. You can enjoy the rich flavors along with the alcohol. I've been trying different kinds of Shaoxing wine recently, but I was finally able to try baijiu here. I've always wanted to try it, and it turned out to be stronger than I imagined. It made me a bit tipsy, haha. It was a feast. Thank you.

Dinner Course ¥6,800 (including tax) at the niche Chinese restaurant "Matshima" in Yoyogi-Uehara. Located on the basement floor of a mixed-use building just a 1-minute walk from the south exit of Yoyogi-Uehara Station. With only a few tables and 4 counter seats, it's best to make a reservation. Owner chef Yutaka Matushima, who honed his skills at Osaka's "Fukurinmon Sakuya" and "Kuro Neko Yoru," is in charge. Currently, only the omakase course for ¥6,800 is available. The restaurant offers Chinese regional dishes with a Japanese twist, similar to "Nan San" and "Renko." It's a rare find that may surprise you with its unique Chinese cuisine. Despite its small size, the friendly service makes for a pleasant dining experience. The dishes we had that day were as follows: 1. Scallop and Mushroom Soup 2. Assorted Appetizers: Duck Ham, An Liver with Wu Shan Sauce, Yunnan-style Spicy Tar, Deep-Fried Kombu with Roe 3. Smoked Bamboo Shoots and Chicken Neck Stir-Fry 4. Fermented Cabbage and Lemon Sichuan Pepper Stew with Catfish 5. Monkfish Liver with Chili Peppers 6. Black Vinegar Sweet and Sour Pork 7. Sichuan-style Spicy Lamb Stew We also had 3 drinks for a total of approximately ¥15,000. You can enjoy unique Chinese ethnic dishes without going deep into the mountains of China, right in the trendy town of Yoyogi-Uehara!

I was invited by a friend to try out a Chinese restaurant for the first time. I had heard that it was opened by the former head chef of "Kuroneko Yoru," a popular restaurant in Ginza, Roppongi, and Akasaka, but I was a bit nervous. I like Japanese-style Chinese cuisine and am not a fan of star anise. I find it a bit intimidating to try out the cuisine of the minority ethnic groups in southern China as a novice. However, my worries were quickly dispelled after trying the appetizers. We opted for the 5,000 yen course, which was surprisingly affordable. The menu included: - Assorted appetizers - Stir-fried duck tongue with aroma - Stir-fried water spinach from Taiwan with garlic and salt - Crumbled tofu with Shanghai crab miso - Stir-fried squid and bamboo shoots (I forgot the exact name) - Sweet and sour pork with black vinegar - Mapo tofu with rice - Chinese tea When the alien-like duck tongue was served, I was taken aback, but upon tasting it, I was pleasantly surprised. The meat was tender and juicy with a unique flavor that was hard to describe, but it was delicious. The black vinegar sweet and sour pork, which is considered the specialty of the restaurant, was incredibly tender and flavorful, with a hint of star anise that did not bother me at all. The mapo tofu was also unique, with a complex blend of spices reminiscent of curry. It paired perfectly with rice. Everything I tried was delicious, and the variety of drinks, including unique Shaoxing wines and lychee wine, added to the experience. Although the total cost was around 10,000 yen with drinks, the quality was exceptional. I would love to come back to try dishes like deer brain or cow intestines, which are also available here.

I don't usually go to the outskirts of Yoyogi Uehara, but this Chinese restaurant near the station is quite good. It seems to be influenced by Kuro Neko Yoru. The course menu has a lot of dishes and I was very satisfied. It's a small world as I saw Koyamauchi-san there. The only downside is that it's a bit far from Uehara.

I visited "Matsumoto" located about a 4-minute walk from Yoyogi-Uehara Station. It is located on the basement floor of a multi-tenant building. The interior of the restaurant is not very large, but it is clean and has a nice atmosphere. While this restaurant serves Chinese cuisine, they also offer regional dishes that are not widely known, which I was looking forward to trying. The dishes I tried included: - Dried shrimp and daikon stew, tofu with osmanthus, ginkgo nuts with cumin flavor appetizer assortment - Scallop marinated in Shaoxing wine, smoked mackerel, steamed chicken with fermented green chili sauce, simmered duck liver with spices, kombu tofu with fermented bean curd tempura - Stir-fried duck tongue with aroma - Stir-fried Taiwanese water spinach - Tofu crumble with Shanghai crab miso - Stir-fried shrimp and shimeji mushrooms in oyster sauce - Black vinegar sweet and sour pork - Mapo tofu with white rice The spicy aroma of Sichuan pepper in the mapo tofu was delightful, and the dish paired perfectly with the white rice. Both my stomach and heart were satisfied after this meal.

I was able to experience the atmosphere of Chinese ethnic minority cuisine. It was delicious. In particular, the Yunnan dried mushroom and chicken soup vermicelli (yellow porcini, red mushroom, white wood ear mushroom) had a unique flavor. The traditional yellow wine called Ginheimei from Henan Province was refreshing yet rich in flavor and delicious.

In July 2019, I had Chinese food at Yoyogi-Uehara. It's about a 3-minute walk from Yoyogi-Uehara Station. The Chinese restaurant is conveniently located near the station. At first, I couldn't find the entrance, but after going downstairs, I found the restaurant right across from a girls' bar. The restaurant has 11 seats and the space is quite cramped. Due to this, reservations are accepted for a minimum of 2 people, which may make it difficult for solo diners to visit. Fortunately, I had someone to go with, so we visited together. The menu includes course options, but we preferred to order a la carte dishes. Here is what we ordered: - Coriander Salad 900 yen - Squid and Zucchini in Malaysian Sauce 1600 yen - Deep-Fried Lamb Spare Ribs 2000 yen - Sweet and Sour Pork with Black Vinegar 1400 yen - Mapo Tofu 1800 yen - Five-Ingredient Fried Rice 1200 yen We started with the Coriander Salad to satisfy our hungry stomachs. The coriander was seasoned with satay sauce, giving a seafood flavor, while the sesame and yam provided a crunchy texture. We were intrigued by the Malaysian sauce used in the Squid and Zucchini dish, which included dried shrimp, crab miso, fish, and chili. The lamb was tender and flavorful, complemented by the sauce and Chinese wine. Each dish had its own unique character, making us want to try more. The Sweet and Sour Pork was served with a round piece of meat in the middle of the black sauce, accompanied by tomatoes. The tender pork quickly melted in the mouth, and the tangy black vinegar sauce was delightful. The Mapo Tofu was a faithful and slightly spicy dish with a good amount of minced meat. Feeling like having some rice, we added the Five-Ingredient Fried Rice, which was reminiscent of classic fried rice, with the rice grains separating nicely. They offer about 10 types of Chinese wine, including lychee and cow milk-based ones. The diverse wine selection is appealing for finding your favorite. The restaurant values culinary culture with its thoughtful dishes, which is a nice change from the usual refined Chinese cuisine. It was a delightful dining experience!

Matsumi-san, who worked at Kuro Neko for a long time, now runs her own restaurant. If you are a fan of Chinese cuisine, you may be familiar with the name Kuro Neko. Many of the staff who used to work at Kuro Neko truly love Chinese food, not only dishes from Sichuan, Guangdong, and Yunnan, but also those from various Chinese ethnic minorities. Matsumi-san regularly visits these regions to learn about their cuisine and culture. One interesting aspect is that they offer pairings of Chinese dishes with Chinese spirits, mainly Shaoxing wine. From strong rice-based spirits to aromatic white and red wines, you can enjoy a variety of drinks that complement the dishes. We highly recommend experiencing this unique culinary world.