On December 24, 2022, at 19:30, I enjoyed a meal consisting of the following dishes: Beef Hachinosu and Beef Tongue with Sichuan Spicy Sauce for ¥1,500, Stir-fried Chinese Vegetables with Shrimp Paste for ¥1,350 plus Water Spinach for ¥300, Great Demon King Spare Ribs for ¥2,500, Tianjing Black Vinegar Braised Pork Belly for ¥2,600, Dried Scallop Fried Rice for ¥1,450, and Jasmine Tea Crème Brûlée for ¥750. Additionally, I ordered a draft beer for ¥550, white wine for ¥4,950, Oolong tea for ¥390, and White Peach Oolong for ¥880. I made a reservation a month in advance. I was torn between trying "Mouthwatering Chicken" and the "Beef Hachinosu and Beef Tongue with Sichuan Spicy Sauce," but I had high expectations for the latter. The dish featured tender, plump beef hachinosu and soft beef tongue with a mix of vegetables and nuts, all dressed in a complex Sichuan spicy sauce. I could discern flavors from star anise and Sichuan pepper, but there were definitely many more spices contributing to its depth. With the addition of cilantro, it was even more delicious. When I mentioned that I had previously enjoyed "Stir-fried Water Spinach," they happily confirmed it was available. I recalled that I used to choose garlic, but this time I selected shrimp paste from the menu options which included fermented tofu and garlic. The shrimp paste lent a rich seafood flavor complemented by garlic and chili, making it quite spicy, with a lingering aroma from the stems. Due to my seat at the counter, I was handed an iPad mini with a photo of the "Today's Recommended Menu" written on a chalkboard on the table side. From that menu, I chose the "Great Demon King Spare Ribs." I thought it might be similar to the dish I had at the Orchid Court location, but it turned out to be a different style. The sauce had a flavor reminiscent of garam masala rather than being overly spicy. The ribs easily came off the bone, and I enjoyed snacking on fried chili peppers and peanuts that were served with the sauce, all while sipping white wine. I couldn't resist ordering the "Tianjing Black Vinegar Braised Pork Belly," a dish I always get. While I noticed some unevenness in the crispy surface, it pleasantly surprised me with about 1.5 times the volume compared to my memory. Also, I made sure to get the "Dried Scallop Fried Rice," which lived up to its reputation with a distinct and flavorful taste, featuring only egg, green onions, and dried scallops for a clean finish. I asked for a warm tea recommendation and received the sweetly aromatic "White Peach Oolong." My draft beer was Asahi Super Dry, and the white wine was "Anthilia." I was disappointed to find that the "Honey Glazed Char Siu" was sold out. It had been two years since my last visit to "Old Tiger Cuisine." I noticed some mixed reviews on Google Maps questioning if the management had changed. While waiting to be seated, I also realized the chef had changed, which made me a bit apprehensive. However, I was relieved to find that the dishes still packed the bold flavors of spices I enjoyed from "Old Tiger Cuisine." I did notice a few changes, like the system of informing all customers about the "Today's Recommended Menu" being discontinued, possibly due to infection control measures, and the quantity of the dishes seeming to have increased. Nevertheless, I left feeling satisfied and full. I am also interested in trying the new location where the previous chef is still working.

I visited a restaurant for lunch, and the atmosphere was great. I ordered a four-tier lunch and Peking duck, and everything was incredibly delicious! The Peking duck had a bit too much sauce for my taste, so I think I would like to adjust that myself next time. The presentation, service, and flavors were all wonderful!

I found out that the restaurant had reopened after a temporary closure, so I decided to visit! Previously, it was really hard to get a reservation, but since it has just reopened, I was able to book easily this time. It might be a good opportunity now! For lunch, I had the Chinese four-tiered meal. The meal started with a monaka (a wafer cake) filled with chestnut paste and salted egg yolk. 1st tier: A platter of appetizers (about nine varieties) 2nd tier: A side dish (crab and broccoli with sauce) 3rd tier: A main dish (mapo tofu) 4th tier: Sixteen grain rice (refillable) For dessert, I had fig and Earl Grey almond tofu for an additional 300 yen, and it was great that I could also have Chinese tea! The appetizer platter had about nine varieties, including squid with green onions and steamed chicken, which were quite satisfying. The mapo tofu was quite spicy, making it perfect with the rice. The almond tofu dessert paired excellently with the rich Earl Grey tea, making it worth trying on its own! Moreover, I was really impressed with their service towards children! I requested a simple fried rice for my child, and even though it was a regular portion, it only cost about 500 yen. They even offered free ice cream, which was incredibly generous. I left the restaurant extremely satisfied! Thank you for the wonderful meal!

- Mapo tofu 1,350 yen - Zhuhong black vinegar braised pork 2,600 yen - Mouthwatering chicken 1,350 yen - Special dumplings from Lao Hu Cai 660 yen - Snow crab fried rice with sauce 1,650 yen There are many other delicious-looking menu items, so I definitely want to visit again! Everything was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

I visited for lunch and enjoyed the daily lunch menu, which included an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert. I could also order Chinese tea for an additional fee. The authentic Chinese cuisine was impressive, with four different appetizers and four items on the main plate. The spring rolls were so delicious that I would want to order them as a single dish! For dessert, there were three options to choose from, and I selected the crème brûlée, which was surprisingly delicious for a Chinese dessert. Everything was tasty and the portions were generous, leaving me very satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Saturday, arrived at 5:30 PM. A few customers were already there. The restaurant was fully booked with reservations. ___________________________ Spicy pork ears with celery in pepper oil - 1,350 yen Braised pork belly in Zhenjiang black vinegar - 2,600 yen Stir-fried Akashi octopus with garlic shoots in marinade sauce - 1,850 yen Handmade dumplings (6 pieces) - 660 yen Shaoxing wine (8 years) - bottle - 4,400 yen ___________________________ The dumplings were delicious, with the shrimp being plump and satisfying to bite into! At 660 yen, the quality and taste of the dumplings offer great value. The pork ears were well-seasoned with spices and paired wonderfully with the Shaoxing wine. The braised pork belly was deep-fried first, making the outside crispy while the inside was tender. Though the color is dark, the flavor was perfectly balanced, and the portion was quite generous! The Akashi octopus was tender, and with plenty of vegetables included, it felt like a better choice than ordering a salad. If I could, I would have loved to try the crab sauce rice as it looked delicious. I later realized that there were daily specials, so next time I visit, I want to order from those recommendations as well. Thank you for the meal! (*ˊᵕˋ*)

One morning, our team members decided to have our first in-person meal together, and I made a reservation at my favorite Chinese restaurant, Lao Hu Cai. The mouth-watering dish, "Yodare-dori" (saliva chicken), is so delicious that even after several visits, I can't get enough of it. We ordered three plates for five people, and I must confess that I ended up eating one whole plate by myself. Everything was delicious, but every time we finish eating and they take away the dishes with the leftover sauce from the Yodare-dori, I always feel like saying, "Don't go!" but I could never bring myself to say it. This time, however, a team member asked to leave the sauce plate. Thanks to them, it stayed on the table until the end, and I was able to enjoy the sauce with some plain rice. After my sixth visit, I finally got to experience this!

I made a last-minute phone call to see if I could get a reservation for 12 PM, and I was lucky enough to get one! I guess being alone helped. The table seats were all booked, so I was shown to the counter, but since it looked like no one would be sitting next to me, I was able to leave my belongings there, which was great. I usually buy a lot of bread and cakes, so I tend to have a lot of stuff with me. They also prepare extra baskets at the counter, which is convenient. Here, there’s only one type of lunch course available on weekdays. Luckily, today was not the day for the mapo tofu! For dessert, I had to choose between almond jelly, crème brûlée, and panna cotta. After much deliberation, I chose the panna cotta. Both crème brûlée and panna cotta are French desserts, which is one of the highlights here. The panna cotta may seem plain, but it’s topped with a cherry blossom leaf sauce, making it quite stylish. It was very flavorful. As for the main dishes, I found them less delicious compared to my previous visit, so I have to rate them lower this time. However, this place is still a renowned establishment.

If you head a little south from Konan Hondori Shopping Street, you'll find this restaurant. It’s not far from any station, but it is within walking distance, so it's not too much of a hassle to visit. I went there with a friend for dinner on a Sunday. Despite being a well-known establishment, it was actually quite empty that evening. Definitely a hidden gem! It's a Chinese restaurant with a menu that, while not overly eccentric, offers dishes with a strong attention to detail and allure. In that sense, it’s better to visit with a group so you can share and enjoy a variety of dishes. We ordered classics like gyoza, shrimp chili, and mapo tofu. However, the flavors are exceptional, with a particularly delightful numbing sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns. The spiciness is genuinely delicious, and I couldn't put my chopsticks down. This is why the restaurant has such a high rating. I encourage you to visit and see for yourself. Thank you for the meal! I will definitely be back! ＼＼\\٩( 'ω' )و //／／

Every dish is delicious. It's very casual, yet it shows careful crafting that makes it stand out from other places. The food has a generous portion that satisfies male guests, while being light enough for female guests to enjoy without feeling bloated or tired. It's a fun restaurant for shrimp-loving women and meat-loving men alike.

I visited on December 26th. I had made a reservation in advance, but the restaurant was almost full on the day of my visit. It would be good to check the recommended menu for the day, which is written on a blackboard and on a handheld tablet. That day, I ordered the special daikon cake, cod milt stir-fried with golden sand, and fried rice with sakura shrimp and baby sardines. The daikon cake came with a homemade sweet and spicy sauce that paired perfectly with the savory daikon cake. The stir-fried cod milt was something I tried for the first time; it had a batter seasoned with sakura shrimp and spices, and eating it fresh with the fried cod milt created a wonderfully complex flavor that I found delicious. The fried rice with sakura shrimp and baby sardines showcased the umami of seasonal ingredients and excellent stir-frying technique with the rice, leaving me very satisfied.

I visited on Saturday at 12 PM. The restaurant was almost full due to reservations. On this day, there were two people cooking and one person serving. The service from the staff was quite problematic, and it felt like they were understaffed. It’s disappointing, especially for a place that has a bit of a stylish vibe and charges a reasonable amount. I tried the spicy chicken (yodaredori) – it was okay. The stir-fried water spinach was pretty average and had a bland taste. If this was my first experience, I would have wondered what’s so special about water spinach. The shrimp and mayo dish had a thicker batter than I prefer, but it was still okay. The sweet and sour pork (pork belly) was hard to cut because the knife was dull. Not being able to cut it properly affected the texture, which was a letdown. The cold noodle dish was unexpected; it was served cold. Overall, it was just okay. It seems they are expanding their locations, and the staff in the kitchen looked quite young. While it’s good to expand, it feels unfair when the original chef or staff members are no longer around, especially when a restaurant has gained a good reputation.

I occasionally peek into this restaurant during my holidays, but it’s always full. Finally, I was able to get in! We ordered dim sum, gyoza, crispy shrimp spring rolls, mapo tofu, crab sauce fried rice, and fried rice with vegetables in sauce. Our three favorites were the spring rolls, fried rice, and mapo tofu, but everything was delicious. It would be great if I could just pop in and easily get a table… I’ll try again!

I had the 5,500 yen course and everything was delicious! The flavors were a bit on the strong side, which paired perfectly with the drinks! The sweet and sour pork with braised pork had a rich depth and tanginess that I loved. I especially enjoyed the appetizer of squid and celery! The course had a wide variety of dishes and was very satisfying! It was a great value! When I ordered tea, they kindly kept refilling my hot water without me needing to ask.

I was recommended by a friend that the main store of Hanshin Department Store has a wider variety of dishes, so I came here with my family of five. We tried a lot of dishes, but the daikon cake and the shrimp stir-fried with XO sauce were the best. I wish I could have refilled just the daikon cake, which soaked up all the flavors.

I was seated at the counter, so I could see the cooking process, and it was really enjoyable! They were preparing three dishes at the same time, and I kept thinking how amazing it was! Every dish was delicious, and I had fun thinking about what I wanted to try next.

I visited this restaurant with a guest at night, and it was a place I had wanted to try after a recommendation from another customer. We started with a toast over some beers while enjoying the "yodare-dori" (spicy chicken). It's hard to describe, but it has a mainland flavor profile that is both complex and incredibly delicious. Next, we shared dishes including beef tripe, beef tongue dumplings in Sichuan spicy sauce, aori squid with a green onion and pepper sauce, melt-in-your-mouth sweet and sour pork, and stir-fried octopus and squid with mala sauce. Every dish had a rich flavor without being overly salty, and they were all incredibly tasty. What stood out the most was the lightness of the meal; there was no greasiness at all, and I didn’t feel any heaviness in my stomach afterwards. It’s definitely a place I want to visit again. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I recently moved to Hyogo Prefecture and don’t have many acquaintances, but I had a dinner gathering with a married couple who are hairstylists and my only friends here. It was my first time getting off at Aoki Station, and although the restaurant is a bit off the main road, it was packed with customers. We started with a toast over beers, and since the hairstylist couple are frequent visitors, we let them choose the snacks for us. The portions are small, which is great for four people because we could try a variety of dishes. The flavors are gentle, emphasizing the ingredients, and everything tasted really nice. The stir-fried squid and spicy chicken (yodare chicken) were so delicious that I might want to order them again next time. Although it's not shown in the photos, the braised pork belly was incredibly tender and had a subtle flavor that was superb! We switched to Shaoxing wine later and enjoyed fried rice and dry noodles, having fun until closing time. The restaurant has a trendy appearance, but the flavors are nostalgic and traditional, which I really liked. I met the wife for the first time, and we had such a good time that we went out for a second round and ended up drinking quite a bit!

Raofuzai (老虎奈) has a rating of 3.76 on Tabelog and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Chinese Restaurants in the West for 2023. We ordered the grilled eggplant with steamed chicken in scallion ginger sauce, special dumplings, tomato dumplings, xiao long bao (soup dumplings), steamed red snapper (kijihata) with black vinegar, melt-in-the-mouth braised pork belly, and sweet and sour pork.

Tourists may head to Nankinmachi to enjoy Chinese cuisine, but truly delicious restaurants are located away from the bustling streets. I have two favorite Chinese restaurants in Aoki, both of which are incredibly tasty, including their desserts. The price range and atmosphere of both places are quite similar. With little hope, I called the day before and luckily secured a reservation for lunch. The 2000 yen lunch set is available only on weekdays, specifically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. On this particular day, I was dining alone, but they seated me at a table, which made for a comfortable experience, especially since I had a lot of luggage. I appreciated that they served water in a pitcher right away, as I am someone who constantly needs water. I felt happy as soon as I started eating the appetizers, which were delicious. The mapo tofu was very spicy, which I typically dislike, but I managed to finish it while acknowledging the heat. The unique spices used really set it apart from other restaurants. For dessert, I had a chestnut mont-blanc, which was absolutely delightful. It’s nice to enjoy a plated dessert at a Chinese restaurant. I think this is a great deal for 2000 yen. While I often visit the Orchid Court branch due to its convenient location, I prefer the lunch served at the main branch.

Since it's up to the organizer, we are enjoying dishes that are not on the regular menu. Every visit brings new excitement! It's no surprise that the restaurant is fully booked and requires reservations. It’s rare to find a Chinese restaurant that offers such a solid dessert menu. The portion sizes can also be tailored to your needs.