The round table on the second floor has been replaced with a large banquet hall. It was crowded with many people having a party today, so I went to the back of the first floor. It is quite crowded, showing how popular it is. The taste is very close to what I had in Beijing. I'm sorry there are no photos of the food... The chili peppers provide a good spiciness, and the fried dishes are spicy. Today, I had Shaoxing wine. It was delicious, and I ended up drinking two bottles. There is also draft beer available, but I think Tsingtao beer goes well with Chinese cuisine as it is light and refreshing. Please give it a try.

Hello everyone who loves vegetables and loves to eat♪ Today, I want to share a review of a Chinese restaurant that offers vegetarian options. The restaurant is called Oriental Veggie and it's located in a somewhat unexpected area, but the interior is very beautiful. They have a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and oriental veggie options available without the need for reservations. During my visit, my friends and I tried a variety of dishes including lettuce fried rice, Tianjin rice, crispy noodles, spicy noodles, Shanghai fried noodles, and more. The food was delicious and there wasn't a single dish that disappointed us. Overall, Oriental Veggie is a great option for those looking for authentic Chinese cuisine with vegetarian options. The service may be a bit slow, so it's best to visit when you have plenty of time to spare. I highly recommend trying out their dishes and enjoying a meal with friends.

I managed to overcome the difficulty of entering the night-time Nakamachi Street in Ueno and entered the restaurant. Although I thought it was an authentic Chinese restaurant, all seats were equipped with touch panels, and I could also enjoy the cuteness of the somewhat hesitant Japanese-speaking staff. The Qingdao beer was refreshing and delicious, and you could enjoy Shaoxing wine on the rocks. The cost performance of the Shaoxing wine was great. We had jumbo dumplings, cumin stir-fried lamb, Sichuan-style shredded pork with green peppers, and Daifuku ice cream. Although they seemed very spicy, they were not overly spicy (eating the chili peppers directly was spicy), and they were delicious. I left with a full and satisfied stomach. The portion size of each dish was not too large, so there were many pairs of diners.

"Revisit Feast" I always thought that the Mapo Tofu here was by far the most delicious among all the Chinese dishes, and I often frequented this place. However, the other day after placing my order, I realized that there was a more special dish based on that. Today, I narrowly avoided ordering the usual "Mapo Tofu Set Meal" and instead decided to try that special dish. By the way, the Dan Dan noodles I tried because the Mapo Tofu was delicious turned out to be nothing special (just kidding!), so please don't take offense (this is just my personal opinion). The "Special Mapo Fried Rice" @1,180 yen then arrived, showcasing the beauty cultivated over China's 5,000-year history! The Mapo Tofu was as delicious as always, and the fried rice, designed to complement the Mapo Tofu, had a light finish that I found quite appealing. Overall, this one-dish meal had excellent packaging quality, but the only downside was the realization at the payment of the total of 1,298 yen including tax. In conclusion, the usual "Mapo Tofu Set Meal" with a mini salad and almond jelly included was more satisfying, especially considering it used to be a flat 850 yen, but now it's 935 yen. On a side note, I had noticed the Shaoxing wine brand "Shikumen" lined up in the bottle cabinet here for a while now. I wonder if there is any connection between this slightly upscale Chinese chain and "Shikumen." With the recent move to change the pricing from tax-inclusive to tax-exclusive, which seems clever but is actually quite transparent in its price increase (haha), it seems like the prices are getting higher. However, I still think the Mapo Tofu and Dan Dan noodles here are different from those at "Shikumen."

"Revisit Banquet" As I eagerly awaited under the clear blue sky, I entered from Shoho Bridge Street onto Nakamichi Street. There was no "welcome" as I stepped into the interior of Gairando. For a moment, I worried if I had barged in while they were still preparing, but it was already well past 11:30, so if that was the case, it was the shop's fault! Justifying to myself, I switched on the terminal in front of me with Do It Myself and navigated to the top screen by flipping the touch screen once, a method that my genius chimpanzee-like brain had mastered. But for some reason, tears welled up in my eyes... Ching ♪, the sound signaled that my order had gone through. Or so I thought. However, there was no sign of the kitchen starting to prepare the food, only the refrain of "printing is complete" echoing emptily in Gairando. Feeling crushed by such loneliness, I was genuinely relieved when two men entered the shop. Then the usual lady came over with a nonchalant expression, and Chinese pop music started playing in the background... "Mapo Tofu Set" @850 yen. No wonder! The mapo tofu here is clearly more delicious than the Chinese restaurants on the other continent, and I had always wondered why. But now I realize that it's not mapo tofu, but a different dish called "Mapo Tofu." The difference in the recipe seems to be the coarsely chopped garlic and ginger, which retain enough texture compared to other places. This effectively binds the relatively viscous mapo tofu together. Satisfied with the result, I handed over a thousand yen bill and was told, "It's 65 yen more due to the consumption tax." Even if you raise the price by 10%, you can't fool my eyes ♪

The customers around me were all Chinese, and the staff were also Chinese. The seasoning is authentic. When I say authentic, I mean it is close to the real thing. However, when they write "Shanghai" on the menu, it's more like a style rather than being from Shanghai itself. But it's delicious! The dishes here focus on deliciousness rather than spiciness. It's not the trendy "ma la" style. If you don't like spicy food, give it a try. Thank you for the meal!

Yesterday night, I feel like I had mapo tofu again. No, before that, I had pan-fried dumplings and fried eggplant, and then I had mapo tofu. Going back, for lunch that day, I had ramen and dumplings too. This is not what I intended at all, but lately I feel like I have been relying too much on Chinese food for the foundation of a healthy diet. Hopefully, I can develop a sense like in the Korean violent movie "Oldboy," where I can close my eyes and walk, following the scent of Chinese restaurants scattered along my daily route, and move freely anywhere. However, I have not been confined for 15 years and fed the same dumplings from the same restaurant three times a day, so it would be quite difficult for me to discern the changes in each restaurant and determine my position based on their scents. The sound of Chinese pop music from the speaker at "Sairaien" is oddly distorted. Could this be the limit of Chinese speakers? Or is it possible that a BOSS Super Distortion pedal is being used on the primary side of the speaker? It's not a musical distortion though... It's past 11:30 PM. There are three men who seem to be office workers as customers. More customers keep coming, and it's spreading quickly, showing that those who know, know. Within a 500m radius from Ueno Station, the only restaurants where I can find the mapo tofu that I like are "Gatei" on the east side of the tracks and somewhere around here on the west side. The "Mapo Tofu Set Meal" is ¥850. "Here is the herbal soup." It's always slightly lukewarm and has a mushroom broth, but I'm not sure if that's what makes it "herbal." At this point, the mapo tofu, in my opinion, is rich enough but slightly lacking in flavor. Ideally, soy sauce would cover this, but it has been removed from the table, perhaps for the sake of the new virus measures. So, the unique deliciousness of this mapo tofu, with chunks of garlic and the flavor of ginger, along with the wrinkled but smooth-skinned peanuts from "Nikki no Kashi" that I brought, is likely enhanced by the texture of the peanuts. I carefully avoid catching my coat on the neighboring plate and escape through the gap in the table, back into my Nakacho. However, I don't go to the Girls Bars that are bustling all around even during the daytime. I've mentioned this many times before, but as a mere salesperson, the concept of me being the one providing customer service while also paying money on top of that remains incomprehensible to me due to my work.

I always order the black vinegar pork and dried tofu! 😂 #Yushima #Ueno #Uenohirokoji #Chinese cuisine #Black pork loin #Black vinegar sauce #Dried tofu #Shredded #Cilantro #Mixed dish #Golden chives #Sliced pork #Salt stir-fry #Sulatan #Shanghai fried noodles #Shaoxing wine #Bottle

I ordered dried tofu with a side of coriander, but it came mixed together. I asked for it to be remade separately and they did so. The restaurant is located in Yushima, Ueno, on Ueno Hirokoji. They also serve grilled dumplings with shrimp mayonnaise dressing.

It was crowded during lunchtime on a regular day. We gave up on ordering the Peking Duck as we were told it would take an hour. Instead, we ordered pan-fried dumplings, xiaolongbao, crispy shrimp spring rolls, mapo tofu, five-flavor fried rice, and the lunch menu's five-flavor yakisoba. The mapo tofu had just the right amount of spiciness and was delicious. The food was served quickly and continuously. The dumplings and xiaolongbao were very juicy and tasty. The lunch menu seemed to be very generous in portion size based on what others were eating. The five-flavor yakisoba we ordered also had a huge portion size. It came with salad and soup. The yakisoba had a lot of sauce poured over it, more than what was shown in the picture. With a variety of dishes, it was a quantity that couldn't be finished without sharing. Everything was delicious.

"Shanghai Cuisine Sai Lai En" 12:40 PM. I arrived at the Chinese restaurant that left a good impression on me the other day, passing by the girls from the Girlsbar. The restaurant was fairly empty, with many four-person tables lined up, but I humbly chose a two-person table near the entrance. I debated whether to order the shrimp chili, hoping it would be authentic but hesitated at the price of 950 yen. However, I decided to go for the mapo tofu that I enjoyed last time. Shanghai cuisine. Despite the lingering effects of the Shanghai lockdown, I hoped that the hometown that had been restricted for so long would come alive once again. I decided to try the "Xiaolongbao fried rice set" priced at 1,080 yen. The lunch menu looked appealing, but the heart-shaped almond tofu dish in the picture made me think it was targeted towards women, so I didn't choose it. However, out of curiosity, I ordered it anyway. Oh! The almond tofu dish wasn't heart-shaped! I felt embarrassed. The first impression of a dish is crucial, and being told that the Xiaolongbao would be served later felt like a death sentence. I stared blankly at the simple and somewhat disappointing meal in front of me. In situations like this, a common practice for Japanese people would be to have Xiaolongbao as a side dish and fried rice as the main course. It can be a bit lonely, but I thought it would be okay. Fortunately, when I had finished about 2/3 of the fried rice, the Xiaolongbao arrived, which I considered a pass. The kitchen staff, who seemed to be Chinese, were having a humorous and somewhat awkward conversation in Japanese, which I found entertaining. Despite some issues with the ingredients, the interaction between the supplier and the restaurant staff was amusing and enjoyable. The ham in my five-flavor fried rice was lean and smooth, which made me happy."

Sunny Nakamachi Street. Girls bar girls calling out customers are scattered everywhere even in the middle of the day. It seems like this has become more common in busy areas since the pandemic. The prices on the signs are cheap, but the biggest issue is that these girls are not there to be entertained and comforted, but rather to entertain and comfort us, leaving us drained. I wonder if these girls are being paid by the hour for standing outside like this, or if they only get paid based on the customers they bring in. The compliance in this industry must be tough, and if customers keep coming in, there won't be any improvements. If they could provide an environment where we could at least touch their thighs, things would be different. The Shanghai restaurant I found on Nakamachi Street plays Chinese songs in the background. I hesitantly ordered the Mapo Tofu set, which turned out to be pretty good. The soup was tangy, and the tofu dish was well-seasoned. Overall, the food was decent, and I left feeling satisfied.

A shop often used as a late-night spot for a final meal! Everything on the menu is consistently good. #Yushima #Ueno #Ueno Hirokoji #Chinese cuisine #Shrimp chili #Stir-fried pea shoots #Nazuna #Tofu #Soup #Steamed shrimp dumplings #Xiaolongbao #Mapo tofu #Hot and sour soup #Shanghai cuisine

Nira Liver Set Meal 850 yen Today, I had lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Yushima. I arrived at 11:46 am, with 3 customers already inside and 9 customers coming in after me. I wanted to avoid ramen, which I've been having a lot recently, and thought about ordering fried rice. But somehow, I ended up ordering my favorite Nira Liver Set Meal... Ordered and served in about 5 minutes. The set meal includes stir-fried liver with leeks, rice, Chinese soup, salad, and coffee jelly. It's a bit disappointing that there's no pickles. The rice portion is just right, with the option for seconds if desired. The dish has plenty of liver, very satisfying. The rice is a bit on the softer side, but not bad. Lastly, I topped the rice with the liver and finished it all in one go. It was delicious! Used on April 18, 2022. Rating: 3.25

At Sairaien Ueno Nakamachi Street, you can enjoy authentic Shanghai cuisine. I found out about this place through a friend's recommendation and it truly feels like being in Shanghai while in Ueno. The staff and customers all speak Chinese. The restaurant is just a 3-minute walk from Ueno Hirokoji Station. They offer a variety of authentic Chinese dishes from Shanghai, Guangdong, and Sichuan in a modern private room setting. The head chef from Shanghai pays meticulous attention to ingredients and cooking methods to create authentic Chinese cuisine. This is a rare restaurant where you can enjoy Shanghai, Guangdong, and Sichuan dishes all in one place. Some recommended dishes include juicy pan-fried soup dumplings, authentic Sichuan spicy knife-cut noodles, and black pork loin with black vinegar sauce. The signature dish, black pork loin with black vinegar sauce, is a popular choice with its tender meat and rich, fragrant sauce. The restaurant has been featured on Chinese Central Television for its Shanghai specialty dishes made with Japanese ingredients. Their hot pot, filled with plenty of vegetables and your choice of meat or seafood, is a hearty option recommended for any season. The owner personally tastes and approves all ingredients before using them in the dishes. Their special hot pot, made with a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, comes with two flavorful broths - a spicy and numbing mala soup and a rich white broth. They also offer course menus with all-you-can-drink options starting from 3,980 yen for a 2-hour course. Currently, they are running a promotion where you can get 2 free soup dumplings with any meal over 3,000 yen per person.

After work, I went out with my colleagues to a Chinese restaurant that had two floors. We were hungry, so we ordered dishes like shrimp chili, shrimp mayo, bang bang chicken, dumplings, and mapo tofu. The shrimp chili and shrimp mayo were delicious with large shrimp. The mapo tofu had a nice level of spiciness. The staff were friendly and provided good service. The fact that they are open until morning is convenient for us. We will definitely go back again.

I visited a Shanghai cuisine restaurant called "Sairaien Ueno Nakamachi-dori Branch" in Ueno Hirokoji Station area around 12 pm in August 2019. We sat at a table on the 2nd floor and ordered the "Sweet and Sour Pork Set" for ¥850 from the lunch menu. The dish included sweet and sour pork, rice, soup, salad, and dessert. The sweet and sour pork had pork, onions, green peppers, carrots, and pineapples, with a mild sour taste. The overall meal was average, nothing outstanding but also not disappointing. The restaurant was clean and conveniently located, making it a good choice for a casual Chinese meal.

I didn't have much time, so I debated between fried rice or ramen, but I ended up ordering the 950 yen tantanmen. I was also considering the shrimp fried rice, but the tantanmen came in a large bowl with lots of toppings and minced meat, making it a challenge to finish! It was a lot of food, even for a woman. The flavor was surprisingly light and mild. I was expecting it to be more greasy and spicy, but it had plenty of vegetables like bean sprouts, bok choy, and egg. The black vinegar sweet and sour pork seemed to be a popular item as well, and the lamb skewers were 200 yen each, but they tend to sell out after 9pm due to their popularity.

I've been here a couple of times since they renovated, but the taste seems to have dropped a bit. The sauce is still delicious as always, but the stir-fries and soups lack the depth and delicacy they used to have. The seasoning seems a bit sloppy compared to before (laughs). It's still tasty, but it feels a bit different from before. Thank you for the meal.

The restaurant has been renewed and reopened. It now serves Shanghai cuisine instead of Szechuan cuisine. The layout is clean and neat, with about 70% of the seats occupied. The menu includes dishes like hot and sour noodles and mapo tofu. The mapo tofu was surprisingly good, with a decent level of spiciness and flavor. The rice and almond jelly dessert were also satisfactory. Overall, the experience was better than before, and the food was enjoyable.

The reopening was delayed by more than two weeks from the scheduled date, and the kitchen space has been expanded, making the interior look quite plain (lol). I have been eagerly waiting as this is my favorite place for late-night authentic Chinese cuisine in this neighborhood. The staff are all Chinese, and even the veteran staff from before are still here, so the level of customer service has improved significantly compared to three or four years ago. The menu has slightly decreased, but the prices have become a bit cheaper. I was disappointed that my favorite celery dumplings are no longer available. However, today I came here wanting to eat Sichuan mapo tofu and black vinegar sweet and sour pork, so I ordered those. The mapo tofu was slightly spicy as I requested and it was delicious. The perfect touch of spicy sansho pepper really enhances the flavor. The black vinegar sweet and sour pork had amazing flavor, but the meat was a bit tough today. Also, the Sichuan-style stir-fried green beans with minced meat is a must-have dish, but unfortunately, it was sold out today, which was disappointing. Anyway, now that the reopening has gone smoothly, I will continue to visit this place for late-night meals.

The menu was authentic. They also have deep-fried bread. The sweet and sour pork was to my liking, slightly sweet and very delicious. The crispy yakisoba had a tasty sauce on top. There are other menu items I would like to try.