A popular Chongqing specialty dish called "Kao Yu" is available at this restaurant, where fish is cooked in a spicy hot pot on a square pot. The restaurant has a vibrant neon-lit interior and offers authentic Chinese cuisine. The dish includes whole fried fish, lotus root, potatoes, homemade black bean tofu, enoki mushrooms, peanuts, red and green chili peppers in a spicy and oily broth. The dish is spicy but not overwhelmingly so, with a unique flavor from the combination of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. The texture of lotus root, enoki mushrooms, and sliced potatoes is excellent. The restaurant also offers lamb skewers with a choice of spice levels, fried milk, Qingdao beer, and soft drinks. The ordering system is through a touch panel, and credit cards are accepted. The staff can speak Japanese, and there is occasional entertainment such as a traditional Chinese face-changing show. The restaurant is owned by Sanseido Co., Ltd. and has branches in Shinjuku, Okubo Station, and Ikebukuro. The restaurant provides an experience of authentic Chinese cuisine, different from what Japanese people usually eat. The atmosphere is lively and popular among young Chinese customers.

This is a very authentic Chinese restaurant! The menu is mostly in Chinese, with some items in Japanese, so I mostly relied on the photos to order. The staff are also Chinese. I had the Sichuan-style octopus salad and the spicy fish hot pot. The hot pot was quite spicy even on the mild level, so be careful! Both dishes were really delicious and quite filling, but I managed to finish everything!

I made a reservation at "Mapo Izakaya Ueno" on a weekend evening. The restaurant was almost full of Chinese customers. I ordered the following items: - Homemade black bean tofu with garlic grilled fish 2,980 yen - Spicy marinated octopus 1,080 yen - Refreshing cucumber salad 780 yen - Blood tofu 680 yen - Asahi beer (medium bottle) 550 yen - Sapporo beer (draft) 550 yen Total 7,282 yen (including consumption tax 662 yen) The fish was delicious and paired well with the garlic. The cucumber salad also complemented the dish nicely. I left feeling full. However, the bottled beer was not very cold and I didn't enjoy the Sapporo beer. Despite that, I would consider revisiting for the tasty grilled fish. Thank you for the meal.

We came to this restaurant for a farewell party with the same amount of people~(^.^)/ It is popular among our Chinese friends, so we had high expectations, and it truly felt like being in China (laughs). Memories of my trip to China came flooding back all at once. "Sichuan-style cold chicken" - the chicken was moist and delicious! The aroma of chili oil and the sesame-based sauce were really tasty (^.^♪ I want to eat this again! "Lamb skewers" - the meat was delicious without any strong flavors! The spices like cumin were a perfect match! "Grilled wheat gluten" - the chewy texture was interesting! Wait, this is made from wheat!? How unique! "Chicken cartilage" - crunchy and coated with spices before serving - a great aroma as always! "Stir-fried chicken and green peppers" - the rich flavor of the sauce was delicious!! I was the only Japanese person in the restaurant (laughs). Well, I discovered a great hidden gem of a restaurant! (^.^)/ ~Overall~ The seasoning is just like the authentic taste! The atmosphere instantly transports you to China! The use of spices is addictive! So many elements that make you want to recommend it to others! Thank you for the meal!

I went to a genuine Chinese restaurant on a Saturday afternoon in search of authentic Chinese cuisine. Instead of ordering a set lunch, I ordered a few dishes a la carte and enjoyed them with Qingdao beer. - The tripe dish had a substantial portion and the sauce was incredibly delicious. - The spicy stir-fried crayfish had a good level of spiciness and the meat was tender and tasty, although peeling the shells was a bit of a hassle. - The spicy stir-fried frog legs were a first for me, and they tasted just like chicken. The spicy kick was delicious. - The white fish fry in spicy hot pot was the highlight! It was very filling, not too spicy, and the Sichuan pepper was irresistible. Five of us, each drinking two bottles of Qingdao beer, left feeling satisfied and full. It was a great experience.

This Chinese restaurant, popular among Japanese people, has friendly staff but the food is mediocre. The grilled fish uses plain fried fish with weak seasoning that doesn't penetrate the meat. It's cheap, but wouldn't you be more satisfied eating something tastier?

"We visited the restaurant with a group of 5 people because someone wanted to eat something like fish cooked in a square pot. We ordered river fish cooked in a spicy soup. Before it was ready, we also ordered side dishes such as stir-fried thinly sliced potatoes, stir-fried eggplant, stir-fried crayfish, and stir-fried leafy vegetables. The leafy vegetable stir-fry and eggplant stir-fry received high praise within the group. Personally, I enjoyed the spicy flavor of the potato stir-fry. The crayfish stir-fry had a taste that divided opinions. The Chongqing ramen we ordered as an additional dish tasted like high-vegetable ramen and was my favorite. The river fish dish was delicious, with no unpleasant smell and tender meat."

During my stay in China, I heard that there was a restaurant where I could eat grilled fish (first photo), which I loved. I visited the restaurant for the first time and the grilled fish I had was delicious, so I went back for a second visit and this time I tried the sour and spicy fish (second photo). The fish was quite large and filling, so I think two Japanese girls could easily get full by ordering just one grilled fish. Most of the customers were Chinese and they all seemed satisfied with their meals.

We entered without a reservation for two people. If you wait, you may be able to get a seat, especially during early hours, but having a reservation is more reliable. The restaurant can be a bit lively due to live music performances inside. We ordered the Mao Xue Wang and grilled fish. It's spicy even at medium level, so be careful. The offal inside is especially delicious.

A restaurant where you can feel like you're traveling in China! The interior has a unique atmosphere not found in Japanese restaurants, and there is also karaoke. As soon as you enter, a spicy smell hits you... I love spicy food so I was excited. The spicy white fish hot pot had 3 levels of spiciness to choose from. I chose medium spiciness, but it wasn't that spicy... It had a strong flavor of Sichuan pepper though. The frog stir-fry was spicier. I thought the milk bun would be sweet like custard, but it wasn't very sweet so my craving for something sweet was not satisfied... There was a cheese-like item with not much flavor in it. The frying was crispy and delicious though. The menu has Japanese translations but it may be hard for Japanese people to understand, so it might be easier if you go with someone who understands Chinese.

I made a reservation for lunch on Sunday. When I ordered the set meal, it came with a salad buffet. There was a time limit of 1 hour. Today, there were four of us, and we shared the set meals we ordered. The taste of the salad buffet was not great, and they were slow to replenish the dishes. It was disappointing for customers like me who were looking forward to the buffet. The taste and portion of the set meal were good! It was authentic Chinese cuisine. Highly recommended! This restaurant is very popular, so it's better to make a reservation in advance.

It feels like being in China on a trip. About 90% of the customers are Chinese, and Chinese language is heard everywhere. The set meal comes with a rice and side dish buffet, so you can eat until you're full. (I ate too much and now I feel uncomfortable...) The staff is also friendly and the interior is stylish with a sense of cleanliness! I will definitely come back again.

The vibrant neon lights are exciting, and most of the enthusiastic customers at this authentic Chinese restaurant are from China. The taste is just like local popular eateries, delicious and full of MSG. You can feel the energetic vibe of modern China, making it a fun experience.

A Twitter user who introduces authentic Chinese cuisine mentioned this place. It has its main branch in Ikebukuro and several other branches in Tokyo. The user highlighted the lunch set, but my wife ordered various dishes. The lunch set usually includes egg, mochi, cold dishes with offal, soup, rice, and dessert for under 1000 yen. The flavors reflect modern Chinese cuisine. China now has a growing middle class with more spending power on food, leading to a variety of restaurants offering Western ingredients, cooking techniques, and knowledge. This evolution is similar to the rise of chain restaurants in Japan in the 80s and 90s. Traditional Chinese flavors and ingredients are changing, influenced by this trend. However, it's not about using luxury ingredients or claiming expertise from a few years of studying in China. The restaurant's design is also reminiscent of the 80s and 90s neon-heavy, vivid color schemes.

【Spicy Yellow Stewed Catfish】Fluffy white fish (catfish?) and crispy fried skin go perfectly with the soup. With potatoes, mushrooms, cilantro, and chicken feet on the side, it's a hearty dish suitable for a large group meal. 【Bell Pepper, Century Egg, and Braised Pork Rice Bowl】A dish where bell peppers, century eggs, and braised pork are mixed together (done by the staff) before eating. The moist rice, soaked in the flavors of the ingredients, was so delicious that I couldn't help but have multiple servings. 【Spicy Braised Pork Brain】Eating pork brain may require some courage, but it turns out softer and smoother than mapo tofu. The key to creating authentic Sichuan cuisine is to generously add fragrant spices to the spicy stir-fried beef. 【Black Sugar Sauce Konjac Jelly】A Sichuan traditional dessert similar to agar, perfect for cooling down after spicy dishes. Topped with dried fruits and peanuts, it offers a fun texture. 【Crispy Fried Milk】Fried pastry filled with custard cream. As a dessert, it may lack a bit of sweetness, so adding honey would be a nice touch. The order of serving dishes being dessert ▶ main course ▶ fish was quite unusual, but other than that, there were no particular issues to mention regarding the food and service.

On a Monday during lunchtime, a Chinese restaurant located on the 7th floor of a building near Ueno Hirokoji, which also houses a karaoke facility. The restaurant has a strong Chinese atmosphere in terms of decor, and the majority of customers are of Chinese descent. The menu can be ordered using a tablet on the table, with options in both Chinese and Japanese. The menu is somewhat limited, with mostly dishes for larger groups that are relatively expensive. Desserts often sell out, and there are few options for noodles and rice dishes. I ordered the Fish Fragrant Pork Set Meal for 880 yen. The main dish arrived after a while, and rice, soup, and small side dishes were self-service. The Fish Fragrant Pork dish had sliced leeks and shredded wood ear mushrooms, with a good level of spiciness. The white rice served in a large portion went well with the dish. The side dishes included what seemed to be pig ears with a strong spicy flavor, boiled egg, cut spring rolls, and almond jelly. Overall, the meal had a decent cost-performance ratio, although more menu variety like the Ikebukuro branch would be appreciated. It's a good place to enjoy the atmosphere with a large group of people.

I heard that a Sichuan restaurant from Ikebukuro opened a branch in Ueno, so I decided to visit. I was torn between ordering crayfish or frog, but to my surprise, they had a lunch menu available! The lunch set included a buffet style with rice, three side dishes, boiled egg, soup, and dessert (almond jelly) for less than 1,000 yen. I immediately decided on the lunch set. I tried the spicy simmered white fish, and it was delicious just as I had hoped. Both restaurants offer affordable dinner menus, but the lunch sets are even cheaper. As a side note, there was a sign at the buffet area saying "for lunch set customers only." I always wonder why customers who order from the regular menu can't enjoy the buffet too.

Recently, there has been a transformation on Ueno Hirokoji. Among the towering buildings, there is a rumored restaurant that specializes in serving "frog". One day, I bravely visited for the first time. There are two types of frogs, "牛蛙 (Niwa)" and "田雞 (Tianji)", with the latter resembling our "本朝 (Wagakuni)" green frog. The texture of the frog meat is delicate and the taste is more like "魨 (Fugu)" than "雞 (Chicken)". The skin attached is recommended. The atmosphere is full of exotic charm, and the view is dazzling. I ordered "孜然牛蛙 (Spicy Frog)" and various side dishes. The total cost was 2332 yen. The dishes were delicious, especially the "孜然牛蛙 (Spicy Frog)". The dish consisted of frog legs seasoned with spicy spices. The combination of flavors was delightful. Overall, the experience was unique and satisfying.

At Sichuan Pepper Tavern in Ueno Hirokoji, I ordered Sichuan-style spicy crayfish, spicy diced chicken, and pickled vegetable fish. The restaurant, located on the 7th floor of a new building on Ueno Hirokoji, has a modern Chinese interior that gets you excited as soon as you step off the elevator. The ordering system using tablet devices adds to the Chinese vibe. The dishes I ordered, including the classic spicy diced chicken and pickled vegetable fish, were flavorful and reasonably priced. While authentic Sichuan cuisine is known for being very spicy, the dishes here were more approachable in terms of spiciness. It's great to see that we can now enjoy delicious crayfish dishes at a reasonable price in Japan.

Category: [Tokyo] Chinese/Taiwanese This week, I am refraining from going to Izu and staying in Tokyo. I am not very familiar with how to enjoy Tokyo, but the area between Ueno and Okachimachi continues to evolve into an increasingly attractive Chinese-like town. The Szechuan-style restaurant, Sajiao Xiaojiuguan Ueno branch, is not exactly a Chinatown, but it feels more like being in China. It's fun to visit a place that feels like China without even needing a passport, just by taking the Ginza Line from Shibuya. The spicy grilled catfish with homemade black bean tofu for 2980 yen is served in a large pot that is unbelievably huge for the price. The service provided by the super beautiful waitress, who is half Japanese and half Chinese, was excellent. The crispy and fragrant grilled catfish with its thick and fluffy white meat is a delicious idea that Japanese people wouldn't think of. It's so delicious. I mean, it's grilled fish! The homemade black bean tofu is a new sensation, and the potatoes and lotus roots are not just supporting roles. When I write about this, I sometimes receive comments worrying only about the spiciness rather than the deliciousness. Don't worry, I think it's okay. If it's too spicy, just wash it down. The sesame sauce senmai for 980 yen is thick and delicious, but the portion was unexpectedly large, so I had to take more than half of it home. The Szechuan-style simmered frog in a spicy broth for 1980 yen reminds me of the frog I ate in Chengdu...I don't think it's losing out much. The soup with a tangy flavor contains several types of chili peppers, and the frog meat is plump. The restaurant in Chengdu made my body have a severe reaction due to the spiciness, and I could only hear a ringing in my ears, but this dish is not that spicy. With generous use of garlic and Szechuan peppercorns, this luxurious dish is offered at this price. The service spirit in China is truly endless. It's been a while since I spent a weekend in Tokyo, but experiences like this make me realize how amazing Tokyo is.

Finally, the frog dishes were delicious. I ordered frog stew, spicy chicken, and sliced pork with chili peppers. It was a truly authentic Chinese meal, although they didn't have the dry pot like the one in the Ikebukuro branch. The spiciness was similar to the mild level preferred by customers in Zigong. It was really spicy!