So it should come as no surprise that there is great Japanese food to
be had here. And while countless budget options are available, if you
really want a good meal, plan on spending some money. Mediocrity abounds
in Tianzifang, but the quaint little noodle house Akurah is one of the
few places in the gentrified longtang that's worth a visit. It
specializes in udon, a thick noodle made from wheat flour, and offers it
in a variety of styles: soup, stir-fried and then there is our
favorite, the zaru udon which is chilled and served over a bamboo basket
with a light soy sauce - simple, elegant, delicious.
Spend
enough time in Shanghai and you're bound to consume an
all-you-can-eat-teppanyaki. Most of them range from mediocre to
downright awful. Gintei, however, is one of the better in town. RMB 180
gets you unlimited helpings of katsu, sushi, stirfry and sashimi, washed
down with all the beer and sake you can drink. It's perhaps not the
most memorable dining experience in town (in fact after six sake bombs,
you may forget some of it), but it's a sweet deal.
Slick, sexy
and immensely popular, Haiku by Hatsune might be accused of
Californicating their menu with cutesy sushi creations like the
'Moto-roll-ah' or the '1-1-9 roll', but the quality is there
nonetheless, especially when compared to the countless all-you-can-eat
sushi slop buckets in town. Legendary up-market Japanese chain Nadaman
has its Shanghai home in the Shangri La, Pudong Hotel. The specialty
here is kaiseki, the Japanese equivalent of a multi-course prix fixe
menu. Some may find Nadaman's staunchly traditional style somewhat
uninspired, but we say that's part of the appeal. Expect floppingly
fresh fish, flawless presentation, and an ambiance that verges on
satori.
Sun with Aqua is everything you'd expect in a Bund
restaurant: posh, glamorous and a tad flashy. The ingredients are super
fresh and expertly prepared, the sake menu is encyclopedic and the
service is spot on. Just be sure to come with a full wallet. This is,
after all, the Bund. Don't let the food court setting fool you, Sushi An
is the real deal. Behind the counter, three chefs meticulously mash,
slice, twist and roll everything to order. Every request is met with a
friendly "hai!", a smile and a bow.
The menu features a
comprehensive list of fresh nigiri and sashimi, and refreshingly
gimmick-free makis. It's all pure and simple. What's more, this place
really isn't that expensive. Provided you don't splurge on the toro or
their fine sakes, two people can expect to have a filling meal for two
for roughly RMB 350 - remember, we're talking sushi here. The
microscopic Sushi Oyama sushi bar is like nothing else in the city.
Everything about it, from the gracious Kimono- clad hostess to the
mismatched clay sake cups, exudes simple, exquisite elegance.