[Where To Eat:] Five Must-Try Japanese Restaurants in Shanghai

Shanghai's Gubei area, teeming with Japanese businesses and expatriates, offers a rich selection of izakayas, yakiniku houses, ramen shops, and curry houses, many of which have been favorites for over a decade. Additionally, near Jinyan Road in Pudong, a vibrant Japanese community thrives around a local school and residential area, providing a quieter alternative to the bustling Xianxia Road.

In the Changning District's Hongqiao Street, a cluster of long-established Japanese restaurants occupies an aging office building. Despite its dim and worn appearance, the building is a treasure trove of culinary delights, offering everything from savory dipping noodles and affordable yoshoku dishes to uniquely prepared yakiniku.

For those keen to dive into this culinary landscape, here are some top picks from Hills Shanghai, each offering a taste of Japan's rich flavors right in the heart of Shanghai.

 

1.Burasé————"Dr. Fish's Fresh Seafood Restaurant"

Business Hours: 17:30 - 03:00 (next day)
Address: 669 Xianxia Road
(1) Google Map      (2) Apple Map 

Featured Dishes:

• Sashimi: Expertly sliced fresh fish, served with the skin on for added texture, enjoyed with a sip of pure rice sake to enhance the umami flavors. 

• Toushimozukuri: A sophisticated preparation where the fish is quickly blanched, then chilled in ice water, offering a delightful contrast between the warm, tender interior and the crisp, cool exterior.

• Eel Rice: A pot of eel is cooked over an open flame right at your table, melding the rich flavors with the aromatic steam, creating a dish bursting with succulence and depth.

2.No. 9 - "Tokyo Love Story" Nagao Kanji's Hometown Drumstick!

Business Hours: 17:30 - 24:00
Address: 545 Anlong Road
(1) Google Map      (2) Apple Map

Featured Dishes:

• Sea Bream Rice: Delicately prepared sea bream sashimi layered over steaming hot rice with a rich golden egg yolk, gently seasoned with soy sauce, green onions, and mirin for a balanced flavor.

• Grilled Chicken Leg: Marinated with traditional spices from Kagawa Prefecture, grilled to achieve a golden, crispy exterior with a juicy interior, finished with a splash of hot oil that amplifies the savory richness.

• Grilled Chicken Liver: Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, this dish focuses on the natural flavors of the liver, grilling it to a perfect tenderness that melts in your mouth.

3.BISTROFIORE Meiina - This affordable little restaurant offers delicious dishes!

Business Hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:30 - 21:00
Addresses: 150 Jinyan Road, 55 Yili South Road
(1) Google Map      (2) Apple Map

Featured Dishes:

• Sukiyaki Pasta: Infused with the essence of sukiyaki, this pasta dish captures the heart of Japanese flavors in the form of a classic Italian dish, bringing a comforting warmth with every bite.

• Clam Pasta: Tender clams cooked with a unique blend of soy sauce and butter, enhanced with fresh shiso leaves, providing a creamy, umami-rich dish with subtle hints of herbal freshness.

• Grilled Bread with Mentaiko Sauce: A crispy, warm baguette slathered in a thick layer of spicy mentaiko sauce, providing a rich and umami-packed crunch that's both indulgent and satisfying.

4.Hitokushi Nyuukon - A Jazz-Style Yakitori Bar with the Soul of Grilled Skewers

Business Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 23:30
Address: 286 Jinyan Road
(1) Google Map      (2) Apple Map

Featured Dishes:

• Pork Belly with Mentaiko-filled Lotus Root: A creative skewer where juicy pork belly wraps around lotus root filled with mentaiko, grilled to a perfect char, offering a burst of flavors with each bite.

• Grilled Chicken Tail: This unique cut is grilled to a crisp finish, providing a crunchy texture outside while retaining a juicy, fatty flavor that enriches the palate.
• Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms: These mushrooms are grilled until they reach a perfect texture, chewy yet tender, and are served with a special miso sauce that deepens their natural earthiness with a savory twist.

5.Inadatadashi - Affordable and Consistently Delicious Western-style Izakaya

Business Hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 24:00

Address: Unit 4, 2nd Floor, Block C, New Century Plaza, 48 Xingyi Road

(1) Google Map      (2) Apple Map

Featured Dishes:

• Mixed Plate Set: Offering a hearty combination of hamburger steak and tartar sauce fried shrimp, both prepared in generous XL portions to satisfy serious appetites.

• Cabbage Salad: A refreshing dish composed of thinly sliced cabbage topped with bonito flakes and salted seaweed, offering a crunchy texture and a burst of oceanic flavors.

• Miso Sauce Stir-Fried Beef Intestines: This bold dish features tender beef intestines stir-fried with a rich homemade miso sauce, paired with sautéed cabbage, onions, and mushrooms, creating a harmonious blend of savory flavors and textures.