After living there for over four years, I consider myself quite particular about my Japanese food, especially when it comes to sushi. I was thrilled to come to Shanghai because there’s a large population of Japanese expats and so, I figured, some darn good eating. I was right.
OK, I have yet to find a replica of my favorite izakaya or Tokyo sushi bar. But I’ve found authentic California-Japanese, authentic Chinese-Japanese and authentic cheap after-work salaryman Japanese. Anyway, if you’re craving some sushi, a tonkatsu or a bowl of miso soup, here are some excellent choices for you while in Shanghai. Itadakimasu!
1. The Ultimate - Nadaman at the Shangri-La
Beautiful surroundings underscore beautiful food presented beautifully. Pretend you’re in Tokyo for a night – the prices are pretending they’re in Tokyo too. Expect melt-in-your-mouth sushi, light and crispy tempura and marvelous teppanyaki. The menu is not terribly interesting – but it has all the classics that western lovers of Japanese food enjoy.Reservations: tel 021 5888 3768
Address: 2F, Tower 2, 33 Fu Cheng Road, Pudong Shangri-La Hotel (Nadaman’s sushi bar is on the first floor)
Open: Mon-Fri 12-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm; Sa/Su 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm
Kids? Older, well-behaved? Yes. Little and squirmy? Maybe not.
2. California Dreaming – Haiku by Hatsune
When there’s cream cheese on the menu, you know you’re in a California-Japanese establishment. Haiku is hands-down the best casual Japanese in the city. Excellent sushi (amazing rolls, try the Moto-roll-ah or the Clayton), great entrees (LOVE the grilled mackerel) and delicious veggies. The service is a little s-l-o-w so go with the flow. Make sure you’ve got enough Kirin to last you the night.Must-have reservations: tel 021 6445 0021
Address: 28B Taojiang Road (near Hengshan Road)
Open: Daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10:30pm
Kids? No problem (mine loves the mackerel and the big picture of Daruma on the wall)
3. Supercool – Shintori Null II
We were taken to Shintori when I first visited Shanghai in 2003 and I thought, if all the restaurants are like this, I can definitely live here. Set back off Julu Road, you wouldn’t know it’s there unless you did. Walk through a bamboo forest and step inside a gaping warehouse-like space. The sushi is fab, the rest of the menu is a bit avant-garde and Japanese with a Chinese twist. It’s definitely an experience.Advance booking: tel 021 5404 5252
Address: 803 Julu Road, near Fumin Road
Open: M-F 5:30-10:30pm, Sa/Su 11:30am-2pm, 5-11pm
Kids? Older, well-behaved? Yes. Little and squirmy? Maybe not.
4. Our Little Secret - Ninsei
It doesn’t advertise in all the expat magazines so it remains a little unknown to the English speaking universe, but Ninsei is a gem. Their lunch sets are a great value – for about US$6 you have a main dish along with miso soup, rice, pickles, veggies and other treats brought to you in typical Japanese style on a tray with everything nicely separated in wee dishes. It’s great for kids too, just ask for one of their private rooms and let the kids jump around.Telephone: 021 6471 2888
Address: 125 Nanchang Road, near Maoming Road
Open: Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm. Bar 10pm-2am (4am on weekends)
Kids? Definitely.
5. Old Reliable - Itoya
Itoya is a chain of Japanese restaurants with outlets all over. You can expect: good food, their menu is extensive and if you have a Japanese favorite, it’s on there, good value and about three Japanese-shrieking-irrashaimase! waitresses to every customer. It’s a favorite of Japanese salary-men so you’ll likely see some red-faced sake drinkers watching sumo on the flat screen.- 3F, 381 Huaihai Zhong Road, Daily 11am-11pm
- 6F, Metro City, 1111 Zhaojiabang Road, Daily 10am-11pm
- 1F Kerry Center, 1515 Nanjing West Road (near Tongren Road), Daily 11am-11pm
- 24 Ruijin Er Road, Daily 11am-11pm
- Kids? Ask for a private room.
6. Japanese on the Bund – Sun with Aqua
Sun with Aqua is definitely a place to go when you’re having a night on the town – you want to be on the Bund and you’re in the mood for Japanese. The stunning aquariums are worth a stop in even if just for a drink.Telephone: 021 6339 2779
Address: 2F, 6 on the Bund, Zhongshan Dong Yi Road
Open: Daily 11am-2pm, 6-10pm
Kids? Well…in my humble opinion, swanky restaurants on the Bund are no place for fidgety toddlers (I know, I’ve got one) but if they’re sleeping nicely in the pram or old enough to behave themselves, then go for it.
7. When You Just Can't Have Enough – Wuminosachi
It goes against everything I stand for: there just shouldn’t be such a thing as “all you can eat sushi”. In Shanghai, there’s a plethora of all-you-can-eat & drink (US$15) Japanese restaurants. Wuminosachi is one of the better of these types of establishments but do keep in mind, you get what you pay for.- 206 Huayuanshiqiao Road (near Dongtai Road), Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10:30pm
- B1 Lippo Plaza, 222 Huaihai Zhong Road, Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10:30pm
- 169 Xinle Road (near Donghu Road), Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10:30pm
- 2890 Yan’an Xi road (near Hongxu Road), Daily 5:30-11pm
- Kids? Not a problem.
