ShanghaiTan — Restaurant in Vienna

We booked a Deluxe Valentine’s Day menu and expected a lot. We were seated at a table in the corner, allowing us to sit next to each other instead of on opposite sides. Couldn’t have wished for a better table! Shanghai Tan is very nicely decorated and the waiter that seated us was very friendly, so we were happy. The menu started with a lobster soup, which was good, but too salty and not creamy enough. The next dish was announced as steamed scallops, but there was 1 small (perfectly cooked) scallop per person, making the scallop more a decoration to a steamed tofu dish. The tofu didn’t have any taste, but the whole dish wasn’t bad because of the subtle flavor of the sauce. The main dish was surf and turf and again it was nice, but not great. The presentation was beautiful, but in the end it’s the quality of the food that counts. There was a very small quantity of beef and the meat had some hard ligament parts that we didn’t expect. And the shrimps were presented on what seemed to be raw glass noodles. Looked nice, but not eatable. And the desert was announced as a surprise for two, was a chocolate cheese cake in the form of a heart, but served so cold that is was more like ice cream. Taste was nice, though. With the menu came a drink (a very nice sparkling rose) but we told the restaurant in advance that one of us didn’t drink alcohol. They replied that it was no problem, but the waiter (a different one than the one that seated us) wasn’t aware of it. When we reminded him, we could choose any nonalcoholic drink, but when we chose something he brought something else. We had a 2 hour time slot, and with 15 minutes left we were asked to leave. All in all a bit of a disappointing experience. Terribly overpriced for what was offered. And that in a beautiful restaurant that normally serves very good food. We still had a very nice time in spite of the food/drinks/price, because we were...

I am Chinese, so probably I can judge. I think in general this is a cool place and I see why people like it, but I’ll also explain why I gave 3star.

What is good: the interior design and the resulting atmosphere. I learned that one of the owners is a visual artist, so I value his expertise and I sense the pleasantness and uniqueness he brings to this restaurant. The asian fusion style is also interesting, so that people could try all the food. From other reviews, it seems that they have good drinks, like cocktails, young people particularly like it. In summery, young local (western) people like it a lot. As a Chinese, I highly respect it, and I think more Chinese restaurant should do this way - pay attention to the vibe and drinks.

What is not so good: the taste of the food. At least for me, this is important. Whenever I go to a Asian/Chinese restaurant, I just wish to have good food that I will enjoy. I’ve been to several Chinese restaurant in Vienna already and this one is about average, or maybe slightly below. I also don’t drink cocktails, so sorry, I cannot appreciate it. I also find the fact that they have all types of asian food is wired - people know this is a Chinese restaurant, nobody really expects sushi or pho here. In terms of the price, it is a bit overpriced.

Verdict: this is a great innovation to present Chinese food to the westerns, and it is no doubt a successful business. As a Chinese (maybe biased), however, think it is okay, but I will possibly...

Went in with a high expectations, went out kinda dissapointed. Spent 100 EUR on two, but satisfaction is less than from Spar/Billa sushi.

The problem is this restaraunt which is supposed to be specialised on the maki sushi doesn't know how to make maki sushi! I haven't seen anything like this anywhere, I visited sushi in different countries, but those ones... It's something hilarious.

I ordered 3 different rolls, and they were breaking literally just by looking at them. I was not able to grab them with any approach, this is a first time with me like this... I have had a piece of rice at the sticks, fish fell off somewhere on the table, avocado is left on the plate. Nice. I was not able to realise what's the actual taste of the roll since it parted out itself.

I also thought they are not sliced on 8, but they are, but they stick back to each other... I have never suffered that much from the sushi, I had to grab fork which is nonsense. I eat with the chop sticks for 20 years...

I would suggest to check how to do rice for the sushi on the YouTube instead of claiming you are the best restaraunt in the city. There are way better sushi...