HIGH YAKI 烧肉居酒屋 — Restaurant in Shanghai

Visited in November 2024. China. Shanghai.

Navigating Shanghai's culinary landscape without knowing Mandarin and relying solely on Google Maps can be challenging. Discovering this izakaya-style Japanese restaurant was, therefore, a fortunate stroke of luck. The dimly lit interior, featuring a stylish bar and limited seating, creates an intimate and sophisticated ambiance.

The Food:

We opted for a selection of small plates to maximize our tasting experience. The sashimi, a modern interpretation of the classic dish, was a delightful departure. The scallop with sea urchin caviar on top a crisp, tempura-fried shiso leaf was delicate and refreshing, though the uni's flavor was somewhat understated. Next, the otoro tuna with scallop and truffle on a crispy base was a masterpiece; the richness of the tuna played beautifully against the delicate scallop, the earthy truffle providing a sophisticated counterpoint. The textural interplay was superb—luxurious, smooth, and yielding. The Wagyu beef with foie gras was similarly well-balanced, the richness of the meat perfectly complementing the sweetness and fattiness of the foie gras.

The Wagyu beef sandō, however, was slightly less impressive. The meat, though tender, lacked the depth of flavor we anticipated, with the savory notes being somewhat subdued. The richness typically associated with Wagyu was also less pronounced. The standout dish, and arguably the highlight of the meal, were the black cod spring rolls. The cod was exceptionally succulent, with a characteristically sweet fat, and the thin, crisp wrapper provided a wonderful textural contrast.

Service:

The fact that some servers spoke English—a rare find in Shanghai—suggests a degree of catering to a tourist clientele. Nonetheless, the service was both friendly and efficient.

Conclusion:

This izakaya offers a superb dining experience. The small-plates format allowed us to sample a wide range of dishes and flavors, creating a thoroughly enjoyable meal. The quality of the food was consistently high, showcasing a deep understanding of Japanese culinary traditions. They also operate the SKY HIGH YAKI restaurant in a different part of Shanghai; I highly recommend both...

The atmosphere and food were great. Staff were very attentive and had great knowledge on the menu when you asked questions. The Yaki curry with onsen egg was my personal favourite. The prices are relatively high, but you are getting what you pay for, so I think it's...

Nous avons adoré notre dîner chez High Yaki. C’est un restaurant gastronomique fusion.

La décoration est élégante et contemporaine. Nous étions placés en comptoir, face à la cuisine ouverte. On a pu voir les chefs cuisiner.

La cuisine était excellente et très bien présenté. Nous avons adoré tout ce que nous avons mangé, c’était un régal.

Le service et le personnel étaient très accueillant et de...