Garyubai Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Sendai

We found Garyubai while looking around the neighborhood of a place we were thinking of moving to. While we didn't end up moving to that area, we kept the restaurant in the back of our minds as the photos of the food served there looked so delicious. Well, I am glad we did because the food is incredible, and it is one of the few rare places that actually serves Kuro Subuta (black vinegar pork) in the Shanghai style. Not only do they serve the hard to find delicacy, but they also knock it out of the park. It is so delicious its almost indescribable - perfect in every way - from its deep black thick sauce to its crispy pork to the perfectly cooked onions. I love it!!

My family has been there twice now, with my wife and son both agreeing this place is top notch Chinese food. We orderd the gyoza twice now and wow, it so juicy and flavorful. My son commented, "Do they use a fire hose to fill them?" My wife got a thick dark mabodofu while my son got pan friend pork and eggs in a rich brown sauce and no one had any complaints. Only clean plates and full bellies.

The place is really small, but there are additional tables on the 2nd floor of the tiny little building. No wonder there was a line outside the first time we went to eat there (always a good sign!). You can tell this place is locally owned as it is decorated in the most fun way, with lots of little bits that show you the character of the owner/chef. Its quaint and fun, a little nostalgic, and very comfortable.

The owner and chef, Mr. Fujiwara, is a really cool guy if you get to talking with him. He looks real tough but is an absolutely friendly chap. You can easily tell he cares about his food and his customers from how hard he works and from the food he is consistently putting out. Oh, don't be surprised when the open kitchen on the other side of the counter lights up in a ball of fire every so often. He is not messing around when he cooks and he knows his craft well.

The staff are friendly and attentive, as you would expect. When they have a minute they laugh and joke with each other which is great to see as it humanizes them a lot instead of them being nothing more than unthinking serving robots. One time I ordered a coke (they don't serve coke though... only ginger ale 😭) so I got an oolong tea instead. Just as I finished it a staff member was there switching my empty up out for a water. Great!

[EDIT] Last thing I want to say that I really appreciate Fujiwara-san's ability to customize your order. I love extra onions with my subuta. "No problem!" My son didn't want mushrooms with his order "No problem!" It would be nice if a server could take the request and not have to ask the chef each time, but oh well, at least he's amenable to simple changes. Thank you!!

So yeah, I - we - love this place! It is well worth the 20 minute walk from Kita-Yobancho station on the Namboku Subway line. I hope you'll give it a try!

Attached Image "Kuro Subuta w/...

なんだがやたらと高評価されておりますが… 超高級有名店からB級から日常的に行っておりますがはっきり言ってわたくし的にはごめんなさい本当にかなり低評価です。理由は以下になります。まずコース料理まで設定のある料理屋にも関わらず注文後いきなりの伸び切ったサンラータンのラーメン到着、、、続いてエビラーメン、、、えっえっ？サイドメニューかなり頼んだよねぇ？一同唖然、、、しょうがなくラーメンを食べる。お腹いっぱいの所に鳥1羽揚げ、餃子12個や小籠包、辛い豆腐料理食べ比べなどのサイドメニューが続々と到着、、、腹一杯になった後のサイドメニューは拷問に近い。と言うより料理って出す順番があるでしょう？美味しく食べて欲しいって想いが微塵にも感じられない気遣いの無さも愛が感じられない。料理の内内容は以下である。サンラーあんかけ焼きそば→多分冷凍のチンかな？みたいな味でしかも焼きそばって書いてあるが一切焼いていない麺。唯の不味いサンラータン麺。1日10食限定の小籠包→多分冷凍のチンだろ？みたいな味。丸鳥1匹唐揚げ→肉質はパサパサで味無し(コレを最後まで食べるのは本当に辛いけど鳥の命を奪っているのでそこは辛くても絶対に完食する)海老味噌ラーメン→観光客相手で有名な札幌時計台の味噌ラーメンに似ている味つけと伸び切った麺。

仙台の方々へ….評価の基準値が低すぎです。 東京でもしこの店がある場合半年持たないですよ。出張で来てこのお店の評価への期待値が高かっただけにマジ悲しみ溢れる夜にな...

This place offer a large pannel of chinese specialities. You can have very spicy food ( i recommend the maabo tofu) or less spicy ones (i recommend the garlic chahan, and chijimi...