SUNWAY — Restaurant in Wanhua District

A Feast Worth the Wait: A Japanese Eatery That Delivers In the world of Japanese cuisine, some places become so popular they develop a lore of their own. This particular eatery, known for its exceptional food and legendary queues, is one such place. Be prepared to invest some time, as a one to three-hour wait is the norm, a testament to the incredible demand. But let me assure you: for those with the patience to endure, a culinary experience awaits that is more than worth the anticipation.

The moment you finally step inside, the waiting melts away, replaced by the bustling energy of a truly great restaurant. The staff, whom our notes affectionately dub "big sisters," are the heart of the operation. Their customer service is exceptional; they are welcoming, friendly, and possess a warm, efficient charm that makes you feel right at home. Despite the constant rush, the service is surprisingly fast and attentive, ensuring that once you are seated, your culinary journey begins without delay.

Now, for the main event: the food. The portions here are nothing short of humongous, making every dish an adventure in itself and perfect for sharing. The sashimi is a true highlight; each slice is a marvel of freshness and size, with a quality that speaks to the restaurant’s commitment to premium ingredients.

The salmon and roe rice bowl is a masterpiece of flavors and textures, a harmonious blend of silky salmon and the briny pop of glistening roe. The scallop skewers were cooked to perfection, a testament to the kitchen's precision, while the chicken karaage was a delightful contrast, featuring a golden, crispy exterior that gave way to a perfectly juicy interior. A fantastic bonus is the free-flow miso soup, a simple but deeply comforting offering that adds to the overall sense of value.

While the majority of the menu shines, a few dishes didn't quite reach the same high standard. The seafood porridge, for instance, was noted as being a bit "mid" or average, lacking the standout quality of the other plates. Similarly, the clam with luffa was a decent dish, though the luffa was served in large chunks, a preparation that might not appeal to everyone and is a matter of personal preference.

Verdict:

Despite a few minor stumbles, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit for anyone craving high-quality Japanese food with incredibly generous portions. While the queue is a significant hurdle, the payoff in flavor, freshness, and value is immense. This is highly recommended for both locals and tourists who are willing to trade a bit of waiting time for an unforgettable meal, a truly authentic experience, and some of the friendliest service...

This is another restaurant where my thought on rating vacillated between 3 and 4 stars. Ultimately I decided that the level didn't reach 4 stars during my visit.

The quantity in the combination sashimi was generous. That said, one could argue the slices were too thick. There are certain guidelines to follow with respect to preparing sashimi with the appropriate thickness being key to the feel when a diner bites into a piece. This place, on the other hand, appears to subscribe to the mantra 'thicker is better'.

Another shortcoming was there were only three varieties of fish in the combination which is way too limited. All other places that serve combination sashimi provide at least four different varieties if not more.

The salmon pieces in the sashimi were pretty good but the tuna pieces lacked flavor. The sword fish pieces were just average.

The broth covered rice with salmon was interesting. It is a dish that I never had before so the novelty along with decent flavor won it 3 stars.

The clam soup was worthy of 4 stars as the main ingredient was fresh, cooked just right, with proper seasoning.

The grilled mackerel was not bad although not outstanding by any stretch.

The shrimp hand roll was not as good as it could be as the main ingredient, shrimp, was overcooked.

In summary, I would not object to going back but would not plan a...

Fresh Salmon Fried Rice ($180): Last time having this was still in my childhood era, so it’s giving me a feeling of nostalgia. The salmon was cut, processed and fried perfectly, which didn’t taste too greasy or contain any bones.

Salmon Belly Sashimi (Small: $300, Large: $480): I ordered the small portion one and it had already satisfied my appetite. It’s of the freshest, fattiest, and tastiest salmon sashimi I’ve ever had, especially dipped with the soy sauce.

Furthermore, mineral water and canned drinks cost $20 for each. There are also special beverages you can order, which come from their own drink store next door. that you can order in the restaurant.

In conclusion, this is no doubt a wonderful place for salmon lovers like me. On the other hand, the restaurant is filled with customers on Wednesday even some foreigners; as a matter of fact, I waited for nearly a quarter and you might take a seat with other groups. The prices are moderate and the service is nice and efficient. Speaking of the transportation, it took about 10 minutes to walk from the MRT station exit 1 (Ximen). Overall, it’s definitely a 10 out of 10!

FYI, you write down the names and amounts of the dishes you want on the pink blank sheet and give it to the staff to place the order. Another key thing is that no 10% service charge is included...