Local Hot Wind in June 2023/Saeki Restaurant: Chinese Cabbage and Dried Tofu♡ The strong aroma of coriander hits you, with the crunchy texture of Chinese cabbage and the chewy texture of dried tofu creating a delightful combination. The slightly spicy flavor makes it perfect for wine pairing. Fried Bullfrog♡ Bullfrog delivered alive from Tateyama, Chiba. The fact that it's not chicken is what makes it unique to Saeki Restaurant. The crispy fried coating is light and crunchy, while the meat is tender and flavorful, leaving a long-lasting umami taste. Boiled Dumplings♡ As soon as it's served, the aroma of coriander hits you. The skin is extremely chewy, and the shrimp filling bounces in your mouth. Pork Belly Char Siu♡ The aroma of classic Chinese cuisine hits you even before you take a bite. The sweet honey glaze on the surface, combined with the tender texture of the pork belly, releases a burst of umami with every bite. Megicari and Coriander Omelette♡ The firm omelette contrasts beautifully with the fluffy Megicari, creating a delicious blend of flavors. Pickled Mustard Greens and Tofu Stew♡ With Mr. Saeki's recommendation of "It goes well with rice," there is no reason not to order rice. Unlike Mapo Tofu, this dish is not spicy but bursting with umami that pairs perfectly with rice, making it incredibly delicious. Stir-Fried White Hollow Stem Vegetable with Fermented Tofu♡ The perfect crunchy texture of the stem and the soft texture of the leaves, combined with the smooth fermented tofu, create a delicious harmony of flavors. Herbal Steamed Chicken♡ Steamed in a large steamer, the Kumano Jidori chicken is marinated in a flavorful broth before being hung up. The skin is tender and trembling, while the meat is juicy and flavorful. Pouring the chicken and green onion-infused broth over rice creates an unstoppable combination. Lotus Leaf Fried Rice♡ The fried rice is cooked in a wok and then steamed in a steamer wrapped in lotus leaf. When served, the refreshing aroma of the lotus leaf fills the air. The fluffy fried rice, moistened by steaming, combined with the fragrance of the lotus leaf, is incredibly delicious. Dan Dan Noodles♡ The Hong Kong-style noodles have a satisfying chewiness, with a light sesame flavor in the Dan Dan sauce. After finishing the noodles, Mr. Saeki recommended adding rice to the remaining sauce, which turned out to be even more delicious than the noodles. Cashew Nut Ice Cream♡ Cashew nuts are mixed into the Shaoxing wine ice cream, creating a fragrant and sweet dessert that you'll want to eat in a bowl. It has been three years since I last visited Saeki Restaurant in Meguro. Since its opening in April 2019, the owner and chef, Yutaro Saeki, has been running the restaurant single-handedly, from cooking to serving customers. The clean kitchen exudes a local charm, and the dishes created there are simple yet delicious, without any misses. There are no flashy luxury ingredients, as customers are not seeking that, but rather the dishes made by Saeki using the ingredients available that day, enjoyed with Georgia wine. The relaxed atmosphere without any pretense is what makes Saeki Restaurant so great. However, as much as the wine and other drinks were enjoyable, the rice soaked in the sauce was simply too delicious. I look forward to being invited by kind-hearted individuals. The drinks I enjoyed tonight: Doremi Tibaani 2020, Damien Menut Gamay, Ishikura Gate 12 years.

Saeki Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant that skillfully handles gentle seasoning and spices, has become notoriously difficult to reserve since its opening. Located about a 10-minute walk from Meguro Station, between Ebisu, the restaurant features a long, narrow exterior with a white wall, a wooden door with a glass window displaying the restaurant's name. Inside, there are counter seats in the front and a table for one group in the back, with a neatly maintained kitchen right in front of the counter. Chef Saeki, who trained at famous restaurants like Chin Chin Rou and Akasaka Rikyu, has traveled around the world, constantly updating his cuisine. Despite being a one-man operation, he efficiently prepares dishes for up to 12 people. The dishes are perfectly seasoned with a gentle flavor and skillful use of herbs and spices, offering a unique Chinese dining experience. With drinks included, the bill was surprisingly satisfying for a price in the ten-thousand yen range. - Fermented Chili Octopus and Celery: Enjoy the texture and aroma of celery with the richness of octopus enhanced by the fermentation of chili. - Soft-shell Turtle and Mushroom Spring Rolls: A delicious combination of soft-shell turtle umami and the moist texture of mushrooms wrapped in crispy spring roll pastry. - Soft-shell Turtle and Superior Broth Soup: A refined soup with a gentle flavor, showcasing the richness of soft-shell turtle and meat. - Char Siu and Chicken Broth Rice: Moist and tender char siu with just the right amount of sweetness, paired perfectly with fragrant jasmine rice. - Kyue Garlic: Kyue with a flavorful garlic and soy sauce-based seasoning. - Kumano Jidori Chicken Stir-fry: Bouncy and juicy Kumano Jidori chicken. - Hiyuna and Century Egg Stir-fry: Soft and delicious Hiyuna cooked in a rich and flavorful century egg sauce. - Ankake Fried Rice: Fried rice with a crispy jasmine rice base, topped with chicken, char siu, shrimp, vegetables, and a flavorful ankake sauce. - Pickled Mustard Greens and Winter Melon Ramen: Elegant and flavorful ramen with pickled mustard greens and winter melon. - Coconut Pudding and Shine Muscat: A delightful dessert to end the meal. Although reservations are hard to come by, I would love to try other dishes on the menu as well!

- Fermented chili peppers with octopus and celery - Spring rolls with softshell turtle and mushrooms - Softshell turtle and shark fin soup - Char siu and chicken broth rice - Nine-section garlic - Stir-fried local chicken - Stir-fried century egg with bitter melon - Revival fried rice - Mustard greens and winter melon ramen - Coconut pudding and Shine Muscat grapes

Category: [Tokyo] Chinese/Taiwanese This is my 17th time making a reservation here since the opening, and every time I have been able to reserve the entire counter. Saeki Restaurant offers dishes such as octopus and celery, sizzling soup with mushrooms, beer, boiled dumplings, orange wine, simmered tiger prawns, herbal steamed chicken, Kumano free-range chicken, century egg with pickled ginger, braised pork belly with winter melon, fried rice with sauce, noodle dish with sizzling soup, and pumpkin coconut tapioca. I might be able to come back one more time before the end of the year.

Saeki Restaurant is always a delight to visit. I have been there many times, and each time the dishes are different. I am impressed by Saeki's skill in creating such varied dishes without using expensive ingredients. While the restaurant has a Hong Kong vibe, there is more to it than just that. Saeki's amazing talent comes from his experience traveling the world and adding various skills to his cooking. This sets him apart from others. It is a rare gem in Tokyo that I always look forward to visiting. I will definitely continue to dine there in the future!

Saeki Ryotei, which quickly became a popular and difficult-to-reserve restaurant since its opening, was luckily recommended by a regular customer. Located somewhere between Ebisu and Meguro, it is closer to Meguro, about a 7-8 minute walk away. The restaurant mainly has counter seats, with one table seat in the back. The chef, Mr. Saeki, is from "Rakki", known for natural wines and authentic Hong Kong cuisine. Therefore, here you can enjoy natural wines and locally-inspired dishes. The dishes we had included octopus and potato salad, water dumplings, steamed crab and shellfish, Hong Kong-style steamed red grouper, additional rice, chicken stir-fry in a clay pot, Hong Kong-style spare ribs, stir-fried water spinach and century egg, shrimp miso fried rice, pork and mustard green noodle soup, coconut pudding with pear. Every dish was amazing! The octopus salad set a high standard, the water dumplings had a chewy skin, the red grouper was tender and flavorful, the chicken was firm and flavorful, and the ingredients used were clearly of high quality. The water spinach and century egg paired perfectly, the shrimp miso fried rice was flavorful and light, and the noodle soup was a perfect finish to the meal. It's almost like a miracle that the chef can create so many dishes by himself. He travels to Hong Kong every month to source ingredients and dine, showcasing his passion for exploration in his delicious dishes. I can now understand why people come here every month. I look forward to being invited back by a regular customer again in the future.

"SaeKi Ryokan" Chinese cuisine - Tokyo Meguro-----------------------Tabelog 4.20 price 15,000-20,000Nearest station Meguro StationReservation Difficulties Tabelog SILVER BRONZE Top 100 Restaurants-----------------------SaeKi RyokanOpened in April 2019, "SaeKi Ryokan" became a popular restaurant with difficult reservations as soon as it opened. It is located in a residential area about a 10-minute walk from Meguro Station towards Ebisu. The restaurant has 6-7 counter seats and one table, making it a small establishment. After training at Shinjuku Mitsui Building's "Hinshinro," "Fukurinmon Sakuya Osaka," and "Akasaka Rigyoku," the chef honed their skills in Chinese and Hong Kong cuisine through a working holiday program. I personally prefer Sichuan Chinese cuisine, but I also thought Cantonese Chinese cuisine was good. Most importantly, eating this much and drinking wine like crazy at such an unbelievably low price in Tokyo was amazing. The cost performance was outstanding. I definitely want to visit again. #SaeKi Ryokan #Chinese #China #Reservation Difficulties #Reservation Difficulties Restaurant #Tabelog #Gourmet #Connect with people who love gourmet #Minato-ku #Chinese cuisine #Meguro #Japanese restaurant #Sake #Ebisu #Nakameguro #Shibuya #Omotesando #Aoyama #Harajuku #Hiroo #Daikanyama #Hibiya #Azabu #Ginza #Tokyo #Orthodontics #Invisalign #orthogourmet

Saeki restaurant this time was really delicious! The quail tempura was so good, I couldn't stop eating. The pig's ear had a nice crunch with cilantro, very tasty. And this Me-hikari! I devoured it from head to bone! It was so delicious (^^) Fried dishes, grilled dishes, and the finale were all top-notch!

Saeki Restaurant, after about a year. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a pleasant aroma of spices. The unique use of spices here is addictive, as always. And considering the amount of alcohol served at this price, it's no wonder this place continues to be popular. [June 2023 Chef's Selection] ★ Tripe and Celery with Cilantro ★ Frog and Zucchini Fritters ★ Water Dumplings ★ Meihikari and Cilantro Omelette ★ Kensaki Squid and Chinese Vegetables Stir-Fry ★ Chinese Kai-lan and Tofu Stew ★ Special Spare Ribs ★ Lotus Fried Rice ★ White Soup Noodles ★ Dan Dan Noodles ★ Shaoxing Wine Ice Cream (drink) ★ Hong Kong Beer (small bottle) ★ Georgian Orange Wine ★ Shaoxing Wine Total: Approximately 18,000 yen per person.

Choosing one dish from the extensive menu can be quite difficult, but my recommendation is the special mapo tofu. The perfect balance of spiciness and deliciousness makes it a truly blissful dish. The attentive service from the staff is also pleasant, and the warmth of this restaurant that I feel every time I visit keeps me coming back. The time spent enjoying the food feels like it's standing still, and there are always new discoveries every time I visit. My experience at Saeki Restaurant has made my food journey richer and more enjoyable.

Tabelog SILVER 2023. Tabelog Top 100 Restaurants 2023. Originally from 傳. Trained at Kijinrou, Akasaka Rikyu, also in Hong Kong. Works solo. Doesn't use high-end ingredients, but excels in bringing out and enhancing flavors in simple, unadorned dishes. Many dishes are meant to be shared among diners. Tonight, the Megikari fritters, char siu, quail tempura, and tantanmen were all outstanding.

Category: [Tokyo] Chinese/Taiwanese This blog will not include any reviews or opinions as usual. It's been 3 and a half months since I last visited Saeki Restaurant. Today's menu includes: - Steamed dried tofu with Hikari salt - Firefly squid chawanmushi - Stir-fried squid with satay sauce - Rice with pork and chives - Quail egg soup with glass noodles - Beef vermicelli - Dessert Today we had 5 bottles of wine. Next time will be around summer.

①You can't get in without a reservation. ②You have to arrive exactly at 18:30. ③Leave it all to the chef. This time, I was taken by a regular customer and enjoyed the meal at the counter. Summary: ①Perfect balance of saltiness, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and umami. ②You'll be quite full. ③Unique Chinese cuisine that was all delicious. Truly amazing. I want to go again, so I'll ask the regular customer. Thank you for the meal.

- Order Details - Assorted new potatoes and dried tofu Fritters with crab and tofu in clear soup Chawanmushi with firefly squid Pork belly with fermented tofu Stir-fried celery and snap peas with XO sauce Stir-fried conger eel with black bean sauce Quail and lotus root stir-fried rice Ankake yakisoba Coconut Total: 17,000 yen.

I was invited by a regular customer to Saeki Restaurant in Meguro, Tokyo, which is less than a 10-minute walk from Meguro Station. It has been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants, and this year it has also received the Tabelog Silver Award. This time, I had the seasonal omakase course at the counter seat. Despite being a one-person operation, the service was efficient, and the authentic Chinese cuisine was adapted to be more familiar to Japanese taste. The appetizers with coriander and fried tofu were delicious with my preferred seasoning. The food was impeccable, but personally, I wish the ambiance was a bit more comfortable. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

We were lucky to be invited by a friend to the hard-to-book Saeki Ryokan, and five of us visited. The dishes were wild yet delicate, all delicious and gone in no time. Even when full, we couldn't help but eat more. The deep-fried chicken wings with shrimp paste were amazing, and the fried rice was excellent. The craft beer from Hong Kong was easy to drink and delicious, and the wine was also great.

I was invited to a popular restaurant that is hard to get a reservation at, and visited Saeki Restaurant for the first time. The interior of the restaurant is small, and they only offer set menus! The fact that the owner manages to handle a full house by themselves is amazing! Even though it's Chinese cuisine, it doesn't feel greasy at all, and all the dishes are elegant and delicious. It's hard to put into words, but everything that comes out is delicious! The concept of Chinese cuisine completely changed for me at Saeki Restaurant. And apparently, the course menu changes every time! Their repertoire is impressive. Since it's hard to get a reservation, if I have the chance to go again, I would definitely revisit this restaurant. It was incredibly delicious. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

"Sae Ki Hotel," which opened in 2019 and quickly became fully booked, is my favorite Chinese restaurant. Located in a residential area about a 10-minute walk from Meguro Station towards Ebisu. The kitchen is always sparkling clean, a sign of delicious food. The chef handles over 10 guests single-handedly while maintaining this level of cleanliness, which is no easy task. We started with a toast with craft beer from Hong Kong, followed by a bottle of white wine and a bottle of red wine, so we drank quite a bit. I usually don't like to pair wine with Japanese or Chinese cuisine, but strangely enough, it fits perfectly with the dishes at this restaurant. The chef quickly starts seasoning as soon as the guests are seated. Unlike high-end hotel Chinese restaurants that often use pre-made appetizers, this restaurant is truly exceptional. The crispy lotus root with flavorful dried meat is a great appetizer. The freshly fried spring rolls were so hot they could almost catch fire. They were filled with plenty of mushrooms, making them juicy and delicious. The turnip and Chinese cabbage soup was surprisingly complex and delicious, with the addition of oysters adding to the rich flavor. The Azuki Hata fish, which was unfamiliar to me, was firm and juicy, paired perfectly with the sauce. The Cantonese cabbage stir-fried with garlic was a simple yet satisfying dish. The tofu dish with Ham Yu and dried shrimp was a complex and delightful combination of flavors. The pork belly burger was savory and well-seasoned, with plenty of vegetables. The Kumano Jidori chicken was cooked simply and deliciously. The pickled vegetable fried rice, soup, and tofu dish all had deep and complex flavors. Even though these dishes were simple, they were incredibly delicious. I also tried the dan dan noodles, which had a swirling and delicious soup. The meal ended with a pumpkin coconut pudding and Shaoxing wine-flavored ice cream. After enjoying all these dishes and drinks, the bill came to around 20,000 yen per person. Throughout the meal, I felt a sense of enlightenment and everything felt natural and effortless. The restaurant attracts a sophisticated crowd, making it a necessary establishment for me, beyond the realm of personal preferences."