I heard that the spiciest cuisine in China is not from Sichuan, but from Hunan. I'm not good with spicy food, but after reading the reviews of this restaurant, I felt like trying it. It's located on the 4th floor of a mixed-use building in Kabukicho 1st street. Other floors have some shady shops, so I went straight to the 4th floor. I mentioned that I was dining alone, and they seated me at a table for two. There were a lot of people speaking Chinese around me, probably 80% were Chinese. It seems that the owner, Mr. Li, is from Hunan, as he recommends Chairman Mao's braised pork with posters. But then I saw a photo of him with Jackie Chan. I ordered the saliva chicken and Hunan fried rice. I was actually fine with water, but I decided to contribute to their sales by ordering a drink. It was some kind of fruit tea, not as unsweet as I expected. I should have gone with oolong tea. The visual presentation of the saliva chicken was stunning! It really whets your appetite. A generous amount of chicken on a bed of bean sprouts, topped with cilantro. The spiciness was mild but the flavor was amazing. It was too much for one person. The Hunan fried rice had a lot of oil, and as I kept eating, my stomach couldn't handle it. It was delicious, though. The spiciness was there, but not overpowering, just like the saliva chicken.

Lunch at a highly rated restaurant called Konan Sakan in Shinjuku, listed on Tabelog. It's located in a shady mixed building in Kabukicho. Despite the difficult location, it was crowded with Chinese students. This must mean the food is delicious. The lunch menu was a bit pricier than expected, but not too expensive. Maybe that's the norm now. There were few staff members, so customers had to get their own menus and place orders directly in the kitchen. It felt like a club without the host. I ordered the mouth-watering chicken lunch set for 1000 yen. It was oily and looked appetizing! Surprisingly, it wasn't too spicy. It had plenty of chicken and included bean sprouts. The pickled string beans were a nice touch, giving it a Chinese flavor. It reminded me of the sour taste found in rice noodles. The oil was so tasty that I felt like I could just eat it with rice, but I resisted. I forgot my wallet, but luckily I could pay with PayPay (confirmed upon entering the restaurant).

Located on the 3rd floor of a building in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, is "Konan Sakan," a Chinese restaurant. The building is surrounded by adult entertainment shops, making it quite intimidating to enter. But that's Kabukicho for you. Inside, the atmosphere is just like being in a local spot. Although I've never been to China, it reminds me of Asian Chinese restaurants, like in Taiwan. The staff insists on saying "I don't understand Japanese" no matter what you say. It's fine, adds to the atmosphere. But if you're working right in the heart of Japan, at least learn some basic Japanese... I ordered Mapo Tofu and Koushinsai. The tofu was soft and silky, with no greasiness, and the spice level was just right. It had a nice numbing sensation, but for those who love extremely spicy food, it might feel a bit lacking. I was hoping for a spicier Mapo Tofu, but the taste was gentle and likely to appeal to everyone. The Koushinsai with a strong garlic flavor was crunchy and a good side dish. Although the restaurant is of Chinese origin, the taste leans slightly towards Japanese. Dining in such a unique place gives you a sense of being on a trip. Thank you for the meal.

Most of the people here are Chinese. If you don't like spicy food, there may be many dishes that are not suitable for you... Hunan cuisine is either sour or spicy. The potato salad is sour, and the lunch menu is recommended as it is cheap. You can have unlimited rice refills with the lunch menu. You have to ask for the lunch menu yourself, or it won't be served. The boiled fish is excellent. It costs only 1300 yen for lunch, which is a great deal. It's great that they have Hoppy available.

Met up with an old friend in Kabukicho for a meal. The location was chosen for us, and it's a famous restaurant, but the place is a bit cramped. It had a cozy feel, with locals popping in and out quickly. We snacked on fried peanuts and had beer followed by Shaoxing wine. For food, we had "Mao Zedong's favorite" Hunan-style braised pork belly and "a representative dish of Hunan cuisine" luxurious steamed fish head (description from the restaurant's website). The portions were generous, and we were already full just from these dishes. I wish we had ordered fried rice too. With drinks and food, the bill came to 8,910 yen, which was quite reasonable. Truly a great dining experience, thanks to Chef Li Xiaomu.

The atmosphere was a bit scary, but once inside, there were only locals! It was an authentic restaurant. I'm not good with spicy food, but the delicious spiciness was just right for me. Among the dishes I tried, I think my favorite was the mapo tofu. Everything I ate was delicious, so I would like to visit this restaurant again if I have the chance. I tried eating turtle for the first time, but it was still too early for me... It's said to be good for nourishing the body!

After leaving Shinjuku Gyoen, we stopped by a Hunan cuisine specialty restaurant located in Shinjuku Nishiguchi, owned by Lee Saemok, who is also running for election. ★ Sanlar Kanae Fish Stew - White fish simmered to a soft and collagen-rich texture. The soup is not only spicy but also has a multi-layered milky texture with the numbness of Sichuan pepper and the acidity of pickled greens, making it a perfect match with white rice. ★ Hunan-style Stir-fried Pork, Bell Pepper, and Egg - A classic dish with crispy fried pork belly, bell peppers, paprika, and eggs, all cooked in a spicy and aromatic sauce. ★ 2 Soft Drinks ★ Rice The bill came to 4,600 yen for two people, which is not bad in terms of cost performance.

I mistakenly thought that there was a restaurant called Yukien in Shinjuku from a long time ago. This restaurant is actually owned by Li Xiaomu, who is from Hunan Province, and it is a popular spot for Chinese customers. The chef handles everything alone, from cooking to serving and billing, so it may not be suitable for those who are short on time. The lunch water-boiled fish, made with cod, is delicious. It is a spicy soup dish. The Kung Pao Chicken and Hot and Sour Soup that I ordered were relatively ordinary. It is best to ask the chef not to make the dishes too spicy. I also recommend watching Li Xiaomu's YouTube videos. You can learn a lot about his way of life.

Ma Po Tofu Set Meal 900 yen, Fried Bread 350 yen Today, I suddenly felt like eating Ma Po Tofu, so I went to "Hunan Restaurant." I haven't been around Kabukicho much, so I got a little lost before arriving. There were no other customers at 12:30. The restaurant is on the 4th floor of a building, and the stairs are steep, so be careful. When I opened the menu, I couldn't find the lunch menu listed, but when I asked the staff, they handed it to me, so I felt relieved and ordered the Ma Po Tofu set meal. My friend ordered the fried bread, but something came up, so I ended up enjoying it myself. <Ma Po Tofu> The Ma Po Tofu that was brought to me had a huge portion. It seems like it could be shared between two people. Despite its appearance, the spiciness and numbness were not too strong, perhaps adjusted to suit the Japanese palate. The oil is not separated, making it easy to eat. It goes well with rice, but for those who want something spicy, it may not be satisfying enough. <Fried Bread> I had no intention of eating this, but when I heard fried bread, it sounded nostalgic. As expected, the fried bread is coated with sugar. The taste is gentler than expected, and the bread is quite chewy. It has a homey taste that warms the heart. It is cut for easy eating and seems suitable for sharing.

Located on the 4th floor of a suspicious building. When I went around 2 pm, there was no one inside the restaurant. As I went further back, the chef greeted me. I was in the mood for saliva chicken, so I was very satisfied. The spiciness was moderate and just right.

I decided to have lunch a little early before taking care of some errands. The restaurant was located on the 4th floor of a building, so I took the elevator up. When the doors opened, I found myself in the entrance area, but it was a bit confusing - the place seemed both open and closed at the same time. I hesitated a bit at the entrance, but when I called out, a staff member who didn't speak much Japanese appeared and gestured that they were open for business. Phew! I was handed the lunch menu and realized that all the dishes were red! It turned out to be a Szechuan cuisine restaurant. I decided to go for the classic dish, the "saliva chicken set meal" priced at 1000 yen. Despite the initial uncertainty, the food arrived within minutes. The presentation of the saliva chicken was different from what I had tried before - the slices were extremely thin, almost like noodles. The portion of rice was generous, and I managed to finish it all thanks to the spicy flavor of the chicken. The side dishes included a boiled egg and strangely, Fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables) - but I let that slide. The seaweed soup had a clear and delicious taste. The food was incredibly tasty, and the prices were reasonable. The only downside for me was the staff's demeanor, which was quite different from what I'm used to in Japan - they seemed indifferent and left me to my own devices. It reminded me of the local eateries I visited during business trips to Dalian and Shanghai. The restaurant had a very authentic Chinese atmosphere, which was quite an interesting experience in Shinjuku.

- Mapo tofu set meal ¥900 including tax Less than 5 minutes walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. This Chinese restaurant is located right near the entrance of Kabukicho Ichibangai. I've heard that their Chinese drinks are good. Also, their mapo tofu. I usually go for lunch, so I went to try their mapo tofu. It was a weekday lunchtime. No customers when I arrived, only one group came after me. Well, that's understandable. It's a restaurant located on the upper floor of a suspicious building, so not many people would approach it during the day. The interior has only about four 4-person tables, so the capacity is low. There was only one staff member who also worked in the kitchen. Serving the dishes involved quite a bit of walking, so it seemed tough. It was good that there were few customers. There were several lunch menu options, but I had already decided on the mapo tofu. As expected of a Chinese restaurant, the time from ordering to serving was quick. Let's dig in. [Mapo tofu set meal] Plenty of red chili peppers. The mapo tofu was rich in oil. In authentic Chinese cuisine, mapo tofu is known for its spiciness and the numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns, but the mapo tofu here was more subtle in its numbing effect. The soft tofu and the minced meat that releases umami when chewed were a nice combination. The rice in the bowl may not be much, but it was a pretty good amount. However, the delicious mapo tofu made it easy to finish it all in one go. The rice was on the firmer, drier side. It came with seaweed soup and a boiled egg cut in half. The boiled egg, seasoned with star anise like in other Chinese restaurants, was peeled for convenience, which I thought was nice. Despite having high ratings on Tabelog and high expectations, the conclusion is that it was just decently delicious. Thank you for the meal.

The drooling chicken set meal was delicious. Recommended for those who like spicy food. There are many other spicy menu options to choose from, so it's great for those who love spicy food! I was impressed by the fact that one staff member handles all the orders and operations with great determination. It's a shame that they don't accept credit cards.

Today, I went to a Chinese restaurant in Kabukicho, which has high ratings, so I had high expectations. I took the elevator in a mixed-use building in Kabukicho and entered the restaurant. It was so quiet and there were hardly any customers, I wondered if they were open. A staff member eventually came and said they were open. Given the current situation, I understand, but it was a bit surprising. I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken. The Kung Pao Chicken itself was okay, but the rice was a bit yellowed and honestly not very tasty. It was a bit disappointing overall.

I found a sign saying "Hunan cuisine" right by the entrance of Kabukicho. It's in a building that looks very Kabukicho-like (^_^;) The menu is handwritten and they have set meals at the same prices (#^.^#). It seems to be on the 4th floor, so I took the elevator. The entrance says "Authentic cuisine from Hunan Province, China - a vivid match of Chinese herbal medicine and chili!" The interior of the restaurant is very flashy and red! The lunch menu has the words "spicy and hot" on it... I don't do well with really spicy food, so I went with the tomato and egg stir-fry set meal for 900 yen. Oh, they also have Lu Rou Fan? Isn't that Taiwanese? The food arrived in 10 minutes, and as expected, it wasn't too spicy (^o^) The cucumber, tomato, and wood ear mushroom stir-fry was a nice dish to have with rice. There was another customer who seemed to have ordered something really spicy... Maybe the sign wasn't lying after all (*^_^*)

I have used this restaurant for lunch several times, but this was my first time visiting at night. We were a group of four, so we made a reservation. Thank you for providing a private room (I didn't know they had private rooms). The food is delicious in every way. I don't need to say much, it's really delicious, so please visit first. I will visit again.

I learned how to order in advance at the restaurant "During lunchtime, there are only one or two staff members, so they seem busy. If no one comes out, feel free to look at the menu and once you've decided, go straight to the kitchen. Even if you say "Excuse me!" they may be too busy cooking alone to respond, so just go ahead and enter. The staff members may not be very fluent in Japanese, but they are all nice and have lovely smiles. Just point to the menu item you want and you'll be fine." I followed these instructions and ordered the "Shuizhu Yu" that I fell in love with during my business trip to China. It arrived in 5 minutes. The taste was exactly as I remembered it! It was filled with plenty of fish chunks and I was delighted! The lunch set came with Oolong tea, spicy pickled beans, and salted eggs as side dishes. The two side dishes were both salty, which may not suit everyone's taste, but I liked them. The Oolong tea was also good as it was not diluted. Service may vary depending on the person, but the taste is authentic. On the day I visited, a Chinese customer was helping translate for the staff who did not understand Japanese, including an Uber Eats driver. It was heartwarming.

For lunch, I was planning to go to Kawakan in Shinjuku, but they were closed for the weekend. So, I ended up going to my second choice, a Hunan cuisine restaurant called Konan Saikan in a suspicious mixed-use building. I usually try something other than mapo tofu, but since it's their specialty, I had to give it a try. And it turned out to be a great choice! The taste was fresh and different from the Sichuan cuisine I've been having lately. The Hunan-style mapo tofu was not too spicy, with a gentle and silky texture. The tofu was outstanding, not like the usual silky tofu in mapo tofu dishes. The flavor was rich but not overpowering, which was a pleasant surprise. The skillful use of spiciness typical of Hunan cuisine was also impressive. I would definitely love to come back for more. As for the side dish, they served a unique salted duck egg, which was a bit salty but a nice change of pace. This restaurant also offers water-cooked beef and water-cooked fish for lunch, so I'll have to try those next time. Overall, it was a satisfying meal that brightened up my gloomy day caused by the rainy weather. #lunch #Chinese #Chinese cuisine #Hunan cuisine #mapo tofu #mapo tofu set meal #Shinjuku gourmet #Shinjuku lunch #Kabukicho gourmet #foodie #food photography #yummy #delish #gourmet #gastronomy #Japan #Tokyo #Asian style.

I wanted to eat something spicy, so I went to have dinner and ordered Hunan-style spicy pig's feet, fish soup (I forgot the name), Hunan fried rice, and braised pork. Everything was delicious! The balance of spiciness was perfect! The fish soup had cilantro, pickled mustard greens, and a bit of glass noodles, and the flavor was addictive. The fish was tender and the braised pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with crispy skin on the pork belly. I would definitely want to come back for these two dishes! ★

It feels like there is deliciousness within the spiciness. Mapo tofu is bright red, but it's not as spicy as it looks, and the umami flavor stands out. Similarly, saliva chicken has a moist texture and a perfect balance of spiciness, sourness, and umami that makes it irresistible with rice. I feel the depth of Chinese cuisine.