黄色のたぬき
Xifuji is a Chinese restaurant located in Shinjuku Ichome. It was founded by the late Wang Hui Ren, known as a master of Shanghai cuisine. The dishes, which bring out the flavor of the ingredients, have impressed many food enthusiasts and produced renowned chefs. Currently, Wang Sanwa (his daughter) has inherited the original taste and manages the restaurant. It opened in 1995. The name "Xifuji" means "the one who creates happiness." Previously, the restaurant only operated at night, but now they also offer affordable lunch options. It is about a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Station, exit 2. Walk in the opposite direction of Shinjuku Gyoen and turn right at the 4th block onto Hanazono Street, then take the 2nd block on the left. It is on the 1st floor of a slightly old building located diagonally across from Hanazono Elementary School. While the exterior may be a bit worn, it has an elegant appearance. During my lunch visit, the lunch menu was displayed outside, creating an inviting atmosphere. The interior is a clean space with a white-based color scheme. It is not too spacious or cramped, and only table seats are available. The distance between neighboring seats is wide. There were 3 groups of customers already seated and 2 more arrived after. The service was friendly and polite. The lunch menu includes the following items (prices include tax) with a salad: • Hainan Donburi (1,200 yen) • Paikou Donburi (1,200 yen) • Meat-topped fried rice (1,200 yen) • Spicy Yakisoba (1,200 yen) • Mapo Tofu & Rice (1,000 yen) • Chef's Curry (1,200 yen) Limited quantity side dishes (+440 yen ~), desserts (+550 yen ~), and various drinks are also available. I ordered the following: • Spicy Yakisoba (1,200 yen) The order came with Chinese tea. I chose cold tea instead of hot. The salad included lettuce, cabbage, and fried wonton skin with a Chinese-style dressing. The vegetables were nicely chilled, and the wonton skin was fragrant. The Spicy Yakisoba consisted of spicy minced meat and vegetables (cabbage, carrots) stir-fried with noodles. It was topped with a fried egg and cilantro. The vegetable ratio to noodles was high, resembling homemade yakisoba. The vegetables were well stir-fried and tasted delicious. It's a great way to supplement the lack of vegetables often found in dining out. The noodles were thin, and the spiciness of the minced meat made it appetizing. I crushed the fried egg halfway through to mix with the noodles, and towards the end, I sprinkled chili vinegar for a flavor change. The addition of spiciness and acidity enhanced the taste. The portion size was appropriate, but some might find it a bit small. Although the taste was good, it felt like a staff meal elevated to a lunch dish. Considering the variety and ingredients, the prices felt slightly high. I spent about 30 minutes there, and the atmosphere was pleasant. The true charm of this place is in the evenings. If given the opportunity, I would visit with friends to try the signature dishes like "Tomato and Egg Stir-fry" and "Anise Sauce Fried Horse Mackerel."