shinn679
I haven't visited this restaurant in about 9 years since 2014, probably the 4th time overall. The reason for not coming here often is simply because it's expensive (laughs). However, I have recently become a fan of Peking duck and I want to try the Peking duck at this top-tier restaurant in the China Hotel group. After checking the menu, I found that there are courses that are not as expensive as I feared, starting from a 6600 yen course for Peking duck. Moreover, when I called, they said that for an additional fee of 1500 yen per person, I could have the Peking duck for one person, which made me decide to challenge it for lunch on Sunday. By the way, the China Hotel Roppongi store and the nearby affiliated store, Ziyulan, do not offer courses for one person.
Access:
Located right near Azabu-Juban Station, the entire 8-story building is probably all part of the Fuliwa restaurant.
Interior:
I was seated on the first floor. It was much larger than I remembered, and I felt a bit uneasy being seated right in the middle (laughs). Looking around at the walls, pillars, and ceiling, I noticed that wood and stone decorations were abundantly used, and all of them were finely detailed and luxurious. Even during the day, the dim lighting creates a moody atmosphere. The clientele ranged from elderly customers to solo diners like me and groups of women. It felt like a completely different atmosphere from my last visit, and I was in a daze (laughs). I remember that they used to have live performances of Chinese musical instruments in the past (laughs). From the conversations in Chinese coming from the back, it seems like most of the staff are Chinese. However, the service is impeccable, on par with international hotel standards. When I asked a female server who resembled a friend, Yukie Nakama, she mentioned that they had renovated the interior. That explains why it looks completely different from what I remembered. Although Tabelog states that the restaurant opened in 2013, the explanation mentioned that it actually opened in 2000. I first visited the restaurant when the Giants won the championship, and they held a celebration party here, which triggered my interest in the place (laughs).
Impressions:
Overall, every dish was delicious without any misses, just like the flawless taste of a French restaurant like Robuchon. While the restaurant mainly serves Cantonese cuisine, I noticed some dishes with a different flair. The reason is that they have hired chefs from Shanghai and Hong Kong, each working in separate kitchens! That explains a lot. Now, about the Peking duck... Visually, it was wrapped in thin pancakes, tightly rolled, and thin. The pancakes at Kyorinmon had a thicker, chewier impression. The cucumbers were not diced but sliced thickly like cucumbers, adding texture to the dish. The hoisin sauce was mild, creating a delicate harmony with the duck skin. Overall, it had a delicate feel to it. Personally, I prefer the impactful taste of the clay pot rice at Ginza Kyorinmon. Comparing the prices, the half duck a la carte here costs the same as the set course at 6600 yen. In terms of overall volume, it was sufficient even for a big eater like me. The fried rice at the end was quite a generous portion. I originally planned to visit L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon nearby, but I decided to head straight home.
In conclusion, I have no complaints, but I didn't experience the mind-blowing sensation like the clay pot rice at Ginza Kyorinmon. Next time, I'll try the recommended pan-fried dumplings from my Chinese friend on the a la carte menu.
Today's Special Lunch Course:
The course costs 13000 yen excluding tax, with an additional 1500 yen per person. No service charge.
1. Assorted appetizers:
- Pork belly with skin
- Honey-roasted pork
- Jellyfish head
- Century egg tofu
- Pickled Chinese cabbage
2. Colorful Hong Kong dim sum:
- Steamed vegetable dumplings
- Steamed shrimp dumplings
- Pork and shrimp shumai
3. Steamed soup with turban shell and shark fin:
As soon as I took a sip of the soup, it was incredibly delicious. A clear and flavorful soup.