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The place I visited at night is right along a major street, just outside Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express line. It's really right there. However, if you come from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro, it takes about 10 minutes. The Metro's Asakusa Station and the Tsukuba Express's Asakusa Station are quite different, like Kamata Station and Keikyu Kamata Station. Seriously, I thought I would get there right away from Asakusa Station and almost ended up being late because of a little misunderstanding, haha.
Upon entering, it's a Chinese restaurant, but it has a somewhat Western or French restaurant-like atmosphere. It's stylish. I ordered the regular course for 7,000 yen and the spring rolls with soft-shelled turtle (special order) for 3,500 yen. Here are my impressions of what I ate:
1. **Century Egg Tofu (Pi Dan Tofu):** This was the first appetizer, and it looked vibrant and definitely had a French appearance. When I tried it, the mousse indeed had a tofu-like texture, and the saltiness of the century egg laid underneath complemented it well. It was not just visually appealing; it was a genuinely delicious appetizer.
2. **Mozzarella Cheese and Spear Squid with Zha Cai:** The spear squid was flavorful, and the Zha Cai (pickled mustard plant stems) and cheese were delicious. A fantastic appetizer. The Christmas tree decoration added a welcoming touch!
3. **Yodare Chicken (Drooling Chicken):** Moist chicken breast with plenty of spice and a slightly spicy sauce drizzled elegantly. The delicacy exuded sophistication and, of course, was delicious!
4. **Cabbage Spring Rolls with Karasumi (Bottarga):** The sweetness of the cabbage inside the spring rolls was distinct and delicious, enhanced by the saltiness of the karasumi powder. Elegant and delicious!
5. **Soft-Shelled Turtle Spring Rolls (Special Order):** I saw in the reviews that these spring rolls are a specialty of the restaurant, so I added them to my order! Indeed, when you bite into the spring rolls, you can feel the chunks of soft-shelled turtle! The flavor is a bit mysterious, and it's an experience that's hard to describe... It's special, for sure! (Laughs)
6. **Crab Tamago (Crab and Egg):** Again, refined! You can distinctly taste the egg and crab. Crab tends to give a luxurious feeling, and when it's generously included, it feels high-class!
7. **Stir-Fried Black Wagyu Beef:** This was incredibly delicious! After receiving gentle appetizers, this dish with the richness of Wagyu beef and a bold sauce is truly outstanding! The balance of mushrooms and vegetables is also excellent. I need rice! (Laughs)
8. **Shingen Chicken Steamed Soup:** Gentle soup. The subtle saltiness brought out with ham and chicken is sophisticated and tasty! It doesn't feel like typical Chinese cuisine; it's refined.
9. **Tantanmen without Broth:** Tantanmen with a strong aroma of sansho pepper! A punchy flavor. If they serve this for lunch alone, it could make the place popular!
In total, after having two drinks, it cost around 10,000 yen. There aren't many opportunities to eat such a fashionable and sophisticated Chinese cuisine, so it was a good experience. If you want to taste a Chinese dish with a French flair, definitely try it!