The teppanyaki taste test
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Various teppanyaki dishes on display. Photos: CFP and IC |
A stroll down Hengshan Road of an evening could have residents thinking they had been transported to the Land of the Rising Sun. Japanese favorite Haiku by Hatsune is quickly followed by the famous grill Kagen Teppanyaki and the relatively new Kappo Yu is within a stone's throw of both. And over in Gubei, the area's large Japanese community guarantees there's even a greater choice of eateries for homesick expats. It's estimated there are more than 60 Japansese restaurants in Gubei alone.
Teppanyaki grill, as one of the best known Japanese styles of cooking, is often confused with hibachi barbecue grill, which uses charcoal and an open grate design. Modern teppanyaki grill commonly uses a propane-heated flat surface grill.
The Global Times sought out some of the best teppenyaki dining experiences in Shanghai where half the enjoyment is watching the chef prepare everything from scratch.
Kagen Teppanyaki
Their all-you-can-eat menu starts from 230 yuan ($34)per person and includes lamb chops and king prawns; while the 400-yuan all-in menu will also get you foie gras, Kobe beef and scallops. The foie gras with beef wrap and the oyster dishes are regarded as the house specialty.
Kagen's chef skillfully flambés and slices tender cuts of selected seafood and meats. The beef is either sliced so wafer thin it is almost transparent, or cut into cubes - as are all the vegetables and mushrooms.
It's a typical teppanyaki way of preparing that makes sure the seasoning gets thoroughly mixed into the food, and at the same time, doesn't take the meat, fish and vegetables long to cook.
The sashimi here is very fresh, and there is absolutely no hint of it having been frozen and then defrosted.
The sliced beef is beautifully marbled which helps to nourish the lean meat in the process of cooking. We recommend first-time visitors try the king prawn and Kobe beef, which tastes great even with minimum seasoning.
Add: 28 Taojiang Road, close to Hengshan Road
Tel: 6433-3232
Price: 230 yuan per person
Hong Zhuang Teppanyaki
The service and interior decoration at Hong Zhuang doesn't immediately inspire confidence in guests. In fact, it appears a very un-Japanese set-up with poorly trained staff and a very noisy and hectic working atmosphere.
Thankfully, the food is good enough to compensate. The all-you-can-eat set menu for dinner rose in price three times over the past two years, from 138 yuan per person then, to 180 yuan now. But the result justifies price hikes.
In front of guests, the chef cuts and prepares everything from chopping vegetables to deveining the king prawns. But the two best reasons to go are the "flaming banana," and the 35-yuan lunch set deal.
When ordering the banana, make sure you ask for a portion of chocolate or vanilla flavor ice cream, as a contrast of flavors to go with this amazing dessert.
The 35-yuan lunch set includes a choice of two dishes from the following four: garlic squid, teppanyaki-style salmon, cod and king prawn. They are all accompanied by teppanyaki vegetables.
Add: 70 Donghu Road, close to Huaihai Road Middle
Tel: 5466-1669
Price: 180 yuan per person for dinner, 35 yuan per person for lunch
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