Japanese food featuring the original taste of the food becomes more and more popular in China. It has three categories: Honzen Ryori, Kaiseki Ryori and Kaiseki Ryori (the latter two have the same pronunciation in Japanese).

Fresh seafood and vegetables are the main ingredients of Japanese dishes. Fish, shrimps and shellfish are frequently used. The seasoning of Japanese food is simple but distinctive, including sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, miso and kombu (Japanese kelp). The cooking techniques do not have many variations, just including braising, steaming, grilling and frying. However, the food is very tasty and nutritious. Besides, Japanese dishes usually have clear taste and delicate appearance, to some extent like China's Cantonese dishes.

Shanghai has a large number of Japanese restaurants offering pleasant surroundings, exquisite tableware and authentic Japanese dishes. The following are some of the typical Japanese foods and drinks for your reference:

Sashimi: Fresh fish flakes eaten with Japanese mustard paste and soy sauce.
Sushi: A common Japanese dish made of rice, pickles sashimi and laver flakes.
Tempura: A kind of fried dish made of seafood and vegetables covered with flour and egg paste.
Teppanyaki: A kind of grilled food cooked on teppan, an iron griddle.
Sake: This clear Japanese wine tastes like the yellow wine of Shaoxing in China's southeast Zhejiang Province.

 Recommended Japanese Restaurants:

 Karaku
Chinese name: 花乐 (huā lè)
Specialties: Through its over 150 years' history of development, Karaku has kept its special and delicate interior design, professional and considerate service as well as its authentic Japanese dishes. The tempura, fried goose liver and tea ice cream are highly recommended.
Address: inside Kong's Garden, House 4, No. 2421, Xietu Road, Xuhui District (near South Wanping Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 13:30, 17:00 - 21:30
Average cost per person: CNY 500 - 1000

 Yamazato
Chinese name: 山里 (shān lǐ)
Specialties: The quiet and elegant environment of Yamazato shows a typical Japanese style. The waitresses wearing kimonos offer excellent service. The dishes are also satisfying. You can try the tempura, sashimi, beef, sushi, Japanese pine fungus and tofu.
Address: 2F, Okura Garden Hotel, No. 58, South Maoming Road, Huangpu District (near Huaihai Road)
Operating hours: 6:30 - 9:30 (morning tea), 11:30 - 14:30, 17:30 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 500 - 800

 Ambrosia
Chinese name: 仙炙轩 (xiān zhì xuān)
Specialties: Just as the name suggests, Ambrosia offers very delicious food and drink, such as fresh beef, goose liver, grilled oxtongue, sashimi, beefsteak, salmon, grilled lobster, Tiramisu, Japanese sake and fruit tea. The comfortable environment also makes for pleasurable dining.
Address: No. 150, Fenyang Road, Xuhui District (near Taojiang Road)
Operating hours: 17:30 - 23:00 (on weekdays), 11:00 - 14:00, 17:30 - 23:00 (on weekends)
Average cost per person: CNY 400 - 900

 Nadaman
Chinese name: 滩万 (tān wàn)
Specialties: Nadaman is a high-class Japanese restaurant in Shanghai. The interior is designed like a Japanese garden. You can enjoy perfect service and tasty food if you don't mind the dining cost.
Address: 2F, Shangri-La Hotel, No. 33, Fucheng Road, Pudong New Area
Operating hours: 12:00 - 14:30, 18:00 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 500 - 800

 New Hama Teppanyaki
Chinese name: 新滨铁板烧 (xīn bīn tiě bǎn shāo)
Specialties: Located in a beautiful villa, this restaurant boasts the best teppanyaki in Shanghai. The Matsusaka beef is a must. Also, the lobster, grilled prawn, goose liver and beefsteak are worth trying.
Address: No. 2260, Hongqiao Road, Changning District (between Hongmei Road and Jianhe Road)
Operating hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 500 - 1000

 Sazanka
Chinese name: 山茶花铁板烧 (shān chá huā tiě bǎn shāo)
Specialties: Sazanka is famous for its teppanyaki.
Address: 33F, Okura Garden Hotel, No. 58, South Maoming Road, Huangpu District (near Huaihai Road)
Operating hours: 11:30 - 14:30, 17:30 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 800 - 1200

 Sun with Aqua
Chinese name: 东京和食 (dōng jīng hé shí)
Specialties: Black used as the main color of the interior decor makes the restaurant very elegant. Diners can see the chefs cooking at the open kitchen in the center. The tempura and salmon are recommended.
Address: 2F, No. 6, East Zhongshan 1st Road, Huangpu District (near Guangdong Road)
Operating hours: 11:30 - 14:30, 18:00 - 23:00 (to 3:00 the next day on weekends)
Average cost per person: CNY 300 - 600

 Shintori Null 2
Chinese name: 新都里无二 (xīn dū lǐ wú èr)
Specialties: This capacious restaurant seems to be rebuilt from a storehouse. It serves creative Japanese Kaiseki dishes, including sashimi, cheese shrimp scroll, grilled codfish and grilled beef.
Address: No. 803, Julu Road, Jing'an District (near Fumin Road)
Operating hours: 18:30 - 23:00 (on weekdays); 11:30 - 14:00, 18:30 - 23:00 (on weekends)
Average cost per person: CNY 200 - 400

 Itoya
Chinese name: 伊藤家 (yī téng jiā)
Specialties: This old Japanese restaurant has many branches in Shanghai. The recommended dishes include grilled eel, salmon, grilled oxtongue, tempura, hand-rolled sushi (Temakizushi), sashimi, echinus and tuna. Buffet dinner is available.
Operating hours: 11:30 - 23:00
Average cost per person: CNY 150 - 350

Metro City Branch: 5-6F, Metro City, No. 1111, Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District (near North Caoxi Road)
Central Plaza Branch: 3F, Central Plaza, No. 381, Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu District (near Madang Road)
Kerry Center Branch: 1F, Kerry Center, No. 1515, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District (near Tongren Road)

 Hanagatami
Chinese name: 花筐 (huā kuāng)
Specialties: Hanagatami offers fresh and delicate Japanese dishes. The sashimi and tempura are highly recommended. Buffet dinner is available.
Address: 2F, Portman Riz-Carlton Hotel, No. 1376, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District
Operating hours: 10:30 - 14:30, 17:30 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 400 - 800

 Shintaro
Chinese name: 新太郎 (xīn tài láng)
Specialties: Diners can order dishes or have buffet in Shintaro. Grilled eel, oyster, echinus, prawn and goose liver are worth trying.
Address: 2F, Four Seasons Hotel, No. 500, Weihai Road, Jing'an District (the intersection with Shimen 1st Road)
Operating hours: 18:00 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 200 - 400

 Xiao Nan Guo Japanese BBQ
Chinese name: 小南国日式烧烤 (xiǎo nán guó rì shì shāo kǎo)
Specialties: This restaurant features authentic Japanese barbeque. The tender and succulent oxtongue is a must try. The beefsteak, vegetable salad and hot pot noodles are also recommended. The service is attentive and satisfying.
Operating hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 23:00
Average cost per person: CNY 150 - 300

Pudong Branch:2F, Super Brand Mall, No. 168, West Lujiazui Road, Pudong New Area
Huangpu Branch: 3F, Jinjiang Tower, No. 161, Changle Road, Huangpu District (near Ruijin 1st Road)
Hongqiao Branch: No. 1848, Hongqiao Road, Changning District (near Hongxu Road)
Gubei Branch: Room 102 & 202, Jiaqi Building, No. 666, Gubei Road, Changning District (the intersection with Xianxia Road)

 Teppanyaki Kaka Tai
Chinese name: 河河亭铁板烧烤 (hé hé tíng tiě bǎn shāo kǎo)
Specialties: Teppanyaki set menus are offered, including typical Japanese teppanyaki food. The goose liver, beefsteak, Kobe beef, codfish, salmon, grilled eel and abalone are worth trying. The special offer at lunch time every day is cost-efficient.
Operating hours: 11:30 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 300 - 800

Middle Huaihai Road Branch: 3F, Shanghai Times Square, No. 99, Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu District
West Nanjing Road Branch: 5F, Meilongzhen Plaza, No. 1038, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District (near Jiangning Road)

 Julia Teppanyaki
Chinese name: 上雅铁板烧 (shàng yǎ tiě bǎn shāo)
Specialties: Julia is a high-class teppanyaki restaurant in Shanghai. The tender and succulent Matsusaka beef is extremely tasty with some French red wine. The goose liver, steamed egg, lobster, beefsteak, prawn, onion soup and mushroom soup are also delicious.
Operating hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:30 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 500 - 800

Xuhui Branch: No. 9, Lane 300, Dandong Road, Xuhui District (near North Caoxi Road)
Changning Branch: No. 851, Golden Avenue, Changning District (near South Shuicheng Road)

 Lian (Lotus)
Chinese name: 莲 (lián)
Specialties: Lian, meaning Lotus in Chinese, is decorated with lotus patterns. Buffer dinner is offered. Delicate dishes are quickly served one by one. Many of them taste delicious, including oxtongue braised in red wine, caramel pudding, codfish, beef, salmon, grilled eel, shellfish and various desserts.
Address: 1F, Warner Inn, No. 1978, Lianhua Road, Minhang District (near Yishan Road)
Operating hours: 11:00 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 100 - 200

 Ooedo
Chinese name: 大江户 (dà jiāng hù)
Specialties: Due to the pleasant environment and considerate service, diners feel at home when at Ooedo. To order or to have buffet dinner? Just try whatever you like! Various dishes are recommended such as grilled codfish, grilled eel, salmon, echinus, sashimi, shellfish, beef and tempura. There will be a discount if you telephone for reservations.
Operating hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:30 - 23:00
Average cost per person: CNY 200

Donghu Road Branch: No. 30, Donghu Road, Xuhui District (near Middle Huaihai Road)
Hongqiao Branch: No. 6, Lane 3717, Hongmei Road, Minhang District (near West Yan'an Road)

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