Sazenka

Must-Try Dishes in Tokyo, According to MICHELIN Guide Inspectors

"Sichuan sliced spicy garlic pork: Thinly sliced pork and eggplant arranged on a large celadon plate, replacing cucumber with eggplant in a bold presentation, evoking a sense of romance and imagination." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Chef Tomoya Kawada adopts the idea of ‘Chinese techniques infused with Japanese spirit’ he learned from history books. He holds that true flavour is found in the lightness of taste that comes from combining dishes cooked in water and over a flame, a triumph of Japanese spirit executed with Chinese skills. We couldn’t hide our amazement at how his dishes add a lightness to the five flavours in the Chinese concept of the five agents. Ingredients imbued with a Japanese spirit in Chinese cooking breathe new life into ancient culinary tradition." - Michelin Inspector

Sazenka

https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/the-list/11-20/sazenka.html

"Rank: #12 "Chef Tomoya Kawada cooks Chinese cuisine infused with a Japanese sensibility, rooted in the two countries’ shared culture of tea drinking. His elegant restaurant, located inside a former diplomat’s residence in Tokyo’s upmarket Minami-Azabu district, has just 12 seats, plus two private rooms."

Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2021: Japan

The World's 51-100 Best Restaurants 2021: Asia + Australia

"Rank: #75 "Landing at No.12 in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2021 only three years after the restaurant opened, Sazenka is famed for its Pan-Asian prowess in combining Chinese techniques and premium, seasonal Japanese ingredients."

Michelin Announces 2021 Stars for Tokyo, Japan - Eater

@eater

"Sazenka becomes the first Chinese restaurant in Tokyo to earn three Michelin stars. According to Michelin, the restaurant led by chef Tomoya Kawada 'combines traditional Chinese flavors with Japanese techniques.'" - Monica Burton

Lau Tina

Google

Japanese style Chinese food. Service crew was friendly. Volume was quite a lot to my surprise.

Alan Chun

Google

High standard of Chinese cuisine, Rice with hairy crab and white truffle is unbelievably great. This restaurant shows the right direction for Chinese cooking to move on

Andrew D

Google

Beautiful experience from a chef and staff that care about all the details. From being seated to the final tea and dessert the setting, service and meal are exquisite and overall calming. While mainly seasonal, the chef takes care to tailor to each customer - we learned how much he will change the menu later. There is less overt fanfare but still there are surprises across the 11 courses and 3 desserts - such as how they present the fish on a hot stone, bring Char siu to table on a small bbq grill, surprise with edamame stuffed Szechuan chicken wings presented in a huge bowl of chilis and spices, juxtapose cold and warm almond pudding. All are fairly traditional recipes but the approach is fun with subtle flair. It’s a bit more pricey even by 3 Michelin star standards, but you know going in.Extras like water push the limits too. With a less is more approach you are left wanting more, maybe expecting a little more overall but you leave satisfied and totally impressed with the skill and unique flavours. PS. Dress code is oddly managed. On their web site they say for men not to wear t-shirts, shorts, sandals. To match the ambience and style I would agree even though it was a 30 degrees … but then literally every male customer in the place was wearing t-shirts and/or shorts and/or flip flops! Make the policy clear as in this humid weather I would have loved to not have had to wear a full shirt, trousers and shoes/socks!

Rachaphon Wangtepanukhor

Google

I had to try the original Sazenka in Tokyo to see if it’s the same as the one back home in Bangkok. The answer is definitely yes. The ingredients over here are so much better.

Hongzhi Chen

Google

Needless to say, as a michelin level restaurant the course is well planned with the Japanese Chief's deep understanding of Chinese tea and food. The waitress was not just serving the dishes but also delighted our dinner with a relaxing experience. The dishes and tea combination, as the essence of Chinese food culture, came together and created amazingly lasting taste experience. Overall, the taste of the dishes is similar to Huaiyang Suisine, one of the Four Great Traditions in Chinese cuisine, which a little bit thin to me.

Space Man

Google

Lot of delicate and wonderful surprises to traditional Chinese dishes. Created by Japanese chef Kawada / Manager Hayashi. Asia's 50best. Wine pairing recommended.

John C

Google

Wonderful Chinese food with delicate touches. Highly recommended the tea pairing. Service is very attentive.

Navneet Singh Jandu

Google

Needless to say, super high-class Chinese food. The chef's flexible ideas, clever combinations, ways to utilize ingredients, and insatiable inquisitive spirit are what make this restaurant a three-star restaurant! ! How to make hot water, how to rehydrate pork, how to grill it, how to cook pigeons, how to pasteurize fish, etc. All of them are amazing. lol However, although it may be highly skilled and delicious, there was something so amazing about it that I couldn't appreciate the taste. . crying It's a taste of the world that I don't know about even if I'm just an ordinary food lover. . So, if you ask me if I'll go again, I won't. lol I want to enjoy food more simply. Personally, is it the same series? I absolutely prefer Tosenkaku. However, I think it is better for people who can go for the experience! The location is a former embassy, so it's cool!

Must-Try Dishes in Tokyo, According to MICHELIN Guide Inspectors

Sazenka

https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/the-list/11-20/sazenka.html

Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2021: Japan

The World's 51-100 Best Restaurants 2021: Asia + Australia

Michelin Announces 2021 Stars for Tokyo, Japan - Eater

@eater