Hyperlocal Tokyo

This is a local Chinese restaurant with a down-to-earth vibe. Everything is delicious, but each dish has a unique twist. For example, the Sichuan dishes are quite spicy, and the overall flavors are bold. The prices are very affordable, making it a great value for money. It's even been featured on TV and has become quite popular. However, the rice isn't very good. The restaurant has two floors, making it quite spacious with plenty of tables. They do have shared seating. The place is a bit messy. The staff is a bit blunt, but it's just their style and not malicious. I love this place for its unique flavors and great value. I definitely plan to visit again for dinner.

I visited this restaurant after seeing it featured on TV as a place where you can enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine, especially their signature dish, "Green Pepper and Pork Stir-fry" made with real Sichuan green peppers. It was a public holiday and lunchtime, so the restaurant was packed. However, we were lucky enough to get a table as some customers were leaving. There was a line of people waiting outside, so it seemed quite popular. I ordered the Sichuan Mapo Tofu set, and my companion ordered the "Real Green Pepper and Pork Stir-fry" set (that's actually what it's called). The Mapo Tofu was spicy as expected, with a strong Sichuan peppercorn flavor. The "Real Green Pepper and Pork Stir-fry" was interesting. Instead of using green peppers as a substitute for Sichuan peppers, they used green peppers as the main ingredient, with just a few Sichuan peppers mixed in. I guess they decided that a truly authentic "no green peppers, only Sichuan peppers" dish wouldn't be palatable to Japanese people. Even so, the "Green Pepper and Pork Stir-fry" was quite spicy, and it might be a good option for those who are tired of the milder versions you find everywhere. We also tried the dumplings, which were quite heavy on the garlic. Nothing particularly noteworthy, but they were decent and satisfying. Overall, it seemed like they had adapted many of the dishes to suit Japanese tastes. I went in with the intention of experiencing authentic Sichuan cuisine, so I was a little disappointed. But I suppose it's a sign of their ingenuity.

It's about a 3-minute walk from the Iriya-guchi entrance of Ueno Station. You can enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine at an affordable price. According to their website, there are about 10 different ways to stir-fry Sichuan dishes, each with unique techniques involving the use of fire. I had dinner there. Arriving at 8:30 PM on a Saturday, I was able to get a table right away as a large group of customers was leaving. I ordered the following dishes: * Li Jie's Dumplings (Li Jie Jiaozi) * Real Bang Bang Chicken * Celery Stir-fried with Pork in Sichuan Style * Mapo Tofu Noodles This restaurant's specialties are "Li Jie's Dumplings" and "Premium Mapo Tofu." Li Jie's Dumplings are water dumplings served with a special spicy sauce made with chili oil and spices. They are absolutely delicious. Real Bang Bang Chicken is closer to "Yodare Chicken" (Sichuan-style chicken with a spicy sauce) than the Japanese version of Bang Bang Chicken. However, they also have Yodare Chicken on the menu. The Celery Stir-fried with Pork in Sichuan Style is also delicious. Instead of bamboo shoots, they use celery, which adds a fragrant aroma and pairs well with alcohol. The Mapo Tofu Noodles are spicy with a strong Sichuan peppercorn flavor. The Premium Mapo Tofu uses different spices. However, the noodles were dry and not very tasty. The Mapo Tofu itself was good. Except for the noodles in the Mapo Tofu Noodles, I think the Sichuan dishes here are delicious. The restaurant has a typical Chinese restaurant atmosphere, with limited seating, so it's not suitable for those seeking a luxurious dining experience. They offer a reasonably priced course menu for groups of 3 or more. They accept credit cards and electronic money.

This restaurant was featured on Matsuko's TV show, so I decided to check it out with some colleagues for a summer heat-relieving outing. It's a bit of a walk from Ueno Station's Iriya Exit, and the area feels a bit deserted with fewer shops. I was starting to wonder if I was in the right place when suddenly, the restaurant appeared. The exterior seemed a bit rundown, making me question if I was in the right spot. Despite my initial doubts, I opened the door and was greeted by a tall, seemingly aloof foreign woman who led us to our table. (laughs) As we ascended to the second floor, we were transported to a vibrant world. The food was truly exceptional, far exceeding the quality of a typical all-you-can-eat establishment. The pan-fried dumplings, in particular, were outstanding, with flavorful fillings that didn't require any dipping sauce. The egg dishes were also incredibly delicious. The recommended Mapo Tofu, with its adjustable spice level, was undeniably tasty. We opted for the all-you-can-eat and drink B course, which included recommended dishes, making it an absolute steal. It was so good, it was almost criminal! I could easily see myself getting caught in an endless loop of ordering. Thankfully, it was a two-hour time limit. In this era of rising prices, finding this level of quality, quantity, and value in Tokyo is truly rare. This is a must-visit gem that I will definitely be returning to.

Located east of JR Ueno Station, just off the Iriya-guchi Street, you'll find Seisei Hanten, a Chinese restaurant tucked away on a street that's not known for its dining scene. It's north of the Iwakura High School, if that helps. You might have heard of this place, as it's been featured in various media outlets (laughs). The restaurant has five tables that seat four people each, and there's also seating on the second floor. It was packed with customers right after opening. Oh, and there's a sign from the popular TV show 'Moya-sama' on the wall. The TV in the restaurant plays CCTV, and the music is Chinese. This restaurant serves authentic Sichuan home-style cooking from Chengdu. The owner and head chef are both from Chengdu, so you can enjoy real Sichuan cuisine. For lunch, I ordered the Real Green Pepper and Pork Stir-fry Set (¥980 including tax). It was a generous portion. The lunch sets come with a main dish, rice, soup, a small salad, and dessert. You can also get free refills on rice. Even though it's a restaurant serving authentic Sichuan cuisine from Chengdu, the fact that they specifically mention 'Real' on the menu is intriguing. Chinese Green Pepper and Pork Stir-fry is actually quite different from the Japanese version. First of all, it's spicy (laughs). But it's not unbearably spicy, just a nice, tingling level of spiciness. The ingredients are also different. The meat is traditionally pork. Sometimes they use beef, but that's called Green Pepper and Beef Stir-fry (Chingjao Newrosu). Another key difference is the bamboo shoots. They don't use bamboo shoots in the real version. This restaurant uses green peppers, pork, and… maybe onions. Almost everyone orders the Mapo Tofu. I'll have to order a single serving of Mapo Tofu (¥800 including tax) and get another helping of rice. You can choose between mild, spicy, and extra spicy, but mild is the standard flavor (there's no sweet option). Oh, it's numbing and spicy. The Sichuan peppercorns are just right, providing a good amount of numbness and spice. But the numbness and spice are balanced perfectly, and the flavor is delicious. The egg drop soup is also light and flavorful. Wow, I'm full. If you're interested, definitely check it out.