Xinyuanxili's Zhiwu Impresses w/ Sumptuous Yakitori and Sashimi
Xinyuanxili’s
Shang complex has added yet another hotspot for international dining to
its roster. Yes, along with top-notch Italian eats at Bottega, tempting
Mexican fare at Q Mex Taqueria, and American pub grub at Boxing Cat,
the building now also has an authentic taste of Japan via new yakitori
joint Zhiwu.
Owner Takayuki Hattori, who hails from Fukuoka, Japan, got off to a strong start last year with Sun Japanese Cuisine (aka Sun Sushi), though Beijing’s Great Brickening
forced him to shut down that streetside location. He has since found
more stable digs at Shang. Aside from relocating, he has also bolstered
his business, with plans to reopen Sun Sushi in a higher end setting at
Shang soon (think set courses of fresh fare at two specified periods per
night, priced at around RMB 500 per patron). He’s split the more casual
elements of Sun Sushi off to Zhiwu, where reasonably priced beef and
chicken skewers reign supreme, along with some sumptuous sashimi options
and other izakaya standards.
The owner’s move here came not a
moment too soon, seeing as Peng Sushi, the quiet Japanese restaurant
that was situated in the same complex, has since closed. When we stopped
by we had a sneak peek at the new Sun Sushi, before settling in to eat
at the more casual Zhi Wu. Both have splashier ambiances than the
now-defunct Peng, and Zhi Wu is also much more bustling, brimming with
yakitori-devouring patrons.
The restaurant has a buzzing izakaya vibe
We’ll
have to try the new Sun Sushi some other time for a more elegant
experience, but for now, a laid-back evening of skewers and brews at Zhi
Wu suited us just fine. A platter of six chicken skewers will set you back RMB 108, while the beef chuan'r platter costs RMB 108. Both are rounded out with tofu, mushroom, and scotch egg skewers,
and the price, along with the juicy quality of the yakitori and the
varied types of meat on each stick, from tender melt-in-your-mouth
morsels to more dexterous cuts, make these plates a great bang for your
buck. The only hitch: some less adventurous patrons might not like the
tougher, more cartilaginous meat sticks on these sets, meaning you may
wish to order skewers individually to find your favorite combination.
Don't leave without trying the sashimi
And while this restaurant focuses on yakitori and pulls it off with aplomb, we were all the more impressed by our order of sashimi for
RMB 128. It abounded with flavorful fat and boasted a plump texture
that had us grinning in delight. So while we very much enjoyed the
delicious skewers on offer at this restaurant, we think the place does
sushi even better, at least based on the sashimi we tried. This makes us
want to hit up the new Sun Sushi all the more when it’s ready. For now
though, this laid-back joint will certainly do the trick for when you're
next craving casual Japanese fare near Xinyuanli.
Daily 5.30pm-late
1-112, Shang, Xindong Lu
新东路新源里金尚SHANG1-112
138 1001 7792
Photos courtesy of Zhiwu, Kyle Mullin
Do you have what it takes to be a True Runner?
Scan/Extract the QR code above to check out our current job openings.
Want to know what awesome events are happening in town? Scan/Extract the QR code above to get the list of our Editors' Picks.
Got something to sell? Looking for a job? Or probably your soulmate? Then scan/extract the QR code above to visit our Classified Ads.
Always something fresh
Scan/Extract the QR code above to follow us!
Tap on the cover to access the latest print issue.