Japanese fusion restaurants to kick-start your culinary adventure
Chinois Shibuya (シノワ 渋谷)
Enjoy refined Chinese cuisine and wine in a luxurious penthouse-like atmosphere. The dishes include lots of original Japanese ingredients and vegetables for a truly unique dining experience. You’ve got to try the foie gras over rice (1,800 yen). This is fusion done right.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6pm – 2am (Last order: 1am); Sunday and holidays, 6pm – 12am (Last order: 11pm)
Tel: +81 3 5457 2412
http://www.chinois.jp/shibuya/
GLORIOUS Roppongi (GLORIOUS 六本木)
This Japanese-French fusion restaurant was born by marrying nationally renowned French cuisine and traditional Edomae sushi. We recommend the Petite Fusion course for 10,000 yen (US$89). This is the perfect introduction to the Japanese palate!
Opening hours: Lunch: 11.30 am – 3pm (Last order: 2pm); Dinner: 5pm – 10pm (Last order: 9pm)
Tel: +81 3 3403 8122
http://glorious-roppongi.com
Chabuttoria (ちゃぶっとりあ)
An original Italian restaurant tucked away in Oimachi. Whether you’re alone or in a group, the open-kitchen atmosphere is sure to brighten your day. The menu looks like typical Italian fare at first glance, but there are plenty of unusual options, such as the ‘red sea bream torroncino’ (1,600 yen), which features peperoncino with grated yam. It’s like a marriage made in heaven!
Opening hours: 5pm – 12am, closed on Monday
Tel: +81 3 6718 4561
http://www.chabuttoria.com
Mar de Cristiano (マル・デ・クリスチアノ)
What happens when you combine the freshest fish from Japan’s harbours with Portuguese cuisine? Magic, that’s what! Fish and rice are integral to both Japanese and Portuguese diets, so this fusion is sure to please a variety of palates. Be sure to try the famous cod croquettes to see just how flavourful Japanese fish can be!.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm – 12am (last order 12am); Sunday and holidays, 6pm – 11pm (last order 11pm); Closed on Monday
Tel: +81 3 6804 7923
http://www.cristianos.jp/mar/
Sense (センス)
Enjoy top-class Chinese cuisine on the 37th floor of Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo with the Skytree as scenery. Whether you’re looking for authentic Cantonese dining or original dishes enhanced with Japanese ingredients, this restaurant will exceed your expectations. The stunning view is mesmerising. The highlight of the menu is undoubtedly the tosei hata: a dish of steamed fish prepared with ingredients shipped straight from Okinawa. You won’t find it anywhere else!
Even if you think Japanese cuisine doesn’t suit you, why not give it a try? There’s a whole new world waiting to be explored and you never know what exciting discoveries you might make!
Opening hours: Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm, weekdays; 11am – 3pm, weekends; Dinner: 5.30pm –10pm
Tel: +81 3 3270 8800
http://www.mandarinoriental.co.jp/tokyo/fine-dining/sense/