Chinese Cafe Eight
+ ROPPONGI/EBISU, TOKYO

Before arriving in Tokyo, I was under the impression that, being neighbors with China, the Chinese cuisine would be outstanding. I was firmly corrected when I experienced my first starchy, soup covered fried noodle excuse for Chinese food. As the years progressed, I slowly fell into withdrawal, disheartened by the sad state of Chinese food in Tokyo. It became my mission to seek out and find an authentic Chinese restaurant in Tokyo who’s menu highlights would not be gyoza and ma-bo-tofu. Mission accomplished, with the discovery of Chinese Cafe Eight.

To be quite honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if my initial reaction will be shared by all newcomers to this restaurant. I opened the door with my girlfriend, took one look around, and walked out. Although clean with an inviting atmosphere, the walls are littered with perverted sculptures of male and female genitalia(thankfully not depicted in color, but simply plain ceramic). After a few weeks, we were recommended by friends to return, and thankfully we did. I can say with all honesty that Chinese Cafe Eight is as close to Beijing as you’re going to get from within Tokyo. Just ignore the decor, or warn your date beforehand. Even their website says, “Get ready for a big surprise,” or something to that degree.

This is a haven for those on a budget as well. There are about four pages at the start of their menu dedicated to small dishes for only 210 yen each. Lots of Beijing classics, like the grilled chicken skewers covered in red hot spices that I ate when visiting the hutong and tasty hot yuba and black mushrooms. Don’t be fooled, those small dishes are actually quite substantial. We ordered four and started wondering if we did the right thing by ordering their whole duck(3,000~ yen, a DEAL in Tokyo) as well. Their boiled dumplings are also nice, with a list of ingredients to choose from for the fillings.

When the duck arrived, it was a proper show with a presentation of the whole roasted duck, followed by the chef slicing it by our table. It was served with the usual thin tortillas, sauces and accompanying vegetables. The taste was outstanding, far better than you would get anywhere else in Tokyo. It didn’t end there though, with the remaining duck, the chef prepared a dish stir-fried with vegetables and a thick, aromatic soup. Ordering the duck alone would have been enough of a meal. Don’t even get me started on the rest of their menu, the stir-fried potato, eggplant and pork was unbeatable(even the price, 750 yen!!). Just to prove it’s authenticity though as a real Chinese restaurant, rather than photograph the duck(we all know what it looks like), I decided to share a small portion of the menu instead. Scorpions on rice, a Chinese delicacy. Try ordering that a Bamiyan.

Chinese Cafe Eight
Hours: Open 24 hours a day
Tel: 5414-5708.
URL: http://www.cceight.com/
Station: Roppongi station via Hibiya line/Oedo line + Ebisu station via Hibiya line/JR line
Nishi-Azabu 3-2-13, Court Annex 2F.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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