A five-minute walk from Wuyangcun Metro Station, Tomonoya, an eatery dedicated to all things sashimi, is discreetly housed in one of the clusters of commercial yards on Chunfeng Lu. As its Chinese name ‘友之屋’ implies, Tomonoya, a brainchild of amiable Singaporean Xu Tian, radiates an affable vibe. In fact, most of the regulars are Xu’s close friends, who stop by twice a week to catch up and take advantage of member discounts.
With only five tables that seat about 20, Tomonoya is not interested in becoming a thriving business packed with customers. Instead, Xu wants it to be a retreat for friends to meet up after work – a place to gossip or regale one another in between bites of sashimi.
Of course, the limited seating means patrons are often forced to take their conversations out into the sweltering heat, especially during peak business hours. Try to avoid the 6pm rush and make it a late-night xiaoye kind of trip.
Tomonoya is an omakase restaurant, meaning all meals consist of dishes selected by the chef. Xu, a hardcore sashimi lover, enjoys treating patrons to the freshest slices of salmon, tiger prawn, white marlin and other seasonal specialties, presented with colorful floral embellishments.
Order the salmon sashimi (RMB58) and sit back while Xu and his apprentice attentively prepare your meal. Before you dive into the main course, however, start with a bowl of mashed potatoes (RMB28): an appetizing snack topped with sweet tomatoes and cucumbers.
While many chains in China serve sashimi on a bowl of ice, Xu claims such a method spoils the taste of the salmon. Instead, he places cuts of chilled seafood on a wooden board and crowns each with roe before serving.
If you didn’t land a seat next to the AC, you might consider consuming your fish in a timely fashion so it doesn’t turn into sun-smoked salmon (we speak from experience).
Another recommended dish is Tomonoya’s chirashi don (RMB88), a filling bowl of organic rice tossed with bits of sashimi and seasonal vegetables that’s generous enough for two.
Pair your repast with a glass of German draft beer marked at only RMB20 (for 600 milliliters) during happy hour, which runs from 3-8pm. Just go easy on the fluids, as the restaurant doesn’t come with its own washroom.
Price: RMB100
Who’s going: the owner’s friends, Japanese expats
Good for: seasonal sashimi, chef’s creative selections
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