Cherry blossom trees, pointy rooftops and wildly creative inventions – many a Shenzhen resident catches him or herself dreaming about a journey to Japan.
Yet, time is scarce, tickets pricey and distances long.
Komachi, a new Japanese restaurant and sake bar in Coco Park, seems to offer the next best thing – and at a bargain as well. The train-shaped eatery is ready to take you – or, more precisely, your taste buds – on a sumptuous discovery tour from Kagoshima to Hokkaido, with lots of exciting stops in between.
As we step through the small doors of the locomotive in the underground heart of Coco Park, one thing is clear: the recently opened restaurant is already a favorite, and if you don’t hurry up, all of the private dining booths may be gone. Convenient location, pleasant atmosphere and a great selection of set lunch options bring throngs of hungry travelers through the narrow doors.
But don’t worry – you can always get a place by the bar with a spectacle-rich view of the open kitchen.
You’ll hear an energizing mix of modern rock and pop, laughter and the sound of sake trickling into small ceramic cups. Even though you won’t see too many conventionally Japanese attributes at Komachi – no Japanese writing on the wall or soft mystical tunes – the place is unmistakably Japanese in spirit and character, and you will be asked to leave your footwear and your troubles at the door.
Start with a homemade selection of pickled vegetables (RMB26): crispy, juicy and perfect for getting your stomach ready for the delicacies to come. If you have room for a bigger entree, we recommend a mixed vegetable with avocado salad (RMB56): a plate of fresh greens and generous pieces of avocado.
To warm up, a small bowl of savory miso soup (RMB18) is sure to hit the spot. Follow that with a tender main course dish of goose liver and beef roll with a to-die-for cinnamon apple sauce (RMB68), or, if you prefer your dinner with a crunch, go for the grilled squid (RMB48).
The ultimate seafood treat is a plate of assorted sashimi, served on ice (RMB128), or a soft-shell crab sushi roll (RMB88).
Wash your sumptuous feast down with a glass of sake – Komachi offers a great selection of imported brands that can be bought by the bottle. Don’t miss the Hakutsuru variety (RMB258 a bottle), served at a chilling minus 30 degrees.
Komachi offers something different for everyone. You may be looking for a lavish meal, a fun time with friends or a few gulps of exotic alcohol after work. But if Some Like It Hot has taught us anything, it’s that any memorable train journey is a balanced combination of all of the above. So, hop aboard!
Price: Approx. RMB100
Who’s going: Avid travellers, Nippon food lovers, seafood junkies
Good for: Set lunches, business dinners, culinary journeys
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