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Sazenka [茶禅華]
Early Feb, 2023
Chinese
Tokyo, Japan
1st Visit

Reasons for Visit
- Chinese restaurant with the most accolades in all of Japan
- 4.52 Tabelog Gold Award, Highest ranked Chinese in Japan
- No. 11 in 2022 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
- No. 59 in 2022 World’s 50 Best Restaurants
- 3 Michelin Stars

Impressions
- Building used to be part of Germany’s embassy and feels like dining in a wealthy friend’s home in Minami Azabu (pic 1)
- A refined interpretation of Chinese food with subtle flavors. Techniques really shone through in the pheasant and chicken broths
- Beautiful ceramics projecting an understated elegance. Most plates are uniform in color but with underlying variations in form, surface or patterns (pic 2)
- Impressive how all dishes are served piping hot
- A bit of fun in the menu like almond tofu in two temperatures but overall feels too safe

Favorites
- Steamed Hokkigai (pic 3) was served piping hot! Look at all that steam coming out
- Rice with Fukahire Sauce (pic 4)