GINZA ASTER Fujisawahinkan

The Ginza Aster chain of Chinese restaurants has consistently high quality Chinese dishes. People used to your average Chinese restaurant will find prices high and portions small at Ginza Aster, but you should treat yourself now and then to Chinese haute cuisine. (That said, I do feel peeved that th...ey charge you for every bowl of rice you order. I don't know any other restaurant in Japan where white rice isn't all you can eat!) The flavors are subtle and fragrance is important. No overwhelming garlic. Service is excellent. You get a separate small plate for each dish that you order so that the flavors don't mix, and the empty plates are brought out hot. The clientele is older and the atmosphere is quiet and pleasant. There's a surcharge if you reserve a private room, but if I remember correctly, if you show up and there's a private room not being used, you can request it and you don't get charged the surcharge. I eat here regularly. It's often very crowded at lunchtime and you may have to wait a little.

Visited December 2015