For high-end Chinese cuisine, look no further than Raika Seirankyo, an elegant Gaienmae restaurant led by one of the most experienced chefs in town. Shigeji Niiyama has been working with Chinese food – with an emphasis on Shanghai cuisine – for around 40 years, regularly visiting the country to fine-tune his expertise and keep up with the latest trends. At Raika Seirankyo you can enjoy his full repertoire of innovative and beautiful creations. On the appetiser list there are toothsome spicy sausages and delicately sweet chilled abalone, while for mains you’ll find a short selection of dim sum, excellent Peking duck (portions starting from ¥2,000) and – especially for the winter – imported Chinese crab dishes.
Indeed, Chef Niiyama is a dab hand at seafood; the deep-fried crab claws wrapped in thin and crispy rice noodles are skilfully executed and beautifully presented. Raika Seirankyo is spacious and elegant, contemporary and formal, with Chinese artworks, resplendent furnishings and large mirrors. There’s a larger selection of European wine here than you might expect from a Chinese restaurant (rice wine is available for traditionalists) and it’s definitely worth booking in advance – especially if you’d like one of the five private rooms, which are perfect for business functions.