Reikasai Ginza

Reikasai Ginza is built on the principle of “ishokudogen,” which is roughly equivalent to “food is medicine.” In this spirit, this Chinese restaurant in Ginza Itchome eschews artificial additives for an all-natural approach that makes dishes as nutritious as they are delicious. And how delicious they are. Reikasai Ginza's style of cuisine emulates that served in the Imperial Court of the Qing dynasty, the very same that was served to the Empress Dowager Cixi. This expert Chinese technique elevates the finest seasonal Japanese ingredients, including sustainably sourced shark’s fin and fresh European lobster. No corners are cut, with particular attention being paid to the careful regulation of temperature, timing and seasoning. Each dish is simply but elegantly plated; Reikasai’s chefs want guests to focus on the masterful harmony of flavors and delicate balance of acidity and alkalinity in each, from the appetizers to the closing dishes. Tea aficionados will also be enthralled by the restaurant’s extensive selection of loose-leaf teas, from some of the finest plantations in China. The only thing to rival the luxury of the dishes is that of the dining area. Reikasai Ginza’s jade-green chairs are fit for royalty, high-backed for maximum comfort — the very picture of elegance. Each table can be made semi-private, with sheer organza curtains capable of partitioning the space into individual areas. With its high ceilings, it instantly calls to mind the cloud-peaked mountain ranges of Chinese legend — truly a dining experience that won’t easily be forgotten.