New Liangmaqiao Sake Manzo Boasts Great Food and Over 100 Varieties of Sake

Undoubtedly one of Beijing's best izakaya's, Sake Manzo has now opened a second branch over in Liangmaqiao, just on the northeast corner of 21st Century Hotel. While the previous branch focused largely on food and sake, this branch aims to further promote sake as a liquor of choice. As such, there are over 100 different bottles of the Japanese rice wine on their menu so as to suit every taste. 

The interior is in line with what Muji has taught us to believe Japan is like; straight lines, dusky colors, and wood furnishings define the main dining area. Along the length of the restaurants there's a little bit of a futuristic edge with pod-like private tatami rooms that seat up to four and can combine with sliding wooden doors to accommodate large groups. At the front is the bar area, where the sake comes to life.

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Food at the new branch upholds the familiar marvellous quality we have come to expect from their first location, with Chef Taka Yamamoto introducing a couple of new bites specially for this new restaurant, as well as continuing the tradition of making fresh tofu daily, and serving up his popular eel rice.

New dishes include beef tenderloin with cream cheese, slices of avocado, and just a dash of mustard (RMB 120), as well as a saury fish and crab tempura roll (RMB 45) which was served alongside traditional tempura sauce, great for sharing alongside sake.

The eel rice (RMB 120) is a moreish dish with the sweet yet savory glazed unagi layered on top of a bed of crunchy seaweed strips and vinegar-infused sushi rice. The Sake Manzo rendition comes with a teapot of eel soup to pour over the dish, for added juiciness and flavor, as well as additional spring onions, seaweed, and wasabi if that’s your thing.

Sake Manzo are holding an opening party this weekend (Mar 18-19). There will be a traditional tuna carving at 7pm on Saturday, and prizes to be won with the purchase of your own sake bottle. Seats are limited, so call 6436 1608 to get in on the action.

Sake Manzo
Daily 6pm-midnight. 40A Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6436 1608)
朝阳区亮马桥路甲40号

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Photos courtesy of Sake Manzo