Inexpensive, Home-Style Japanese Dishes at Takaya, Nanluogu Xiang

If we were to be honest, we actually prefer the more recent incarnation of Nanluogu Xiang – fewer clueless tourists, and quiet and clean (if you can bear the occasional blast of construction noise, that is). Sensing that the nearby (and lovely) Fu Tapas & Wine couldn't possibly be the only restaurant around to help us survive this ruthless winter, while tourist numbers are still low, we happened to come across Takaya, a tiny but cozy restaurant serving family-style Japanese dishes.

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In Japanese, Takaya means Taka’s home, named after owner Taka Wang. Located on quiet Suoyi Hutong, the space seats a modest 20 people. Warm yellow walls, a wooden sushi bar, plenty of cat-related ornaments and tchotchkes, and Japanese-style posters all serve to remind you that this is most certainly your escape for "Japanese home-style" cuisine.

We started with some of Takaya's most popular dishes, including the potato salad (RMB 25), which comes with smashed boiled egg mixed into the mashed potato, with sliced cucumber and onion giving a refreshing touch. The foie gras sushi (RMB 50 for two pieces) was our favorite, the hot grilled foie gras on rice and nori benefitting from a brushing of acidic and sweet cranberry sauce.

The tendon and tofu soup (RMB 48) was spicy and heart-warming, filled with soft beancurd and sweet turnip. This Kansai-style soup is a must try to warm you up in the weather like this.

We can imagine that the miso katsu (breaded pork cutlet with red miso sauce, RMB 50) will go well when you're out drinking with friends, as it reminded us of countless nights at college drinking beer and eating fried food with friends.

If you want to go for the deluxe option, you can order the popular grilled eel with rice (RMB 110), which comes with nori, sesame, and chopped scallion. The dish is also accompanied by a bowl of soup that you can pour into the rice to make it soft and taste stronger of fish. If you're a big fan of eel, also try the eel with cheese sushi rolls (RMB 88), the name of which pretty much says it all.

Since the food at Takaya is Japanese home-style, you can expect reasonable prices, with dishes such as sashimi (RMB 50-58 for five pieces), sushi (RMB 28-50 for two pieces), sushi rolls (RMB 42-88), chicken and egg with rice, and grilled beef with rice (RMB 36-38) all being very affordable. They also offer sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot, RMB 58), and barbecued dishes to go with drinks.

To round the meal off, we ordered some plum wine. We were impressed by the small sake selection (RMB 25-138 per 150ml) and they even provide a flight of three types of sake (RMB 69-85) for the uninitiated. Plum wines and pomelo wines can be purchased by the glass (RMB 28-58). For beer lovers, they have draft Asahi in summer and bottled Asahi and Kirin in winter (RMB 18-19). If we had to pick holes, we will admit that the restaurant was a little cold when we first arrived, but after getting a start on that sake, it probably wouldn't be a problem for long.

Takaya
Daily 11.30am-11pm. 3 Suoyi Hutong, Dongcheng District (6402 3070)
高屋家庭日本料理: 东城区蓑衣胡同3号

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Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
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Photos: Takaya, Tracy Wang