Sazenka

Tokyo, Japan

• Accolades
• No.21 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026
• No.34 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025

Tucked behind rustling bamboo plants in an area of Tokyo known for its international community, lies Sazenka, famed for crafting traditional Chinese dishes with seasonal Japanese ingredients. Multilingual staff greet guests in Japanese, Chinese, English or French before escorting them into the former diplomatic building, which plays with polished wood, light and shadow to create an intimate dining experience with just 12 seats, plus two private rooms. The brainchild of Tomoya Kawada, dishes rotate in line with Japan's micro-seasons, with the exception of one greatest hit: Yun Bai Rou Pian, a fanned-out spiral of exceptionally thin pork and aubergine layers, topped with chilli oil, seasoned soy sauce and ichimi togarashi (a seasoning made with ground red chillies). Delicate hand-painted porcelain and woven steamer baskets further elevate the presentation, underscoring Sazenka's meticulous attention to detail. The food is paired with an eclectic selection of drinks, either alcoholic (including wine, sake and Shaoxing wine) or a wide selection of the finest Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese teas.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $453
• Dinner: Tues – Sat
• 81 3 5449 6778
• Visit Sazenka's Website

Location

4-7-5 Minami-azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0047