I’ve said it before, but Shanghai has some of the best Japanese food around. Unlike Western food or even Chinese in the city.. its reliable and consistent. Tenya is one of my favorite places to go for a sushi dinner.
There are two Tenyas, I prefer the one off of Huashan Lu in the French Concession. Tenya is known for its snow crab and quality toro, but skip the crab leg hot pot – its such a rip-off. Instead, ask for the sushi menu. I don’t know why they don’t automatically give it to you, you have to ask for it specifically. It’s China service.
This is the best dish on the menu – the “Bukkake Salad”. Yeah, I don’t know why its called that either. Haha. It’s an 8pc cucumber roll topped with snow crab leg meat, minced toro, and salmon roe. For $98RMB, its quite a good deal. You get to sample Tenya’s two specialties, and they are quite generous with the crab and toro toppings. Yum!
Now I’m not saying the sushi at Tenya is cheap, but its really good quality for what you pay. Nigiri ranges from $8RMB/2pcs to $28RMB/2pc for more luxe items like uni and snow crab leg.
My favorites off the sushi menu are the uni (creamy, fresh, full of flavor), scallop (sweet and delicious), and the grilled salmon topped with fried shallots (to die for, the shallots really do it up). I would avoid any clam-related sushi.. not very good. The handrolls are pretty nice too, I think they cost about $28RMB and I love the very necessary addition of a shiso leaf.
Enjoy!
$$$
Tenya
2/F, Lane 1520 Huashan Lu, at Tai’an Lu
(It’s actually in a driveway off Tai’an Lu between Huashan & Shinfu)
华山路1520弄2楼，近泰安路
+86 6281 4918
www.tei.com.cn
Tags: bukkake salad, china, japanese, shanghai, snow crab, sushi, tenya, uni
It’s a cool website, I like it very much!
Bukakke just means splash so I guess the salad is “splashed” or topped with the crab meat and toro, hence the name.
I have been to Tenya several times but always ordered the set with crab meat and of course toro, in many forms. Will try the sushi menu next time.