An Elegant Lunch - Chinese Fine Dining at Ginza Aster

I recently had the pleasure of having lunch at Ginza Aster, a very well-known Chinese restaurant with a long history in the heart of downtown Ginza. The restaurant is famous for very good reasons. They offer some of the finest Chinese food available in the country, food that comes with excellent service in a beautifully designed restaurant.

Ginza Aster's menu is page after page of mouthwatering dishes, from Chinese staples to incredibly exotic. The food itself is of the highest quality and all of it cooked to perfection. The exquisite presentation of each dish only enhances the wonderful assault on all senses, which is served by a crackerjack team of courteous and well-trained staff.

Every bite was bursting with complex yet subtle flavours, even the die-sized terrine knocked me back in my seat. And the Kurote wagyu I ate was among the most delicious I've ever had.

All of this does come at a premium price, however. The lunch set I ordered started at 3500 yen, with small price increases depending on what meals I chose. In the end, lunch for two cost 15,000. A lot of money to be sure, but let me tell you - it was worth every penny and I'll do it again just as soon as I can.

If you're looking for a bite to eat or just "in the mood for Chinese", then Ginza Aster isn't for you. Go to Chinatown or your local Chinese diner for that.

But if you're wanting to impress a date, business client, or to celebrate an important event - then you might want to try Ginza Aster. Tables are far away enough from each other to engage in intimate conversation, and if you make a reservation, you stand a chance to be seated by the window over looking the streets of Ginza.

Don't be put off by their deserved reputation as a high class joint, among some obviously old-money Tokyoites, I also spied young families enjoying a casual meal, and even some very dressed down diners savouring a bowl of Ginza Aster's famous noodles.

Absolutely recommended to the discerning diner.

Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Ginza 1-8-16

Subway:
1-minute walk from Ginza 1-chome Station via Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
4-minute walk from Ginza Station via Tokyo Metro Ginza Line

Train:
5-minute walk from Yurakucho Station via JR Yamanote Line