Qiu Sushi Whiskey Lives Up to Its Name With Pricy Japanese Delicacies Near Chaoyang Park

A night out in the Liangmaqiao or Chaoyang park areas usually isn’t complete without an order of decadent sushi or a glassful of intoxicating Japanese whiskey. Both such fine imports are doled out in ample supply at slews of businesses in that vicinity of the Japanese embassy. Such is the case that it was just a matter of time before one of those proprietors had the bright idea to specialize in not merely one, but both of those delicacies. Enter Qiu Sushi Whiskey, a new lounge, and restaurant that goes far, almost comically beyond its simplistic name. 

Let’s get a major point out of the way: this is by no means your humble, hole in the wall yakitori hovel in and around Liangmaqiao. Instead, Qiu does Japanese upscale, serving sushi sets at a whopping RMB 1,200 per person, while many of its whiskeys run north of RMB 130 per glass (some even being over RMB 300 per glass, though you’ll find similar prices at other fancy whiskey bars around town). The owner’s affinity for for the finite things is apparent from the get-go, because they’ve rendered the entryway of their Chaoyang Park-adjacent Central Park Plaza digs boldly chic, from the stark lighting, slate grey floor and wood panel walls to the dining counter that deliberately pops from that more drab backdrop thanks to a giant print of the vibrant Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, and shimmering wavy incandescent lights up above. The bright colors of the freshly cut sushi also flared out prominently from the counters as the chefs diced the items and served them to a few customers. 

Pretty as all that undeniably was, the occasion wasn’t special enough to warrant an RMB 1000 plus food bill, though we might reconsider the next time we have guests to impress. Making our way downstairs to the softly lit lounge indicated by the last word in Qiu Sushi Whiskey’s moniker, we were pleased to find ourselves looking at the menu where we could splurge somewhat more prudently. That’s not to say our eyes didn’t bug at the RMB 950 per glass/RMB 8,980 per bottle Miyakigyo 12-year-old sweet and sherry Japanese whiskey, or that we weren’t taken aback by the RMB 680/RMB 8,880 21-year-old Taketsuru. But at least the softly lit lounge with the red-hued metallic artwork hanging on the far wall also had some more midrange whiskeys compared to those top-shelf items. Prime examples included the RMB 120 per glass Suntory Kakubin yellow label, the RMB 140 per glass single malt Nikka Yoichi, and the RMB 140 Miyagiko. We were struck by how the vast majority of the menu was dedicated to Japanese whiskeys, rather than so many of Qiu that have a page or so reserved for highland, lowland, Islay and seemingly every other variety under the sun. 

Such narrow precision is also applied to the cocktails, which are prepared in a unique-for-Beijing high ball style where you pick your spirit and the bartender readies a mixed drink based on its properties. They’re tiered at RMB 120, 150, and 200 per glass, the latter of which seems frankly ridiculous when you could instead drink a quality whiskey neat, though the lower RMB 120 tag is, unfortunately, becoming par for the course at many Beijing cocktail joints these days. 

Regardless, we enjoyed the aforementioned RMB 140 glass Miyagiko neat, which was quite flavorful and featured a few fruity notes while also being light in body. The lounge’s elegantly minimalistic backdrop certainly didn’t hurt matters. 

And while much of the wares were way behind our price range on that given night, it was intriguing to see a newly opened spot so boldly strive for the upper echelon of Beijing’s fine dining and high-end drinking scene. They certainly couldn’t have picked a better neighborhood than the ritzy Chaoyang park adjacent locale. What’s more: the warmly welcoming service and enticing ambiance, along with strong and satisfying midrange whiskeys we knocked back, all made us strongly considering splurging much of our next paychecks with our special someones at this glamorous new spot's sushi counter. 

Qiu Sushi Whiskey
Daily, 6pm-late. 1/F, Rm 7-8, Bldg A7, Central Park Plaza, Chaoyang District
秋：朝阳区中央公园广场A7楼1层7-8室

Looking for more grub around Central Park Plaza? Take a look at what's available here.

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Photos: Kyle Mullin