Skip the Sashimi for the Teppanyaki at This Embassy District Japanese Joint

Marco Hong gets a lot of things right at his teppanyaki restaurant in Beijing’s embassy district. Fittingly titled Marco's Teppan & Charcoal, and located on the second floor of Caochang Plaza (a hot dining hub as of late that also houses Bistro 108 and La Villa), the Japanese-style barbecue spot serves up some highly tempting, sizzling fare.

Their signature scallop (RMB 138 for one, large serve, that's enough for two to three patrons to share), for instance, are plump and juicy. What really makes that dish memorable, however, is the grated truffle that the chef sprinkles on top, giving a very fancy flourish to a normally simple item. The silver codfish (RMB 128), meanwhile, has a crispy exterior and delicious, perfectly cooked flaky meat. The beef-wrapped okra skewers (RMB 22 per skewer), however, may be the best of the barbecue thanks to their flame-kissed texture and salty notes, along with the satisfying crunch of the okra within.

A few of the items were letdowns, like chicken steak (RMB 20 per skewer, pictured at top) that was a bit mushy, although its drizzling of egg added a nice new dimension. However, you should avoid altogether the bland, dull sashimi. Like the wasabi it was served with, it was meek and didn’t pack any of the spicy punch we’d hoped for.

However, they didn't overshadow the other dishes we tried, and the atmosphere, like many of the numerous other Japanese restaurants located in Beijing’s embassy district, was on point and properly evoked the Land of the Rising Sun. That's all the more surprising when you learn that owner and chef Marco Wong is a proud Hong Konger who laments that he's never made it to Japan himself, but is quick to boast about training under a Japanese chef in his hometown.

While the ambiance won’t blow you away, and a few of the dishes were disappointments, many of the barbecue seafood options we tried shined, making this teppanyaki spot a solid addition to the already buzzing Caochang Plaza.

Marco's Teppan & Charcoal
Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5pm-1am. 2/F, Caochang Plaza, 19 Tianze Lu (186 0098 5578)
朝阳区天泽路19号草场 商业广场二层202室

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Photos: Kyle Mullin