New Japanese Restaurant Hexing is a Jewel in Shuangjing's Crown
Good news for Shuangjingers: new Japanese restaurant Hexing has just opened opposite Melody KTV and next to Singaporean restaurant Vanda Room, like a shiny jewel in your collective crown.
Despite its quality, Hexing doesn't go for dazzling glittering gold décor, but instead opts for a low-key interior design with wooden frames and white wallpaper. There’s a sushi bar in front of the chef’s table as well as five private rooms decked out with tatami.
The menu encompasses two different sets (RMB 580/980), both 10-course kaiseki meals, including a salad, sashimi, soup, grilled items, fish, sushi, rice, and desserts; an à la carte menu featuring almost two dozen kinds of grilled fish (RMB 68-1280), sushi, sushi platters, appetizers, and sakes; and various bento sets for lunch (RMB 88 or above).
Sampling both menus, the appetizer platter was a showstopper; succulent abalone-topped stock jelly was paired with a spoon of Siberian caviar and sea urchin, seasoned Japanese yuzu peels, and crab and white prawns with vinegar jelly. The seafood was fresh, the balance of flavors well judged, and the presentation excellent, each appetizer served on fresh lotus leaves and scattered lotus petals (expect these elements to change according to season and availability).
The unadon (RMB 180) features fillets of European eel, which, we were told, are 30 percent lean meat and 70 percent fat like they are in Japan. The fresh eels are grilled in the kabayaki (蒲烧) style, have an attractive sweet glaze, and a citrus tang from the sansho peppers imported from Arima Onsen, Japan.
However, the sushi was the highlight of the meal, and their signature roll – a medley of various types of fish wrapped around smashed tuna, scallion, and sea urchin – is more than just eye candy. Putting each piece gently on your tongue, await the fattiness of the fish to wash over you and release its symphony of flavors. Cleanse with a delicate sliver of pickled ginger, and repeat.
READ: Immaculate Kaiseki for Special Occasions Only at Wangfujing's Sushi Zen
As a bonus, if you're able to grab a seat at Hexing's sushi bar, the two experienced chefs (one previously at Tong Sushi, the other at Yotsuba) will not only show off their skills but also share their knowledge with you selflessly.
Beijing is hardly lacking in expensive Japanese restaurants, but is embarrassingly short of quality Japanese cuisine, as compared to rival megacity Shanghai. With the opening of Hexing, Shuangjingers can now stay nearby and be saved the hassle of traveling around town in search of a homey, great value Japanese eatery.
Hexing
Daily 11.30-2pm, 5-10.30pm. 19-4, Bldg 19, Shuanghuayuan Nanli, Guanghualu Beiyijie, Chaoyang District (8770 4542)
和幸日本料理：朝阳区双井光华北一街双花园南里19号楼19-4
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Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Tracy Wang
