Nathan’s New Salad Wraps & Jinshisong Delivery

Most of you who follow LumDimSum.com know that I am always looking for a healthier option (should a healthy option be available) whenever I’m eating out.

So instead of stuffing myself with Nathan’s 100% pure beef hot dogs and chili cheese fries multiple times per week, I am now stoked to be eating (and sharing with you) their newest menu items: 3 New Savory Salad Wraps!

Available in three flavors: Spicy Chicken Tender Salad Wrap, Phillycheese Steak Salad Wrap and a warm, buttery imported Lobster Sensation Wrap (my personal favorite), these are hands-down my new go-to menu items!

Aside from being a healthier choice, these wraps are so freaking good and such great value – priced at RMB 15-25 if ordered alone and if you want to be extra healthy, you can also switch out the side of Nathan’s crinkle cut fries for a bowl of steamed corn (another favorite of mine) and a drink for only RMB 27-37 for a complete combo meal.

For those who prefer to eat in the comfort of your home, Nathan’s is now partnering up with Beijing’s Best Delivery Service - Jinshisong Delivery!

To get Nathan’s delivered straight to your door, just call 4000300517 or you can even order directly online and save the headache of speaking to anyone over the phone: Click here to order Nathan’s on Jinshisong’s website.

Aside from Nathan’s, Jinshisong also delivers many other great restaurant options including:

• Kro’s Nest
• Blue Frog
• Hatsune
• Flamme
• Union Bar & Grill
• Karaiya Spice House
• Kagen Japanese Restaurant
• Colibri Cafe
• Biteapitta
• Crepanini
• La Pizza

And the list of restaurants continues…check out full list of restaurants here.

Nathan’s Famous Contact Details: 

• Dongzhimen Raffles City Branch 

• Address: Raffles City Shopping Mall B1-07, No.1 Dongzhimen South Street, Dong Cheng District, Beijing
• Hours: 8:30AM-10:00PM

• Wanliu BHG Mall

• Address: Beijing Wanliu Shopping Mall, No. 2 BaGou Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing (Located just outside of Ba Gou Subway Stop, the last stop on Line 10)
• Hours: 9:30AM-9:30PM

• Mastercard (Wukesong) Stadium

• Address: No.69 Fuxing Road, Haidian District
• Open for events

It’s SUSHI Time: Learn to Make & Eat Your Own Sushi

It’s about that time of year again….it’s SUSHI Time!!

Many of you are probably sushi addicts like me and for us, it’s always sushi time, BUT it’s not every day that you can 1. make your OWN sushi and 2. learn how to make sushi from Alan Wong, the sushi samurai master of the Hatsune Restaurant Group.

Here’s your chance to learn the secrets behind the legendary Hatsune sushi rolls, eat your own creations and you even get to take home essential equipment to start making your own sushi at home!

Hatsune’s next sushi making class will be taking place on Wednesday, February 22nd at the Original Hatsune restaurant in Guanghua Lu.

More About the Event:

Hosted by Alan Wong, the master Sushi Samurai himself, Hatsune presents to you a Sushi Making Dinner Party. This course examines the fundamentals of sushi making and discover some of Hatsune’s secret recipes and get tips on how to make sushi at home. You’ll learn all about the different types of sushi, fish, rice and vegetable ingredients, and then it’s your turn to try it for yourself, preparing THREE different types of sushi rolls, with the expert advice and help from master Sushi Samurai Alan-san. Join us as we show you the path to become a Sushi Samurai.

RMB 300 per person includes the sushi making class, ingredients, dinner and the essential equipment to start making sushi at home!

Limited Seating, RSVP Required: Contact Kristen Lum by Monday, February 20th, e-mail: kristen@lumdimsum.com

Check out More Pics from Previous Hatsune Sushi Making Classes:

• LumDimSummary: Hatsune Sushi School with Alan Wong
• Sushi Samurai Class with Alan Wong

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
• Time: 7-10PM
• Price: RMB 300 per person includes class, materials and dinner
• Location: The Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch)
• Address: 2\F, Heqiao Building, Bldg C, A8 Guanghua Donglu, CBD/Guomao    光华东路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层
• RSVP: Contact Kristen Lum by Monday, February 20th e-mail: kristen@lumdimsum.com

Hatsune King Alan Wong Uses ThinkPad X1 to DO

Hatsune King Alan Wong is the featured star of Lenovo’s new ad for their new, thin and powerful ThinkPad X1.

“One of the most successful entrepreneurs in the cut-throat Beijing F&B market, Alan Wong is the successful founder and CEO of Hatsune Group, with over 500 employees across nine branches.  

Observe how the ThinkPad X1 ergonomic keyboard, minimalist design, and rapid boot SSD make work and play an experience.  

See how the ThinkPad X1 allows Alan to design new restaurants, the RapidCharge battery – recharging 80% in less than 30 min keeps him going no matter how far he travels; and the Fingerprint reader keeps his business information secure.”

- Cory Grenier, Lenovo China

A cool video that showcases Alan Wong in action at his restaurants, working on new upcoming projects and racing on his bike, this is just something cool I wanted to share!

Check out the full video on Youku.com here:

You can also watch the video on Tudou.com here.

Foodies, Arm Yourself in 2012 with the Little Gold Book

Little Gold Book is like the “Little Black Book for Charitable Foodies in Beijing”.

It’s a coupon book with crazy good discounts on Beijing’s top restaurants with 30% of proceeds going towards local community charities.

Just think about it – All those places you’ve been wanting to try out or that you wish you could go more often (if they were more affordable), you can finally begin to eat your way through Beijing’s top dining destinations armed with a little gold book filled with coupons that are up to 50% off!

Here’s a few top deals you can score with The Little Gold Book:

• 50% off Hatsune
• 2 for 1 mains at Assaggi
• 2-for-1 wine at Enoterra
• 50% off Stumble Inn
• 2-for-1 Food Items at The Bookworm
• 50% off ROOMbeijing
• 2-for-1 cooking classes at Vegan Hut
• 50% off Filling Station
• RMB 50 discount on a dozen Lollipop Cupcakes

Click for full list of deals here (there are 85 deals by 70 restaurants).

For only RMB 240 per Little Gold Book, you can cover the cost of the entire book after just one meal at one of the 70 participating restaurants.  It’s valid for the entire 2012 year so there’s plenty of time to work your way through each deal.

With the holidays quickly approaching, the Little Gold Book is a great stocking stuffer for all fellow Beijing foodies!

Little Gold Book was first released at the Chi Fan for Charity 2011 After-Party at Hatsune and will be available for sale again at Kagen’s Christmas Charity Dinner on December 10th with 30% of proceeds going towards BICCO.

Little Gold Book is currently sold at The Bookworm, April Gourmet’s and Colibri.

Hatsune’s OysterFest featuring World Champion Shucker

“Armed with more than 10 years of practice and custom-made knives, Patrick McMurray (aka ShuckerPaddy) is one of the fastest oyster shuckers in the world.”

With a shucking career of over 2.2 million oysters and a Guinness World Record of Shucking 38 oysters in One Minute, Patrick McMurray will be the star of Hatsune’s upcoming OysterFest on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 from 7-10PM at the Original Hatsune Guanghua Lu.

Shucking Pro Patrick McMurray will be explaining to guests the secrets to his winning shucking techniques. You will have a chance to see this man in shucking action and witness a Battle of the Shuckers in an Oyster Shuck-Off between Patrick McMurray and Hatsune King, Alan Wong.

And YES! If you’ve ever dreamt of shucking your own oysters, you can shuck with the best too!

Excerpts from theBeijinger’s Interview with Patrick McMurray:

Some people consider you a huge shucker. Do you like that title? What would you rather be thought of as?
Yes, it is kind of funny that some folks know of me before I meet them. Any title is great. Being a world champion or Guinness Record Holder is very fun and a great honor. It seems to be a good thing to be known for, as it gets you in the door! I would not want to change it at all. 

November is our Guinness World Records issue. What other records would your skills predispose you for?
Scraping gum off tables, lock picking, beer bottle opening …

Is there a world record you’ve ever attempted besides this one?
I tried holding my breath, but I passed out.

Read Full Interview here: Shucking Brilliant: Record-Breaking Oyster Man Patrick McMurray

See Patrick in Action:

How to Shuck An Oyster (YouTube Video)

Come and enjoy a feast of All-You-Can-Eat-Fresh-Oysters flown in from Fanny Bay Pacific, (Canada), Pacific Gigas (New Zealand), Gillardeau (West Coast France), Stella Bay (Canada), Gigas, and Port Douglas (South Australia).

FINALLY, a chance to gorge yourself with this decadent shellfish (and Hatsune sushi rolls)!

Kusshi Oysters

Event will begin at 7PM and will be featuring a feast of free-flow fresh oysters and additional Hatsune sushi rolls, appetizers + drinks for RMB 300 per person.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, November 23, 2011
• Time: 7PM-10PM
• Location: Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch)
• Address: 2\F, Heqiao Building, Bldg C, A8 Guanghua Donglu, 光华东路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层
• Price: RMB 300 includes all-you-can-eat oysters, Hatsune sushi + drinks
• RSVP: kristen@lumdimsum.com

Shook!: Chi Fan For Charity Expands to Shanghai

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris and I was not going to miss out on a such a great excuse to make a weekend getaway to Shanghai!

Already sponsoring 4 tables of 10 at Hatsune, Kagen, Kagen Teppanyaki and Karaiya Spice House, Alan Wong is also the official sponsor of Chi Fan for Charity’s After-Party (at Hatsune Sanlitun for the 2nd year in a row).  As a big fan and supporter of Chi Fan for Charity, we wanted to show Shanghai some love too!

While Beijing’s beneficiaries this year include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation, Shanghai’s beneficiaries this year include Heart to Heart, Compassion for Migrant Children and Chi Heng Foundation.  (See here for list of charities and all the wonderful work they do.)

With 26 glorious restaurants to choose from, we decided to host a table of 10 at Shook! Restaurant.  Chef Kevin Cape and GM Julien Laracine were both exceptional hosts to our private 5-course dinner at their prized chef’s table just in front of Shook’s beautiful open kitchen.

“An open-kitchen conveys the feel of ‘dining without borders’ – intimate, nothing hidden, open to all – a concept which transcends the menu. With whispers of Chinese, Japanese, South-East Asian and modern Western, yet flexible enough to transport you anywhere your heart and palate desire.”

See here LDS Snapshots of Shook’s Hallway of Wine and Open Kitchen:

After a few glasses of champagne at the bar, we sat down at Shook!’s private chef’s table where we were treated to a beautiful 5-course meal, a fusion of Chinese, South-east Asian and Western cuisine.  The venue is absolutely stunning and the service was exceptional. The food?  See for yourself all the goodies we were treated to…

LumDimSum Snapshots of Shook’s Dishes:

Amuse Bouche (Chinese-style soup) / Prawn Appetizers with walnuts (Chinese style)

Shared Appetizers: Perfectly Roasted Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

1st Course: Confit of Salmon/ Refreshing Orange Sorbet with Mango Ravioli

Main Course: Slow-Cooked Grain Fed Beef / Macaroon Dessert

Shook!’s Tiramisu and Creme Brulee

GM Julien then let us make our own crepes table-side!  Chef Anna took over and the result was delightful…

 Shook! Crepes:  BEFORE & AFTER

Thank you to the team at Shook! for a wonderful dining experience and big thanks to Kelly Olver and Katie Littlefield (Austen Morris) for arranging such a successful first Chi Fan for Charity Event in Shanghai!

It’s not too late for you to be a part of the Chi Fan for Charity event in Beijing, TONIGHT: Saturday, November 5! See details here.

Check for last remaining seats at CFFC Sponsoring Restaurants here.

In case you can’t make it to dinner and you still don’t want to miss out on this great event, there are still a few tickets left for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village.  Click here to buy your ticket!

With 400-500 people dining at Beijing’s best establishments, everyone will come together for a brilliant celebration at Hatsune.

The Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village will be featuring free flow drinks by our generous sponsors (Wine Republic, Tiger Beer, El Charro Tequila and Hatsune’s signature cocktails), DJ Patrick Yu spinning tunes, and awesome silent auction and raffle prizes. 

For those who don’t have the time or the budget to commit to dinner, the after party is a great way to come out to contribute to two very worthwhile causes and show your support.  This year’s beneficiaries include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

Chi Fan for Charity 2011: Tickets are Now on Sale!

“Good Eats. Good Times. Good Causes.”

Good food, good company and all for good causes – this really is my ideal event. As a proud member of the Chi Fan for Charity team, I am excited to be a part of such an inspiring event that involves such a strong community of individuals to come together and really make a difference with the selected charities we sponsor this year.

The concept for the charity event is simple. Restaurants donate set menus to the charity, which then charge diners for a specially-prepared meal. Each restaurant is offering at least three courses and two wine pairings for a table of 10.

Who can say no to being a part of such an all-around win-win-win situation?!  If you haven’t already booked your seat at one of the 39 fine dining establishments on board, tickets went on sale this week!

Many of the restaurants are already sold out (Agua, Bei, Barolo, Hatsune, Made in China, Mosto, Nobu, Orchid, Maison Boulud), but there are still 24 restaurants to choose from including Capital M, Susu, Sureno, ROOMbeijing, Modo, Karaiya Spice House, Punjabi, The Courtyard and the highly anticipated Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) by Maison Boulud’s ex-GM Ignace Lecleir.

“CFFC is happy to report that some of the Capital’s most interesting and influential people will once again host our tables. The evening will be filled with opportunities;talk economics with Forbes’ Gady Epstein, debate which restaurant has the best Kao Ya with restaurateur Alan Wong, gossip about philanthropy with Red Cross’ Ramsey Rayyis or discuss this season’s best reads with Penguin’s Managing director Jo Lusby. 2011′s table hosts are shaping up to be even more intriguing than last year’s stellar group.” – CFFC Newsletter

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year (with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris) and has set an ambitious goal to raise RMB 300,000 in this one night to be donated entirely to both the Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation and is now bringing its theme to Shanghai.

Visit http://www.chifanforcharity.org/bookings/restaurants/category/beijing-restaurants/ to book your spot at one of Beijing’s top 39 restaurants on November 5 at 7:30 pm.  Just select the restaurant of your choice and then follow instructions to purchase your tickets.  Remember: 100% of proceeds will go to Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the legendary after-party at Hatsune Sanlitun Branch will be where all diners unite together for boozin and schmoozin with old skool dance tracks by DJ Patrick Yu and drinks will be flowing courtesy of The Wine Republic, Kis Natural Vodka, El Charro Tequila, Tiger Beer and Hatsune.

In addition to great drinks and company, CFFC will feature some amazing silent auction packages. Although we can’t divulge what we have secured, we can guarantee that one lucky donor will be taken away on a once in a lifetime vacation.

Pictures from Chi Fan for Charity 2010:

My Birthday Beluga Dinner: Champagne & Beluga Caviar

candy&CAVIAR roll oozing with Beluga Caviar

Beluga Caviar, the KING of all caviar and by far the most expensive, was once a just a luxury in life I thought I’d never experience.

And then my birthday happened and I was told to meet at Hatsune at eighteen hundred hours for a dinner of champagne and caviar.

Turns out that one of the winners of this year’s Hatsune Sushi Roll Contest, the creator of the White Russian Roll, just got back from a trip home to Russia and after the announcement of this year’s contest winners, he wanted to be the first to try his roll in in true form with imported Beluga Caviar from Russia and we were all invited to partake in this momentous occasion!  (It was really only a lucky coincidence that this happened to be my Birthday weekend, hence the ‘champagne and caviar birthday dinner’ invitation).

He gave his container of Beluga caviar to sushi king Alan Wong who instructed his sushi samurai masters behind the sushi bar to generously load it onto the new White Russian roll!

Voilà!  The WHITE RUSSIAN Roll at its finest: Fresh crab meat, deep-fried gobo, avocado and oshinko pickled cucumber topped with torched white tuna and black Beluga caviar.

White Russian Roll topped with a mountain of Beluga Caviar

To enjoy more of a variety, he also offered to graciously shared his caviar with our dear friend and creator of the candy&caviar Roll.

candy&CAVIAR roll oozing with Beluga Caviar

And after the sushi rolls were finished, this is how much Beluga we had left over just to eat by the spoonful…which, in my opinion, should really be the only way to truly indulge in Beluga.

With an insanely massive quantity of this prestigous luxury item with present market prices ranging from USD$7,000-10,000 per 1 kg, it’s crazy to think that we just stuffed our faces with such a rare extravagance.  It’s not every day such a rare opportunity comes along – I couldn’t help but insist on extending this dinner to be included in my week of birthday celebration festivities.

FYI: The White Russian Roll will soon be available to order on Hatsune’s “Secret Menu” (but with black tobiko caviar rather than Beluga)…stay tuned on LDS for more updates soon to come on the availability of the winning creations of the Hatsune Sushi Roll Contest!

Hatsune’s 10 Year Sushi Winners Announced!

Out of the 37 sushi rolls that were submitted to Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary Sushi Roll Contest, it was near impossible to select this year’s winning rolls.

In the end, there were 7 that stood out as clear winners.

See for yourself the creative genius that came forward and stepped up their game…and our’s!  Although it may be a few months before these rolls appear on the new Hatsune menu, each winner received RMB 1,000 restaurant voucher

Hatsune Sushi Winners (in no particular order):

1. LUNI UNI ROLL by Haiwen Lu

Uni aka Sea Urchin, sea scallop and finely minced tuna rolled in cucumber slices and topped with tobiko and a raw quail egg.

2. Cro-COD-ile ROLL by Sophia Ouyang

Glazed miso cod fish with asparagus rolled in sesame seeds and topped with a lotus root chip and a pinch of orange tobiko

3. PAC HAND ROLL by Diane Chia

Nori dusted tempura shrimp with fresh crab meat and avocado, wasabi mayo and sprinkled shichimi chili powder

4. THE MARCUS ROLL by Paul Marcus

Medium Rare Beef Tenderloin, asparagus and tempura shrimp wrapped in an inside out roll and topped with thin slices of asparagus and topped with wasabi mayo and tobiko.

5. The HUTONG ROLL by The Hutong Team

A roll dedicated to vegetarians and foodies alike: Roasted pumpkin, sauteed mushrooms and arugula topped with a thick spread of avocado and sprinkled seed mix.

6.  WHITE RUSSIAN ROLL by Dima K.

Fresh crab meat, deep-fried gobo, avocado and oshinko pickled cucumber topped with torched white tuna and black caviar.

7.  a-MAY-zing ROLL by May Cheng

Soft-shell Crabs Swimming in a pool of Singaporean Chili Crab Sauce.

(There is still no photo as this recipe is still in the works.  If you know Singaporean Chili Crab, you know this is an amazing sauce that we must master to perfection..!  This is to be released soon!)

Once again, MASSIVE thanks to all who took the time to submit your own sushi roll creations!

If you didn’t make the final cut, hopefully this year’s winners will give all aspiring sushi addicts a ray of inspiration and don’t worry, you have another 10 months to tweak and perfect your rolls to submit next year around..!  Better luck next year!

Setting the Record Straight: Haru Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar

I’d like to set the record straight – Haru Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar is absolutely not affiliated with the Hatsune Restaurant Group in any way, shape or form.  There have been a few rumors spreading that Haru was telling its customers that their restaurant is associated with Hatsune and I would like take this opportunity to dispel all false rumors and make it crystal clear: these two restaurants are not related AT ALL.

That being said, these rumors instigated my curiosity to come and check out this Haru Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar and see just how similar it really compares to my beloved Hatsune.  I hear their original restaurant out in Shunyi is excellent, but for convenience sake, I opted instead to venture to their recently opened second branch located just north of Sanlitun Village to an area rather unexplored by me – Sanlitun Village North. There, I went up the third floor of the West Building 西楼 and walked into Haru without a reservation during what I presume to be peak dining time - 8:30PM on a Friday night.

Enclosed in glass, the restaurant is very sleek and modern and I was warmly welcomed in Japanese by three staff.  Not having made a reservation, I was told the wait would only be a few minutes as they were clearing up a table that just left.  With a few minutes to spare, I began to explore and snap, snap away.

Other than a completely empty sushi bar with not even one sushi chef, the restaurant is mostly filled out with 6 private teppanyaki rooms ranging from rooms for two up to rooms for 12 pax.

Is it primarily just a teppanyaki restaurant? Confused, I asked for their menu and the first half is entirely filled with sushi options from sushi rolls (all named after people I presume) and then followed by both a la carte and set teppanyaki meal options.

Not wanting to sit at the deserted sushi bar, I opted for a two person private room where we ordered a few items off their sushi menu and a teppanyaki set to share.  Without a photo menu, I ordered based on my dining experiences at Hatsune and Kagen Teppanyaki.

Haru’s Sushi Roll Menu (offering 25 different rolls)

Trying to pick a roll off their sushi menu, I wasn’t quite sure what to order since there were no photos and there were 25 different rolls to choose from with more than half with basically the same three ingredients- tempura shrimp, snow crab and avocado. Most rolls ranged from RMB 60 (vegetarian roll options) to RMB 92 with the exception of their Toro roll, priced at RMB 185.

After much avail, I finally just randomly ordered the Kevin Roll (RMB 72) with avocado, cucumber and crab meat topped with a rainbow of assorted seafood: shrimp, salmon, tuna, and flounder.  The roll was nicely presented, very clean and neat, but without any sauces or many ingredients for that matter, it didn’t impress me.

*Reader, take note – I openly admit to being a total sushi snob. As the #1 fan of Hatsune’s sushi rolls, I tend to be overly critical when it comes to Japanese food, and especially when it comes to sushi rolls.

That being said, I was more than excited to discover their Nigiri Cucumber Rolls.  With each roll priced around RMB 30, I ordered their Uni and Salmon Roe (RMB 30), Sweet Shrimp (RMB 30) and their Foie Gras Roll (RMB 30). The cucumber wrap is beautiful and these fresh tasting mini rolls were all winners.

Haru’s AMAZING Cucumber Nigiri Rolls (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

Thinking another two orders of Teppanyaki sets would be over-the-top, we decided to share one set between the two of us.  They had a range of steaks and seafood options and I wanted both so we ordered their Filet Mignon and Ocean Scallops Grilled with Garlic Butter Sauce Set (RMB 305).

Similar to Kagen Teppanyaki’s set dinner menus, each set includes appetizers, Miso Soup, Salad, Sashimi and teppanyaki shrimp, vegetables, fried rice and fruit for dessert.

Small Appetizer Platter

Salad & Sashimi

With the portions being a little smaller than expected, we still had room for more and decided to give it to more dessert! Teppanyaki banana is quite possibly one of the best inventions ever created so I ordered each of us an order at RMB 18 for one.

Bananas Simmering in buttery Sweetness…

Haru Dessert: Melon Slices, Taro Crepe Balls and our additional Teppanyaki Bananas!

Overall:

Haru is obviously much more of a teppanyaki restaurant than it is a sushi bar so rumors of Haru being related to Hatsune seem to be a stretch. If anything, Haru is more similar to Kagen Teppanyaki as both restaurants feature elegant private rooms and both a la carte and set teppanyaki menus.

For the past 3 years in a row, I’ve celebrated my birthday in Kagen Teppanyaki so that just goes to show much I love the restaurant.  I know many of you may consider my opinion to be biased or swayed in Kagen’s favor, but I can confidently say that the portions are bigger and prices are lower at Kagen Teppanyaki and I also prefer the decor of Kagen over Haru.  But Haru does win points for offering both teppanyaki and sushi rolls together in one place.

Verdict:

Haru’s Teppanyaki is  a million times better than Taiyro Teppanyaki (it’s Sanlitun competitor for Japanese Teppanyaki), but still pales in comparison to Kagen Teppanyaki.

Review of Haru Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar 铁板烧餐厅: 30, Bldg N4, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Rd, 三里屯路11号院N4楼30号商铺 Tel: 6415-2112

Best Part:

• High-Quality Japanese teppanyaki and sushi
• Sleek, elegant design of space featuring 6 different private rooms ranging in size from 2 pax to 12 pax.
• Teppanyaki Business Set Lunch priced between RMB 85-RMB 225.

• They offer an extensive wine list and a range of sake and cocktail drinks.
• Two branches: One in Shunyi as well!  Address here: 902 Pinnacle Plaza, Jingshun Lu, 京顺路荣祥广场902. Tel: 8046-5112

Comments:

• Haru’s quality ingredients and sleek, modern decor wins hands-down over the ever-popular Tairyo Teppanyaki (in Sanlitun Village), but pales in comparison to both Hatsune’s legendary sushi rolls and Kagen Teppanyaki’s teppanyaki sets.
• Pricer than Kagen teppanyaki, a dinner for two (excluding alcohol) will be RMB 300-350 per person.
• Service was polite and very professional.

Rating: (On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 7
• Atmosphere: 7
• Service: 8
• Overall Experience: 7

LumDimSummary: Hatsune’s 10 Year B-Day Shenanigans

OK People – here you finally have it (drum roll):  Hatsune’s 10 Year Birthday Bash Party Pictures!

Please forgive the delay (logistical difficulties in the apprehension from various photo takers) but now, just about a week later, you can once again re-live our monumental birthday celebration.

After a night of free flow sushi rolls, sake and dangerously delicious cocktails, memories are blurry across the board so I’ve listed a breakdown of the night’s shenanigans.

From the killer Japanese Taiko drummers to Hatsune’s First Wasabi Challenge to the insanely fun sumo action and all the outrageously brilliant Japanese costumes that turned up, here are snapshots throughout the night.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Hatsune 10 Year Sumo Fun:

Japanese Taiko Drummers:

Yummy Sushi & Sake For All:

Sushi Sake King, Alan Wong, Toasts to 10 Glorious Years:

Hatsune’s Wasabi Challenge with 12 Brave Contestants:

Just minutes later, one man prevails as the Wasabi Challenge Winner:

(Can you feel the wasabi pain?? Urgh, it hurts just to think about it!)

Hatsune’s Sushi Sake Addicts Caught In the Act:

And One of My Favorite Costumes of the Evening:

Mr. Tom Pattinson Presenting a Splitting Image of

Hiro Nakamura from the hit TV Series ‘Heroes’

And Last but Certainly Not Least -

HATSUNE SUMO FUN:

****THANK YOU****

to everyone who has been a part of the Hatsune Dream!!

For the full database of Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary party photos, click here for LumDimSum’s Facebook Page Group.

＊Note：China Viewers will need a VPN to access FB page

A Toast To You & A BIG Thank You from Hatsune

Hatsune King Alan Wong Toasts to 10 Years

After 10 years,  a full decade, we have not only stood the test of time, we are now better than ever and that all thanks to YOU – our devout sushi addicts who just can’t get enough of Hatsune.

A BIG Thank YOU to everyone who came out last night as it exceeded all our expectations. Unfortunately for me, the night flew by in a blur since I was running around like a crazy person dressed in a Japanese school girl outfit, but I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that for many of last night’s party attendees, their memory of last night may also be a bit blurry (but for reasons other than self-induced stress). In any case, we at Hatsune are truly touched by the amount of support and love you have all shown us and we want to thank you all for being a part of making our restaurant a Beijing legend.

And to my LumDimSum readers, I must apologize for the lack of posts the past few days, but those of you who came to witness the monumental 10 year anniversary of Hatsune can surely sympathize and understand how completely crazy busy (and now shattered) I’ve been the past 76 hours.

I don’t like to keep my LDS friends and fans waiting in suspense, so here are a few glimpses of Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary Party.

To commemorate 10 Years of Sushi, Sake and Good Times
(Thank You to Divina for their beautiful – and very delicious – giant birthday cakes!)

The Packed House of Hatsune

A Trip Down Memory Lane:

theBeijinger’s blog post for Hatsune’s 10 Year Party with old skool pictures from the very beginning, back in 2001.

Check out article here: A Decade in Sushi: Hatsune Turns Ten

Soon to come on LumDimSum:

Photos and Announcement of the Hatsune Sushi Roll Contest Winners and full-on photos of our wasabi challenge, sumo action, best dressed (you guys looked awesome!) and general debauchery throughout the night.  Stay tuned!

Get Your Roll On: Hatsune’s Sushi Roll Contest

The Maximus Prime Roll (a winning creation in Hatsune’s 2010 Sushi Roll Contest)

Do you lay awake at night wishing you had a Hatsune sushi roll with your name on it?   Believe me when I say, insomnia is just one of many symptoms sushi fiends suffer when deprived of their dream sushi roll.

Call it what you wanna call it, we’re all sushi-holics!

Luckily for you, Hatsune is an equal opportunity sushi house and we are committed to promoting a diverse menu for our nearest and dearest.

Here’s your chance to get your claim to fame and create your very own Hatsune sushi roll!!

To Enter:

1.    Create your ideal sushi roll combination – what ingredients you’d like to use inside and outside the sushi roll. You can also suggest creative means of presentation.

2.  Submit your creation and sushi roll name to me directly: kristen@lumdimsum.com

3.    Deadline: July 24, 2011.

Winners’ Prizes:

Your genius creation will earn it’s spot in Hatsune’s new menu

We will reward you with a Hatsune restaurant voucher valued at RMB 1,000 and I think it goes without saying, you will be the very first to try your sushi roll invention!

For creative inspiration, you can check out last year sushi contest winners here: Hatsune’s 2010 Sushi Contest Winners Announced!

Hatsune’s 2010 Sushi Roll Competition Winners

Check out Time Out’s Blog Post here: Create Your Own Hatsune Sushi Roll

**Save the Date: Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary is set for Thursday, August 4, 2011!! Stay tuned for details to come soon…

LumDimSummary: Sake Samurai Dinner Party

Over the weekend, Hatsune hosted a “Sake Samurai” Dinner Party featuring an 8-dish tasting menu and 4 different types of sake.

With Alan Wong aka Sake Samurai Master himself introducing each sake, diners were introduced to the world of Japanese sake learning the traditional Japanese art of brewing sake from rice and water along with how to smell and taste the subtle differences in the flavors of each.

While the first three sakes served are available in the Hatsune restaurants, Alan brought along the final sake from his personal collection (meaning the best of the best) – the Kubota Manjyu Junmai Daiginjo from Japan!

Hatsune’s 8-Dish Tasting Menu

Edamame

Calamari

Hiyayakko Tofu

Sakekawa Salad

Sushi Trio

Little Red Roll

Squid & Shiso Tempura w/ Vegetable Tempura

Teppanyaki Fried Rice

Sake Summary:

1. Morita Nigori Sake- Milky in color and consistency, this nigori sake is still pretty smooth, and slightly sweet. Rolling around the mouth you can taste the grittiness from the unfiltered rice particles.

2. Komeshizuku Junmai- This sake has a strong flavor on the palate, and is considered by Alan to be “a banana and pear fruit bomb”.  Extremely refreshing. Each rice grain is polished down to 60% of the original size, which almost qualifies it as a Junmai Ginjo.

3. Shotoku “Bamboo leaf” Genshu Junmai Ginjo- Ginjo is the stamp of quality, as the expensive sake rice is milled down to less than 60% of the original, leaving only the starchy center. The result is a smooth but also complex sake, with the same fruitiness as the junmai. This was much heavier on the palate as well, with a slight caramel flavor on initial tasting.

4. Kubota Manjyu Junmai Daiginjo- The final sake Alan brought back from Japan. This sake is milled down to about 35% of the original rice grain, and produces the smoothest, most complex flavor. All the the complexity of the junmai ginjo remains, but this sake is noticeably smoother than the previous one.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Hatsune’s Sake Samurais:

**Save the Date:

For more Hatsune fun, mark your calendars for Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary Party!

For those who weren’t here to attend our 9 Year Anniversary, here’s what you missed out on - LumDimSummary: Hatsune’s 9 Year Birthday Bash

Date is set for Thursday, 4 August 2011!! Details to come soon…get excited!!

Become a Sake Samurai: Sake Tasting Dinner Party

ATTN: Sushi/Sake Lovers

Back by popular demand, Hatsune will be hosting another sake tasting dinner in the Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch) on Saturday, July 2.

This fun, interactive event received raving reviews and really positive feedback the first time around and we are looking forward to hosting another session of Sake Samurai Training.

Sign Up Now as seating is limited; RSVP Required. RSVP required: kristen@lumdimsum.com.

Event Details:

Become a Sake Samurai: Sake Tasting Dinner

Exclusively at the Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch)

Hosted by Alan Wong, the master Sushi Sake Samurai himself, Hatsune presents a Sake Tasting Dinner Party.  Learn the culture, origins and significance behind sake and the traditional Japanese art of brewing sake from rice and water. Together with a special set menu highlighting Hatsune’s signature dishes, Alan will be introducing premium bottles of sake from his own personal collection.  Join us as we show you the path to become a Sake Samurai.

RMB 300 per person includes a special Hatsune tasting menu along with four unique types of sake.

Limited Seating, RSVP Required.  E-mail:  kristen@lumdimsum.com

• Date: Saturday, 2 July 2011
• Time: 7PM-9:30PM
• Location: The Original Hatsune
• Address: 2\F, Heqiao Building, Bldg C, A8 Guanghua Donglu, 光华东路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层
• Price: RMB 300 includes Hatsune tasting menu + 4 types of sake
• RSVP: kristen@lumdimsum.com