Testing the senses in Shanghai to find China's best antitourism and off-beat secrets. Dry and sometimes funny observations from a fixed gear roller, food eater and photograph taker.

Over on Huaihai road is probably Shanghai’s worst kept shabu shabu secret. It’s called the “88RMB all you can eat japanese hot pot” (also known as Gokohai) and is always steamy-busy.

Of course, this being a Japanese restaurant in Shanghai, we’re greeted with a slightly off tempo “irasshaimase”… and this being a beloved friend’s leaving meal we’re shown to one of a couple shoes-off-and-sit-in-the-floor tatami rooms at the back.

Okay, the food is not absolutely amazing but by-volume we’re rolling. 88RMB basically buys you a never-ending supply of raw meat to dunk into a personal pot of bubbling soup and then into a saucer of vinegar/soy/radish/etc.

Yeah, they’ve got vegetables. No, they’ve not got quails eggs (they’re reserved for pureblood chinese hot pot. Otherwise the gyoza are pretty good boiled and the rice sticks (called ‘carbs’ on the menu) are probably the hottest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.

5RMB for draft Asahi and a free bowl of green tea ice cream and we’re laughing. Well, in-fact this being the leaving meal of a spaniard we spent the most of the evening telling stories and in hysterics.

All you can eat Japanese! for 150RMB! includes alcohol! what more is there to say?

Well the seats are purposely uncomfortable, they forget 1 in 5 dishes and there’s a sign saying you’re not allowed pudding until all the plates are clear. Otherwise a relaxed restaurant, somewhere to come as a group and not worry about who’s ordering what or how to split that last prawn 5 ways.

The food is of passable quality – this isn’t fine dining, more a war of attrition with the whole spectrum of ribencan (japanese food) on tap. We stuck mostly to sashimi, nigiri and tempura, all fine, pausing only for a swig or two of plum wine.

I certainly felt more than 150RMB worth of seafood heavier so success in that respect. Once the gluttony feelings have subsided we’ll head back for all-you-can-eat teppanyaki.

Tairyo – location