01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
On a quiet street in Nakano Honcho, Yuge serves Chinese dishes seasoned to bring out the character of their ingredients. Its well-regarded shrimp spring rolls make a strong impression with their springy shrimp filling and simple preparation. Other small plates include Sichuan mala tofu, with numbing peppercorn heat that calls for rice, freshly steamed shumai and water dumplings. The menu also features a variety of stir-fries and dressed dishes made with seasonal vegetables.
Natural wine, available by the glass or bottle, is the main focus of the drinks list. The dishes’ light, gentle seasoning lets the wine’s nuances come through, and diners can also choose from bottled Akahoshi or Orion beer, or Shaoxing wine poured from a jar. To finish, the Shaoxing wine pudding is a popular sweet, and a pleasant way to linger over the meal’s final notes.
Flowers and plants soften the modern, calm interior, where they sit comfortably against exposed concrete walls. Each dish is prepared to order, making the restaurant a good fit for an unhurried meal over an omakase course or à la carte plates. Dinner is served from 18:00 to 23:00, and booking a table in advance is worth considering.
