Ji-Cube (Tokyo, Japan) - Tabelog 4.32 - Sichuan Cuisine with a Japanese Approach
Ji-Cube is another spot that’s been mentioned a few times on this subreddit. I wanted to give a special shoutout to u/NoodleThings’ recent post on the place and recommendation on the place, and also to u/m046186 for mentioning it previously.
Ji-Cube specialises in Chinese Sichuan cuisine, with a Japanese approach to both preparation and ingredient sourcing. I’ve become a big fan of Sichuan cuisine over the past few years, so I was pretty excited to give Ji-Cube in Tokyo a try.
The space is tucked in the backstreets of Nishiazabu, away from the hustle and bustle of Roppongi, among quiet residential houses that you could easily walk past it without knowing it’s there.
The signature numbing spice is present throughout the menu, featured in traditional Sichuan dishes like poached chicken in red pepper (“drool chicken”), as well as more modern takes, being paired with Japanese wagyu beef. Seafood also featured, with spiny lobster in red pepper chilli sauce and Chinese-style steamed fish. Peking duck also made an appearance to help balance out the meal. Overall, it was a great mix of Sichuan-focused dishes and other Chinese staples.
What I liked most that each dish carried that signature numbing spice without being too overpowering, also letting the flavours of the ingredients stand out. The Peking duck was on the drier side, but I couldn’t fault anything else.
The menu is priced in three tiers, with the main difference being the rarity of the shark fin used in the signature soup. I went for the base course (17,000 yen pp) and found the cost-to-value pretty good. Apparently, the lunch course is even better.
Ji-Cube also offered a solid wine list. I really enjoyed the Chateau Nine Peaks Reserve 2020, which uses 80% Chinese and 20% Australian grapes. Surprisingly, it was one of the most flavourful, juice like and easy to drink wines I’ve had.
As Ji-Cube isn’t a very well-known tourist spot, the English speaking ability may not be at the level of more famous restaurants in the area, but the staff made a great effort to accommodate by explain each dish. The service was also attentative and very friendly throughout the meal.
Overall, I really enjoyed Ji-Cube and highly recommend it to anyone interested in trying Sichuan cuisine with a more refined and Japanese-like approach. I found the value pretty good overall compared to other high-end restaurants in Japan. They also have private rooms upstairs that can be used by families with children at no extra cost (a rarity in Japan, many charge an additional private room fee), which made the experience even more enjoyable.