Chutien Japanese Eatery

6, Lane 6, ChungShan N. Rd., Sec. 2
(02) 2561-1246
Hours: 11:30am-2:30pm; 5:30-9:30pm

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Sensible Japanese kaiseki cuisine

By Josephine Lin Translation by Yvonne Chen

Hidden in an alleyway off ChungShan North Road, Chutien is a humble establishment with warm Japanese ambiance. Asked why it is called an eatery but serves upscale kaiseki dishes, the owner, A-Ray, says modestly: ¡§It¡¦s because we receive each customer and prepare each dish with a reverent heart.

Featured Kaiseki Course (NT$800), an eight-dish set from appetizer to dessert, lets you savor a complete kaiseki meal. The foods and cooking methods change with season. The main dish, however, is always exceptionally fresh lobster. This season¡¦s ¡§Tomato Lobster¡¨--grilled lobster with a special tomato sauce--is an appetizing red. The ¡§Mullet Pumpkin Bun,¡¨ mullet slices sandwiched in a homemade pumpkin bun, has a special flavor. Fresh ¡§Steamed Ghana Truffle¡¨ is nutritious and high in fiber. Nagoya ¡§chilled soba,¡¨ chewy buckwheat noodles dipped in a delectable sauce, is quite tasty. The ¡§Fresh raw fish liver¡¨ a cold plate of precious monkfish liver, Assorted sashimi Japanese salad and fresh dessert, are visual and palatal treats.

The a la carte menu offers scrumptious treats. ¡§Steamed miso crab¡¨ (NT$200) uses fresh crabmeat with shell, flown in from Japan, steamed to seal in its succulence. ¡§Seafood benne tofu¡¨ (NT$150) is deep-fried tofu resembling benne paste filled with fresh scallops, shrimps, and ginkgo.

Acknowledged as offering fair-priced kaiseki cuisine, the Chutien Japanese Eatery has a quiet atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious Japanese dishes--reasons why regular customers continue to recommend this place.