Gubei is home to Shanghai’s 'Little Tokyo,' the largest enclave of Japanese expats in Shanghai, according to the 2020 Shanghai census. And that shows in the density of bona fide Japanese restaurants in the area, from hole-in-the-wall ramen shops to sprawling Japanese BBQ haunts, from late-night izakayas with endlessly flowing sake to daytime sushi joints serving the freshest quality fish. 

While Dianping lists thousands of establishments categorized under 'Japanese food' in the Gubei area, we’ve done the back-breaking (read: stomach-stretching) legwork for you, narrowing that list down to a manageable baker’s dozen of spots – an easy day full of eating (if you’re Hulk Hogan). 

(And if you're still hungry...)

READ MORE: Shanghai's Top 10 Ramen Spots

Here’s our top hits list for where to eat the best Japanese food in Gubei:

Yi Xing | 一幸 

A bustling izakaya and sushi house, Yi Xing requires a reservation every time you visit (which can only be made by stopping by in person). But the mafan is worth it for the top-notch quality sushi-grade fish and genuine Japanese fare. With an ample menu spanning Sashimi (RMB65-138), Nigiri (RMB15-30), Yakitori (RMB7-20) and common sides like tamagoyaki, tempura, and rice bowls, it’s a challenge not to order the whole menu. 

One of the most popular items, the Yi Xing Seafood Roll (RMB138), is a behemoth tube stuffed to the gills (pun intended) with salmon, tuna belly, eel, fatty tuna, and egg – nearly the size of four standard sushi rolls in one – ideal for sharing. 

Equally enticing, the Gyudon Beef Rice Bowl (RMB50) is a heaping portion of simmered beef with sautéed onions, mushrooms and a runny egg, served with a variety of pickles, a side salad, miso soup and a steamed egg – a complete meal for a bargain of a price.

Yi Xing 一幸, No. 12, Lane 19 Ronghua Xi Lu, 荣华西道19弄12号.

Kushi Ramen | 纪州豚骨酱油拉面

One of Shanghai’s standout tonkotsu ramen (in our humble opinion) is served at Kushi, an unassuming yakitori and ramen den. Here the Tonkotsu (RMB53) broth is soul-warmingly creamy, and boasting hearty pork bone overtones. The pork belly chashu’s fat melts in the meat’s layers, unctuous on one side, charred to a pleasant scorch on the other. 

While we initially opted for the more wanghong Scallion Tonkotsu (RMB47) – essentially the same as the original sans a few toppings and plus a metric f*ck ton of scallions – it’s more gimmick than good as the pepperiness of the scallions overpower the true star – the fragrant broth and silky noodles. 

Aside from tonkotsu, the menu sees a handful of other ramen styles, fried chicken and customary small plates like wasabi octopus, clams in spicy sauce, natto, gyoza, tonkatsu meats, yakitori skewers, and eel rice bowls. More substantial sizzling proteins served on cast-iron plates are similarly worthwhile meal contenders. 

Pro Tip: While the original tonkotsu includes a six-minute ramen egg, the scallion tonkotsu does not. However, do not skip said egg. 

We repeat, do not skip the egg. 

Hell, order three; we promise it’s worth it for that indulgently yolky ooze. 

Kushi Ramen 纪州豚骨酱油拉面, Shop 41, B1, No. 239 Jinyan Lu, 锦延路329号地下一楼41铺.

Sobamichi | そば道·荞麦道日本料理

Arguably Shanghai’s tastiest venue for authentic soba noodles, Sobamichi offers seven different Soba Noodle (RMB48-58) dipping broths (duck confit, mala chicken, braised offal, seafood, duck miso, blacky curry, and walnut) for two different widths of in-house made soba noodles (thick or thin) to a mostly Japanese clientele.

You love to see it. 

The nutty noodles are served cold with a springy chew that contrasts the dipping broth on the side, soaking up the equal parts sweet and spicy curry, seafood, or lip-tingling mala spiced chicken broth into each slippery strand. 

Another specialty at Sobamichi is the Buckwheat Tofu (RMB38) made from the same buckwheat flour found in the soba, plus – unsurprisingly – tofu (as he dish name suggests) and – surprisingly – cream cheese, for an ultra-custardy, luscious mouthfeel. Dribbled in a sticky soy and potato starch sauce, crunchy buckwheat kernels add textural contrast while wasabi lends necessary heat.

The eponymous soba is the main draw, but diners also can round out the meal with sukiyaki, yakitori, fried snacks, tonkatsu rice bowls, and small plates for sharing. 

Sobamichiそば道·荞麦道日本料理, 689 Xianxia Lu, 仙霞路689号.

Wanhuo Izakaya |万火酒场

A lively drinking den, Wanhuo Izakaya serves up everything from marinated skewers to grilled onigiri rice triangles with homemade pickles, from miso steak to charred chicken, plus highballs galore. 

Most grilled meat skewers go for RMB10-20 each, with sweet soy-slathered chicken and chimichurri-topped pork or beef being our go-tos. Thick yet tender, each is grilled to perfection, with juicy drippings of char-licked protein dribbling down your chin after each bite. 

Pair the meat with grilled rice triangle Onigiri (RMB15-18), available slathered in garlic butter, anchovy, or mentaiko – all three of which are paired with homemade pickles. While onigiri can oftentimes be just a carb filler, this rendition is all about the juxtaposing textures, with charred kernels on the outside giving way to a fluffy white rice center.

Fusion small plates – like oil-boiled shrimp; red-wine braised fig; or seaweed, cabbage, and bonito flake salad – fill out the menu.

Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场, Soho3911 1F, Bldg 4, Xiuxian Jie, Soho3911休闲街4号楼1楼.

Ieyasu Izakaya | 家康居酒屋

A Japanese establishment famed for its ropey udon noodles dunked in Tsukemen Ramen (RMB45/small, RMB52/large), Ieyasu Izakaya offers nine different soup bases – miso, hot miso, soy sauce, hot soy sauce, sesame, hot sesame, curry, tomato and cheese, and kimchi. 

Each bowl arrives packed with chashu pork, a soft poached egg, pickled bamboo, cabbage, nori shreds, and – unexpectedly – a stuffed fried rice ball, like a Japanese arancini, if there was such a thing. As it’s meant for dipping, the broth is notably glossy and thick so as to coat each individual strand in porky goodness, tempered by an umami seafood flavor owed to kombu. 

More like a gravy, the ramen here hugs the line of overly smoky, and the floating shredded pork pieces make for a murky soup. Although not the most refined bowl of ramen, the rich, warming broth coupled with expertly al dente noodles scores this bowl a solid 7/10 for moreish magnitude on the ramen Richter scale.

Aside from dipping ramen, there's tonkotsu ramen plus the usual izakaya skewered suspects – chicken wings, chicken meatballs, gizzard, pork belly, gingko nuts, and shitake – going for RMB10-20 a stick, while other commonplace Japanese sides – folded tamagoyaki omelets, fried chicken, and the like – fall in the RMB15-30 range. 

Ieyasu Izakaya 家康居酒屋, Shop 4, No. 48 Xingyi Lu, 兴义路48号4号商铺.

Akatsuki | 晓あかつき海鲜居酒屋

A favorite amongst Japanese businessmen, hip locals and in-the-know expats, Akatsuki is always the best meal of your week. Instead of the customary grilled meats and chicken parts, Akatsuki focuses on sushi, sashimi and sukiyaki. 

The fish quality is par none, with buttery tuna belly, delicate mackerel and snappy prawns. Ask nicely, and the staff will even cook your leftover shrimp heads into a rich miso broth with juicy clams for an extra RMB48. 

Aside from seafood, the crispy Potstickers (RMB38), the hockey puck-sized Chicken Meatballs (RMB19/piece) served in a drinkable ponzu and egg yolk sauce, and the shredded rather than cubed Beef Tartar (RMB78) are all big wins. 

Go in a group of more than two people and it’d be a shame to skip the Sukiyaki (RMB128/person). Bubbling sweet broth chock-full of cabbage, onions, tofu and greens is sheathed by paper thin layers of marbled beef. Slurp down that extra bit of broth with grilled rice Onigiri (RMB20).

The vibe is always bumping, the owner is welcoming and the highballs flow more than freely in extra large, frothy mugs the size of your face.

Akatsuki 晓あかつき海鲜居酒屋, 2/C, 48 Xingyi Lu, 兴义路48号C栋2楼.

Daji | 大吉

Hidden amongst a slew of other Japanese venues in the basement of Shanghai Arch Building next to Apita Mall is Daji – a chicken-centric yakitori spot slammed with hungry patrons within minutes of opening each day. 

Chicken Thigh with Scallions (RMB12) 

Chicken Meatball (RMB10), Chicken Breast with Wasabi (RMB12), Chicken Butt (RMB10)

The bulk of the menu is chicken skewers – think Chicken Thigh with Scallions (RMB12) smothered in black pepper sauce, thiccck (with three c’s) and juicy Chicken Butt (RMB10), nori-wrapped Chicken Breast with Wasabi (RMB12), Chicken Meatball (RMB10) with a crisp exterior slick and nose-tingling spicy mustard, among many others. 

Additional must-orders include sweet-glazed Beef Belly (RMB30) with a smoky char, Scallion Roasted Rice Ball (RMB20) – a grilled onigiri sliced lengthwise and stuffed with scallions and tangy black pepper gravy – and Highball (RMB30) after highball after highball, as the Japanese izakaya gods intended. 

While the skewers are on the smaller side for the price and the flavors aren’t necessarily the most traditional, the meat quality coupled with the connoisseur-level of grilling translate to a definite re-visit. 

Daji 大吉, LG1019, Jin Hongqiao International Center, 179 Maotai Lu, 茅台路179金虹桥国际中心LG1019. 

Ole Donuts | 欧啡香

Between all that ramen, yakitori, soba, and Japanese BBQ, a sweet treat pause is necessary, and Ole Donuts has got that sugar rush on lockdown. Mochi Donuts (RMB7-12) are the prime attraction, with their signature bubbled shape and denser chew than American or European style donuts.

Stickier, with a glazed top, the donuts here come in dozens of flavors, from the conventional – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and sprinkles – to the creative – matcha milk tea, oreo, and white peach. 

A proper pitstop for spiking that glucose, plus refueling with a coffee to go. 

Ole Donut 欧啡香, Room 3, B1, Chuangyi, No. 1111 Tianshan Lu, 天山路1111号现所创邑B1层03室.

King BBQ | King大志烤肉黑毛牛专门店

One of Gubei’s top options for Japanese BBQ, King BBQ covers all the bases and then some with...

... Meat Sets (RMB238-666), individual cuts of beef – we suggest the Top Blade (RMB78), Scallion Marinated Beef (RMB68), and Bottom Flap (RMB68) ...

...Ropey Beef Tartare (RMB68), and even eel sauce-glazed Beef Nigiri (RMB48/2 pieces). 

On the carbs front, there’s tonkotsu Ramen (RMB58) with incredibly thick noodles swimming in a rich pork bone broth and Bibimbap (RMB38) loaded with all the fixings and the obligatory crisped rice bottom. 

Highballs go for RMB35-40 depending on flavor. 

Pro Tip: The Almond Tofu (RMB28) dessert is a sleeper item worth springing for. Decadently custardy contrasted by toasted, crushed almonds with just a hint of sweetness, this dessert makes for a stellar meal culmination. 

King BBQ, King大志烤肉黑毛牛专门店, 693 Xianxia Lu, by Weining Lu, 仙霞路693号, 近威宁路. 

Toramaru | 虎丸烧肉

Remove your shoes upon entering, and prepare to unbutton your pants, because it’s hard to not overindulge at Toramaru. Here, tables are outfitted with coal-powered flat top grills, with grill plates regularly swapped out so your meat always has the freshest char. 

If you’re with a group, it’s best to order one of the mixed beef sets, available for RMB268 and RMB338 for 500 grams, with the price difference relating to the cut’s quality. Each set also comes with some vegetables, like mushrooms and squash – good for keeping the meat sweats at bay. 

Other cut options range from Chuck Flap or Brisket (RMB98/100 grams), thick-cut M9 Premium Beef (RMB188/200 grams), Short Rib (RMB268/430 grams), and Beef Tongue RMB118/150 grams). There are dozens of cuts of beef, so you can easily find something to balance your taste and budget. 

Outside of grilled meats, the sides should not be overlooked. Fried Pork Belly and Kimchi (RMB38) is a meat-lovers alternative to Kimchi Cold Tofu (RMB24), a homemade soft tofu cube smothered in pungent kimchi, seaweed and furikake. 

On the carb front, tender strips of Wagyu beef encase a mound of rice in the Wagyu English-Style Beef Rice (RMB52). A glistening yolk sits astride said beef, waiting in anticipation to coat each grain of Japanese rice. A riff on Korean Bibibimbap (RMB38) arrives in a hot stone bowl, charring the exterior layer of rice for a crunchy counterpart to the variety of vegetables, egg and ground beef. 

Bonus: all BBQ comes with free flow lettuce, veggie sticks, your choice of any of eight dipping sauces, ‘meat sauce’ – an oily, spiced ground pork paste, like China’s version of Sloppy Joe’s, that we shamelessly scarfed down in lettuce wrap form and spoon to dome style – and, get this, self-serve ice cream. After you’ve OD’d on salt, might as well throw some sugar on the fire. 

Toramaru 虎丸烧肉, LG1-005, Jin Hongqiao International Center, 179 Maotai Lu,茅台路179号金虹桥商场地下1楼LG1-005.

READ MORE: Shanghai's Top 10 Ramen Spots