Kanpai beefs up Beijing's Japanese scene

According to Huang, Kanpai Classic has devoted itself to promoting the concept of sake pairing, partnering with the brand "Masuizumi" from Toyama in Japan, a winner of the International Wine Challenge's gold award, and which is exclusive to the Kanpai Group since 2005.

Another highlight is the freshly made kamameshi - a traditional Japanese rice dish cooked in an iron pot with various types of meat, seafood and vegetables.

Available two different ways, original and Japanese soup, Kanpai Classic's chicken kamameshi offers diners a satisfying aside to a feast of barbecue.

Huang explains why they suffix the word classic after Kanpai - that is because they want to create a mecca for mature adults.

"An older guest once commented that he liked Kanpai, but all the other customers were young people which made him feel like a little out of place," Huang recalls. "We want to convey the emotionally touching experience of great food to older guests as well, so we added a classic element."