Sushi surprise
By Zhang Tianxin ( Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2004-07-15 15:34

If you're seeking longevity, Japanese cuisine has claims on your appetite.

The fish-based, low-fat diet is widely considered a secret to the long lives of many adherents.

Indeed the only drawback tends to be the relatively high price of Japanese dishes. Seafood inevitably costs more and the rarer it is, the higher will be your bill.
A newly-established restaurant offering Japanese dishes aims to offer high quality for those of us outside the so-called 'golden-collar'elite.

And it's true that a visit to Qingye won't necessarily break the bank.

That's largely because more than 50 kinds of set menus are available with each costing just 48 yuan (US$5.8).

Before ordering from the set menu, I had my doubts. Perhaps lower prices meant less food.

But again, I was to be pleasantly surprised.

The Beef Tebbanyaki Set and Pork Tebbanyaki Set were cooked on iron plates. Chefs made  the beef and pork tender and tasty and not the least bit greasy.

If you go Japanese, the temptation is to order a bottle of sake, the Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice. While the drink is not strong and tastes a little bit sweet, it's easy to overdo it because it slips down so easily.

If your sweet tooth remains unsatisfied, choose from a variety of desserts, including fruits and yogurts of different flavours. All are free.

In addition to around 200 dishes such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, tebbanyaki and noodles, the typical Japanese interior decoration catches the eye.

It boasts 10 separate private rooms. Each is named after a well-known scenic spot or city in Japan, such as Kobe, Hokkaido and Osaka. In addition, the delicate traditional Japanese paintings on the walls add to the exotic ambience.

The three-language menu (Chinese, Japanese and English) offers convenience to eaters from around the world.

Location: 1F, Wing A, Huiyuan Apartment, close to Beichen Shopping Centre, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6499-1390