Tanya Matabei is located on 581 Fuxing Jung Road and is next to the Hong Kong famous Aberdeen Hotpot Restaurant.

The restaurant is divided in 2 floors and with ground floor being Japanese Charcoal broiled Yakitori (meaning skewers of chicken/beef/veg/seafood cooked over charcoal fire). The second floor is for Japanese Yakiniku (meaning Barbeque beef (similar to Korean BBQ) and Japanese Hotpot).

To my surprised, both floors were decorated with fine details of best Japanese interior design. Asking which I was told the place is designed by famous Tokyo Architect “Morimoto”. This place makes you feels like you are in Tokyo…Great

To me, food quality is of most important, this you can have my words and I guarantee that “THIS IS THE PLACE” All ingredient are carefully chosen and prepared in the most authentic way. Taste is super especially with a few glass of Sake…..By the way, they have a Sake collection of over 50 kinds and 100’s kind of Shochu plus an award winning wine list.

The Yakiniku floor is even more interesting. You will feel like you were at a country home and eating the best beef in the world. Very simple food and tasty. YUM.

Least to worry here is the price…..everything is priced very reasonable and good value. Business Hours are open for lunch from 11am to 2pm and Dinner and late night dining from 5pm to 4am in the morning. As the place is not very big so I would recommend you to call in advance for dinner reservations as they are full most of the time. Tel 64734901

Japanese | Tanya Matabei

Our recent dinner at Tanya Matabei handily satisfied our hunger. The tiny first floor serves yakitori (meat, mostly chicken, on a stick) while the more spacious second floor focuses on yakiniku (grilled meats). The décor follows the typical Japanese aesthetic of warm wood, a neutral palette, clean lines and practicality. The open shelving units showcase an expansive sake and shochu collection.

But while less is usually more in terms of environment, the food here is packed with flavor. We ordered a selection of skewers and the prices listed are per stick unless noted otherwise. The misleadingly named spicy leaf wrapped chicken roll (¥12) features chicken wrapped around shiso leaf (Japanese basil). It’s tasty, but not spicy. When sinking our teeth into the decadent miso pork belly (¥12) we wondered how so much fat could taste so good. The hearty yet sweet green onion wrapped with crisp and juicy bacon (¥15) is beyond delicious.

If you haven’t been won over yet, try the lightly tare-sauced Australian Wagyu beef (¥28). It’s tender at first bite with a lingering chewy meatiness. Our favorite skewer is the house special, the minced chicken stick (¥18) which is a richly moist mixture of egg, minced chicken, bread crumbs and spices roasted over charcoal. Mix the creamy raw yolk with the thick brown sauce and dip your meatball in it for a real treat. The tasty gyoza (¥25 per plate) have crispy pan fried bottoms and thin skins stuffed with garlic and ginger-flavored pork. Buttered potatoes (¥12 a plate) have a crisp outer layer, velvety insides punctuated with butter and a salty powdered seaweed topping. The fact that they have ¥20 Asahi on tap makes a good meal even better.

■ Cristina Ng