まいど
Kota’s Kitchen Maido
徐汇区斜土路2905号(近零陵路)
2905号 Xietu Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
+86 21-64812005
www.kotaskitchen.com
Kota’s is a small yakitori restaurant near the Shanghai Stadium. This establishment combines the western culture of the Beatles with the traditional Japanese setting. This cozy place bring intimacy with the patrons and the friendly interactive staff.
A favorite of friends, Kota’s does simple yakitori well without the unnecessary flair. The menu has pages of skewers, mostly of chicken, with a couple of bowl offerings of rice and ramen. Their extensive sake and shochu selection warrants at least another look. You’ll notice on the wall all the saved bottles of loyal customers. Western restaurants and bars don’t offer a bottle saving service, where it is a common place at Asian ones.
The more popular skewers for the western palate include chicken breast, chicken wings, and quail egg. While the more authentic ones, though not for the squeamish, include chicken gizzard, chicken heart, chicken liver, and beef tongue. The appeal of the traditional ones include not only taste, but texture and mouth feel. Personally, I am not a big fan.
The non-skewers that we got included the chicken meatball with quail egg, the mackerel, and ramen. The meatball was quite good with the surprise hardboiled quail egg. This was one of my favorites. The mackerel was a unique presentation with the torch flame searing and cooking the fish in front of us. The taste was different as well. I like it, but I am pretty sure not everyone would. The ramen, was also quite yummy. The broth was light and flavorful. The noodles were of the right texture. And it was just right. I hope to find a decent ramen house – with this quality of ramen, here in Shanghai, soon.
Anyways. . .I hope to return again. Another good thing about Kota’s is that they aren’t the All-You-Can-Eat type of place. I tend to believe that AYCE’s quality of food and ingredients can’t match the non-AYCE’s, like Kota’s. Also, one last note, make sure you get reservations, cause this place is small and fills up fast.
What to Order: Any of the Sakes or Shochu’s. I hear that the owners has his own home-brewed sake – so he knows his alcohols. Make sure you also get the ramen.
What not to Order: Almost everything at Kota’s is great. But I wouldn’t order the chicken cartilage, again.
Rating
3 Pigs
Price Range 2 $/¥/NT
Links
City Weekend, Smart Shanghai, CNNGo, Dianping, Sloshspot, Shanghai Expat, Faerieimps, Asia City, Shanghai Stuff, Chainavi
Popularity: 23% [?]
this has been on my list for months! the meatball stuffed with quail egg looks really good…
sugared & spiced recently posted..Souper Fresh
Authentic Yakitori, Shochu, Ramen and the Beatles – doesn’t get much better than this! Doesn’t feel like you’re in Shanghai when you’re there. Plus the service is good and the staff is friendly. Kota’s is good food, good times. I’ll be back soon.
This place remind me of Musha + Honda Ya!!! There’s this new Izakaya place in Jtown called “Fu-Ga”. it’s really yummy! We need to go there when you come home next time! when are you coming back again?!???? we miss you!!
You are very lucky you have been to Kota kitchen in Shanghai! I love the place and its decoration! The food looks great! The stuffed meatballs and ramen look very delicious!
You are very lucky you have been to Kota kitchen in Shanghai! I love the place and its decoration! The food looks great! The stuffed meatballs and ramen look very delicious! Yum!
Keisha@marshalfirth. recently posted..Rocket Theme
Great call on Kota’s! I finally made my way out there and it was all that you described and more. The grapefruit shochu was a perfect summer libation and the short rib skewers were delicious. I may make a standing reservation!