Imperial Treasure Ginza: A Celebration of Chinese Fine Dining in the Heart of Tokyo

3 days ago 10

A Celebration of Chinese Fine Dining in the Heart of Tokyo

Authenticity in food can’t be bottled into a simple recipe–originality, honesty and intention are all ingredients. But rather than a fixed set of criteria, it’s a certain sensation that’s better felt than determined. As the first dish—the dim sum platter—is served at Imperial Treasure Ginza, and the rich flavors of shrimp, white pepper and ginger unfold, an underlying certainty also sets in: this is the real thing.

A Tour Through Chinese Cuisine

Imperial Treasure serves much more than dim sum, drawing from regional Chinese traditions including Cantonese, Shanghai, Chaozhou and Huaiyang cuisines.

Their signature dish Peking duck—known for its sizzling-crispy skin and succulent-tender meat—is also on their Ginza menu. But be sure to order this dish a day in advance. It’s a time-consuming process to develop the complex flavors; harmonizing sweet caramel and deep soy with undertones of licorice. First, they steam the bird, then dry and season it. Afterwards, they leave it to mature overnight before roasting. The result? The juiciest duck meat with glassy-crisp skin gleaming in hues of bronze, copper and gold.

If you want to stay within the comfort food zone, go for the baked scallop with cheese. The scallop, aesthetically served in its shell, is baked with Chinese spinach, onion and Emmental cheese. A light creamy dish of savory, yet slightly sweet flavors: equal parts soul food and elegance.

Michelin Star-Studded Voyage Celebrating Its Japanese Arrival

Imperial Treasure may be new to Japan, but it boasts a long and rich history. In 2004, the group opened its first restaurant in Singapore. It has since expanded to over 20 restaurants in some of the world’s biggest cities, including Paris, Hong Kong, London and now Tokyo. Along the way, Imperial Treasure has earned seven of the Michelin Guide’s coveted stars, placing it at the end of the table on the international fine dining scene.

After years of carefully searching for the right place, Imperial Treasure chose central Ginza as the ideal spot for its Tokyo debut. To mark their arrival in Japan, the restaurant presents a menu featuring Ginza-exclusive dishes. Each dish crafted to honor the provenance and seasonality of local Japanese ingredients.

This includes the dish Crispy Date Chicken Stuffed with Minced Shrimp. The chicken is from the city of Date in Fukushima Prefecture, where poultry is known for its rich, elegant taste. Initially, a Chinese dish—whose original name resists direct translation, but loosely means: the beauty of a hundred flowers—is now reinterpreted with a prime Japanese ingredient at Imperial Treasure.

Though the Crispy Noodles with Shredded Kagoshima Pork and Yellow Chives is not exclusive to Imperial Treasure’s Ginza menu, it’s harder to find at its other restaurants worldwide. Each kitchen only serves this dish when the available ingredients, such as leeks and chives, are deemed top-quality. This is the case in Japan. And so these vegetables are paired with rich black pork from Kagoshima, creating a truly memorable match.

Imperial Treasure honours its arrival in Japan not only through its food, but in other considered details as well. Its Tokyo location—centred in the middle of the country—features commissioned artworks from all over Japan. These handmade pieces, exclusively made for the restaurant, adorn the restaurant’s interior.

Planning Your Visit to Imperial Treasure Ginza

A visit to Imperial Treasure commands a price in line with its ambitions. With four set-lunch courses ranging in price from ¥6,888-21,888 and five set-dinner courses ranging in price from ¥20,888-52,888, the restaurant offers menus that cater to a wider clientele, without compromising on quality. Only course menus are available for now, but an à la carte option is coming soon.

If you’re in for a union of refined, authentic Chinese cuisine and meticulous qualities of Japanese ingredients in Tokyo, Imperial Treasure is your destination. Nestled in the heart of the city’s upscale Ginza district and open daily—including public holidays—the restaurant caters to the diverse crowds of Ginza, from businesspeople and tourists to local Tokyo residents.