[Shanghai Girl Eats] Sutekiya 素敌馆

Sutekiya 素敌馆 | Dianping
Address: 3/F, Garden Plaza, 2088 Yan’an Xi Lu near Yili Lu / 延安西路2088号嘉顿商业广场3楼(近伊犁南路)
Date visited: 2015.06 for dinner
Price: set menus RMB480/680/980/1280; a la carte dishes RMB50-700
Will return: Yes

Sutekiya is in Gubei or Hongqiao or I don’t really know the difference except that is is a bit far out but worth the trek. Sutekiya literally translates to “enemy of the vegetable” (素敌馆) if my Chinese proves to be competent. I think we are already on the same page without going into the food yet.

I would say Sutekiya is refined teppanyaki — no flare up tricks or onion towers here. They know what they are doing and the menu has not changed for however long this place has been open so the chefs have basically cooked these dishes a million times. The food is good but there is just so little of it. The portions here are for ants. I mean, they are like really small and really expensive.

Premier Wagyu beef sashimi (RMB380) and shrimp sashimi (RMB105 per shrimp) in the back
Recommend: maybe
This is no doubt quality beef sashimi and doesn’t taste gamey at all. But honestly a little expensive to justify spending RMB380 for about 6 slices. The shrimp sashimi was way out of control clocking in at RMB105 per piece — also great quality but definitely won’t be getting that again for this price.

Gnocchi with sea urchin & Russian caviar (RMB180)
Recommend: yes
A little itty bitty serving is how Sutekiya likes to do things here. I will accept this in the name of good food. I was told the gnocchi was filled with lobster brain, though I really couldn’t discern it with the sea urchin taste.

Running bread with egg (RMB80)
Recommend: yes
Runny egg wrapped in a paper thin crispy cut of bread with some ketchup. Surprisingly tasty for something seemingly rudimentary.

Foie gras and scallop (RMB280)
Recommend: yes but at the same time you can get this anywhere else and this is very expensive… I don’t understand…

Capellini with black truffle & Russian caviar (RMB120)
Recommend: definitely
The world’s tiniest pasta portion but I promise it is very delicious. The capellini is served chilled with a simple oil, subtle black truffle, and caviar combination.

Premier Wagyu strip loin beef steak (RMB520 for 100g)
Recommend: yes
I always talk about how beef in restaurants in Gubei just seem to be far superior than more central locations like French Concession and the Bund. This is one of them. So marbled and melt-in-your-mouth – great paired with a dabble of wasabi or garlic chip.

Fried rice (RMB80)
Recommend: yes
Fried rice is something I am happy to eat every day. My mom used to tell me to not order it in restaurants because it is a basic Chinese staple that we can cook at home (but I swear it is not the same). This is a good restaurant fried rice. Sutekiya use fat trimmings from their beef to up the flavor in the fried rice.

At the end, we were served umami-filled miso soup made from the shrimp heads left from the sashimi. The shrimp head was full of hepatopancreas aka delicious liquid goo.

Apple pocket (RMB100)
Recommend: yes
This is cooked and wrapped on the griddle and topped with ice cream and warm toffee sauce. I am usually not a fan of apple things but I will eat this.

Cheesecake (RMB60)
Recommend: no
Soft cheesecake almost like a mousse in a Japanese style. Fine but not special. Served with a strawberry fizz drink which is a little too foamy for my liking.

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