Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 – Chinese Cuisine Restaurants in Tokyo

Tokyo’s Chinese culinary scene shines in the 2025 Michelin Guide, with an impressive selection of starred establishments and Bib Gourmand recommendations. The Michelin Guide recognizes exceptional restaurants across three categories: three stars for “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey,” two stars for “excellent cooking worth a detour,” and one star for “high-quality cooking.” Meanwhile, the Bib Gourmand distinction highlights restaurants offering outstanding value for under ¥5,000.

Three-Star Restaurants

Sazenka (茶禅華)

Overview

The crown jewel of Chinese cuisine in Tokyo and Japan’s only three-starred Chinese restaurant in 2025. Chef Tomoya Kawada blends Chinese culinary traditions with Japanese ingredients and sensibilities, embodying his philosophy of “harmony between nature and humanity.” The restaurant’s name “Sazenka” reflects his desire to create Chinese cuisine that resonates with tea ceremony and Zen principles.

This elegant establishment in Minami-Azabu showcases Chef Kawada’s “Japanese soul with Chinese techniques” approach, incorporating seasonal Japanese ingredients into classic Chinese dishes. Sazenka has maintained its excellence for years, earning the prestigious Food Log Gold Award seven times.

Restaurant Details

One-Star Restaurants

Kouki (港式料理 鴻禧)

Overview

This Hong Kong-style restaurant embodies the cultural concept of “dining as a blessing.” Chef Tommy, originally from Hong Kong, recreates the convivial atmosphere of shared meals with showcased ingredients and communal-style dishes. Signature items include freshly made char siu and crispy chicken that transport diners to Hong Kong.

Restaurant Details

Itsuka (慈華)

Overview

This refined restaurant bases its cuisine on Sichuan traditions but with a lighter touch on spices, focusing instead on quality ingredients. Chef enhances steamed and stir-fried dishes with fermented vegetables for added umami. Each meal concludes with a choice of noodle dishes such as dan dan noodles, hot and sour noodles, or hot pot noodle soup.

Restaurant Details

Series (シリーズ)

Overview

True to its name meaning “connection,” Series offers a multi-course dining experience featuring small plates influenced by various international cuisines and techniques. Creative interpretations include a beef version of mouth-watering chicken, foie gras-stuffed chicken wings, and Beijing duck wrapped in kadaif pastry. The restaurant’s diverse pairings of wine, sake, and cocktails complement the innovative dishes.

Restaurant Details

Kohakukyu (中国飯店 琥珀宮)

Overview

Located on the 5th floor of Palace Hotel Tokyo in Marunouchi, this elegant restaurant offers panoramic views of the Imperial Palace gardens. Part of the prestigious Chugokuhanten group, it serves refined Cantonese and Shanghai cuisine with Sichuan influences. Their Beijing duck receives particular praise from diners.

Restaurant Details

Fureika (中国飯店 富麗華)

Overview

A cornerstone of Tokyo’s Chinese cuisine scene for over 25 years, this Higashi-Azabu establishment specializes in traditional Shanghai and Cantonese dishes. The extensive menu features over 100 à la carte options, from Kinka pork char siu to steamed whole grouper and superior consommé soup. Regional Chinese classics and seasonal creations offer diners exceptional variety.

Restaurant Details

Bib Gourmand Selections

Ippei Hanten (一平飯店)

Overview

This intimate establishment harmonizes Chinese culinary techniques developed in Japan with Cantonese influences from Hong Kong. The courses feature smaller portions and more dishes to preserve optimal temperature and aroma. Menu highlights include congee representing Hong Kong’s daily fare, shrimp wrapped in rice paper and yuba, and hot pots featuring grouper or wild boar. The chef skillfully balances the five flavors using various sauces, spices, and fermented foods.

Restaurant Details

REI Chinese Restaurants

Overview

Named after the “dawn of a new era,” REI offers a fresh take on casual Chinese cuisine in a sleek monochrome setting with wine pairings. Familiar dishes like mapo tofu, mouth-watering chicken, and chili shrimp receive creative updates with house-made condiments and seasonal ingredients. Specialties include twice-cooked pork with spring cabbage and sweet and sour pork with seasonal vegetables.

Restaurant Details

Hibino Chuuka Shokudou (日々の中華食堂)

Overview

This modern yet warmly decorated restaurant aims to be a neighborhood gathering spot in Yoyogi-Uehara. Focusing on Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines, it offers lunch set meals featuring mapo tofu and poached chicken, while dinner features an à la carte selection. The small-plate appetizers are designed for casual sampling, and their whole crispy chicken is perfect for sharing. The friendly service enhances the relaxed dining experience.

Restaurant Details

Meisyan (中国四川料理 梅香)

Overview

This small Sichuan restaurant is operated by two dedicated women who provide heartfelt cooking and service. Popular dishes include shrimp in chili sauce, dan dan noodles, and their distinctive white fried rice (without coloring). The intimate setting enhances the personal dining experience.

Restaurant Details

Sen no Mago (仙ノ孫)

Overview

This health-conscious restaurant emphasizes the Chinese concept of “medicine and food sharing the same source.” The chef incorporates Chinese herbal medicine into seasonings and uses vegetables from his family farm in Oita, grown with natural farming methods. The dinner menu features a wide selection of Sichuan and Shanghai dishes, with their mapo tofu being particularly distinctive – offered in three styles: Sichuan, aged doubanjiang, and salt-based.

Restaurant Details

Piao Xiang (飄香)

Overview

Proudly presenting “old Sichuan” cuisine, this restaurant researches historic recipes and evolves them for contemporary palates. Each course draws inspiration from Chinese history and culture, with dish names expressed in just two Chinese characters to spark diners’ imagination. “Furyo” references the flower of Chengdu in Sichuan Province, while “Kihi” uses wine favored by Yang Guifei. The chef’s passionate creations are expertly communicated by the manager.

Restaurant Details

Jeeten (ジーテン)

Overview

Specializing in “Yoshida-style Chinese home cooking,” this restaurant focuses on Chinese medicinal cuisine designed to promote wellbeing. Inspired by his own experience of recovering from health issues through Chinese cooking, the owner creates dishes that nurture vitality. Menu items include appetite-stimulating mapo tofu and fatigue-fighting sweet and sour pork with black vinegar. The homey atmosphere is enhanced by Beatles and oldies music playing in the background.

Restaurant Details