Address - Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 2-7-4 Opening hours - every day from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Map - See directions Telephone - 3351-3511 Menu - In Japanese CC - OK

China is the mother of everything, here in Asia, but Chinese food has never been one of my favorites, perhaps because familiarity breeds contempt, or perhaps because in Tokyo there is so much new stuff to try that I never get around visiting one of the countless Chinese restaurants in town. One week ago, I made an exception for Zuien Bekkan (which in spite of its name is not part of a chain. The main restaurant closed ten years ago), a very famous place recommended to me by some friends. It is indeed excellent, and it has an interesting menu well worth exploring, and including rarities (in China) like lamb meat. I am told that what the place is famous for is Peking Duck. Ideally you should order both the Japanese and the Chinese versions of the dish. In one case you eat only the skin, in the other the whole bird. Remember to book in advance on Fridays and weekends, or you will never find a table.

How to get there:
Get out of Shinjuku Station's East exit, turn right on Shinjuku Dori, walk on the left side of the street for about 700 meters past Isetan and an Asahi Bank. Zuien Bekkan is few meters after an eyeglasses shop.