Haiku by Hatsune (IFC) @ Shanghai

California-style sushi rolls in Shanghai anyone? Sushi and sashimi purists might want to stay away, as it’s all about the California-style rolls at this chic, highly popular Japanese haunt.

Located next to the Apple Store in IFC Mall, this native of Beijing came to Shanghai and made a name for itself at the French Concession shop with its innovative sushi rolls. Here at IFC Mall, they have up the ante with a more approachable menu for the lunchtime crowd.

Ika noodles with uni and ikura – The noodles are made from raw squid and set in a cold dashi broth. The umami is further enhanced with uni (sea urchin) and ikura (marinated salmon roe) and decorated with black caviar. Delicious start to lunch.

They are famous for sushi rolls and so we have to order one. Their most famous was the spicy salmon roll, but princess could not handle spice. So we have to stick to the more conservative tuna california roll. Competently done, but nothing to shout out. The tuna was not as fresh as one would expect for this price. The only ingredients in the roll were avocado and cucumber.

A typical Japanese gyu don – the onions were properly caramelised and provided the naturally sweetness. The beef with the special sauce was dry and lost the spotlight to the onions.

Spicy kimchi ramen – What I liked was the broth – a spicy kimchi chicken stock with half a molten centre egg and wakame.

It was an expensive lunch. The service for a Japanese restaurant was pretty bad, the waitress was not able to give recommendation – they need to improve on staff training or else they would not do justice to the food.

Haiku by Hatsune 隐泉の语
IFC Pudong, B1/F, 8 Shiji Da Dao, near Lujiazui Huan Lu

Closed – the only place to try it is in Beijing