Located at the posh Ginza Six in Ginza (Chuo ward) is a Chinese restaurant located at the Ginza Grand Premium Food Hall (Ginza Daishokudo) on the 6th floor.
So, what the means is for the posh mall complex known for its luxury stores, just know immediately that the restaurant will be a bit expensive compared to other restaurants with the average price ranging from Y3000-Y3999 during the day and Y5000-Y5999 at night.
The restaurant is from Nagata Atsushi, a chef who has been active as the general chef at Chinese restaurants and Cantonese restaurants for 30 years since including the posh Hotel New Otani’s Shanghai cuisine restaurant “TAIKAN-EN”.
Known for combining high class seafood and seasonal vegetables with shark fin and lobster with a Chinese approach and delicate Japanese food culture, you get Mint Moon.
Suffice to say, I have been recommended this restaurant, so I had to give it a try!
The seats are counter seats only and no tables.
For the most part, while there are numerous things to look at for ordering, there are only few things translated in English, so more than likely those coming in for the day will go for the sets, which you have a Y3000 and another Y3500 or the menu course which is slightly more.
The choice that will be made if you want Shark Fin Sauce Over Rice (Y3000) or Shark Fin Sauce Noodles (Y3500).
I went for the latter which came with 2-piece dim sum (steamed dumpling and crab dumpling) and Annin tofu jelly.
For Y6000, you can for the special course which includes four appetizers (Yodare chicken, broiled abalone, jellyfish and crab), Peking Duck, 2 Dim Sum and Annin Tofu Jelly. If you want the Shark Fin Sauce over vegetables, add another Y2000 and if you want Braished Shark Fin (125g) add another Y40000.
In hindsight, I wish I would have ordered the Y4800 menu course which comes with three appetizers (Yodare chicken, jellyfish and crab), peking duck, and three piece dim sum (steam dumpling, crab dumpling and Cantonese dumpling), a choice of shark fin sauce over rice or shark fin sauce noodles and Annin Tofu Jelly.
There is also a beautiful box lunch that gives people the opportunity to sample various dishes for Y3800 (but it’s quite small, so great for those who are hungry but don’t want to eat a lot).
And so my dish was served and there was not a long wait. In fact, the place was clean, customer service was very good and the chef was very kind.
But let’s go ahead and give the dish a try.
The shark fin noodle soup was very flavorful and delicious. This is my first time trying shark fin and for the most part, I found the soup to be delicious. Taiwan-style noodles, the popular use of the herb pak chee (coriander).
Two pieces of delicious yet expensive dim sum.
And the Annin Tofu Jellly is sweetened tofu and very good!
For the most part, eating at Mint Moon reminds me of eating in Beverly Hills at a posh restaurant and knowing you paid for a high quality meal, but yet depending on the person, whether or not it makes you full. That’s why I do recommend the Y4800 course, because you get a bit more with the Peking duck and three appetizers. It’s only an extra Y1400.
But I did enjoy my meal at Mint Moon and a good alternative to what else is offered at Ginza Grand Premium Food Hall at Ginza Six.
UPDATE: It’s important to note that I’ve never eaten shark fin soup before, so this was my first time. But not even an hour after posting this blog, a few of you contacted me and sent me the following PSA. Thank you for educating me on shark fin soup and I will share this PSA on this blog post:
