Haru Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar is a popular favorite with fans of Japanese food, tucked in a corner of Pinnacle Plaza in Shunyi. Widely known as a great spot for adult dinners and lunches, the restaurant also offers a kids’ set menu, designed for children ages 3 to 12 with a selection of teppanyaki codfish, salmon, and chicken sets at RMB 85 to choose from.
Today’s critics are Ruth and Alfred Lewis, (ages 10 and 6 respectively) accompanied by mom, Carol Pratt. Pratt is Canadian and her husband, Steve Lewis, is British. Both work at the British School of Beijing, Shunyi which their two children also attend. The globetrotting family previously lived in Brazil where they were huge fans of Japanese cuisine but say that since coming to Beijing nearly two and half years ago they haven’t really tried many restaurants.
Ruth selects the salmon set. It’s served with a corn salad, egg custard, avocado roll, and potato cake. For Alfred it’s the codfish set which includes a fruit salad, egg custard, tamogo thin roll, and potato cake. While their sets are prepared, the restaurant serves a variety of rolls and salads. The Candy roll (RMB 72) with salmon, avocado, and tempura cucumber is a hit with Ruth, but Alfred tells us that he “just doesn’t like avocado.” The homemade lemonade (RMB 25) is a big hit with both kids: they each ordered refills.
Alongside the kids’ menu teppanyaki sets, the chef offers up some a la carte selections. Australian 300-day grain-fed Angus filet mignon (RMB 285) is succulent and tender. “This is my favorite,” says Alfred. Chicken (RMB 68) is doused in red wine and set alight to oohs and ahhs from the whole room, while asparagus (RMB 45) is simply sautéed in butter. The chef invites both kids to help him prepare the stir-fried rice (RMB 25 per bowl), issuing cooking instructions in Chinese. Next up are jumbo prawns; Ruth prefers the body while Alfred likes the heads and sneaks one from from his sister’s plate. For dessert, handmade ice creams (RMB 35) are presented to everyone’s obvious satisfaction.
The family is delighted with the restaurant and will definitely be going back: they plan to hold Alfred’s upcoming birthday party here. To entertain their younger guests, Haru staff tells us that they will begin offering sushi making classes for children from next month. Contact the restaurant (details below) for more information.
Family-friendly facilities:
The restaurant’s private rooms can comfortably seat a family of six. The restaurant has its own private restrooms, and can provide high chairs and western cutlery for anyone uncomfortable with chopsticks; however, kids’ cutlery isn’t available.
Haru Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar
Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. 902 Pinnacle Plaza, Jingshun Lu, Shunyi District (8046 5112)
This article originally appeared on page 26-27 of the April 2016 Issue of beijingkids. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.
Photos: Uni You
