(Source: Roppongi Keizai Shimbun)
A new Chinese restaurant, “MOON FOREST” (Higashi-Azabu 3, Minato-ku, Tel. 03-6277-6394), opened on September 15 in Higashi-Azabu.
The restaurant covers approximately 70 square meters and seats 35 guests, offering authentic Cantonese dishes reminiscent of those found in Hong Kong. Inspired by “modern Chinese” restaurants overseas, the interior is designed around the theme of “the moon and the forest,” with lounge-style background music creating an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. The owner, Glass Wu, a Hong Kong native engaged in real estate and hotel ventures, personally oversaw the interior design and music selection.
The head chef, Kazumasa Satsutome, brings over 30 years of experience in Cantonese cuisine, having previously worked at “Sense” in the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo and “Yaumay” in Marunouchi. Using carefully selected Japanese ingredients, his cooking focuses on preserving the natural flavors of each element, with presentations inspired by Japanese kaiseki — served beautifully on small plates.
The menu includes several course options: the “Botan Course” (¥18,000) with 13 dishes such as caviar shumai, turtle soup, and Hong Kong-style char siu; the “Kinshikyo Course” (¥30,000) featuring 17 dishes including caviar, shark fin, and abalone; and the “Gekrinka Course” (¥60,000) offering 17 luxurious items such as lobster, sea urchin, and foie gras. A la carte items such as the “Premium Whole Shark Fin Dish” (¥88,000) are also available.
The drink menu features a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including beer, lemon sours, Shaoxing wine, sake, shochu, cocktails, mojitos, champagne, and wine.
For lunch, guests can enjoy the “Suisen Course” (¥6,000) — a six-dish menu including dim sum of the day, sweet-and-sour pork with black vinegar, and Hong Kong wonton noodles — or the “Koto Course” (¥9,000) featuring eight dishes such as XO sauce stir-fried rice noodles.
Owner Glass Wu explains,“We serve authentic Hong Kong favorites such as honey-glazed char siu rice and curry vermicelli — dishes rarely seen in Japan — using seasonal Japanese ingredients. Moon Forest is designed as a restaurant that engages all five senses, from the cuisine to the atmosphere and music. Guests can enjoy a stunning view of Tokyo Tower from the window and feel as though they’ve been transported abroad.”
The restaurant is open from 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 23:00, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
(Source: Roppongi Keizai Shimbun)