Mon, July 30, 2012
A collaboration between Hatsune and Timezone 8, Timezone Sushi brings Japanese food to the 798 art district, with an extensive menu that’s much more than just rolls.
The walls here display art by Japanese photographer Araki, but the décor stays true to the 798 aesthetic, with the original exposed wooden beams and 1950s brick. There are tables, as well as seats around the sushi bar, and seating is very comfortable. Jazz and blues play during the day, but in the evening it’s the same soundtrack as Timezone 8’s bar—expect pop, dance and a very casual, young atmosphere.
The huge rolls taste like they’re straight out of Hatsune, although the actual ingredient combinations are unique. Our favorite was the 798 roll (RMB72), made with a crunchy combination of shrimp tempura, asparagus and tobiko, with avocado and wasabi mayonnaise. The Timezone 8 roll (RMB58) offers a strong shiso leaf flavor, with torched white tuna, tobiko, wasabi mayo, unagi sauce and green onions. The “yellow umbrella” (RMB98) is a more luxurious and filling mix of shrimp tempura and snow crab, topped with avocado, ebi, unagi sauce, sesame and green onions. The spicy tuna hand roll is another specialty, and a pretty good deal at RMB30. Sashimi really stands out as some of the best we’ve had in Beijing, for both fish quality and cuts. The small assortment of 15 pieces is RMB148.
The menu also extends to ramen, yakitori and other grilled dishes. The mini yakitori skewers are very reasonably priced. The crunchy chicken cartilage (RMB6) and chicken and onion (RMB8) offer full flavors, and we could see ourselves ordering many of the quail eggs (RMB6). The miso ramen (RMB42) is perfectly presented, with a savory broth, al dente noodles, crunchy bean sprouts and a delicious egg. It’s definitely big enough for a one-person lunch.
Our rating: 4/5 stars
DETAILS
What: Timezone Sushi
Where: 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798 Art District, 酒仙桥路4号
Tel: 5978-9917
