The Gubei International Community, established with its first residential buildings around 1989, is one of the oldest and longest-extant international communities in Shanghai. It is also home to a very large enclave of Japanese expats, and that shows in the density of bona fide Japanese restaurants throughout the area. You'll find everything from hole-in-the-wall ramen shops and sprawling Japanese BBQ spots to late-night izakayas with endlessly flowing sake and daytime sushi venues offering the freshest fish.

While Dianping lists thousands of establishments categorized under "Japanese food" in the Gubei area, we've done the back-breaking (read: stomach-stretching) legwork for you, narrowing that list down to a manageable dozen spots – an easy day full of eating (if you're Hulk Hogan).

Here's our top-hits list for where to eat the best Japanese food in Gubei:

Yi Xing | 一幸

A bustling izakaya and sushi house, Yi Xing requires a reservation every time you visit (which can only be made by stopping by in person). But the mafan (trouble) is worth it for the top-notch quality sushi-grade fish and genuine Japanese fare. With an ample menu spanning Sashimi (65-138 yuan/US$9.11-19.34), Nigiri (15-30 yuan), Yakitori (7-20 yuan) and common sides like tamagoyaki, tempura and rice bowls, it's a challenge not to order the whole menu.

One of the most popular items, the Yi Xing Seafood Roll (138 yuan) is a behemoth tube stuffed to the gills (pun intended) with salmon, tuna belly, eel, fatty tuna and egg – nearly the size of four standard sushi rolls in one – ideal for sharing.

Equally enticing, the Gyudon Beef Rice Bowl (50 yuan)is a heaping portion of simmered beef with sautéed onions, mushrooms and a runny egg, served with a variety of pickles, a side salad, miso soup and a steamed egg – a complete meal for a bargain of a price.

If you go:

Yi Xing 一幸

No. 12, Lane 19, Ronghua Rd W.

荣华西道19弄12号

Kushi Ramen | 纪州豚骨酱油拉面

One of Shanghai's standout tonkotsu ramen (in our humble opinion) is served at Kushi, an unassuming yakitori and ramen den. Here, the Tonkotsu broth (53 yuan) is soul-warmingly creamy and boasts hearty porkbone overtones. The pork belly chashu's fat melts in the meat's layers, unctuous on one side and charred to a pleasant scorch on the other.

While we initially opted for the more wanghong Scallion Tonkotsu (47 yuan) – essentially the same as the original sans a few toppings and plus a metric ton of scallions – it's more gimmick than good as the pepperiness of the scallions overpower the true star – the fragrant broth and silky noodles.

Aside from tonkotsu, the menu sees a handful of other ramen styles, fried chicken and customary small plates like wasabi octopus, clams in spicy sauce, natto, gyoza, tonkatsu meats, yakitori skewers and eel rice bowls. More substantial sizzling proteins served on cast-iron plates are similarly worthwhile meal contenders.

Pro Tip: While the original tonkotsu includes a six-minute ramen egg, the scallion tonkotsu does not. However, do not skip said egg.

We repeat, do not skip the egg.

Hell, order three; we promise it's worth it for that indulgently yolky ooze.

If you go:

Kushi Ramen 纪州豚骨酱油拉面

Shop 41, Basement Level 1, 239 Jinyan Rd

锦延路329号地下一楼41铺

Sobamichi | そば道·荞麦道日本料理

Arguably Shanghai's tastiest venue for authentic soba noodles, Sobamichi offers seven different Soba Noodle (48-58 yuan) dipping broths (duck confit, mala chicken, braised offal, seafood, duck miso, blacky curry and walnut) for two different widths of in-house made soba noodles (thick or thin) to a mostly Japanese clientele.

You love to see it.

The nutty noodles are served cold with a springy chew that contrasts the dipping broth on the side, soaking up the equal parts sweet and spicy curry, seafood, or lip-tingling mala spiced chicken broth into each slippery strand.

Another specialty at Sobamichi is the Buckwheat Tofu (38 yuan) made from the same buckwheat flour found in the soba, plus – unsurprisingly – tofu (as the dish name suggests) and – surprisingly – cream cheese, for an ultra-custardy, luscious mouthfeel. Dribbled in a sticky soy and potato starch sauce, crunchy buckwheat kernels add textural contrast while wasabi lends necessary heat.

The eponymous soba is the main draw, but diners also can round out the meal with sukiyaki, yakitori, fried snacks, tonkatsu rice bowls, and small plates for sharing.

If you go:

Sobamichi そば道·荞麦道 Japanese Restaurant

689 Xianxia Road

仙霞路689号

Wanhuo Izakaya | 万火酒场

A lively drinking den, Wanhuo Izakaya serves up everything from marinated skewers to grilled onigiri rice triangles with homemade pickles, from miso steak to charred chicken, plus highballs galore.

Most grilled meat skewers go for 10-20 yuan each, with sweet soy-slathered chicken and chimichurri-topped pork or beef being our go-tos. Thick yet tender, each is grilled to perfection, with juicy drippings of char-licked protein dribbling down your chin after each bite.

Pair the meat with grilled rice triangle Onigiri (15-18 yuan), available slathered in garlic butter, anchovy, or mentaiko – all three of which are paired with homemade pickles. While onigiri can oftentimes be just a carb filler, this rendition is all about the juxtaposing textures, with charred kernels on the outside giving way to a fluffy white rice center.

Fusion small plates – like oil-boiled shrimp; red-wine braised fig; or seaweed, cabbage, and bonito flake salad – fill out the menu.

If you go:

Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场

1/F, Bldg 4, Xiuxian Street, Soho3911

Soho3911休闲街4号楼1楼

Ieyasu Izakaya | 家康居酒屋

A Japanese establishment famed for its ropey udon noodles dunked in Tsukemen Ramen (45 yuan/small, 52 yuan/large), Ieyasu Izakaya offers nine different soup bases – miso, hot miso, soy sauce, hot soy sauce, sesame, hot sesame, curry, tomato and cheese, and kimchi.

Each bowl comes loaded with chashu pork, a soft-poached egg, pickled bamboo, cabbage and nori shreds – and, unexpectedly, a fried rice ball stuffed and golden, reminiscent of Japanese arancini. Designed for dipping, the broth is rich, glossy and thick enough to coat each strand of noodle in savory pork flavor, balanced with an umami seafood note from kombu.

The ramen here leans toward a gravy-like consistency, with a hint of smokiness just shy of overpowering. Shredded pork pieces float throughout, adding to the soup's murky depth. While it may not be the most refined bowl of ramen, the rich, warming broth and perfectly al dente noodles earn this bowl a solid 7/10 for its undeniable, moreish appeal on the ramen Richter scale.

Aside from dipping ramen, there's tonkotsu ramen plus the usual izakaya skewered suspects – chicken wings, chicken meatballs, gizzard, pork belly, gingko nuts, and shitake – go for 10-20 yuan a stick, while other commonplace Japanese sides – folded tamagoyaki omelets, fried chicken, and the like fall in the 15-30 yuan range.

If you go

Ieyasu Izakaya 家康居酒屋

Shop 4, 48 Xingyi Rd

兴义路48号4号商铺

Akatsuki | 晓あかつき海鲜居酒屋

A favorite amongst Japanese businessmen, hip locals and in-the-know expats, Akatsuki is always the best meal of your week. Instead of the customary grilled meats and chicken parts, Akatsuki focuses on sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes beginning with 's' – like sukiyaki.

The fish quality is par none, with buttery tuna belly, delicate mackerel and snappy prawns. Ask nicely, and the staff will even cook your leftover shrimp heads into a rich miso broth with juicy clams for an extra 48 yuan.

Aside from seafood, the crispy Potstickers (38 yuan), the hockey puck-sized Chicken Meatballs (19 yuan/piece) served in a drinkable ponzu and egg yolk sauce, and the shredded rather than cubed Beef Tartar (78 yuan) are all big wins.

Go in a group of more than two people and it'd be a shame to skip the Sukiyaki (128 yuan/person). Bubbling sweet broth chock-full of cabbage, onions, tofu and greens is sheathed by paper-thin layers of marbled beef. Slurp down that extra bit of broth with grilled rice Onigiri (20 yuan).

The vibe is always bumping, the owner is welcoming and the highballs flow more than freely in extra large, frothy mugs the size of your face.

If you go:

Akatsuki 晓あかつき Seafood Izakaya

2/F, Bldg C, 48 Xingyi Rd

兴义路48号C栋2楼

Daji | 大吉

Hidden amongst a slew of other Japanese venues in the basement of the Shanghai Arch Building next to Apita Mall is Daji – a chicken-centric yakitori spot slammed with hungry patrons within minutes of opening each day.

The bulk of the menu is chicken skewers – think Chicken Thigh with Scallions (12 yuan) smothered in black pepper sauce, thiccck (with three c's) and juicy Chicken Butt (10 yuan), nori-wrapped Chicken Breast with Wasabi (12 yuan), Chicken Meatball (10 yuan) with a crisp exterior slick and nose-tingling spicy mustard, among many others.

Additional must-orders include sweet-glazed Beef Belly (30 yuan) with a smoky char, Scallion Roasted Rice Ball (20 yuan) – a grilled onigiri sliced lengthwise and stuffed with scallions and tangy black pepper gravy – and Highball (30 yuan) after highball after highball, as the Japanese izakaya gods intended.

While the skewers are on the smaller side for the price and the flavors aren't necessarily the most traditional, the meat quality coupled with the connoisseur-level of grilling translate to a definite re-visit.

If you go:

Daji 大吉

LG1019, Jin Hongqiao International Center, 179 Maotai Rd,

茅台路179号金虹桥国际中心LG1019

Ole Donuts | 欧啡香

Between all that ramen, yakitori, soba and Japanese BBQ, a sweet treat pitstop is necessary, and Ole Donuts has got that sugar rush on lockdown. Mochi Donuts (7-12 yuan) are the prime attraction, with their signature bubbled shape and denser chew than American- or European-style donuts.

With a sticky, glazed finish, these donuts come in an array of flavors – from classic vanilla, chocolate and strawberry with sprinkles to inventive options like matcha milk tea (9 yuan), Oreo and white peach. A pause to satisfy your sweet tooth and refuel with a coffee to go.

If you go:

Ole Donut 欧啡香

Room 3, B1,Chuangyi, 1111 Tianshan Rd

天山路1111号现所创邑B1层03室

King BBQ | King大志烤肉黑毛牛专门店

One of Gubei's top options for Japanese BBQ, King BBQ covers all the bases and then some with...

... Meat Sets (238-666 yuan), individual cuts of beef – we suggest the Top Blade (78 yuan), Scallion Marinated Beef (68 yuan), and Bottom Flap (68 yuan) ...

...Ropey Beef Tartare (68 yuan), and even eel sauce-glazed Beef Nigiri (48 yuan/2 pieces).

On the carbs front, there's Tonkotsu Ramen (58 yuan) with incredibly thick noodles swimming in a rich pork bone broth and Bibimbap (38 yuan) loaded with all the fixings and the obligatory crisped rice bottom.

Highballs go for 35-40 yuan depending on flavor.

Pro Tip: Don't overlook the Almond Tofu (28 yuan) dessert. With its decadent, custard-like texture and a subtle sweetness balanced by toasted, crushed almonds, this sleeper hit is the perfect way to end your meal on a high note.

If you go:

King BBQ King 大志烤肉黑毛牛专门店

693 Xianxia Rd, near Weining Rd

仙霞路693号, 近威宁路

Toramaru | 虎丸烧肉

Remove your shoes upon entering, and prepare to unbutton your pants, because it's hard to not overindulge at Toramaru. Here, tables are outfitted with coal-powered flat-top grills, with grill plates regularly swapped out so your meat always has the freshest char.

If you're with a group, it's best to order one of the mixed beef sets, available for 268 yuan and 338 yuan for 500 grams, with the price difference relating to the cut's quality. Each set also comes with some vegetables, like mushrooms and squash – good for keeping the meat sweats at bay.

Other cut options range from Chuck Flap or Brisket (98 yuan/100 grams), thick-cut M9 Premium Beef (188 yuan/200 grams), Short Rib (268 yuan/430 grams), and Beef Tongue (118 yuan/150 grams). There are dozens of cuts of beef, so you can easily find something to balance your taste and budget.

Outside of grilled meats, the sides should not be overlooked. Fried Pork Belly and Kimchi (38 yuan) is a meat-lovers alternative to Kimchi Cold Tofu (24 yuan), a homemade soft tofu cube smothered in pungent kimchi, seaweed and furikake.

On the carb front, tender strips of Wagyu beef encase a mound of rice in the Wagyu English-Style Beef Rice (52 yuan). A glistening yolk sits astride said beef, waiting in anticipation to coat each grain of Japanese rice. A riff on Korean Bibibimbap (38 yuan) arrives in a hot stone bowl, charring the exterior layer of rice for a crunchy counterpart to the variety of vegetables, egg and ground beef.

Bonus: Every BBQ order includes free-flow lettuce, veggie sticks, and a choice of eight dipping sauces, plus "meat sauce"– an addictive, oily, spiced ground pork spread, like China's answer to Sloppy Joe, perfect for lettuce wraps or straight from spoon to mouth. And, as the cherry on top, there's self-serve ice cream. After indulging in all that savory goodness, why not finish with a hit of sweetness?

If you go:

Toramaru 虎丸烧肉

LG1-005, Jin Hongqiao International Center, 179 Maotai Rd

茅台路179号金虹桥商场地下1楼LG1-005

Extra Credit... Some Great Korean Options... in the Gubei area

Gubei area isn't just slinging Japanese eats; it's also packed with Korean mainstays that save you the trek to Korea Town proper. So, for the bonus round, we're tossing in two extra spots for the overachievers out there.

Shan Cha Hua Hanguo Jiating Liaoli | 山茶花韩国家庭料理

Famed Korean BBQ resto Shan Cha Hua Hanguo Jiating Liaoli opened its flagship location in the basement of the Shanghai Arch Building (connected underground to Apita Mall) in Gubei in 2014, later adding two sister locations (called She Lang Bang by Shan Cha Hua 舍廊邦by山茶花) to the group in 2021 and 2023.

This always-busy, classic KBBQ joint pumps out traditional fare – marinated galbi beef shortribs, thick-cut pork belly, tender bulgogi, beef brisket, and more – plus some of the city's most bangin' kimchi.

The spacious layout fits more than 200 people, yet within minutes of opening each day, the venue is instantly packed, with a growing line out the door. And this is owed to, what we have dubbed, the requisite KBBQ trifecta – stellar quality meat, standout banchan sides, and efficient service.

Arguably the star of the show, the meat kicks off with the top-ordered Karubi Plato (68 yuan/180 grams) – thin strips of marinated beef brisket that sizzle into beefy bacon-like ribbons, crisping at the edges with that essential Maillard char. This high-heat sear locks in all the meat's juicy flavor, making each bite a perfect balance of tenderness and caramelized crust.

Paired with lettuce and shiso for wrapping, the ideal combination consists of said leaves and beef, plus a slather of doenjang soybean paste, a scoop of kimchi, and a pickled perilla leaf – culminating in the ultimate Korean BBQ bite.

Other compulsory orders include House-Marinated Beef Ribs (138 yuan/250 grams) crosshatched like an accordion for increased grilling surface area.

…unctuous Pork Belly (55 yuan/180 grams) that puckers and spits, the fat bubbling and melting just right, plus Pork Jowl (50 yuan/150 grams) and Thick-Cut Beef Tongue (80 yuan/100 grams) for the true carnivores. Beyond the grill, you've got the staples: Hot Stone Bibimbap (35 yuan), a crispy-edged Seafood Pancake (55 yuan), Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables (28 yuan), and, of course, Fried Chicken (88 yuan). It's a tight, no-nonsense lineup of Korean BBQ essentials.

The sides rotate daily, including a traditional assortment of textbook kimchi (a flawless balance of spice, funk, sauce, and crunch), pickled perilla leaves, daikon strands fresh kimchi, mashed potatoes, velvety pumpkin rice porrdige, marinated zucchini, bean sprout salad, and more.

If you go:

Shan Cha Hua Hanguo Jiating Liaoli

LG2, Rooms 2006-2007, 179 Maotai Rd, Shanghai Arch Building (near Apita Mall)

茅台路179号金虹桥商场LG2楼2006-2007室

bb·q Chicken | 比比客

Hailing from Seoul, bb.q Chicken is a fried chicken and beer chain with a global footprint in more than four dozen countries. Shanghai alone plays host to four shops, of which one falls in our Gubei food lineup radius.

The majority of the menu is – you guessed it – fried chicken, available both boneless and on-bone, in a smattering of sauce and spice variations. The signature Olive Chicken (38 yuan/2 pieces) features lightly battered, crackly skin tearing off to reveal succulent, brined meat below.

Other flavors like mala spice, sweet and sour, honey ginger or cheese vary in execution (the "cheese" is undeniably sweet and powdery), so we suggest sticking to the classics or ordering the 20-piece Four Flavor Plate (115 yuan) so you don't have to gamble an entire meal on one question mark flavor.

In addition to the customary flats or drums, large pieces, like entire thighs, duo-part wings, and meaty breasts equate to mighty portions. Rounding out the menu are Kimbap (35 yuan), Fried, Bibimbap (40-48 yuan), Pizzas (68-78 yuan), Salads (68-78 yuan), Grilled Meats (46-158 yuan), and a handful of other traditional Korean plates.

If you go:

bb·q Chicken 比比客

Room 303, 1000 Hongsong Rd E.

红松东路1000号303室