Guomao’s China World Shopping Mall is still opening and the end doesn’t appear to be in sight! Next up on the list is HANA by Hatsune.
Hatsune is one of the OGs of the Beijing food scene and has been constantly pushing to provide the best food and service since then. Now, with more than a decade of experience, founder Alan Wong wanted to show off what they have learned with a new concept called HANA.
Meaning “flower” in Japanese and “family” in Hawaiian, HANA is focused on family-style sharing in an ambiance that’s inspired by Kyoto’s bamboo forests, which is a striking contrast to the full floor-to-ceiling window views of Beijing’s growing CBD skyline.
HANA is a new concept by the Hatsune restaurant group designed to appeal to foodies who truly appreciate fine foods. While HANA still guarantees the “Hatsune” quality of ingredients, meticulous attention to detail and innovative dining atmosphere, HANA is much more focused on showcasing individual ingredients using premium raw materials. Giving our chefs a new platform to showcase their creativity, each menu page is dedicated to a different unique ingredient.
On the 6th floor of China World Mall, just next to Blue Frog, HANA’s striking entrance showcases real moss, bamboo stalks and little pebbles that allow diners to forget that they are in the confines of a shopping mall as soon as they step through the curtains.
Entrance of HANA by Hatsune (6th Floor of the China World Shopping Mall)
Main Dining Area
Sushi Counter
Sake & Cocktail Bar
Views of the Towering CBD Skyline
So what does this mean for the eaters? Well, it is a little more expensive than Hatsune per head, but there are some really mouthwatering dishes on the menu. We took a large table to try out as many as we could!
From the word go, I think you’ll see how Hana has taken some classic dishes and added a little extra indulgence to push the boundaries.
LDS Snapshots of HANA by Hatsune’s Dishes:
Edamame with Truffle Salt (RMB 25)
Case in point, our first dish: truffled edamame beans. Salted edamame is a cornerstone of Japanese food, but the addition of the truffle takes it to the next level! Utterly addictive.
Grilled Okra with Yamaimo (RMB 25)
There’s something about okra that makes it hands down one of my favorite vegetables. The slimy okra with even more slimy yam may not sound appetizing to all, but this will definitely appeal to foodies who love this type of texture.
Uni & Yamaimo Wrapped with Nori (RMB 50)
Likewise the uni with yam represents the evolution of the other dish we got – the okra with yam. If you’re an uni lover, you’re already sold.
Hiyayakko Tofu with Uni & Katsuo (RMB 28)
Uni really just makes everything better, so it’s natural there are several dishes for you to maximize on your uni consumption.
Roasted Gingko Nuts (RMB 25)
Spinach Rolls with Ikura, Tobiko and Shiitake (RMB 28)
Roasted Mentaiko Roe with Nori (RMB 50)
While this may look like sausages to the untrained eye, they are, in fact, sacks of salted cod roe. Don’t be scared, it’s basically just densely packed roe – a true taste of the sea.
Torched Hirame Skirt with Wakame (RMB 42)
Piled on top of thinly sliced cucumber, this fatty fish is first sliced into strips and torched for a light smoky flavor.
Trio of Oysters on the Half Shell with oysters from France, South Africa and New Zealand (RMB 145)
One for you and two for me. Each of the three oysters comes topped with different toppings from raw quail egg to a garlic chip and caviar to diced onions and lime.
Roasted Matsutake (RMB 118)
To really get the most out of Matsutake mushrooms, they’re best marinated before roasting and here you even have an extra sauce for dipping.
Buta-Kakuni Salad with Soy Dressing (RMB 78)
This pork kakuni salad is definitely one of those pleasure point dishes. The pork is sweet, fatty and salty. Hits all of those deep, primal feelings right on the button.
Seared Salmon & Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing (RMB 70)
Thick chunks of tender, seared salmon with creamy avocado is a beautiful pairing. Light and refreshing, but also substantial and satisfying.
Sashimi Salad with Yuzu Dressing (RMB 85)
Quality sashimi is displayed around the mini mountain of greens with some crunchy gobo for added texture. The dressing is a light yuzu, which is lovely with the juicy cherry tomatoes.
Mixed Sashimi Platter of Amaebi, Abalone, Akami
Kawai Sushi Box with 9 Mini Nigiri Bites (RMB 145)
If you really want to bring out the cuteness in whoever you’re with, order the kawaii nigiri balls. Little spherical sushi goodness that is uber social media-able.
D-I-Y HANA Table-Side Hand Rolls (RMB 45 each)
One of HANA’s sushi chefs comes to your table kitted out with portions of a half dozen different hand roll fillings ranging from sashimi chunks, tobiko and ikura, crunchy gobo, avocado slices, etc. While we were treated to this collection of tasty ingredients, this offering will rotate between different filling options on a regular basis.
Seared Live Scallop with Nori Wrap (RMB 108)
I hope I’m not jumping the gun because I normally like to save the best for last, but this is hands-down my number one recommendation from everything we tasted across multiple meals (you didn’t think I ate all this food in one sitting, did you?!). No idea what they did to this dish to make it a flavor bomb, but everything about it made me want more of it. The crispy nori sheet was like a cross between candy and a chip and that sharp garlic sauce on top of the tender, juicy scallop is something that should be sold in a jar so that I can spread it on everything.
Chicken Kara-Age (RMB 55)
Gourmet chicken nuggets with wasabi mayo drizzled over the top.
Monaco Roll with Foie Gras, Cucumber, Gobo-Age, Avocado & Black Tobiko (RMB 78)
A real show-stopper, this is as posh and glam as sushi gets. From foie gras to caviar, this is one to impress your fancy friends.
Prawn Teppanyaki (RMB 165)
There is a steak teppanyaki too that is a signature dish on both the Hatsune and HANA menu, but the Prawn Teppanyaki is only available at HANA. Plump and juicy as can be, I’ll pick prawns over steak any day.
Rib-Eye Tataki with Australian Rib-Eye, Torched and Sliced with Soy-Ponzu Dip (RMB 95)
The beef tataki is beautifully presented and comes with a delightful dipping sauce, though I do appreciate that for many this could be raw meat overload!
Kaputoyaki, Salt-Roasted Salmon Head (RMB 48)
Slightly intimidating to be eating a salmon head, but you get over that pretty fast once your turn the plate around so that you’re not staring straight at it. #eek
G Roll with Soft Shell Crab, Unagi, Avocado, Tobiko, Wasabi Mayo (RMB 92)
An upgrade from the legendary Moto-Roll (previously known as Moto-Roll-Ah Roll), this G Roll is gangsta. I’m pretty sure that is what the G stands for. Gangsta or Glorious. Both work.
Popcorn Shrimp (RMB 58)
If only I could have a bucket of popcorn shrimp next time I go to the cinema, that would be money. If you really wanted to make that happen, you could try to take these little poppers to go! #onceyoupopyoucantstop
Yuzu Chicken Wings (RMB 55 for 6 pieces)
Similar to the Chicken Kara-Age or Popcorn Shrimp, the Yuzu Chicken Wings fall under dishes that are both comforting and familiar, yet you’ll find there are some lovely subtleties that distinguish them from the norm.
Crispy Eel Roll with Unagi, Avocado, Cucumber, Sweet Potato, Unagi Sauce (RMB 128)
More of that melt-in-your-mouth eel with the crispy skin but held up on its own little pedestal of sushi.
Wagyu Yakisuki – marinated and grilled and served with poached egg dip (RMB 195)
Look at the beautiful marble in the wagyu!! Marinated in a sauce, the yakisuki is a way of grilling by lightly searing the sliced wagyu on a teppanyaki grill and a small bowl with a poached egg for your dipping pleasure.
Shiso Prawn Tempura with Sea Salt (RMB 18 each)
Shiso pairs so well with teppanyaki – you can see the shiso wrapped around the prawn just under the tempura batter. With sea salt sprinkled on and your usual tempura sauce dip, this is another upgrade on a classic dish.
Niseko Pork Bowl with Grilled Pork, Onsen Poached Egg & Onions (RMB 75)
A real highlight of our meal, Hatsune has done the Niseko bowl as a limited edition special before, but I am overjoyed to be able to eat it whenever I want now! Similar to the juicy Kakuni, it is just an awesome blend of flavours and textures. #runnyeggwin
Tokyo Ramen with pork-bone stock simmered for hours, marinated half-cooked egg, BBQ fatty pork (RMB 56)
To top it all off we had some sake, a bowl of ramen with thick, sticky both just the way ramen ought to be. As the broth is so thick, this is a very filling dish but so good we slurped up every last drop. #leavenotrace
Designed to be shared between foodies who are just as passionate as you, make sure that you go with a group so that you can maximise the number of dishes you can order. We ordered a surprising amount of food for a decent price. We didn’t go for the most expensive dishes – there are some very indulgent options! – but we clearly didn’t hold back much either.
Summed up: HANA’s dishes are all served with a noticeable upgrade in dish presentation and their lively, dynamic atmosphere works for fun group dinners, a meal to impress or just because you feel like sushi (or that scallop with nori).
The dishes sparkle with creative flair, the waitstaff are professional to a t and the decor features so many lovely design details to appreciate – the criss-crossing bamboo stalks, the sushi bar lined with stones for a base a sleek marble counter top, and hanging lights glowing within woven baskets.
HANA sums up many of Hatsune’s signature traits, but 16 years since the original first opened just down the road, this new concept is already mature and ready to make a name for itself.
HANA by Hatsune Contact Details:
- Address: 6th Floor of China World Shopping Mall, North Building, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang
- 地址：朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区
- Tel: 010 8596 6131
- Opening Hours: Daily from 11:00-14:00 and 17:30-22:00
About Kristen
Kristen Lum has an accomplished background in PR, communications and events in China. Born and raised in California, Kristen has been based in Beijing since 2006 and is founder of the lifestyle blog called LumDimSum, covering mostly restaurant news and reviews alongside upcoming events around town that relate to Beijing’s muti-faceted, quickly-developing creative industries like art, music, film, health and fitness, fashion, nightlife, charity events, and travel tips.
