Matsuko (Songzi)
Cuisine
Japanese
Hours
Daily 10:30am-2pm and 5-10:30pm
Location
In Baijiazhuang, on East Third Ring Road (across from T.G.I. Friday's), Chaoyang East
Phone
010/6582-5208
Prices
Meal for 2 „160-„180 ($20-23)
Credit Cards
AE, DC, MC, V

A surprising number of Japanese restaurants in Beijing offer good lunch buffet deals, but Matsuko's stylish wasabi-green interior makes it a far more pleasant place to dine than its cafeteria-style competitors. The buffet (daily 11am-1:30pm; „68/$9) runs the gamut of Japanese favorites from sushi to udon, all with unlimited Asahi beer or soft drinks and a free plate of sashimi.

The only complaint is with the tempura shrimp, so good they disappear as soon as they're brought out. Get there early to stake out one of the small tatami rooms, kept semi-separated from the throng by walls of wood and frosted glass.

A la carte items are more expensive but nicely done.