From the irony tuna, sweet and delicate shrimp, to the creamy uni - a sashimi rice bowl is a treat for seafood-lovers. Mixed in with some well-prepared and vinegary rice, the seafood shines even more. However, a lot of people still vehemently dislike the idea of raw fish. While personally I enjoy the brininess and chewy texture, to each their own! At Agora in Shanghai, they accomodate all palates - serving up Japanese hotpots, exotic beef tongues, sashimi, tempuras, and all else Japanese cuisine.
From the entrance to Agora, the theme of the restaurant design is very clear: modern Japanese. Although I automatically assumed that the name Agora would have Japanese roots - the name actually comes from an Ancient Greek expression. Agora referred to public spaces where people would meet. It esentially meant a marketplace, with entertainment, food, and friends.
The cutlery at Agora employs Japanese floral patterns, and the plates are deep turquoise. Its unique color catches the eye and fits well with the rest of the restaurant interior.
The lighting at Agora is calming and ambient. Lights flow from under the chairs and seating, and from the ceiling like lights in an aircraft. BUT, if you're going there for photos, one downside are the shadows. The tables and lighting don't allow for the best "Instagramable" experience, but just enjoy the food!
Although the interior is nothing too special, the clean and sleek restaurant settings offers a nice reprieve from the over-decorated or ornamented dining spots. The atmosphere is perfect for a family meal.
Dishes
A traditional appetizer at Japanese restaurants, edameme beans gives you something to nibble on while waiting for the main dishes. The beans are seasoned with a sweet, spicy sauce that penetrates the skin. The edamame beans are soft, and yet still has a bite to it. The nutty creaminess from the edemame is countered by the tangy sauce. As you wait for the main dishes to arrive, your hands keep going back to it. Worth a try as a great appetizer!
Who needs A5 Wagyu beef when you can get beef tongue? Beef tongue is a delicacy that provides a rich and beefy experience. Done right, beef tongue is juicy, oily, and decadent. Agora nailed the dish with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and the perfect amount of salt. The sauce to the side cuts through the richness, but wasn't too necessary in enjoying the beef tongue. If anything, it takes away from the natural flavor.
The variety of tempuras at Agora are loaded onto the platter: eggplants, shrimp, chicken, and lotus roots. With a delicate but crispy batter on the outside, tempuras are a slightly-less greasy alternative to satisfying fried foods. The highlight was definitely the shrimp and eggplant. They were both plump and perfectly fried, retaining the moisture of the protein and vegetable. The sauce was a standard Japanese ponzu sauce, complementing the richness of tempura. Although tasty and filling, it isn't the most stand-out dish at Agora.
Rice dunked in a broth of green tea might be an unfaimilar concept. However, ochazuke is the ultimate comfort food. Usually topped with either salmon or plums, they are a great finish to a Japanese meal. Soothing, warm, and savory - Ochazuke is a dish that we order almost everytime at a Japanese restaurant. The one at Agora was topped with flaky salmon, furikake seasoning, and some wasabi to add an extra kick. Overall, I'd rate it an 8/10.
When we think of eating salmon, we often imagine the beautifully marbled belly meat, the perfect fillets...We don't think of the salmon head. But, it's surprisingly delicious. With alot of fish cartilage, fat, and other tissues imbedded with the meat left on the collar, you should never throw away a salmon head. Dipped into the spicy and extremely tangy sauce, it is definitely worth a try.
At a steep price point of 148 rmb for a bowl of rice with pieces of fish, this better be good. The tuna was fresh and fatty. The salmon was heavily marbled and rich. All of the sashimi were sliced neatly and with variation with the chewier sea bream, cut into thinner slices. The shrimp's flesh was sweet and plump. Although I'm not a big fan of Japanese egg custards, these ones at Agora were amazing - sweet but without the taste of cooked eggs. Agora's Sashimi Rice Bowl blends together perfectly.
Overall Summary
Agora, located in both Kerry Parkside and Reel Shopping Mall, delivers on Japanese cuisine. With a variety of items on their menu, it fits most palates and allows for a broad experience of Japanese cuisine. Unlike Gatten-sushi or the tonkatsu spot covered on this blog that specializes in one specific part of japanese cuisine, Agora offers a high-quality taste of everything. Located in two of the best and most-elegant malls in Shanghai, it's great for a Friday night out or for a meeting with business partners/clients. Although its price point is more expensive than other spots covered on this blog, it's still middle-range for Japanese cuisine in Shanghai. Check out Agora for their special lunch deals on weekdays too!
Address: Kerry Parkside 2nd Floor
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