Washoku Guide
Cities/Shanghai/Izakaya/Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场
Shanghai · Izakaya · a la carte

Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场

JapaneseIzakayaCharcoal grillSkewersOnigiri

Wanhuo (万火, 'Ten Thousand Fires') is a long-running Gubei izakaya where the Osaka-born owner personally tends the charcoal grill every evening, producing marinated skewers, miso steak, grilled onigiri with homemade pickles, and charred chicken alongside a curated sake and highball menu.

Price
¥¥
Area
Changning / Gubei
Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 — authentic japanese restaurant in Shanghai, Changning / Gubei
Plate № 46
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About
Having operated for over fifteen years—first in Beijing and then at its current Gubei home—Wanhuo Izakaya is run by an Osaka-born owner who spent years working in a prestigious French restaurant before turning his talents to Japanese charcoal-grill cooking. The result is an izakaya with unusual depth: classic marinated skewers sit alongside red-wine braised figs, oil-boiled shrimp, and seaweed-bonito salads, reflecting both French technique and izakaya spirit. The owner is present at the grill every evening and is known to say that when he retires, the restaurant will close—a statement of total personal commitment. Featured by Tatler Asia and prominently among the top twelve Japanese restaurants in Gubei by SmartShanghai and Sophie Serves Up.
Neighborhood & visiting

Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 sits in Changning / Gubei, one of Shanghai's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • The Osaka owner personally grills every skewer, offering a hand-crafted charcoal-grill experience that is impossible to replicate by proxy.
  • A 15-year track record in two cities makes this one of the most established and consistent izakayas in Shanghai.
  • The grilled onigiri with homemade pickles and the miso steak are standout dishes that transcend typical izakaya fare.
  • The wine list—with old- and new-world Syrah and Riesling alongside sake—reflects the owner's French-restaurant background.

The owner has publicly pledged to close when he retires, making every visit a finite opportunity; check Instagram or WeChat for any seasonal closures. — Format: Izakaya. Authenticity: Owner from Osaka with prior experience at a famous French restaurant; charcoal-grill izakaya operating 15+ years (started in Beijing then Shanghai); Tatler Asia confirms the Japanese chef grills every dish personally and has pledged to close the restaurant when he retires; featured in multiple Gubei Japanese dining guides by SmartShanghai and Sophie Serves Up.

Links
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Frequently asked

About Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场

Is Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 an authentic japanese restaurant in Shanghai?
Yes — Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Shanghai: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
Where is Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 located?
Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 is located at 1/F, Building 4, Xiuxian Street, Soho3911, Hongmei Road, Changning District, Shanghai, Shanghai, China in the Changning / Gubei neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场?
Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in Shanghai we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场?
Wanhuo Izakaya 万火酒场 sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Shanghai.
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