Asian Table Monkai: Medicinal Chinese Cuisine

Asian Table Monkai (アジアンテーブル モンカイ) is a distinctive Karuizawa restaurant built around a philosophy of medicinal, restorative cooking. The chef prepares everything from scratch, avoiding all chemical seasonings to create a menu rooted in traditional Chinese principles. The experience is intimate and personal, with the chef often explaining the dishes and their ingredients directly to guests.

The signature offering is the breakfast, centered on a special congee (中華粥), often enriched with dried scallop. This is served as a set with ten small, seasonal side dishes and six different house-made condiments, including a popular XO sauce. Reviewers consistently praise this elaborate morning meal. The desserts are another highlight, particularly the almond tofu (杏仁豆腐), made painstakingly from actual apricot kernels, and a rich mango pudding. While the food receives near-universal acclaim, some guests have noted drawbacks. As a one-person operation, service can be slow and the timing of dishes uneven, with occasional reports of food arriving lukewarm. A minority of reviewers have also mentioned issues with cleanliness.

Reviewers in 2024–2026 reported paying around ¥2,000–¥2,500 for the breakfast congee set. Lunch courses were noted at approximately ¥3,300 and ¥4,800, while dinner courses were typically ¥7,000 to ¥8,000. Desserts like the almond tofu or mango pudding were often available as add-ons for ¥550–¥1,000. Most diners find the restaurant offers good value, especially for breakfast and lunch, given the high quality of the ingredients and the labour-intensive, from-scratch preparation.

• Booking: Reservations are essential. The restaurant is often fully booked, so plan well in advance.
• Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
• Getting There: The restaurant is about 1.3 km from Shinano Oiwake Station. Arriving by car is recommended; six parking spaces are available.
• Service: This is a one-person operation, so expect a leisurely pace.
• Language: The chef has limited English, but many international visitors report a positive experience using translation apps.
• Seating: The restaurant is small, with just a few tables, a raised platform seat, and a terrace.
• Pets: The terrace is pet-friendly, but you must book this specific seating in advance.
• Photography: Taking photos of the restaurant's interior is discouraged, though food photography is generally permitted.