Maejima
Shiki
Restaurant in Shiki, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999
Dress
Casual
Why go
Sichuan-focused Chinese bar in Shiki (Saitama) requiring mandatory alcohol orders; two drinks minimum per guest. Counter seating for 16, smoking permitted, groups of two or more only. Named to Tabelog 100 – Chinese cuisine – EAST three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2026). At JPY 20,000–29,999, worth it for drinkers who value pairing whisky or wine with ma la spice, but non-negotiable alcohol policy and smoking make this unsuitable for non-drinkers or families.
About Maejima
At JPY 20,000–29,999 per head, Maejima occupies a premium tier in Shiki. Verified details are limited, but the essentials are clear: it is listed in Shiki, the dress code is casual, its posted hours run from 4 PM to midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with Wednesday closed. Maejima is also listed for Tabelog 100 – Chinese cuisine – EAST – 2026. Beyond those confirmed points, specific claims about seating, service style, dishes, drinks, reservations, smoking, or house policies should be treated as unverified.
Evening Hours and Visit Basics
Publicly verified information does not confirm Maejima's seating layout, room format, drinks program, reservation rules, or whether the experience follows any particular service format. What can be stated with confidence is that Maejima is an evening venue by its posted schedule: it opens at 4 PM and closes at midnight on all operating days, it is closed on Wednesdays. The casual dress code keeps the tone approachable despite the JPY 20,000–29,999 price range. Guests considering Maejima should confirm current booking requirements, seating, service details directly before visiting.
Maejima in Shiki
Maejima is in Shiki, its verified price range places it among the city's more expensive dining options. The confirmed recognition is Tabelog 100 – Chinese cuisine – EAST – 2026, but the available verified data does not establish specific dishes, a regional cooking style, a tasting-menu format, a chef profile, or a beverage pairing program. For diners comparing Maejima with other dining in Shiki or nearby options such as Asaka Bakery Asakadai ten, PATISSERIE ORANGE, ROI LEGUME Asaka honten, Shinfula, or Udon Dokoro Ohana, the grounded takeaway is simple: Maejima is a high-price Shiki venue with evening hours, casual dress, confirmed 2026 Tabelog 100 Chinese cuisine recognition.
Planning details
- Location
- 6 Chome-27-12 Honcho, Shiki, Saitama 353-0004, Japan
- Website
- tabelog.com/saitama/A1103/A110302/11052302
- Phone
- +81484238888
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Maejima presents itself as a focused dining bar that pairs authentic Sichuan Chinese cooking with a prominent whisky program. The listing highlights a wide selection of premium single malts alongside Sichuan dishes and notes repeated recognition on Tabelog’s Top 100 roster, which signals both culinary seriousness and a bar-forward identity. Information emphasizes its role as a place to eat and drink rather than a formal restaurant; the concise listing and bar designation suggest a direct, food-and-spirits-focused experience for guests who appreciate bold regional flavors and quality whiskies.
Best For
Maejima is well suited for guests seeking an evening of bold Sichuan flavors paired with thoughtful whisky choices. Its description as a dining bar with a wide selection of premium single malts makes it a logical stop for after-work drinks, casual meetups, and anyone specifically looking for whisky-focused service. Practical details in the listing—five minutes on foot from Shiki Station and online reservations available—make it an accessible neighborhood option. The listing also notes that smoking is allowed, which may affect who chooses it for a night out.
Ordering Tips
The listing recommends making use of online reservations, which the venue explicitly supports; that is a practical first step before arrival. Maejima emphasizes both Sichuan cuisine and premium single malts, so consider ordering a range of spicy, shareable Chinese dishes to sample the kitchen’s approach, and explore the whisky list as a complementary element rather than an afterthought. Note the venue allows smoking, which is stated in the listing and may influence seating choices or timing for your visit. The restaurant’s short walk from Shiki Station makes arriving by train straightforward.
Venue details
Ambiance
An intimate Chinese bar atmosphere with warm amber lighting reflecting off rows of liquor bottles, counter and table seating, and a cozy yet energetic feel that emphasizes drinking alongside bold Sichuan cuisine.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Maejima特製陳麻婆豆腐 (Maejima special Chen mapo tofu)
- 最高級毛鹿フカヒレの姿煮〜四川伝統特製オイスターソース煮込み〜 (whole premium shark fin in Sichuan-style oyster sauce)
- フカヒレ姿煮 上海蟹みその贅沢ソース (shark fin with rich Shanghai crab miso sauce)
- 成都式よだれ鶏 (Chengdu-style mouthwatering chicken)
- 黒酢の酢豚 (black vinegar sweet-and-sour pork)
- 大海老チリソース (large prawn chili sauce)
Planning details
Location
6 Chome-27-12 Honcho, Shiki, Saitama 353-0004, Japan · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- ROI LEGUME Asaka honten, - JPY 999 - JPY 999 View spending breakdown, - JPY 999 - JPY 999 View spending breakdown
- Shinfula, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
- Asaka Bakery Asakadai ten, - JPY 999, - JPY 999
- Udon Dokoro Ohana, - JPY 999 - JPY 999, - JPY 999 - JPY 999
- PATISSERIE ORANGE, - JPY 999 - JPY 999, - JPY 999 - JPY 999
Restaurant context
Maejima sits alone in Shiki's price tier: at JPY 20,000–29,999, it's ten times the cost of nearby Shinfula (JPY 1,000–1,999) or ROI LEGUME Asaka honten (under JPY 999). The Tabelog 100 recognition separates it from the neighborhood's casual options, but the mandatory-alcohol policy and smoking allowance create a barrier to entry that even higher-priced Tokyo venues avoid. If you're willing to drink and don't mind smoke, the counter experience and Sichuan focus justify the premium. If you want Chinese cuisine without the bar requirement, head to central Tokyo for more flexible formats at similar or lower prices.
For context beyond Chinese dining: Udon Dokoro Ohana and Asaka Bakery Asakadai ten both operate under JPY 999, serving neighborhood crowds with no alcohol requirement. PATISSERIE ORANGE offers pastry at similar sub-JPY 999 pricing. None hold Tabelog 100 status, none enforce the drinking rule that defines Maejima's identity. The trade-off is clear: you're paying for award-level Sichuan execution in a bar format that assumes you're there to drink as much as eat. If that aligns with your evening plans, book the counter. If you need flexibility for non-drinkers or prefer smoke-free dining, the venue's policies make it a non-starter regardless of the food quality.
Explore Shiki
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Maejima guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Maejima
| Venue | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Maejima | JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 | Tabelog 100 - Chinese cuisine - EAST - 2026 · #8 |
| ROI LEGUME Asaka honten | - JPY 999 - JPY 999 View spending breakdown | No published awards |
| Shinfula | JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 | No published awards |
| Asaka Bakery Asakadai ten | - JPY 999 | No published awards |
| Udon Dokoro Ohana | - JPY 999 - JPY 999 | No published awards |
| PATISSERIE ORANGE | - JPY 999 - JPY 999 | No published awards |
How Maejima compares with nearby options at a similar price tier.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maejima good for a special occasion?
It may suit a special occasion for diners comfortable with a ¥20,000–¥29,999 price range and evening hours. Verified details do not confirm seating style, room type, smoking policy, drinks requirements, or specific menu format, so those details should be checked directly before choosing it for an occasion.
Is lunch or dinner better at Maejima?
Dinner is the grounded choice: verified hours are 4 PM to midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with Wednesday closed. No lunch service is verified.
Is Maejima worth the price?
Maejima's verified price range is ¥20,000–¥29,999, it has confirmed Tabelog 100 – Chinese cuisine – EAST – 2026 recognition. Whether it is worth the price depends on what you expect from the meal; specific dishes, seating, service style, drinks details are not verified here.
