Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant in South Carolina: What to Expect

What Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant offers

Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant is a dual-cuisine establishment that serves both Chinese and Japanese dishes from a single kitchen and dining space. The restaurant combines two distinct culinary traditions under one roof, letting you order sushi and sashimi alongside lo mein and fried rice in the same meal. This hybrid approach appeals to diners who want variety without choosing between restaurants or making multiple stops.

The menu typically features Chinese standards—egg rolls, General Tso's chicken, mapo tofu, and fried rice—alongside Japanese offerings like nigiri, rolls, and teriyaki preparations. Some locations also offer hibachi service, where a chef cooks in front of you at a table-mounted griddle. The setting is usually casual, with booth and table seating designed for families, groups, and solo diners.

Key Takeaways

• Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant serves both Chinese and Japanese food from the same kitchen, so you can order multiple cuisines in one visit.
• The menu includes traditional Chinese dishes like fried rice and lo mein alongside Japanese sushi, rolls, and nigiri.
• Many locations offer hibachi dining, where a chef prepares your meal on a griddle at your table.
• The restaurant operates as a casual dining spot suitable for families, groups, and people eating alone.

Chinese menu items and preparation

The Chinese side of the menu follows familiar Americanized Chinese restaurant conventions. You will find appetizers like spring rolls, egg rolls, and fried wontons; soups such as hot and sour and egg drop; and entrées built around proteins like chicken, beef, pork, and shrimp. Dishes are typically prepared with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other aromatics, then finished with cornstarch-thickened sauces.

Rice and noodle dishes form the backbone of the Chinese offerings. Fried rice comes in vegetable, chicken, beef, and shrimp versions, often studded with peas, carrots, and egg. Lo mein, chow mein, and crispy noodle dishes let you choose your protein and sauce. Signature preparations like General Tso's chicken, kung pao chicken, and mapo tofu appear on most menus, though specific recipes and heat levels vary by location.

Portion sizes are generous, and most entrées come with rice or noodles as a base. Prices for Chinese dishes typically range lower than the Japanese side of the menu, making them a budget-friendly option if you are dining with a group that includes people with different spending preferences.

Japanese menu items and sushi offerings

The Japanese menu centers on sushi and sashimi, with rolls ranging from simple cucumber and avocado to elaborate specialty rolls layered with multiple proteins, sauces, and toppings. Nigiri—individual pieces of fish over rice—lets you taste the quality and freshness of the raw fish directly. Sashimi platters offer sliced raw fish without rice, often arranged with daikon radish and served with soy sauce and wasabi.

Beyond raw preparations, Japanese entrées include teriyaki chicken and salmon, tempura shrimp and vegetables, and donburi bowls topped with protein and sauce over rice. Edamame, gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), and seaweed salad round out the appetizer and side options. Miso soup and other broths appear on most menus as well.

Sushi quality depends on the restaurant's fish sourcing and the skill of the sushi chef. Restaurants that rotate their fish inventory regularly and maintain proper refrigeration typically offer fresher, better-tasting rolls. If you are ordering raw fish, ask your server how fresh the fish is or whether the restaurant sources from a dedicated sushi supplier.

Hibachi dining and table-side cooking

Many Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant locations offer hibachi service, where a chef cooks your meal on a large flat-top griddle built into your table. You sit around the griddle with other diners—typically four to eight people per table—and watch the chef prepare your food with theatrical flair, including knife tricks, onion volcanoes, and flames.

Hibachi meals usually include a protein (chicken, beef, shrimp, or a combination), vegetables, fried rice, and soup or salad. The chef seasons the food directly on the griddle in front of you, and you can request adjustments to spice level or ingredient preferences before cooking begins. The experience is interactive and entertaining, especially for children, though it is louder and more social than traditional table dining.

Hibachi service typically costs more than ordering the same dishes from the regular menu, since you are paying for the chef's labor and the entertainment value. Reservations are often required for hibachi, particularly for larger groups or during peak dining hours, so call ahead if this is your preferred way to eat.

Pricing and what to expect on your bill

Chinese entrées typically cost between $8 and $16, with appetizers and soups running $4 to $8. Japanese sushi rolls generally range from $6 to $18 depending on complexity and ingredients, while nigiri and sashimi are priced per piece or per order. Hibachi meals are usually the most expensive option, often running $25 to $40 per person before tax and tip.

Lunch specials are common at these restaurants, offering reduced prices on selected entrées with soup or salad included, usually available from opening until mid-afternoon. Combination platters that pair a Chinese entrée with a small sushi roll or appetizer provide another way to sample both cuisines at a lower total cost.

Beverages include soft drinks, tea, beer, and sometimes sake or wine. Delivery and takeout are standard options at most locations, though hibachi service is only available for dine-in customers. Tax and tip are added to your bill at the end, and most restaurants accept cash and major credit cards.

Location and hours in South Carolina

Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant operates multiple locations across South Carolina, with the largest concentration in the Midlands and Lowcountry regions. Each location maintains its own hours and may have slight variations in menu offerings or pricing. Before visiting, check the specific restaurant's website or call ahead to confirm current hours, as some locations close on certain days or adjust seasonally.

Parking is typically available in a lot adjacent to the restaurant or in a shared shopping center. Most locations are accessible by car from major roads and highways. If you are using a GPS or mapping app, search for "Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant" plus your city name to find the nearest branch and get real-time directions.

Dietary considerations and customization

Both Chinese and Japanese cuisines offer vegetarian options, though you should confirm that vegetable dishes are prepared without fish sauce or other animal products if you follow a strict vegetarian diet. Egg rolls and spring rolls may contain meat, so ask your server about fillings. Vegetable fried rice, vegetable lo mein, and vegetable tempura are usually available on request.

Gluten-free diners should know that soy sauce, many sauces, and some fried items contain gluten. Ask your server which dishes can be prepared without soy sauce or with tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce alternative) if you have a gluten sensitivity. Sashimi and nigiri are naturally gluten-free if served without soy sauce, though cross-contamination is possible in a shared kitchen.

Allergies to shellfish, tree nuts, or sesame should be communicated clearly to your server before ordering, since these ingredients appear throughout both menus. The kitchen can usually accommodate requests to omit or substitute ingredients, but advance notice helps the chef prepare your meal safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order both Chinese and Japanese food at the same time?

Yes. You can order any combination of Chinese and Japanese dishes in a single order, whether you are dining in, taking out, or having food delivered. Many diners order a Chinese entrée and a sushi roll to share, or each person at the table orders from a different side of the menu.

Do I need a reservation for hibachi seating?

Reservations are strongly recommended for hibachi, especially for groups of four or more or during dinner hours. Call the restaurant directly to book a hibachi table. Walk-ins may be seated if space is available, but you could face a wait or be directed to regular table seating instead.

Is the sushi made fresh daily?

Most Shanghai Tokyo & Chinese Restaurant locations prepare sushi fresh throughout the day, but quality and freshness vary by location and time of day. If you want the freshest sushi, visit during busy service times when rolls are made to order, or ask your server when the fish was received.

What is the best way to order if I am unsure what to get?

Ask your server for recommendations based on what you like—spice level, protein preference, and whether you want cooked or raw food. Many servers can suggest popular rolls or Chinese dishes that are customer favorites. Combination platters are also a good way to try multiple items without committing to full-size entrées.

Do you offer delivery or takeout?

Yes, most locations offer both delivery and takeout. Call the restaurant or check their website for delivery area coverage and minimum order requirements. Takeout orders are usually ready within 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the kitchen is.