Ichi-Raku Shokudo: Must-Try Giant Sushi Tacos, Shenzhen

Why Ichi-Raku Shokudo Is Shenzhen’s Hottest Solo Dining Spot

If you have ever wanted to feel like you stepped into a cosy Japanese anime diner, 一樂の食堂 (Ichi-Raku Shokudo) at Zhuoyue Center in Futian delivers exactly that. This basement-level Japanese restaurant has become one of Shenzhen’s most talked-about dining spots, thanks to a combination of creative menu items, solo-dining-friendly design, and a signature dish that looks like it belongs on a food influencer’s highlight reel: the giant sushi taco.

The name itself is a play on Japanese dining culture. “Shokudo” (食堂) means a casual eatery or cafeteria, while “Ichi-Raku” (一樂) suggests simple, carefree enjoyment. The restaurant delivers on that promise with its warm, unpretentious atmosphere. Noren curtains hang at the entrance, wooden counter seating lines the open kitchen, and manga-style illustrations decorate the walls. It feels like a neighbourhood izakaya transported into a modern Shenzhen shopping mall.

What makes Ichi-Raku Shokudo especially popular among Hong Kong day-trippers is its location. Zhuoyue Center (卓悦中心, also known as One Avenue) sits just a few metro stops from Futian Port, making it one of the easiest cross-border food destinations. The restaurant has built a strong following on social media, where posts about its giant sushi tacos regularly rack up thousands of likes. TVB actress Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) visited and shared her experience, which helped spread the word to Hong Kong audiences. The restaurant currently ranks #1 on Dianping’s Shenzhen Japanese Food Hot List, with over 22,000 reviews.

What to Order: Giant Sushi Tacos and Beyond

The star of the menu is the giant sushi taco (巨型寿司taco). These are not your typical tacos. Each one uses a crispy nori (seaweed) shell as the base, filled with sushi rice and topped with generous portions of premium ingredients. The result is something between a hand roll, a taco, and a sushi boat, and it is as photogenic as it is satisfying.

The most popular varieties include:

• 照烧鳗鱼 Taco (Teriyaki Eel): glazed eel with sweet teriyaki sauce on a bed of sushi rice, wrapped in a crispy nori shell
• 三文鱼 Taco (Salmon): fresh salmon slices with creamy sauce and tobiko (flying fish roe)
• 金枪鱼甜虾 Taco (Tuna and Sweet Shrimp): a surf duo with tuna sashimi and sweet shrimp
• 雪花鹅肝肥牛 Taco (Foie Gras and Wagyu): the indulgent option with seared foie gras and marbled beef

Beyond the tacos, the menu covers a range of comfort Japanese dishes. The cheese hamburg steak rice (芝士汉堡肉饼饭) is a crowd favourite: juicy double-patty hamburg steaks smothered in melted cheese, served over rice with seaweed and a soft egg. The cream curry udon (奶香咖喱乌冬) blends a mild, creamy curry with chewy udon noodles. There is also a foie gras rice bowl (鹅肝饭) that regularly appears on the “Boss Recommends” board by the entrance.

A Restaurant Designed for Eating Alone (in the Best Way)

Solo dining, or “一人食” (yiren shi) in Chinese, is a growing trend across major Chinese cities, and Ichi-Raku Shokudo leans into this concept wholeheartedly. The restaurant features long counter seating where solo diners can watch the kitchen in action, eliminating the awkwardness of sitting at a table alone. Portions are sized for one person, prices are reasonable (most meals fall between around RMB 100 per person), and the pace is relaxed enough that you never feel rushed.

This makes it an ideal stop for Hong Kong visitors exploring Shenzhen on their own. Whether you are on a quick cross-border shopping trip or just looking for a good meal without needing to coordinate with a group, Ichi-Raku Shokudo fits the bill perfectly. The manga-lined walls, warm overhead lighting, and the theatre of an open kitchen create an atmosphere that is lively without being overwhelming.

We recommend arriving before the peak lunch rush (around 11:00 AM) or during the afternoon gap between 2:30 and 4:30 PM. The restaurant closes mid-afternoon and reopens for dinner, so plan your visit around the split service hours.

How to Get to Ichi-Raku Shokudo from Hong Kong

Ichi-Raku Shokudo is located in the B1 level of Zhuoyue Center (One Avenue), East District, Unit B1102, in Futian, Shenzhen. The most convenient route from Hong Kong is through Futian/Lok Ma Chau Station Border.

From Futian Port, take Shenzhen Metro Line 4 one stop to Civic Center (市民中心), then transfer to Line 1 and ride one stop to Gangxia Station (岗厦站). The mall entrance is about a 2-minute walk from the station exit. Alternatively, it is a short taxi or DiDi ride (about 10 minutes) from Futian Port directly to the mall.

Zhuoyue Center itself is a popular destination with plenty to explore before or after your meal. The mall features a mix of fashion, lifestyle brands, and other food options spread across multiple floors. If you are spending a full day in Shenzhen, combining a meal here with some shopping is easy to do.

For more Shenzhen food discoveries from Hong Kong, check out our guide to YES! Night Stall, another cross-border favourite that is worth the trip.

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