Rumor For Yoshoku, Japanese-Western Foods Like Hamburger Steak
Just a couple paces away from ZUP is Rumor, a tiny café brimming with character that does yoshoku, a style of Japanese cuisine influenced by western/non-Japanese food.
The best example of a yoshoku-style dish is a hamburger steak served over rice. Other yoshoku classified dishes include tonkatsu and Japanese curry, which they also have at Rumor.
It’s a small and cozy space with old school banquettes and retro décor. There are a few tables on the tiny spot of outdoor space too.
The menu is simple with about a dozen dishes. The hamburger steak is the signature. These fluffy housemade oblong patties (200g) are served with rice or buttered toast with a variation of sauces from the peppery demi-glace to one with sea urchin and foie gras.
As for the pork katsu, it’s pretty tasty, but with a breading that is thicker than I’d prefer. It’s drenched with a tasty Japanese-style sweet curry.
Hamburger Steak with Demi-Glace (¥78)
Pork Katsu Curry (¥78)
Fried Oysters (¥48) – Similar thickness of breading as the pork katsu.
Fried Chicken (¥48)
Coffee starts from ¥28, teas from ¥35.
It’s straightforward, unfussy food. As for dinner, they do stock wine, but the menu isn’t diverse enough to make it a dinner destination in my opinion. Still, it’s affordable and satisfying, and good for the nearby working crowd or for when you’re really craving this kind of food.
Rumor
Address: 208 Xinle Lu, near Donghu Lu 新乐路208号, 近东湖路
Tel: 15821685722
Hours: Daily, 11am-10pm
About Rachel Gouk
Founder & Editor, Nomfluence
Rachel Gouk is a seasoned dining journalist based in Shanghai with over a decade of experience covering food culture, restaurant developments, and the Asian culinary landscape.
