Yaya’s Pasta Bar expands with Caffe Yaya, an all-day cafe on the first floor of NOA Hotel on Wuding Road. Built upon the Yaya’s Chinese-Italian blueprint as its big sister, it adds spaghettis, salads, and affogatos to the mix.
The Space
It’s a neighborhood cafe, but the space is a step up from a casual eatery. A handsome walnut-paneled bar serves coffee, classic cocktails, and gelato across from a spacious dining room with cushioned banquettes. It’s cozy and considered — and they probably don’t want to hear this, but it makes for a nice alternative work spot.
The Food
The food is in the same vein as its big sister Yaya’s: a focus on pasta. But here, that focus is on spaghetti, which aren’t fresh-made but are of good stock.
Following Chinese-Italian nostalgia, the Spaghetti with Black Pepper Steak (¥108) is inspired by memories of eating at Saizeriya, as I’m told. Of course, this is an elevated rendition with Angus M3 short rib and a sauce au poivre with crushed peppercorns in a glossy demi-glace. Nostalgia is right — there is a certain comfort in this.
Then there’s this beauty: Spicy Mala Sausage & Tomato (¥88) with Sichuan cured sausage and topped with a confit yolk. The numbing aspect is quite present, and it’s quite spicy. It’s not burn-your-face-off, but you might break a sweat.
The winner for me was the Creamy Salmon (¥98), a fillet served with a seaweed beurre blanc, a silky butter sauce with a boost of umami. It’s delicate, obviously butter-forward, with a light tanginess.
To accompany the pastas are appetizers like the Burrata Salad (¥108), using fresh, locally made burrata, served with tomatoes and greens with a burnt honey vinaigrette. This is straightforward — just letting you know it’s there.
But it’s the Garlic Chili Shrimp (¥88) that I sing praise for. Plump, pan-fried shrimp are tossed in a garlicky, mildly spicy sauce, best enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon. The texture was perfect, and the low hum of heat addictive.
Other plates include a Chicken Parmesan, balsamic pork ribs, and a cod puttanesca.Yaya’s signature dishes, Mapo Tofu Lasagna and Pappardelle with Xinjiang Lamb Ragu, are also available.
And if you enjoy your coffee with gelato or vice versa, the affogatos are pretty bomb, and they’re served in the latest Florentine fashion, with the gelato shaped into a square on the sides of a cup and espresso poured into the center. The black sesame (¥58) combo was great. They also have salted caramel, matcha, and vanilla bean (this one’s ¥48). No mixing? Single (¥38) or double (¥58) scoops available.
Caffe Yaya
View the listing here.
