Rong Riben Cuisine Shaghai

In our search for affordable, Japanese all-you-can-eat restaurants that can compete on quality with their all-you-can-spend counterparts, Rong emerged on top.

If your inner sashimi-vore is calling and shabu shabu won't do it, this RMB 150 all-you-can-eat is the way to go, including unlimited beer (draft Asahi, draft Kirin, bottled Tsingdao) and a menu of fresh sashimi and sushi, plus a lot of other Japanese offerings that aren't doused in mayo.

In addition to oysters, salmon, tuna, octopus, yellowtail and the other standard cuts, Rong is well known for its fresh uni, a hard dish to find on many all-you-can-eat menus.

After you've finished your sashimi and sushi rounds, our Japanese-loving critics suggest the mozuku seaweed in vinegar, thinly sliced seared beef carpaccio with lemon, the unctuous tuna with grated mountain yam, grilled beef tongue, roasted gingko nuts, potato croquettes (nicely crispy and creamy), miso marinated cod and grilled rock shrimp.

Clearly there's no lack of choice, and you can rarely go wrong -- which is exactly why this locale takes the top spot.

For yakitori, the chicken stuffed with fish eggs, the pork meatballs in sauce and the crispy chicken wings are all solid bets.

Make sure you get at least a three-piece order of the leek and pork pot stickers. Okay, so they aren't the delicate gyoza of Japan -- just really good, crispy Chinese guo tie. Worth the stomach space.

On dianping.com, Rong scores admirably in the flavor category, but low on environment and wait service. There's a reason for that: given the food's quality and Rong’s cheap, all-you-can-eat price (including beer), this restaurant is perpetually crowded.

To avoid the chain-smoking gangs as much as possible, go on weekdays.