TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – No matter what your reasons for visiting Japan—whether to bask in its culture or admire the blooming sakuras—be sure not to miss its cuisine, especially sushi. This traditional Japanese dish offers fresh slices of raw fish on a bed of delicious rice, enjoyed with shoyu and wasabi.
For those seeking to taste this culinary delight in its birthplace, here are some of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo, as recommended by Boutique Japan and Condé Nast Traveler. Discover authentic flavors in the corners of Japan’s capital.
Sushi Restaurant Recommendations in Tokyo1. Sushi Sugita
Sushi Sugita tops the list of best sushi restaurants in the Japan capital. Customers are required to make reservations in advance, either by phone or while dining in, to taste the special sushi from Chef Sugita, the owner. The sushi here is known for its fatty and oily fish that perfectly complements the shari, or sushi rice, which has a sharp taste from the mix of yellow and red vinegar.
2. Sushi Shunji
Sushi restaurant with the omakase concept can be found in the corner of the Motoazabu District. Sushi Shunji offers a dining experience with Edo-style sushi with alternating light and rich flavors. Some of the menu items that customers can enjoy include uni rolls, abalone with sauce, and hamaguri clam nigiri.
3. Sushi Sawada
Sushi Sawada promises simplicity that belies a top-notch sushi. The restaurant may seem old-fashioned, with no photos or use of electricity in its presentation, but people still enjoy the sushi from this legendary place. Although it is quite expensive, quality comes with a high price tag.
4. Sushi Saito
Another one of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo is Sushi Saito. It is quite challenging to dine in at this restaurant because new customers cannot visit by themselves; they must enter the door with a “regular.”
Regardless, those who have the opportunity to dine here have the chance to taste sushi wrapped in years of experience. The sushi here stands out with its finely sliced and high-quality fish. Its shari has a slightly salty taste and a hint of gentle red vinegar to complement the fish or uni, also known as sea urchin.
5. Kaiten Sushi Onodera Honten
This sushi restaurant in Tokyo is committed to always providing quality food to its customers. Some must-try items include Hokkaido uni nigiri, botan shrimp, and various cuts of tuna, such as akami and chutoro.
6. Rozan Ginza
Located on the 12th floor of the Mitsukoshi department store in Ginza, Rozan Ginza successfully tempts many customers to return and enjoy another round of its rich dishes. The seafood in Rozan Ginza is first soaked in soy sauce (shoyuzuke) or with kombu kelp (kobujime) seaweed.
7. Sukiyabashi Jiro
Next is Sukiyabashi Jiro, another sushi restaurant in Tokyo where the quality reflects the difficulty of making a reservation. The best menu items here are tuna, smoked katsuo, and sea urchin. Its shari has a high concentration of vinegar, which can be too acidic for some customers.
8. Sushi Kanesaka
Operating at the Palace Hotel with a counter of 12 wooden seats, Sushi Kanesaka invites sushi lovers to enjoy top-class dishes under square lights. Its nigiri set is suitable for lunch. Various otsumami, or small dishes, from Sushi Kanesaka are also tantalizing, such as yellowtail wrapped in daikon as thin as a ribbon.
9. Sushi Meino
Customers adore the sushi at Sushi Meino, which offers a perfect combination of fish and shari. The phenomenal taste in every bite doesn’t just happen all of a sudden, but comes from carefully selected premium ingredients. In addition to enjoying sushi, customers can also try a selection of the best wines curated by Koki Mei Kogo.
10. Udatsu
Udatsu concludes the list of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo, Japan. Customers sit in an art-filled room to enjoy a variety of interesting dishes, starting from straw-scented tuna and green roll bread filled with herbs and local vegetables, as well as nigiri with wagyu slices grilled with charcoal. Enjoy these delightful dishes with a selection of the best sake and other alcohols, such as Clase Azul tequila.
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