マイケルかずお
On Wednesday, I decided to start my high-end sushi tour in Tokyo, and for the first stop, I visited "Ginza Kyubey Ginza Honten" in Ginza. This renowned sushi restaurant in Tokyo is a must-visit for sushi lovers. Established in 1935, Kyubey is part of the famous "Ginza Gourmet Trio" along with Yosino and Nakata, and it is the last surviving sushi restaurant among them. Kyubey is also known as the originator of battleship sushi rolls. It was selected as one of the Sushi Top 100 in 2021 and has even received a Michelin star in the past.
I first visited Kyubey when I was just 20 years old, during my rookie days as an AD, when the company president took me there. Even though I didn't understand the taste back then, I made a promise to myself to come back and pay for it when I could appreciate the flavors better.
I arrived at 11:25 am on Wednesday, just 5 minutes before the opening, and surprisingly, they were already open. Despite not having a reservation, I was able to secure a seat at the counter on the 5th floor. There were many foreign tourists, almost half of the customers were from overseas. I was in the mood to drink in the afternoon, so I ordered the most expensive "Rozanjin Course".
Here is what I had that day:
- Appetizers: Bai shellfish, conger eel liver
- Sashimi: Marbled flounder, fatty tuna, abalone, shrimp (raw and boiled), clam
- Grilled dish: Blackthroat seaperch, grilled shrimp head and tail
- Vinegar dish: Winter melon and shrimp in vinegar, palate cleanser (daikon with plum and shiso)
- Nigiri sushi: Medium fatty tuna, squid, young sea bream, sea urchin, scallop, fatty tuna, horse mackerel, flatfish, conger eel
- Rolled sushi: Tamago
- Soup: Conger eel and junsai soup, eggplant pickles
- Dessert: Melon
It was a fantastic experience in the middle of the day. The items that left a strong impression on me were horse mackerel, squid, young sea bream, and flatfish. The conger eel and junsai soup was also exceptional. The service from the chefs and staff was top-notch, living up to the reputation of this longstanding establishment. I also enjoyed some drinks including Ebisu beer, lemon sour, and the special limited label "Hideyoshi Junmai" sake from Suzuki Shuzo in Akita. It was a delightful meal, and I look forward to visiting again.