pasali
I made a reservation and visited Tsuruha in Shinbashi. It was my second visit, and they serve delicious and reasonably priced Edomae sushi. I opted for the chef's choice with an additional simmered clam, and the total came to 12,000 yen (cash only). The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of the New Shinbashi Building, known for its slightly mysterious atmosphere contrasting with the eclectic vibe on the 1st floor.
On my first visit, Tsuruha had both a main store and a branch, but later, the head chef of the main store moved to Jimbocho, and this branch in Shinbashi continued as Tsuruha. Fortunately, I could make a reservation for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. The chef's craftsmanship is evident in the 11-piece chef's choice and an additional piece, accompanied by a clear soup with seafood broth. The chef's elegant and precise sushi-making technique, with two turns of the hand, creates a perfect harmony of rice temperature, quantity, and topping.
Their specialty, the thick roll of medium-fatty tuna and lean tuna, is generously filled with high-quality ingredients. The alternating waves of the sweetness and richness of the medium-fatty tuna, and the subtle acidity and umami of the lean tuna, create an impressive flavor profile. The thick simmered clams are outstanding, with a perfect balance between amber-colored simmered sauce and plump clams. The seared North Pacific giant clam is a delight, showcasing the richness of clam's hokaku acid. The fresh sea urchin, marinated tuna, and flounder with well-adjusted moisture, all contribute to an excellent dining experience. The sea bream's umami is well brought out, and the meal concludes with a delightful clear soup.
A notable specialty, the simmered conger eel from Fukushima, is mentioned to be available towards the end of summer, unfortunately not during my visit. Nevertheless, it was an excellent dining experience, and I look forward to the next visit. Overall, it was superb! Thank you for the wonderful meal.
Regarding the history of Shinbashi Tsuruha, there used to be a main store and a branch. The apprentice of the former main store's chef, Mr. Ishimaru (currently at Kanda Tsuruha), became successful. The branch in Shinbashi was led by Mr. Igarashi Hirokazu (current owner of Shinbashi Tsuruha). Mr. Shimizu Kunihiro in Shinbashi was an apprentice of Mr. Shimizu. His apprentice, Mr. Takenouchi Fumie, runs Sushi Take, and Mr. Matsumoto Daisuke, an apprentice of Mr. Shimizu, runs Sushi Matsumoto. All of them are renowned establishments.