Suekkss
This sushi restaurant in the Ginza area, highly recommended by many top chefs, is a popular spot. It was ranked in the top 100 sushi restaurants on Tabelog in 2021. I first heard about this place from 'Kyogoku Sushi' in Shiga Prefecture, and for almost a year, I tried calling to make a reservation, but I couldn't get a weekend booking at all... haha. The next month's slots open up every day, but weekends are especially competitive. The head chef, Taichi Ishikawa, is from 'Sushi Itsuki Yu' in Futakotamagawa. And I also love the Michelin-starred 'Sushi Keita' in Aoyama, which is run by Keita Aoyama, who used to work at this restaurant. The head chef may look a bit stern (he resembles one of the members of Doberman Deka), but once he starts talking, he's incredibly entertaining. He has a great way with words and a sense of humor that shines through in his interactions with staff and customers. Training under someone like him would surely be tough at times, but also incredibly enjoyable. The sushi rice is quite firm, and the more you chew, the more you can taste the mellow aroma of red vinegar. The temperature varies depending on the fish, sometimes feeling just slightly warm. The quality of the fish is top-notch, thanks to years of experience and a strong relationship with the fish suppliers, something that new sushi restaurants popping up around here can't replicate. The omakase course costs 11,000 yen per person, tax included, and 6,600 yen for nigiri only. - Chutoro - Thinly sliced to melt in your mouth like "hagashi." This piece has a rich aroma and is quite flavorful. I'm not sure which fish supplier it's from, but I heard they've been buying from the same head fishmonger for a long time. Trust is important, after all. His apprentice, Keita, is from 'Yunoka,' so are they the same? - Kohada - With the firm rice, this kohada has a satisfying crunch. - Kinmedai marinated in kelp - Horse mackerel - Aromatic and flavorful. It's in season and delicious. - Clam - Not the most impressive specimen, but clams are always delicious. - Botan shrimp - The size is decent, and it's cooked just right, with a sweet flavor that melts in your mouth. - Akami zuke - While the chutoro was good, this one has a more robust umami flavor. Delicious. - Sea urchin - I think it's from Konishi Shoten in Hachinohe? It's high-quality sea urchin with almost no fishy taste. - Shunko - The slightly sweet flavor in the shunko is distinctive. It's not quite to my taste, but it was interesting to learn how to enjoy it. - Anago - Not too soft, with a bit of texture left. - Negitoro roll - You probably won't feel full yet at this point, but you'll be satisfied here (laughs). It's nice to be able to enjoy such delicious food over and over again. - Tamago - Clam soup - This is probably the main soup. It was delicious and rich. - Torigai (added) - The added torigai had a nice chewy texture and was delicious. - Squid (added) - With a cute, smooth texture, this squid had a classic taste. I used to see squid cut this way a lot, but not so much anymore. I prefer this kind of firm texture, so I'm happy. - Hokkigai (added) - The aroma is intense even before you put it in your mouth, and that expectation continues as you eat it. - Sardine (added) - The sardine has a bold flavor that spreads throughout your mouth. - Anago roll (added) - An anago roll from a restaurant with delicious rice is a must. Sapporo (medium bottle), Hiroto River (half bottle), Yamagata Masamune Inazo (half bottle), and Hitoroki Junmai Ginjo (half bottle) - Ah, it was delicious. And so much fun. Without a doubt, this sushi restaurant offers a level of satisfaction that exceeds its price. It's no wonder that, despite the challenging times, they provide such high-quality sushi at a remarkably reasonable price and still manage to make it enjoyable, leading to difficulty in making reservations. I can truly understand the feelings of the regulars. I can't wait to visit again soon.