I was debating if I should post this, since this was a little secret sushi restaurant that Carys and I ate at in Tsukiji Market… but then I decided, heck. It’s not like my one post will cause snaking queues at this restaurant the next time I go since I’m not famous (yet!!! lol) Besides, the reason I even discovered it was via the internet, so… yeah.
Without checking beforehand, Carys and I headed down to Tsukiji Market on a Sunday. On the very day the inner market was closed. Bloody brilliant of us.
I was so sad because Carys was flying back the next morning and I really wanted to bring her to a restaurant there that all past visitors I’ve brought have been very pleased with. But no choice, we had to head somewhere else :(
I got the address of another restaurant and as it was a 10-min walk away from the market, I let Google maps lead us there.
All I can say is… there’s no stopping fate when it wants you to discover better sushi!
It’s called Sushi Dai (different restaurant from the Sushi Dai in the inner market!) and while queues are typically at least 30-minute long in the inner market (often longer), we only queued for about 15 minutes here!
And the most interesting thing? We were the only non-Japanese around. It really felt like we discovered some secret local spot and found entry into the hidden world of delicious local sushi hahaha.
We both took the 2,800 yen (+ tax) set, and I’ll let the pictures do the talking!
I will have to break here and gush about this piece of sushi. It looks so unassuming, so… normal. I didn’t have much expectations of it. I was just satisfied the uni above was good.
BUT!!!
The moment I put the ootoro into my mouth, I was unexpectedly violently whirled off and thrown into the soft, melty pool of umami deliciousness. I would have cried with joy if I wasn’t so distracted by how insanely good it tasted. It took every bit of concentration left in me to turn to Carys, and one look was all it took. I didn’t even have to ask. We were both happily drowning in the deep end of the pool.
It was ridiculously delicious. Ridiculous, I say! Legit mind blown. Mouth too. I would go so far as to say it’s the most delicious ootoro I’ve ever had! Were they serving some champion tuna that morning or what?
Anyway, after the amazeballs ootoro, the set ended off with anago, as is typical:
Most curiously, when we were leaving, we discovered it was almost 2 hours later! We had NO IDEA where time went. Did we really freeze in place and savored the ootoro for an hour without realizing? This will forever remain an unsolved mystery.
If you’re huffing and going “Yes yes, I get it that the ootoro is the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten in your life blahblahblah. So where is this place?!” I’m giving directions soon, geez!
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slurrrrrp omg!
OMG is right, alright! ;D
HUNGRY NOW!!!!!
@RIN do you know if the sushi restaurant will be moving along with the fish market come november?
The restaurant is far away from the fish market, so I don’t think so. In any case, the move to Toyosu appears to be delayed so the fish market might still be in Tsukiji come November.
yay?? that means i need to wake up at 4am -____- fug!
Lol are you planning to catch the tuna auction? If so, 4am is kinda late…
If you aren’t, then 4am is kinda early… lol
Hi, great post! I’m going to Tokyo this November, gonna check this restaurant out.
In the link there are a few branches, are they close to each other as all seems to be in Tsukiji? So these are not the ones in the market?
On side note, I’m going with my 2.5-year-old toddler, given the restaurants are pretty small in Japan, we were wondering if most are child-friendly? Imagine high chairs, strollers, a couple of bags…
Thanks in advance!
Hi Abigail, I’m not sure about the other branches, but the one I went to is not in the inner market. It’s slightly outside the outer market.
The inner market restaurants are very tight on space so definitely not child-friendly. Most. if not all, restaurants there are counter seating.
The restaurant that I went to in this post has table seating on the second level, so it might be more suitable for you.
4am is too late? omg… what time would you suggest then? 3am?
This post probably explains it best.
In short: Target to arrive at 3am (or earlier ;)
thanks loads! looks like taxi it is then >.>
It’s 130am here and I shouldn’t be looking at food BUT … Stoke to be heading there for THIS! soon-ish. Just thought I’ll share my excitement. XD
Hahaha! You’re welcome to spazz about food (or anything in Japan, really) anytime ;D
When will you be in Tokyo? I hope you’re prepared for the cold!
Heading there next Friday actually. I’m actually looking forward to the warmer and sunnier climate. It’s been -5 to -8 ish in Vancouver for the past 2 – 3 weeks 😭
Ahhh, I didn’t know you were coming from Canada! Well yeah, if you compare it to Vancouver, Tokyo is warm lol. Friday isn’t too far away… you can start counting down now to the days when you can have warm weather and yummy sushi!
Yeah I move here from sg for school and work… you’re not exactly wrong to assume. Yeah… it’s finally in the single digits countdown >.<… I'm already planning for the trip after this XD
Lol as in, the next trip to Japan?!
as in the next one after this coming one :p lol
Haha! I have friends who plan their next trip while they are on their current trip and I thought that was already rather amusing, but yours beat them all!