Sure, you have heard of Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Dai and other sushi restaurants around Tokyo.
But there are a few out there that sushi enthusiasts claim are just as good or even better.
I met a friend at Suitengumae Station to check out Sushidokoro Masa.
Image courtesy of itot.jp
Sushidokoro Masa opened back in 2006 and they offer only two types of courses, Y5000 and Y8000. And you also need to reserve in advance.
Once you walk into the place, you realize it’s quite small with six chairs. But once you sit there, you realize that the eight chairs are enough (note: there is a private room that can seat two people) because sushi master chef is about quality and for him to prepare sushi, his way, his style, which is artistic and beautiful to look at, with multiple customers, expect to sit there for about an hour or more.
Sushi is presented with anywhere between a 10-15 minute wait for the next (depending on how many customers there are, as chef Masa is the only chef).
But this is one of those restaurants where the saying, “it’s worth the wait!” comes to fruition as each sushi presented. You can’t help but think how artistic his plating is but most importantly, how delicious each sushi is. It’s definitely worth the wait.
It’s important to note, there is no English conversation, the chef and his wife can only communicate with the names of the sushi and what the English name of the sushi may be. But that’s about it.
But this is not the type of restaurant to have long conversations with friends. This is a restaurant which you watch the chef and he will communicate with you briefly.
I do highly recommend that if you have a friend in Japan or a friend that is fluent, to go along with them because the stories told by the chef and his wife are intriguing.
I learned that back when Chef Masa was young, he had a sushi knife that he used. The wife then brought out the knife he uses now, 40-years-later and it’s much, much smaller.
And Chef Masa’s wife also brings a lot of stories as well that will surely entertain everyone. In fact, she is a type of person that is delighted to watch her patrons eat, especially foreigners and see their reaction. My reaction was total bliss, with each taste, I would say “umai!” (delicious).
Only using the best ingredients, sticking to materials and seasoning for making traditional Edo-style sushi and the craftmanship of each cut and its presentation is amazing.
With the Y8500, you get a dozen sushi. I’ve lost count and to tell you the truth, I wish I took more photos but me and my friend were simply loving the sushi so much that we ate before even thinking of taking photos and I was only able to take photos of a few.
Business hours for Sushidokoro Masa is: Mondays through Saturday (12 to 13:00, 17:30 – 23:00) and it’s important to reserve a week in advance. And the restaurant takes VISA, Master Card, American Express, Diners and JCB.
I have to say that I have eaten at many sushi restaurants in Japan and Sushidokoro Masa is fantastic. I highly recommend giving this place a try!
