Thursday, April 10, 2014

Sushisho Masa

There's no shortage of premium quality sushi restaurants in Tokyo. But if you don't speak Japanese, you are not able to get a reservation at some sushi restaurants. Even if you do speak Japanese, or being accompanied by a Japanese friend, some sushi restaurants, for example Sukiyabashi Jiro, a Michelin three star restaurant, may make you feel like dining at a fast food restaurant, as there is almost no service and the meal ends in 30 minutes.

Wanna experience the best sushi while not letting go the service? Sushisho Masa in Nishi Azabu is one that really gets your money's worth. The owner also the sushi chef Masa speaks some English.  He explains every single piece of sushi to customers, including the seasoning. If you have any question about the fish, he would also open up his ocean animal encyclopedia to show you a picture of the fish. The meal could last 2 hours depending on the amount you have. The restaurant only has seven counter seats. A reservation two months in advance is highly recommended.

Chef Masa on the left



The following pictures are taken from my visit in late October 2013. I forgot to take a picture of the saba sushi. I had almost 40 pieces. Didn't order any alcohol. Total bill came to a little over ¥20,000.  Keep in mind that premium sushi restaurants in Tokyo cost anywhere between ¥20,000-40,000.

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The jewel box of fish

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Chef Masa and his apprentice

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Sea grapes

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Geoduck (large clam)

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Hokkaido uni

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Hokkaido uni

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Shirako (fish milt)

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Sanma (saury pike)
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Pickle

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Octopus

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Grilled sanma

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Sanma

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Grilled squid

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Shiro ebi (baby white shrimp)
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Ikura

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Bonito & akami

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Grilled ribbon fish
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Chutoro

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"Masa-feuille" (3 thin slices of o-toro with wasabi in between)

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Akami-no zuke (seasoned red tuna)

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Uni from another region in Japan
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Fried shrimp heads

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Shime saba (marinated mackerel)

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Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch)

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Left: anago with tsume (sweet sauce); right: anago with salt

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Kinmedai-no aburi (lightly grilled golden eye sea bream)

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Tamago




Sushisho Masa
Tel: 03-3499-9178
Address: Address: 4-1-15 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (basement floor) (東京都港区西麻布4-1-15 セブン西麻布 B1F) 
Hours: Tue-Sat 6pm-1am; Sun & holidays 6-11pm; Mon closed
Credit card: yes (AMEX, JCB, VISA, MASTER)
Website: none
Link to the Japanese rating site tabelog: tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130703/13016512/ 
Google map 

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