Among Tokyo’s famous high-end sushi restaurants, Yoshino Sushi is known for having a cheap(-_-) lunch menu, so I went to check it out. Honestly, I wasn’t sure whether eating sushi from lunchtime was the right thing to do ^_^ but it turned out to be a good chance to experience what high-end sushi is all about.
The front of the shop
It’s near Takashimaya in Nihonbashi. Lunch starts at 11, and they’re closed Saturday evenings and Sundays. I got there around 11:30 and the place was packed, so you practically had to queue to get in. It’s the kind of place mostly frequented by older folks, and the tables are packed really close together. Don’t go expecting French-restaurant-style luxury just because it’s a high-end sushi place. Though the prices are on par with French..
The 3,150-yen set.
Every single piece is made with real care. I never knew neta and rice could go together this well. This was true sushi. Maybe because I hadn’t had sushi at this level in a while, it moved me all the more.
Turned slightly
Hmm.. but ordering the set was a mistake. You should sit at the counter and order whatever you like okonomi style. The set has lots of variety, but some of the sushi tasted pretty ordinary. I don’t think there’s any need to come to a place like this for ika (squid), katsuo (bonito), akami, or maki rolls. And things like ikura gunkan rolls, which don’t take any real nigiri skill, aren’t worth ordering at an expensive shop either.
Two more pieces come out while you’re eating.
Tamago sushi and anago sushi. The tamago sushi is a work of art. It’s a gem that wouldn’t look the least bit out of place as a dessert at a top French restaurant. As for the anago, there are a fair number of places that do it this well, so it didn’t blow me away.
I paid 3,150 yen and didn’t feel it was a waste of money. But the portion was way, way too small. It opens at 11, so I skipped breakfast and rushed over, but what came out was about the size of a snack to go with drinks. Bigger pieces probably wouldn’t taste as good, but if you’re going for lunch hoping to fill up, it’s a bit awkward. To eat your fill ordering okonomi you’d probably spend 6,000-7,000 yen, and with a drink it feels like the bill would hit 10,000 yen in no time. Hmm.. considering there are countless places where you can get a delicious lunch for 3,000-something yen, I don’t see much reason to pick this one. For a place like this, I think the best move is to bring plenty of money, come in the evening, sit at the counter at your leisure and have them make you sushi okonomi style.