Mystery Critic

Overall
Food
Service
Ambience
Value

            
OVERALL

This is probably smallest (only bigger than its neighbor, Sushi Dai) restaurant (if you can call it one) in the world that Zagat would assign a rating to. You will read in many websites and books that this is the best sushi bar in Japan, which is same as saying it's the best sushi bar in the world. Well, if you don't mind eating sushis at 6am and rubbing elbows while enjoying them, you'll encounter truly amazing sushis here.

FOOD

Sushis are all about freshness, simplicity and perfect cut. This place's got them all. To order here, you only need to know is one Japanese word: Seto. It means (I think) a set meal. You'll get 8 sushis and one bowl of miso soup. Oh boy, I wish I could afford at least three of them. Within 15 minutes, the chef served the sushi one after another, and I just wished he would keep on serving more....

Besides my regular favorite sushi fish like hamachi and maguro toro, even the squid sushi was good. They all melted in the mouth like ice cream and leave no fishy aftertaste at all. Alright, even the tamago (sweet egg) sushi was amazing - but maybe they got it from one of a neighboring store specializing in tamagos. Did I mention that their miso soup was outstanding? It's more like a seafood soup with some miso. Nothing beats super fresh seafood any form - YUMMY!

SERVICE

After lining outdoor for one hour, any service is good service. They serve pretty quickly, making no secret that they want you out of there fast. The hostess and waitresses are busy rolling people in and out, so it's kind of hard to get anyone's attention if you need something. But why would you need anything - you've got the best sushis in the world in front you and a sushi chef ready to serve you the next piece.

AMBIENCE

This place is tiny, crowded and it smells funny (oh I wonder why). It's doesn't get much worse in Tokyo. Tsukiji, though, is a fun place to visit IF you don't mind some chaos (well, as chaotic as Japan gets). Many Tokyo long-term residents have never been there. It's all relative though - Tsukiji is actually the cleanest outdoor market I've ever seen in my life. Besides, what's a better backdrop for great sushi than a bunch of fresh seafood?

VALUE

At 3100 yens per set, eating in a totally inhumane condition, with average meal lasts about 15 min, I really don't need to explain why this place gets two starts for value.  Why not one-star?  Well, you'd have to spend 8000 yens to get same quality sushi in a nice restaurant.... But even for a sushi lover like me, I'd think twice before going back every week.  After all, there are lots of decent sushi bars in Tokyo that costs 1/2 or less.

BOTTOMLINE

This place is not for an average Japanese bento box consumer. If you are going to Japan as a tourist, you'll find many charming restaurants serving great food, so don't waste your depreciating USDs here; however, if you are a serious sushi or seafood lover, and you really really don't mind the wait, the crowdedness and the price, you'll fall in love with this place just like I did.

BTW

I went there twice during the winter (yes, cold and rainy Japanese winter!) and the place is packed after 8am. Arrive 7am or earlier is a must any day of the week.  Also, don't be tempted to line up in the shorter line (if it is) outside of Sushi Dai, which is also very good.  Sushi Dai only has one sushi bar where Daiwa Sushi has two - it makes a big difference and the line makes progress a lot faster.