a modern omakase experience in ginza, tokyo

within the upscale and busy streets of ginza, you will find a restaurant good for only 8 diners.

i've experienced omakase style of dining in japan in previous years, but at Sushi Ishibashi Masakazu, there's nothing intimdating or a sense of worry of making a mistake in dining etiquette. upon entering the restaurant, i was greeted by the chef's wife who reminded me of a grandmother or a japanese version of julia child…

onto the food: this was a very extensive omakase experience, allow me to just share to you the highlights of this meal

1) the kitchenware and dinnerware: if you visit the restaurant's website, you will find out that all the plates, spoons, bowls, cutting boards, glasses are all handmade and crafted especially for the restaurant. isn't that alone already so impressive?

2) sushi: squid that was scored in a very special way making it go from 1 dimensional in texture to all-over-sensory-dimensional-experience in my mouth. anago (seawater eel) had an aromatic and bright ponzu sauce, chutoro & otoro (medium fatty and fatty tuna) that melted in my mouth, red snapper, and a wagyu beef sushi that was cooked with a charcoal pan that the chef hovered over the sushi to get an even and smoky aburi flavor.

3) other dishes in the omakase: uni (sea urchin) musubi, saba mackarel maki, miso soup that has the most perfectly diced spring onions with fresh baby clams, unagi musubi, and tamago

4) THE SURPRISE: the omakase did not just end with a light course…the chef asked me how big I want my chutoro burrito…S/M/L…I went with M to play it safe. IT WAS STILL HUGE! and of course absolutely delicious. I recommend the L for those who'll be experiencing chutoro for the first time. You'll create a core memory eating this, for sure.

I'll be coming back here in August…and it'll be a new menu since it's fall. I can't wait to share my dining experience again!