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TokyoEsakiGonpachi HigashiyaKyubeyRobataShunjuSushi KanesakaYururi |
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS We chose Kyubey one of the most famous sushi establishments in Tokyo. Kyubey’s owner, Yousuke Imada, and a select team of chefs demonstrated their sushi skills at Japan: Flavors of Culture, a conference organized by the Culinary Institute of America and we wanted to savour Kyubey's sushi before the conference. Every sushi devotee has strong opinions about their favorite sushiya, but for elegance, service and tradition, not to mention the incredible skill of the chefs, Kyubey would be very hard to beat. The Michelin guide and the concierge at our hotel also confirmed our choice. Like all great sushiya, Kyubey only uses Japanese fish for their neta (toppings), which the change with the seasons, are impeccably fresh and expertly sliced. At its present location in Ginza since 1935, Kyubey's honten (main branch) is always packed, with long lines out the door. Because reservations are not taken, the common wisdom is to arrive before the 11:30 opening. But somehow, we were able to get counter seats at the hanare (just across from the main shop) with less than a 30 minute wait. While this meant that we didn't get to meet Imada, we were treated well by Gouke-san, who despite his baby face has been working at Kyubey for 16 years. While some sushi chefs are known to be stern and serious, Gouke was quick to smile, spoke quite a bit of English and had patience to weather our constant photo-taking. (Sorry, fellow diners!)
We chose the most expensive omakase (chef’s choice) lunch course for ¥8,000, which included 15 different kinds of sushi, including the infamous odori-ebi (dancing shrimp, so named because they are eaten alive; thankfully, mine wasn’t moving). Like all high-end sushiya, each piece was made and then immediately served, one piece at a time. After the first piece, Gouke-san asked us if the amount of rice was to our liking, and we could ask for more or less, according to taste. These were brushed with either soy sauce (a light touch) or sprinkled with salt, or a combination of salt and sudachi (citron) or ginger, etc. to bring out the best flavors of each type of neta. And as soon as he noticed I was left handed, he placed each piece diagonally towards my left- instead of right- hand. The experience was a revelation. I now know what real sushi should taste like, and I honestly haven’t craved it since that fateful day. I realized that most sushi is flavorless and bland — a poor shadow of what it can be. Drats. Now I have to go back to Japan to visit Kyubey (or another top Tokyo sushiya) to satisfy my sushi craving. Even if $90 seems like alot to pay for lunch, it's actually quite a bargain for such quality. While I've heard that the quality of the neta is even higher at upscale sushiya during dinner, prices are much higher as well. |
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