Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

Trip Report

I have now returned home from my trip to Tokyo. Here are some notes about the suggestions made to me in this thread, and a great, reasonably priced, sushi recommendation:

Kozasa was indeed very good. The restaurant is VERY hard to find, but inside it is nice and welcoming. The service was very slow. The master had no kitchen help and often disappeared into the back to prepare foods. The only other staff were two women who focused on hosting and serving drinks. The sushi was very good, but very expensive. We ordered 'omakase' and received only nigiri sushi. We also ordered a couple maki sushi at the end. It wasn't a huge amount of food (we went for ramen afterwards). We were three people. We drank two flasks of junmaishu sake and had three beers to start. The bill came to just over 40,000 yen. (My wife and I went with a young Japanese acquaintance who, it turned out, had never previously had 'high-end' sushi. He had no idea about ordering and we missed out on what would likely have been excellent appetizers. But then the already high cost would have been much higher.)

I did find another 'mid-level' sushi place on this trip that I whole-heartedly recommend. It's a little out of the way, but if you lack Japanese language and/or sushi ordering experience, it's an ideal place. Although it's the kind of restaurant for locals, where everything is in Japanese, they employ a cute young girl as a hostess/server who happens to speak perfect English. She could guide you through the appetizer and drinks menu, and assist with your sushi course selection. We had some delicious white fish tempura (sanma, I think) seasonal vegetables in a yummy sesame dressing, one huge oyster each and a fantastic selection of sashimi. We followed the starters with the omakase nigiri course, which was really good. (Some diners were ordering cooked dishes. The braised fish head looked awesome.) We finished with about three extra nigiri each and one maki each. We drank several beers and had at least a half dozen flasks of junmaishu sake. The bill was just under 40,000 yen for all three of us. The place is called Sushi Kurami. The address is 3-5-6-103 Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, tel. 03-3534-9598. The master, Kimihiko Kobayashi, used to work at the well known Sushi Dai at Tsukiji. It seems a little out of the way in Kachidoki, but it's actually just a short taxi ride from Ginza (where we had drinks afterwards). I will definitely be back!

I also ate at Tamoiyanse, the Kyushu izakaya. Because they focused on Miyazaki cuisine, a good deal of the menu was for chicken dishes. Their well know chicken and leek hotpot (tori-negi nabe) was a highlight. They also served perhaps my most favourite kyushu dish of sweet soy braised porkbelly with egg (the name escapes me at the moment, the menu refered to the dish as pork ragu). Speaking of the menu, it had English translations of all the dishes (very rare for izakaya), although the translations often seemed like they were done by Google Translate, and somewhat confusing.

I really wanted to get to Sushi-ya Uoshin in Shimokitazawa, but I didn't have time.

Thanks again to all for your help!

marcus68 in Japan

Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

Thank you Ninisix. I managed to get a reservation at Kozasa, but I will definitely keep Sushi Taichi in mind for next time, or maybe for another day on my trip.

marcus68 in Japan

Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

Thanks again Silverjay! I managed to secure a reservation at Kozasa for Thursday night and at Tamoiyanse for Friday night. My week is shaping up nicely!

marcus68 in Japan

Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

Awesome! Thanks Silverjay.

When you say Nihonshu, do you mean sake or shochu? I'm more of an imo-shu man — and I believe they call it Nihon-shu down in Kagoshima.

(Sorry, I mis-read your Kozasa review post date. Your first post, after you couldn't get in, was a year and a half ago.)

marcus68 in Japan

Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

Thanks, Silverjay. Coincidentally, I will be staying at a friend's home in Shinsen. I also just read your review of Kozasa and it seems like an excellent choice. My only concern is that, while your bill was in my price range, your visit was a year and a half ago. Tabelog seems to imply it's rather more expensive (not 100% sure, I don't read kanji). But I will try to go regardless.

Also, in regards to your Kozasa review, have you ever been to たもいやんせ? I need a good local izakaya too, and I love me some kyushu-ryori and imo shochu.

Thanks again!

marcus68 in Japan

Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

I appreciate your reply, MoGa.

Perhaps I should have explained that I am not a Japan newbie. I lived there for a couple of years a decade ago, and return frequently. I have tried many of the places at Tsukiji, including Daiwa and Sushi Dai. Ten years ago the wait was perfectly fine, but these days, I'm too old for that sort of thing. But more importantly, I really do need to be able to have my 'mid-level' sushi meal in the evening.

But maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree. Is there perhaps no 'good-value' sushi at this price point? I'm not expecting sublime, but I thought maybe I could have a nice evening with 'very good' sushi at this level.

I will check out Sushi Gin.

marcus68 in Japan

Any Suggestions for the Best Mid-Level Sushi in Tokyo?

Hi everyone. I'd love some help with a sushi recommendation:

I spent a lot of time searching and reading through chowhound posts, but everything seems to be about the best 'cheap' sushi or the best superlative, 3-star sushi. But if I missed a thread somewhere on this topic, please point me to it.

I would like to have some mid-level sushi. I don't want to spend 3000 yen and I don't want to spend 50,000 yen or more. I would like to eat some good value sushi in the 10,000 to 12,000 range (give or take 20,000 yen). I know it's debatable whether or not this price range should be termed 'mid-level' — I just don't want cheap and I don't want astronomical. Also, I would prefer to pay for the food rather than the decor. I will be going with a Japanese friend, so language will not be an issue. Ideally, somewhere broadly between Ginza and Shibuya would be great.

I will be in Tokyo next week, for a week. I would like to have a weeknight dinner (although outstanding lunch specials could be fit in on other days!) Since the trip is soon, it needs to be a place where I could to get in at short notice (ie. not super popular).

Thank you!

marcus68 in Japan

Trentino-Alto Adige / Lago di Garda (having difficulty finding recommendations)

I will be staying in the south-west corner of Trentino-Alto Adige province, which incorporates the top bit of Lake Garda.

Recommendations for this province tend to be around the big cities, especially Trento, which is fairly far from where I will be. Recommendations for Lake Garda tend to be for places to the south - in Lombardy and Veneto Provinces. I will be a fair distance from both of these 'recommendation zones'. I will be to the west of Riva del Garda, around Lago di Ledro.

Does anyone know this area or have any suggestions about where to eat?

marcus68 in Italy

Your Favorite Pizza in Italy--worthy of a train ride or a long wait in line

In Naples, Da Michele is probably the best if you want a standard margherita or marinara and Di Matteo is very good as well. However, my favourite is Trianon (diagonally across from Da Michele) for their 'D.O.P.' pizza. I always considered pizza one of my favourite foods, but this particular pizza was a revelation.

In Rome, I really like Pizzarium. It's very good, but completely different from Naples pizza.

Extra tips:

If you find yourself anywhere near the main station in Rome, particulary in the morning, make a trip to Panella at Via Merulana 54-55. Before my first visit, I didn't know Italian pastries could be so good. They make good savoury sandwich-y things too. Don't miss the weird espresso + zabaione concoction they make there in the mornings.

In Naples, try to visit one of the 'Mexico' coffee shops. I'm not a super coffee connoisseur, but the coffee there was awesome. Don't be put off by the name - this is a real Naples coffee shop.

-----
Da Michele
Via Cesare Sersale, 1, Naples, Campania 80139, IT

Di Matteo
Via Tribunali, 94, Naples, Campania , IT

Trianon
Via P. Colletta 46, Naples, Campania 80139, IT

Pizzarium
Via della Meloria, 43, Rome, Lazio 00136, IT

marcus68 in Italy

Naples Espresso

Once I found Mexico (the Naples coffee chain) I kept going back. I'm with you - the city had possibly the best standard of coffee in the world...

marcus68 in Italy

North/West Lake Garda

I'm desperate for some recommendations for simple places to eat, west of Riva del Garda. I'm visiting some German relatives holidaying near the village of Bezzecca, near Lake Ledro.

My relatives assured me the food is great there - and then I found out that they eat at the same 'amazing' pizzeria every night. I like pizza, but...

I won't have my own car, so I can't ask to be driven too far. Since the family will be staying in a simple cabin and plan on eating pizza every night, I can't ask them to splash out on anything too expensive (although I'd be happy to treat on a couple of nights). Anything rustic, better than average and/or with some local specialties would be ideal.

Any help, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Please don't make me eat pizza every night!

Thanks in advance!

marcus68 in Italy

Hamburg, Berlin, November...

Thanks!
Are there any specifics about getting around/getting the most out of the Fischmarkt? Is there a good time to get started?

I'm starting to pack now. Tomorrow is my last day at home. Thanks to everyone for the great tips!

marcus68 in Europe

Hamburg, Berlin, November...

Thanks once again Phoenikia, and to Linguafood too (I've read many of your informative posts already).

I expect to visit a Konditorei each afternoon. Werkstatt der Süße sounds like the perfect place!

I do speak German, not fluently, but enough to get by and understand the important bits of text on websites. So the links are great.

One question: I have been intrigued by Rogacki since I saw it on No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. It was at the top of my list before I started to look around online. I never seems to be mentioned anywhere. Is it worth a visit?

Unfortunately, I only have three days in Berlin. I know it's not enough. Usually I'm happy to explore the food scene on my own, but wanted to get some knowledgeable advice because my time is so short. By the way - I'll be staying near Checkpoint Charlie.

I'll be in Hamburg next Friday afternoon and Berlin a few days later! Yay!

marcus68 in Europe

Hamburg, Berlin, November...

Thank you phoenikia!

This list definitely gets my mouth watering! My father was from East Prussia (the former Tilsit) and I haven't eaten Konigsberger Klopse since my grandmother passed away over fifteen years ago. I will absolutely try Marjellchen.

Thanks again. A list of local specialties is exactly what I was hoping for!

marcus68 in Europe

Hamburg, Berlin, November...

All great suggestion, and definitely all within the level of cuisine I'm looking for. But although I'd agree that Doner is now definitely part of the German food scene, I was hoping for slightly more 'Teutonic' delicacies to sample. I live in the Middle East and travel frequently to New York. This is simply to say that I frequently get my fill of other Middle Eastern foods such as Falafel and kebabs, as well as 'American' specialties like pizza and burgers.

Oh, and nothing wrong with a bit of 'best Currywurst' debate. I plan to try as many as possible!

Thanks again!

marcus68 in Europe

Hamburg, Berlin, November...

My wife and I will be in Hamburg and Berlin for a few days in mid-November. We're interested in 'local specialties' rather than fancy foods on this short trip. Any top tips (especially for things like the good currywurst) would be greatly appreciated. Also, we will be in Hamburg on a Sunday and hope to experience the Fischmarkt early in the morning. Any advice on how best to go about this would be great.

Thanks in advance!

marcus68 in Europe

Good Tokyo Izakaya with an English Menu?

Thanks for all the recommendations. It seems I now have quite a few choices. I'm leaving for my trip soon and I'm looking forward to some nice, diverse izakaya meals.

The Gurunavi site is quite fun to look at. It surprises me how many English listings there are. However, I assume these are essentially advertisements, or listings done by the establishments themselves. I think I'll probably be trying some Chowhound recommendations first. I think I'll leave Andy's for when I'm in the area and looking for a fun time with friends.

Thanks again to everyone who posted on this thread.

marcus68 in Japan

Good Tokyo Izakaya with an English Menu?

Thanks, FourSeasons. I probably should have mentioned that I do have a (very) short list of two izakaya I found online. One is Andy's near Bic Camera, Hibiya side and the other is Aburiya, but I only had their Minami-Aoyama location. Can I assume you mentioning it means that you think it's good and worthwhile? Has anyone been to Andy's?

marcus68 in Japan