Best non-"high-end" sushi in Tokyo?
#211
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,597
Don't laugh, but $1 sushi places are da bomb. I'd say the're better than most sushi places in America outside of big cities. Definitely check one out--it's entertaining to deposit the plates into the machine (it counts the # of plates to charge) and sometimes you can win a small prize if you're lucky
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9XKZAFb4fxWfiCx6
150 yen a plate, 2 pieces per plate. By no means the best sushi in Tokyo, but the price is hard to beat, and it has the salaryman ambience down pat. I frequented this place in my student days and it has not changed a bit in >20 years, other than recently starting to accept credit cards.
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,163
One of my favorite "nostalgia eats" in Tokyo is Kaitenzushi Ichiban in Shinbashi.
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9XKZAFb4fxWfiCx6
150 yen a plate, 2 pieces per plate. By no means the best sushi in Tokyo, but the price is hard to beat, and it has the salaryman ambience down pat. I frequented this place in my student days and it has not changed a bit in >20 years, other than recently starting to accept credit cards.
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9XKZAFb4fxWfiCx6
150 yen a plate, 2 pieces per plate. By no means the best sushi in Tokyo, but the price is hard to beat, and it has the salaryman ambience down pat. I frequented this place in my student days and it has not changed a bit in >20 years, other than recently starting to accept credit cards.
#213
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
One of my favorite "nostalgia eats" in Tokyo is Kaitenzushi Ichiban in Shinbashi.
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9XKZAFb4fxWfiCx6
150 yen a plate, 2 pieces per plate. By no means the best sushi in Tokyo, but the price is hard to beat, and it has the salaryman ambience down pat. I frequented this place in my student days and it has not changed a bit in >20 years, other than recently starting to accept credit cards.
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9XKZAFb4fxWfiCx6
150 yen a plate, 2 pieces per plate. By no means the best sushi in Tokyo, but the price is hard to beat, and it has the salaryman ambience down pat. I frequented this place in my student days and it has not changed a bit in >20 years, other than recently starting to accept credit cards.
#214
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Tried to find low end sushi last night by Shibuya but every place had a long line and/or no seating (SRO) both of which were deal killers. So we finally needed up waiting about 20 min at the Sushi Zanmai on the 4th Fl across from The Hub British pub. Mrs. B said the sushi was worth the wait. For about $100 we got a massive amount of fish for 3 plus miso, beer etc.
This equates to about USD $70 plus tax & tip which wouldn’t get you much at a Bay Area sushi joint.
Needless to say we find everything in Tokyo to be a huge bargain compared to California. But especially dining. A beer 🍺 at the ⚾️ game was $5.
This equates to about USD $70 plus tax & tip which wouldn’t get you much at a Bay Area sushi joint.
Needless to say we find everything in Tokyo to be a huge bargain compared to California. But especially dining. A beer 🍺 at the ⚾️ game was $5.
#215
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
#216
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cape Cod
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,535
Tried to find low end sushi last night by Shibuya but every place had a long line and/or no seating (SRO) both of which were deal killers. So we finally needed up waiting about 20 min at the Sushi Zanmai on the 4th Fl across from The Hub British pub. Mrs. B said the sushi was worth the wait. For about $100 we got a massive amount of fish for 3 plus miso, beer etc.
This equates to about USD $70 plus tax & tip which wouldn’t get you much at a Bay Area sushi joint.
Needless to say we find everything in Tokyo to be a huge bargain compared to California. But especially dining. A beer 🍺 at the ⚾️ game was $5.
This equates to about USD $70 plus tax & tip which wouldn’t get you much at a Bay Area sushi joint.
Needless to say we find everything in Tokyo to be a huge bargain compared to California. But especially dining. A beer 🍺 at the ⚾️ game was $5.
#217
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, AA Exec Plat, OZ Diamond Plus
Posts: 358
Tried to find low end sushi last night by Shibuya but every place had a long line and/or no seating (SRO) both of which were deal killers. So we finally needed up waiting about 20 min at the Sushi Zanmai on the 4th Fl across from The Hub British pub. Mrs. B said the sushi was worth the wait. For about $100 we got a massive amount of fish for 3 plus miso, beer etc.
This equates to about USD $70 plus tax & tip which wouldn’t get you much at a Bay Area sushi joint.
Needless to say we find everything in Tokyo to be a huge bargain compared to California. But especially dining. A beer 🍺 at the ⚾️ game was $5.
This equates to about USD $70 plus tax & tip which wouldn’t get you much at a Bay Area sushi joint.
Needless to say we find everything in Tokyo to be a huge bargain compared to California. But especially dining. A beer 🍺 at the ⚾️ game was $5.
#218
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
Has anyone heard of, or better yet, tried the Kitaoji Club?
The concept is a training restaurant for up and coming sushi chefs who aren’t ready to work at existing high end, or their own shop, but they use the same super high quality ingredients that are served at JPY30,000++ luxury restaurants so they can practice with high quality fish and rice.
The omakase is only $60 USD 😮
The concept is a training restaurant for up and coming sushi chefs who aren’t ready to work at existing high end, or their own shop, but they use the same super high quality ingredients that are served at JPY30,000++ luxury restaurants so they can practice with high quality fish and rice.
The omakase is only $60 USD 😮
#219
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,318
Has anyone heard of, or better yet, tried the Kitaoji Club?
The concept is a training restaurant for up and coming sushi chefs who aren’t ready to work at existing high end, or their own shop, but they use the same super high quality ingredients that are served at JPY30,000++ luxury restaurants so they can practice with high quality fish and rice.
The omakase is only $60 USD 😮
The concept is a training restaurant for up and coming sushi chefs who aren’t ready to work at existing high end, or their own shop, but they use the same super high quality ingredients that are served at JPY30,000++ luxury restaurants so they can practice with high quality fish and rice.
The omakase is only $60 USD 😮
Since this place has received so much attention recently reservations have gotten harder (there are two seating's - 6pm and 8pm) -- better hurry....
Last edited by bmwe92fan; Nov 13, 2023 at 2:41 am
#220
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
Yes - we live close to this place and tried it since it just opened. It was very good and for the price - amazing. Unfortunately it seems that this deal will only go through February 2024 -- Here's a review: Omikase for $60 -- so Good!
Since this place has received so much attention recently reservations have gotten harder (there are two seating's - 6pm and 8pm) -- better hurry....
Since this place has received so much attention recently reservations have gotten harder (there are two seating's - 6pm and 8pm) -- better hurry....
#221
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: AP 75k
Posts: 137
Had lunch the other day at Sushi Banya Kai at Shinagawa that's run by the same group. Quality was very good to excellent and the price could not be beat at 4840JPY for 16-pc omakase for their supposedly 'school lunch' by sushi chefs in training.
#222
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
Did you menu and nigiri look like what I posted in my sushi compendium post? I’m curious if it’s worthwhile to try on our next visit
#223
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 101
I would seriously consider going to the Tsukiji market (what used to be called the outer market) and just walk around the stalls. You can get pretty amazing food in a low pressure environment.
Since many of the shops have their own specialties, it's a very easy way to sample a lot of different things. One of my go to shops when there is Kurogin which specializes in tuna
And if you need a coffee to keep you going, nearby is Turret Coffee. Absolutely recommended...just make sure to go past the Starbucks on the corner
Since many of the shops have their own specialties, it's a very easy way to sample a lot of different things. One of my go to shops when there is Kurogin which specializes in tuna
And if you need a coffee to keep you going, nearby is Turret Coffee. Absolutely recommended...just make sure to go past the Starbucks on the corner
They even have a turret that takes up a large part of the shop.
I agree that walking around the outer market is a good way to see what's popular. I really like Itadori Bekkan, also went to Zanmai and wasn't as good.
#224
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SDU, CPH
Programs: A3*G, FB Gold, EB
Posts: 109
I went to Tsukiji this past November and was very disappointed with the crowds and overall vibe. It's become a tourist trap and nothing like what I had experienced many years ago.
I was actually with a Japanese friend and he just grinned and agreed that Tsukiji is now only for tourists and is way overpriced.
I was actually with a Japanese friend and he just grinned and agreed that Tsukiji is now only for tourists and is way overpriced.
#225
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: AP 75k
Posts: 137
I've had better sushi in Tokyo but not better sushi for the 5k if that makes sense... It's also nice that it's a bit shorter than the usual 20+ pc omakase and I felt it was a good size for lunch (though YMMV if you're a big eater).
It was relative empty too and super easy to get reservations for that matter.