Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Sushi Matsue Ebisu: Tokyo's Hidden Omakase Gem





Sushi Matsue may be Tokyo's best omakase without a Michelin star. Located in the trendy neighborhood in Shibuya, the Ebisu area is known for its lovely small shops, izakaya, tachinomi, and also this hidden omakase gem. Recommended by my stepson, who joined us on our last evening in Tokyo with his girlfriend Wami, Sushi Matsue was one of the highlights during our month in Japan. With Tokyo’s sushi scene filled with big names like Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Matsue epitomizes why visiting local gems are more charming and rewarding, with talented friendly chefs serving impeccable sushi, and making customers feel totally welcomed and appreciated. Serving the freshest sushi, premium sashimi and superb fish grilled in front of us on a small ceramic hibachi, Masaki made our last evening in Tokyo a night to remember, with a special "Arigato" to Harry and Wami.




Matsue chopsticks

Mekabu, a sweet seaweed with a slimy texture and briny flavour,
served with citrus-based ponzu 

Healthy and delicious, Mekabu is very high in calcium and iron

Silver and gold sake pitcher and cup

Octopus from Sanriku

Little bowl of pickled ginger

Flounder (Hirame)

Wakame seaweed

Dashi broth infused with snapper, shrimp and Matsutake mushroom

First the broth is poured with a squeeze of yuzu, then the fish and mushroom are enjoyed 

Abalone

Squid being slowly grilled over coals on a Japanese ceramic hibachi

Uni mixed with rice with crab and Finnish caviar

Our sushi chef Masaki "hamming it up" for the camera, while slicing the bonito

Bonito that had been smoked in straw

Rockfish being grilled right in front of us

Grilled Rockfish known as Kuromutsu

Gorgeous plump Hokkaido scallops on the grill

Buttery smooth lightly grilled scallop served on nori

Whole Tomago fresh from the oven and still hot, Matsue chefs will slice it and serve it warm

Masaki grinding fresh Japanese horseradish to make wasabi,
one of the absolute delights about eating sushi in Japan

Baby Snapper

Ika (squid)

Pacific Saury (sardine)

Otoro (fatty tuna)

Fresh squid still slowly grilling

Little bowl of Ikura 

Greenling (Ainame), a seasonal cousin of Rockfish 

Masaki preparing the Wagyu beef sushi

Raw Wagyu beef

Uni from Hokkaido

Anago (Japanese salt-water eel)

Miso Soup

Wonderfully warm Tomago

Walking home in sushi bliss through Ebisu



























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