Ginza Kyubey The Legendary Sushi Master

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above photo Bouncy Shrimp ©    kslee   [/caption]

Kyubey is a restaurant that truly raises the bar, and after experiencing it, you might regret all the sushi you eat afterwards.  We haven’t come across another spot that quite measures up—because Kyubey was simply exceptional. Sometimes, it might even be better off never going.

Founded in 1935 by Hisaji Imada, Kyubey is not merely one of Tokyo’s most esteemed sushi establishments; it is a place where innovation converges with tradition. It was at this establishment that the gunkan-maki was pioneered, and where uni and ikura were elevated from novelty garnishes to renowned sushi ingredients.

Everything about the flagship Ginza location feels just right.  At the sushi bar, you feel instantly at home.  Even though several chefs work side by side and private rooms are spread across five floors above you, the space somehow remains intimate.  It is high-end yet relaxed; perfectly crafted yet without any pretension.  Kyubey proves that once you reach true mastery, you don’t need to put up a front.

Kyubey is considered one of the most celebrated sushi restaurants in Japan, and with good reason.   It’s hard to explain how one piece of raw fish can be so much better than another — but the sushi and sashimi here really are in a class of their own, it really is THAT much better.

Our experience began with a rousing welcome chant, "irasshaimase" and was nothing short of an impeccable journey.  Piece after piece, laughter after laughter, sake after sake, it was a symphony of flavours akin to a rock concert.  This embodies the craft: the chef's meticulous attention to the size of each nigiri, precisely tailored for one mouth, the adjustment of vinegar in the rice, the timing of serving, and the delicate balance of richness, texture, and temperature.

It was only several weeks later that we realised what was giving us this vague feeling of dissatisfaction, as we again walked away from another highly anticipated sushi meal.  It was our experience at Kyubey that raised the bar so high that nothing else quite compares.

So be warned, but please go and be rewarded!

Note: Reservations must be made by a Japanese person over the phone and include a local phone number in Japan.  Arrive on time.  Be open to letting the chef lead with the omakase.

Kyubey Ginza (久兵衛) 
(81) 33.571-6523
 8-7-6 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
 www.kyubey.jp