Omakase (Chef's Choice) Experience at Sushi Ginza Onodera, Tokyo, Japan

[iyudhi]

So I have a few days of layover at Tokyo on my way back to US, and decided to treat myself with some fine sushi.

After looking at reviews on Google Maps, I figure I’ll try out this place called Sushi Ginza Onodera. At first I’m a bit skeptical since it has branches all over the world (hey @brittym @Atsukot @Charlie_S they have a branch in NYC :p)

Website and Maps says reservation only, but I tried to make one through the website, and it says I need to do it one day in advance. So I decided to show up before the restaurant was open, and they still have a few spaces left.

I looked at the menu and decided to get the 15 pieces meal for 10000 yen (a bit below USD $100). It’s not exactly inexpensive, but it’s also not outrageously expensive. Coming in for lunch session helps.

The chef speaks English adequately and was very courteous. He asked me if there’s anything I don’t eat, or if I’m allergic to anything. I told him I have no restriction. He also asked if I want ‘little’ or ‘big’ rice on the sushi, and he seems surprised when I told him I want 'little. I did it on purpose, since I won’t be too full and I can still eat more later throughout the day

Then the sushi was served one by one. The chef will put one in my plate, explaining what it is, then wait until I finish eating before moving on to the next one. In here you’re not just paying for the food. You’re paying for the experience. I took every single photo of what I ate, but I will only post a few that I think is interesting in this post. If you want to see the full list, please check out this Imgur album.

What’s sushi dining without tuna? Apparently I was served tuna from the first auction they won of the year.

At one point during the meal, the chef put the shrimp below in front of me… and it moved. Yup, it was still alive. He then brought it back to be boiled and served. At least he didn’t do it in front of me. Lol.

I don’t usually eat uni (sea urchin) outside Japan since they’re usually not fresh, but this was so soft and creamy. It melts in my mouth. So good.

I forgot what this is called, but the chef explained to me that this is most likely the first fish used in sushi ever. It has been served since 300 years ago. If you know what this is (or if I’m wrong), please do let me know.

At the end, we were served this dessert. A coconut pudding with green tea sauce, topped with gold. Yes. Gold. Apparently we can eat gold?

Well that’s all. Overall I really enjoyed the food an experience. If you’re thinking of trying one of these omakase dining, see if you can grab a lunch spot, since it’s usually (marginally!) cheaper. At least for sushi restaurants in Tokyo. Not sure for the rest of the world, but it’s definitely worth checking

Thanks for reading so far. It’s time to walk around to find more food

[Petra_M]

Hi @iyudhi ,

Thanks for sharing this amazing post with us.

I’m glad to hear that you found the places on Google Maps. My favorite is the nigiri either with salmon or tuna, and these photos are mouth watering. Honestly, I have never seen uni, but it looks yummy.

I’m impressed about the dessert, and I’ve met with gold in champagne before.

@AngieYC I’m sure you would like to see this, and add something.

[AngieYC]

Hello @iyudhi ,

Thank you @Petra_M for tagging me and yes I love everything from this post.

You are visiting one fancy restaurant there in Ginza, but the sushi and sashimi in Japan are on another level compares to Jakarta. Did you just visit Japan again?.

By the way in Jakarta, I heard some of the restaurant are implementing Omakase dining but with non Japanese food, more towards western cuisine.

[iyudhi]

@Petra_M I also love salmon and tuna, but once you get a taste of tuna in Japan, you may not want to eat it anywhere else ever again. I’m not sure if they just get all the good parts, but tuna outside Japan just doesn’t taste as good.

[iyudhi]

@AngieYC I’m on an (extended) layover flying back to US from Jakarta. I purposely design my route so I have a layover in Tokyo

[AngieYC]

Hello @iyudhi ,

I think next time I have to do the same next time when I travel, because Japan is always a good stop!

How’s Jakarta anything new?, I hope you had a great trip back home.

[Petra_M]

Ok @iyudhi , I got it. I should definitely plan a trip to Japan.

[Jesi]

@iyudhi There have been many great posts on Japanese food and restaurants, and yours is no exception.

It seems like a very entertaining experience, and tasty too. The photos you shared look amazing, and watching each dish being done so close to you must be really interesting.

Thank you for sharing this with us!

[YasumiKikuchi]

You are fortunate to have a wonderful experience @iyudhi How looks delicious…! It would be a high-class sushi that most Japanese never ate​:sushi:.

The sushi you asked is “小肌 Kohada”. This is one of the two kinds of fish which are supposed to be first offered at “江戸前寿司 Edo-mae Sushi” in Tokyo. Therefore, ordering Kohada at a Tokyo sushi shop prove you are familiar with sushi​:sushi:.

You will notice, it was not possible to eat raw in the past. Therefore, they sold the fermented sushi inexpensively on the street. Kohada at the time was a fish not worthless to eat, but it was used for fermentation. This fermented sushi was called “なれ寿司 Nare sushi” and existed 1000 years ago. However, it is different from the sushi we know.

“Omakase” system is very good. Because they choose the most delicious fish that day. Furthermore, In order to eat all the different fish deliciously to the utmost taste, they chose the order of fish so that the feeling of the tongue is not lost😋.

The custom of eating gold is Asia. This is because the doctor used it as a medicine since ancient times. But only gold is harmless because it does not dissolve in the body scientifically.

[HiroyukiTakisawa]

Hi, @iyudhi

All of them are absolutely delicious! They are perfect Edomae style Sushi:-9

Enjoy your journey

[Fconaza]

Boa tarde

A cultura oriental é milenar e sabia, O japão é um dos países que gostaria de conhecer. depois da sua apresentação culinária. Este é o lugar certo que passarei para almoçar. Ótima matéria e fotos.

Francisco Mesquita - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

[system]

All the photos look amazing, but especially that boiled shrimp @iyudhi Thanks for sharing.

[kestutis1]

I appreciate sushi. My favorite is with red fish

[Fconaza]

@user_not_found

Bom dia, seguindo para melhorar minhas experiências. @Fconaza

[FaridTDF]

Muy buen post @iyudhi el detalle de cada comida y las fotos de primera, no soy muy afecto al sushi, pero el salmon es un plato que siempre me gusta experimentar en los lugares que estoy, lamentablemente no siempre lo preparan bien, pero seguro cuando pueda probaré el Salmón en Japón.

El complemento que realizo @YasumiKikuchi sobre tu post me gusto mucho complemento muy bien el plato de comida

Saludos desde Tierra del Fuego, Farid.

[YasumiKikuchi]

Hi @FaridTDF

Thank you for reading! I recently stood at the true birthplace of Japanese sushi. It is Wakasa Bay, Fukui Prefecture. About 1,500 years ago, in order to deliver raw mackerel to the emperor in Kyoto, it was processed using fermentation technology and peddlers walked to deliver it. This is the origin of Japanese sushi.

https://goo.gl/maps/78Cv1NJ1CDmif6AU7

However, it is said that the true birthplace of sushi is Southeast Asia, not Japan.

[iyudhi]

@FaridTDF I highly suggest trying tuna in Japan. The quality of tuna you’re getting will be much better compared to anywhere else. You should also try uni. I don’t like uni when getting it from restaurant in US, but I love uni in Japan.

Here’s the most recent post I created about getting sushi in Tokyo https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Good-places-to-eat-sushi-in-Tokyo-Japan/td-p/3641666

@YasumiKikuchi yes, thanks so much for the explanation that you give! I never knew about the birthplace of sushi, so thanks as well for sharing it. This is definitely on my to do list for next time I’m in Japan! Will you be creating a post about it?

[YasumiKikuchi]

Hi @iyudhi

Ok i will write it!
However, I am currently busy with my university thesis, so please be patient.

[iyudhi]

@YasumiKikuchi awesome! Yes of course no rush, university is higher priority

[FaridTDF]

Gracias @YasumiKikuchi por ampliar y comentarnos mas detalles sobre el sushi , Japón, tu país, tiene una cultura ancestral de conexión con el mar y sus productos y el sushi, para un ignorante como yo “pescado crudo”. El echo de que sea fresco es muy importante, que conserve sus sabores originales, color y textura.

Particularmente yo, no soy muy amante del sushi pero puedo hacer una excepción si visitara tu pais.

Saludos Farid.