Sushi Kanesaka ** , Tokyo
2 Michelin star sushi in Ginza
Shinji Kanesaka-san is one of the most highly-revered sushi master in Japan as well as one being one the most successful restauranteur , owning no less than 3 michelin-rated Sushi-yas in Tokyo and being the first sushi brand to successfully make its name overseas with Shinji at legendary Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Kanesaka, mentor of Saito-san, also helped set up 3 Michelin star Sushi Saito which reportedly is ‘owned’ by the Kanesaka empire , and the two restaurants share the same supply chain of fish (which explain the similarities)
( See Sushi Saito at http://sfreelife.com/2012/03/07/sushi-saito-tokyo/ )
Being regulars at Shinji in Singapore, which arguably is the best sushi anywhere outside Japan, we had very high hopes visiting the ‘original branch’ in Ginza. Our hopes sky-rocketed when we were ushered to sit right in front of the counter manned by the master Kanesaka-san himself. However, we would soon realize that the original Sushi Kanesaka is not noticeably better than that at Shinji. This, to us, is more a testament than a criticism to the Kanesaka brand– it speaks volume of the proprietor – for being able to replicate the ‘original experience’, including the quality of the sushi itself, all the way to the shores of Singapore. Ironically, in doing so, it left the original branch comparatively ‘slighted’ as we left the honten disappointed that it could not provide something more amazing than its outpost — unfair maybe, but inevitably so. We also disliked the clever but claustrophobic U-shaped layout design of the place. More significantly, while Shinji can claim to be the ‘best there is’ outside Japan, Kanesaka is far from being the best in Tokyo.
The courses at Kanesaka are almost identical to that at Shinji. They are also very similar to that at Saito. That makes the difference between 2 and 3 Michelin stars even more telling — same ingredients, same courses but noticably different results (taste and texture). In short, we totally agree with the Michelin ratings of 2 stars for Sushi Kanesaka and 3 for Saito. The latter, being situated outside Ginza, is also 30% cheaper which explains its ‘months-long waiting list’ while Kanesaka can be easily booked inside a day or two. However, first-timers can visit Kanesaka without any hesitation as it’s still amongst the best in Tokyo.
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[...] (where good Japanese food is scant) I lost interest in such cuisine. Shinji by Kanesaka (praised by my much better eating friend) in Singapore rekindles my faith in prime Japanese produce with premium sushi-making skills to [...]
hey lit,
how much was this meal at Kanesaka per pax?
thanks!
around 30,000 Yen .. standard at this level of sushi in Ginza
is fugu in season in May? Any recommendations?
not really.. you might be able to find some but it’s surely not the season.
FUGU is winter fish but obviously ‘cultivated’ fugu is available all year round in some ‘high street’ fugu restaurants.
Even in winter, I don’t recommend going to fugu-kaiseki meals anyway.
ok! so just have fugu in all round kaiseki if on offer….
booked tickets! will start booking next week!
still cant really decide which 2-3 sushi to pick……. finger crossed for saito first!
how to pick between a guy moving and a guy maybe retiring soon….
kaiseki will not offer fugu for sure during ‘non-seasonal’ period.. kaiseki by definition is ‘eating the seasons’ …
when’s your exact date…
if no budget concerns, saito-araki-jiro would be the ultimate trifecta .. but do caution that sushi is prob the least value-for-money cuisine …
for 15-20 pieces of sushi, you can almost eat 2 x 3-star kaiseki meals (which serve sashimi and many other courses)
whether it’s worth it really is subjective.
Not considering SAWADA? Most expensive but its like watching an ‘epic movie’ … you get your moneys worth ‘cos of the whole experience, the longest sushi meal (2-2.5hr), the most number of courses…
5/4-5/11
actually quite like SAWADA, probably 2nd choice after Saito just by looking and reading your reviews
but seem to have least reasons to do it this trip, so will use as backup, those trifecta are more difficult to book? most expensive? how much more than 30k?
budget wise i think i can do 2-3 sushi, + 2 kaiseki +2 french + 1 tempura (the 1 star one you recommended not the overpriced 3 star), it is possible to swap, but as you said sushi least value for money cuisine, and a bit of diversity would be good?
sawada is 35k i think…
Yoshitake is another good value 3-star, in ginza but slightly more than Saito, at 23k. Very, very good appetizers/sashimi, sushi is great but slightly lower than the top 3. (at this level, we’re talking about the slimmest margin)
Sawada is easy to book too, prob a week before would be fine. It’s like a theater.. everybody starts at the same time.
2 french? go Aronia then (book early, only 2 tables!)… and Narisawa.
2 star KONDO tempura is good too…
btw, is it OK to ask for relative more sashimi to nigiri, since my mom have small stomach, e.g if normal omakase is 5 sashimi 10 nigiri, chef change to 10 sashimi 5 nigiri?
usually no. Sushi chefs are the least accommodating.
For more relaxed (noisy kind of sushi bar) meal, 2 star UMI is highly-recommended. Good value too. You’ll taste about 30 different fishes, sashimi and sushi. Im sure the chef can cater to most requests.
logged a reservation for Aronia, will call to check after Saito on Monday,
french and kaiseki is decided! but sushi still undecided… what are chance get booking at jiro and jiro doesn’t work on the day?
fukamachi seems good since apparently open on Sunday lunch…
Aronia wrote back:
We actually have been working on our renewal project. And the reconstruction
of the entrance and dining place ( floor ) will be completed by April 30th.
And more importantly, our name will be TAKAZAWA from May 1st J And as our
concept is CHA SHI TSU ( Japanese Tea room ), we will try to put more focus
on Japanese products. More love to Japan J And there might be little change
about our menu accompanied by our renewal. We are now trying to finalize it.
We do have 3 options now but, we are thinking of adding Chef’s Special Menu
@ 30,000 yen.
1. 16000 JPY ( 7 dishes )
2. 20000 JPY ( 9 dishes )
3. 24000 JPY (11 dishes )
4. 30000 JPY (not finalized the details yet )
how many courses did you try? would you recommend chef special menu if available like you did with per se + add on even if skip some?
http://www.t-matsukawa.com/about.html
have you tried or researched this one?
damn i think is golden week not many open first few days on my arrival
how did you know this place!?
It’s my next stop … going there this Saturday. Shall return with an update!
omg.. golden week is terrible, everything is closed!
from you kadowaki link it link to a higher rate one in matsukawa, if its very good, maybe i do 3 kaiseki and 1 sushi, have trouble getting sushi
saito is full, but i could have book something in May just not the dates , but he is young, try next time!
i have booked takazawa and kadowaki, still trying to fit more in the first part, since dad will join, at least narizawa should be ok!
Has Araki already move to London? Cant seem to get through!
how is matsukawa? best beef? you had lunch? the 20k menu? or you asked for 25k dinner?
Currently I have kikunoi, kadowaki, takazawa, narizawa, araki, jiro?
damn! more decisions to make!!