Mikutama
On a certain weekday, I suddenly had the opportunity to visit Akazu. I am grateful for this chance. Although I don't usually check Instagram, I had heard about Sushi Senjin and how each of their expanding locations is a popular restaurant that is always fully booked. So when the opportunity to visit came, I knew I had to go.
The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of a commercial building called Queens Court in the heart of Minami's entertainment district, which is a prime location. Just a side note, be cautious of being overcharged at the lounge on the 3rd floor. However, the lounge on the 5th floor has a drastic difference in pricing, offering a one-hour deal for 5000 yen. The interior of the restaurant is simple and elegant, with only a counter as expected from a high-end sushi restaurant. The young head chef, Mr. Moriguchi, is as skilled as rumored, and the chef next to him also has red hair. This gives the restaurant a bright and friendly atmosphere, where conversations flow easily. It seems like Akazu aims to make it a place where even families can enjoy themselves comfortably. However, personally, I think wearing a traditional Japanese hat would be more visually appealing and hygienic.
At 6 pm, the meal began with all 8 guests present. I was curious about the head chef's skills, as he had not made sushi for the past six months. Initially skeptical, I was soon proven wrong as the chef effortlessly prepared the course dishes. It may require some experience to establish sourcing routes or to offer kaiseki or creative dishes, but focusing on one thing can bring out motivation and talent. The highlight of Akazu is indeed the shari (sushi rice). The rice, cooked firmer and mixed with plenty of vinegar, is a bit sharp at first but mellows out over time. This distinctive shari enhances the flavor of the toppings, making each piece easily distinguishable.
The course menu followed a similar pattern to other sushi restaurants. The appetizer seemed a bit simple, but the nigiri sushi was impressive. I was surprised to see the medium fatty tuna nigiri served twice at the beginning and just before the finale. The succession of tuna continued, and even in small portions, I felt quite satisfied. Sitting at the far right end, some of the toppings seemed less visually appealing due to their placement against the counter's edge. The quality of the fish was good and worth the price. After the meal, I was able to make a reservation for the next visit. I even managed to reserve a spot at another Akazu location, so I booked the main branch in Shinhoto, despite the one-year wait. I look forward to enjoying it for the next year. Thank you for the meal!