ヌーログ
"I want to try sushi that is different from usual, but 30,000 yen is a bit much..." "I want to try authentic sushi!" For those who feel this way, I recommend sushi lunch. There are many restaurants where you can eat for just a few thousand yen for lunch, even though the dinner courses can cost 20,000 to 30,000 yen. Among these affordable sushi lunch options, there are some particularly recommended restaurants, and one of them is "Sushi To" in Nogizaka, which is as recommended as "Manten Sushi" in Marunouchi. It is located right in the center of Nogizaka, Roppongi, Omotesando, and Azabu-Juban. It's like the belly button of Minato-ku. The dinner courses range from 20,000 to 30,000 yen, but for lunch, there are three courses priced at 3,300 yen, 6,600 yen, and 9,900 yen. I specifically took a day off on a weekday to make a reservation for the 3,300 yen course, which is limited to Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The restaurant has a small and clean atmosphere with only a counter. The counter height is the same as the cooking table, so you can watch the chef's skills right in front of you, which is a highlight of this place. Starting with the flounder with kelp vinegar. Enjoyed simply with sudachi and sauce. It has a light taste, perfect for the first piece. After eating the first piece, they ask about your preference for wasabi and rice. It's something you might not easily bring up yourself, so it's nice to be asked. Next, the Japanese flying squid with seaweed salt. Personally, I like squid, and the squid here is really good. The crunchy texture followed by a sticky sensation. It's a simple but honest work. The scallop from Abashiri. This one was really good, I was genuinely impressed after just one bite. It was the best scallop I've had this year. The best dish of the day chosen by my companion. Horse mackerel. The grated scallion and ginger pair perfectly with it. The condiments enhance the flavors of the ingredients, and horse mackerel is one of the few that can be enhanced by condiments like scallions and ginger. ... You may have noticed that the rice vinegar changed to red vinegar from this point on. It seems they change it according to the ingredients, but this thoughtful gesture allows you to enjoy both types of rice vinegar. Super happy about it. Beltfish from Chiba's Takeoka. Lightly seared and served as a sushi roll, this was an interesting way to enjoy the beltfish, giving it a juicy and plump flavor similar to eel or conger eel. An interesting proposal indeed. It was a visit for my companion's birthday, and the restaurant surprised us with a gift. Rockfish. The staff kindly prepared one for me as well. It has a good amount of fat and is simply delicious. Although I feel guilty for getting it as a freebie, it was undoubtedly the best dish of the day. Lean tuna. The yuzu aroma is delightful, enhancing the flavor of the tuna. It's a simple dish, but it showcases the chef's skill. And then, a bowl of sea urchin and salmon roe. The salmon roe is on rice vinegar rice, and the sea urchin is on red vinegar rice. The sea urchin and salmon roe were of excellent quality, and I never expected them to be included in the 3,000 yen course. A clam soup to cleanse the palate. The clam broth is rich and soothing. Kanpyo roll. This is the perfect way to end the meal. Just when I thought it was over, they surprised us with conger eel. It was incredibly fluffy and seemed to melt in the mouth. Each dish was of high quality, showcasing the chef's solid skills. There was no moment of disappointment, which can sometimes happen with cheaper courses. And for just 3,000 yen, this is an unbelievable deal. Although limited to Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, it's definitely worth taking a day off to visit. You may even want to try the evening courses or the 6,000 yen or 9,000 yen lunch courses. With this quality at 3,000 yen, you will definitely be satisfied. I highly recommend it. Next time, I'll visit with a higher-priced course and see.