Last week, President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had dinner at Sukiyabashi Jiro, considered by many to be one of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo, if not the world. It’s certainly the most famous sushi spot on the planet thanks to the 2011 documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.” The three-star Michelin restaurant is located in the basement of an office building near the Ginza station, with a modest wooden counter and only 10 tables in the entire establishment. 89-year-old master chef Jiro Ono serves a tasting menu of roughly 20 courses, for a total of 30,000 Japanese yen (just under $300). But some people question if the experience is actually worth the money. While there’s no question that diners are eating some of the freshest and most perfectly prepared fish available, the meal is often rushed. The Michelin Tokyo Guide warns “don’t be surprised to be finished within 30 minutes.” That’s the equivalent of spending 1,000 Japanese Yen — or $10 — per minute.

Andy Hayler, a food critic at Elite Traveler who has dined at every Michelin three-star restaurant in the world, had a less-than-stellar experience at Sukiyabashi Jiro in 2008. “It was very rushed, and I gather has become even more rushed since,” he told Business Insider. “A well traveled American friend went recently and timed it in and out in 28 minutes, his wallet several hundred dollars lighter.” (For those curious, Obama’s visit lasted for one and half hours, three times longer than the typical meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro.)ichiban sushi menu sugar land There are a few reasons for Chef Ono’s fast pace. ichiban sushi menu sugar landConnoisseurs believe that the highest quality sushi is served within five seconds of being prepared, and that diners should not let a bite of sushi rest, but consume it immediately.where to buy sushi grade ahi tuna in san diego

Plus, eating those 20 sushi courses over the span of hours could ruin the customers’ appetites as they become increasingly full, and they would not appreciate the later courses. Chef Ono’s meal lasts less than a half an hour, so there’s not enough time for diners to start to feel overly full (it takes about 20 minutes for our body to recognize that it’s satiated) and they can better enjoy every perfect bite of sushi. In addition to the fast pace, however, some people claim the service itself can be hit or miss at Sukiyabashi Jiro depending on who you are and who you’re with. sushi grade fish somervilleForeigners who don’t speak Japanese, known as gaijin, have a hard time getting a reservation at Sukiybashi Jiro in the first place and an even harder time being served. sushi making kit glasgow

Since Chef Ono doesn’t speak English and his son speaks very little, their explanations and any diner questions or requests are often completely lost in translation. Bringing along a friend or guide who speaks fluent Japanese is not only highly recommended by every reviewer, but often necessary. Some reviewers even describe a hostile relationship between Chef Ono and foreigners, with some going so far as to claim discrimination. Hayler described the poor service in the 2008 review:orez pentru sushi online From the moment we sat down, the old gentleman who runs the place, and the chef who served us, regarded us with barely concealed contempt. sushi delivery las condes apoquindoThey spent their time glowering at us throughout. The fish came at a very fast pace, and when at one point my wife stopped for a few moments towards the end and explained (via our translator) that she just needed a moment, they just took her sushi away regardless.  

“The customer is always right” is not a concept that has caught on at this place. Many of his readers agreed with his assessment of the service in the comments section, describing their own experiences with Chef Ono. One man even said he and his brother were almost kicked out during a 2011 visit: As my brother and I entered the restaurant, my brother removed his jacket and placed it on a rack. Before I could reach for my scarf, my brother’s jacket was — literally — shoved back into his chest, and he was being pushed in the back towards me and told, “Sorry, no foreigner.” My wife, as yet unseen, suggested she try herself — being Japanese — and sure enough, she was treated as if a new guest had come in. When she confirmed our reservation and learned our table was ready, she beckoned us in. They were startled to see us re-enter the restaurant with her, although no apology was forthcoming. Despite these negative reviews, not everyone experiences poor service at Sukiyabashi Jiro, and most people still agree that the food itself is superb.

Obama called it the “best sushi I’ve ever eaten,” and Hayler agreed, telling Business Insider that he thought his meal was “objectively good,” but that it still did not compare to other Tokyo establishments such as Sushi Saito, Yoshitake, Mizutani, and Sawada. So if you are comfortable with feeling rushed throughout a $300 meal and potentially poor service, then it’s worthwhile to visit Sukiyabashi Jiro and try Chef Ono’s truly amazing sushi. But Japan is filled with fantastic restaurants. Jiro Ono’s spot isn’t even in the top 30 sushi restaurants in Tokyo by Japanese diners on Tablelog, Japan’s Yelp equivalent. And for those looking for a more affordable and low-key sushi meal in the U.S., New York is now home to Sushi Nakazawa. Owned by Jiro Ono’s former protégée Daisuke Nakazawa, the entire meal lasts for two hours and costs only $150 a head.About Latest Posts Latest posts by thehipmunk (see all) The 2017 Super Bowl Traveler’s Guide to Houston Paris for Millennials: A Traveler’s Guide The Best Food Festivals in Early 2017

For #internationalsushiday there will be many listicles out there about the Top X best sushi places in the country. The real story is how to find great sushi (fresh, sustainable, elegant) without paying $40 a roll. Search the strip malls.You should be looking for sushi restaurants who are killing it in a strip mall near you.   Everything doesn’t have to be bigger in Texas including its restaurant size. Nestled in Houston’s Chinatown neighborhood, Sushi Miyagi is one of the few Japanese owned joints in the city and the mom-and-pop shop know how to do sushi right. With Miyagi himself as the Sushi Chef and his wife lone waitress and creative director, Sushi Miyagi delivers authentic, fastidiously prepared options at an accessible price. Sushi Ota– San Diego, CA Ah, nothing says “EAT HERE” like a restaurant sandwiched between a car dealership and your favorite Slurpee provider. Sushi Ota in San Diego hides inventive offerings like trumpet fish, red eyed snapper and mackerel pike behind the blandest facade imaginable.

Go all out with the omakase; you’ll be celebrating your parade of sushi with flags and banners as each offering builds to a delightful crescendo of Adzuki Ice Cream and a full stomach. We’re going to include Tokkuri-Tei as an honorary member of the Sushi Strip Mall club because for so long, it hid its gloriousness behind newspapered windows in a decrepit shop front. Guests at Aston Waikiki Hotel would follow recommendations for the restaurant, but upon visiting, turn away thinking they had the wrong address. Some of their most popular options include a tender chopped Toro with scallion roll and an exhaustive sake list that complements its wide array of sashimi and nigiri options. Tukkuri Tei does of course mean “Sake Shop,” and they certainly live up to that moniker. You may be thinking well these are just one offs. Sushi is overpriced and fancy everywhere else. I give you the LA sushi scene as a final KO to that theory.  LA has several killer options for you to explore strip mall offerings at their finest.

We suggest booking a weekend stay and filling your belly with excellent fish without paying a ridiculous price Sushi Kimaguri Ike– Super famous sushi chef opens big time restaurant. trains new chefs that don’t do his legacy justice. He opens a small shop in a strip mall to reclaim his dominance in the sushi scene. Sushi Gen– Go to Little Tokyo. Find a strip mall with a long line waiting at a nondescript place. Bring no friends/spouses etc. to avoid waiting forever. Sit at the Sushi Bar. Order the omakase let the magic happen. Sushi Park- What they don’t do…Trendy Rolls, California Rolls and take out.What they will do? A brilliant omakase with luscious Toro that is way tasiter than anything Joe’s Pizza, their upstairs neighbor…is offering. Last, but not least. Extend your trip an extra day and head to the San Fernando Valley. Stay at the Hotel Amarano or the Custom Hotel and the next morning, get your sushi pants on and go to Go’s Park. Celebrated by Jonathan Gold, a Pulitzer prize winning food author, this off-the beaten highway destination will blow you away with silky sea bass, lush butterfish amongst a myriad of other options.