Sushi Tsubomi

Sushi Tsubomi (鮨 つぼみ)

⭐⭐⭐

🍣 Sushi / 📍 Nakameguro

📓 Visits: 2 (2018, 2022)

Sushi Tsubomi was the first of (so far) two other restaurants Takashi Saito has opened in Tokyo (the second being 3110NZ by LDH Kitchen).  My first visit was not long after the restaurant opened in 2018 when omakase of 6 tsumami and 12 nigiri was JPY 18,000.  The original chef was Makoto Maruyama but he left in August 2022 and is preparing to open Sushi Saito in Bangkok in January 2023.  So since then Keiya Kawaguchi has taken over and adjusted the menu.  Omakase of around 5-6 tsumami and 10 nigiri is JPY 25,300 while a 10-piece nigiri lunch at JPY 11,000 is served on Saturdays and Sundays only (prices inclusive).  This review is based on my 2022 lunch visit.

How does it compare to Sushi Saito?  Inevitably the neta is not up to the same standard.  In particular the buri was a long way off Saito's, the chutoro in autumn was more like summer tuna and had much less fat and no otoro was included.  Rice was a touch too warm at times and had a 'mealy' rather than smooth and chewy texture.  But for 11K I don't really have any complaint with the other neta.  The akami zuke and kuruma ebi were great and the kohada was very good.  Temperature control of the neta was perfect.  11k for a 10 piece lunch is JPY 1,100 per piece which is about the same average as the JPY 15,400 15-piece lunch at Sushi Saito.  Lunch at Saito includes otoro and uses the same quality neta as the full course so it's clearly not as good value but considering the few extras you get in the meal, the service and the fact that it's somewhere you can actually book I thought it was good value.  If you want to eat more you can place additional orders after the course and you can make subsequent reservations after your meal.

Service from two kitchen assistants was upbeat and polite.  Kawaguchi-san can speak a few words of English and one of his assistants a little more.  A drinks menu is available but is in Japanese only.

It's a bit hard to score.  The neta is better than at Sushi Taichi and Tomidokoro and the service and overall experience streets ahead, but the rice wasn't as good.  But all in all, I'd say lunch at Sushi Tsubomi would be the perfect introduction to serious omakase sushi in Tokyo without breaking the bank.

📌 https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13221782/

❓ My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.99

📱 Booking: 🟩  Dinner reservations two months ahead are taken on the first of every month.  Lunch can only be booked via Omakase, dates are not necessarily released as soon as each new booking period opens so keep checking, look out for notifications and book quickly as these fill up quickly.  Dinner can be booked via Omakase or phone with more slots available by phone.  The earlier in the month you book the more choice you'll have but there are always slots available and you should be able to get a seat the same month if you're flexible on dates.  Two rotations at dinner, one at lunch.  Some English spoken.  For the avoidance of doubt, dining here doesn't get you a foot in the door at Sushi Saito.

📍 Location:

1-21-26 Higashiyama.  10 mins walk North-West from Naka-meguro station, East Exit. Dedicated street-facing entrance.
Map data ©2022 Google

📶 Free WiFi? ✅ Yes

📅 Visit October 2022

Sumi ika geso
Iwashi ume-ni
Kare (nigiri)
Buri
Kohada
Akami zuke
Chutoro
Sumi ika
Kuruma ebi
Ishigaki kai
Bafun uni
Anago
Miso soup
Kanpyo maki ½
Inarizushi
Tamago

💴 Damage: 11,000
⏱️ Time taken: 1h10m