So close yet so far, you don't see it's there until you know it's there.. Ootazushi
Oh my sushi-loving soul, I just had the best Omakase experience ever! It all started with a promise to myself to try one in Japan, but let's be real, those prices can make your bank account cry like a baby. However, fate had other plans when my friend Aman introduced us to her new foodie friend, a Japanese businessman who knew just the spot.
We met up at this place called Ootazushi, which I thought would be some generic restaurant in the middle of the city of Tokyo. Boy, was I wrong! It looked like a blast from the past, a small house from the '70s or '80s that blended in with the city so well that you wouldn't notice it was a restaurant unless you knew. I was already intrigued.
Upon entering, my eyes widened with amazement. There was only one cooking station with a few seats at the bar, and it was packed. We had to wait a bit before finally getting our seats. I learned that the menu changes every day, depending on what the chef finds at the market that morning. You can choose between a big or small set, and the chef even adjusts the amount of rice used based on your preference for big or small bites. I went with small bites, and it was the perfect amount for me.. or almost too big as I barely finish the last sushi O.o
The chef started preparing each bite one by one, and it was exciting because you never know what's coming next. But what I do know is that each bite was incredibly fresh, and I couldn't get enough of the tuna. Plus, we were dining with a Japanese person who knew how to eat Japanese food. He even taught me some mind-blowing tips, like using pickled ginger to dip in the sauce and then put it on the fish so that you don't have to turn the sushi upside down. Whoa! Another thing is, eating sushi with hand like old generation Japanese would do, Whaaa!
The best part? It only cost $15 per person! I couldn't believe it. I had an amazing experience eating with locals and watching all the sushi being prepared right in front of us. The place is called Ootazushi, and it's named after the uncle who's the chef. Totally recommend it to anyone looking for a unique, authentic, and affordable Omakase experience in Tokyo. This was super duper cool!
Ootazushi
https://goo.gl/maps/jVe6rVi1oQ8VDgo67