A bargain because it's lunch. Be satisfied with 5 different sushi stores in the venerable district of Nihonbashi.
Hello, and welcome back. How is everyone? I am she who adores delicious things, the culinary researcher skipping about the capital, Yakko!
This time in Oedo Nihonbashi, I'll introduce you to 5 different stores that will completely satisfy you with their sushi lunches. Speaking of Nihonbashi, it has a lot of history; spanning over 100 years since being founded there are many veteran shops. Having heard as much it is a little intimidating, but if it's going to be lunch then we're going to enjoy sushi at a reasonable price.
With that, allow me to introduce 5 of Nihonbashi's restaurants.
Nihonbashi Ja no Ichi - Main Store
A well-established store founded in 1889!And wha-, wha-, what's more the literary master, Shiga Naoya,is said to have named the store!Further, the sushi lunch is even more so amazing!
For nigiri sushi, the splendid name of "Hana, Tori, Kaze, Tuki (the beauties of nature)" is attached, and with a salad and sidebowl it costs from 1,000-3,000 yen. Additionally, don't be too shocked, but the more bargain-minded "bara-chirashi sushi" is an impressive assortment for only 980 yen. Boiled conger eel with sauce continued since its founding days as a food cart is also included!Ah, that fluffy and tender as though it will melt sweet and salty eel. That the Meiji-era literary master also ate it, there is no higher height to this happiness.
Yoshino Sushi - Main Store
Hey everybody, did you know? Up until the Great Kanto Earthquake there was a riverside fish market in Nihonbashi! What's more, Yoshino Sushi was founded in the year 1879, so really, it is a veteran store among veteran stores. It's known as the headquarters of Edomae-style sushi!
Glamorously colourful ingredients and a perfect sense of temperature. My appetite is growing more and more! Thinly grilled egg (it's no tamagoyaki!) gently embraces sushi rice, indeed, for lunch the nigiri sushi is from 1,500-3,000 yen. Such a distinguished store and yet how reasonable a price.
Niginigi Ipponkan
It's definitely a unique store name, as though the sushi itself has been "Niginigi"(Nigiri) made. Here you stylishly stand while you're eating, so it's rather sophisticated. It vividly recalls the atmosphere of an Edo-era food cart. And also, it's extremely reasonable.
Nigiri sushi made with fresh local fish start at 100 yen apiece. Natural tuna is 100 yen apiece. The average lunch price is 1,000 yen. Can you believe it? Even in Nihonbashi you can reasonably enjoy sushi for lunch.
Ya no Ne Sushi - Nihonbashi Main Store
The 1st floor has 11 counter seats, but on the 2nd and 3rd floors are a total of 7 fully private rooms equipped with hori-gotatsu style seating in this relaxedly atmospheric sushi restaurant. With its easygoing and casual store interior you can really relax!
Including nigiri sushi and rice bowls, there are a total of 12 different lunch varieties. The highest class supreme nigiri costs 4,500 yen, however the A lunch for 1,000 yen, B lunch for 1,500 yen, and C lunch for 2,000 yen are all reasonable offerings, so you a quick peek into your wallet decides for you, I suppose?
In addition there are naturally the fresh ingredients delivered from various locales nationwide, but even more particular is the "shari," or sushi rice! Normally it isn't said to be well-suited to sushi rice, but being "koshihikari" and with an original cooking method, a flavourful "shari" is formed into sushi.
Nihonbashi Shimon
Well, this is our final store to introduce. The sushi restaurants open on Sundays and public holidays number in the few, don't they? But they're open for business here! That you can eat a delicious sushi lunch on Sundays and also public holidays is quite the bargain feeling!
A simple wooden hinoki cypress counter. This alone is old school! That's the feeling you get. Furthermore, if I were to sum up this sushi shop it's definitely not about getting attention, but about a store adhering to the ultimate of Edomae style sushi. The ingredients and rice are beyond reproach, but of particular speciality is the boiled-down soy sauce! Matched with the ingredients there are 3 different varieties! This is a store with three elements in its delicacy, sophistication, and quality.
The Japanese amberjack lunch course is 3,500 yen and has 3 appetisers, 9 pieces of nigiri sushi, a side bowl, and dessert in its contents. The ingredients are all from the coast along the Sea of Japan, using the nori seaweed of Ariake and the wasabi of Gotenba.
The lunchtime surprise course is 5,000 yen, including 3 appetisers, sashimi, 10 pieces of nigiri sushi, a side bowl, and dessert. Additionally, in pursuit of a new palate champagne and wine are also included.
So there you have it, long long ago there was a riverside fish market in Nihonbashi. And here you are, Edo-ite sushi lunches! Please enjoy them.
Author: Yakko
A brain foods researcher with a love of eating and drinking. Also, a food coordinator; with "Offering food suggestions for living an energetic lifestyle - firstly, let's make our brains healthy!" as a theme she submits creative cuisine. If you'd like to know more, please take a look at her blog.
