If you want sushi in Japan youve got kaiten-zushi on the low end, the conveyor belt sushi that circles around and you pick out what you want. If you want a more authentic experience there are also plenty sushiya, a shop typically comprised of tables and a counter where a sushi chef will slice the fish on the spot. Its better quality but it also comes with a hefty price. Now, a new type of sushi shop want to fill the void between the two.
Tsumamigui is a new sushi shop that opened earlier this year in the trendy Nakameguro area of Tokyo. Its operated by Sushiro, a major sushi shop chain with over 300 kaitenzushi shops across Japan. The store, whose name means eating with your fingers (but connotes a casual style of grabbing food) is an experiment in what the company calls smart sushi dining. Its an attempt to put a modern twist on traditional cuisine while maintaining quality, design and price.
To help pull off their vision, Sushiro hired uber-popular design firm nendo to create not only the interior, but the full identity from logo and plates to the workers outfits.
Tsumamiguis flagship menu item are the bite-size rolls that range between 100 300 yen for two pieces. You can mix and match the rolls to create your own meal, or order from one of their preset meals. A la carte nigiri pieces (100 500 / piece) are also available. And to appeal to a broader audience (read: the working career woman).
Tsumamigui is also offering a series of salads and hors doeuvres. And all the ordering and customization is done through a tablet on each table. Despite claims of being user-friendly, this could, however, be an obstacle for Japans increasingly greying population.
So far the ratings on tabelog, Japans yelp-like review website, look favorable: A good bang-for-your-yen.
1-30-10 Aobada, Nakameguro-ku, Tokyo (Gmap)
Tel: 03-5720-5431
Open 7 days a week 11:00am 11:00pm
What a beautiful restaurant! I love the patterns and how everything matches perfectly. Its got a bit of business class with elegant art.