Sushi Hananoi — Restaurant in Kyoto

We asked the hotel for a recommendation on a Saturday night with 2 hrs notice and they managed to find us a reservation at Hananoi. 10min walk and we were there. It's down an alley and the sign is in Japanese so we trusted Google maps to get us there 🤣.

We were the first two to arrive, and seated right in front of the chef who greeted us with a big smile. Perfect for a sushiya. We opted for Sapporo beer to go with the food (our usual pairing with sushi). The chef asked if we wanted to choose what to eat or to leave it to him, so (of course) we left it to him 😋

First course was sashimi: salmon, hotate and aburi prawns. The prawns were so sweet and crunchy but I also liked the freshness of the scallops. Great start!

2nd was a grilled black cod with miso. This was probably my favourite fish of the meal. Beautiful cod taste with the miso complementing the oiliness and the skin was crispy and just right. Then we had a prawn sushi - not the sweet kind but something that tastes more like lobster. Crunchy and full of flavour. Yummy.

After that was a white fish. It's the same family as yellowtail but according to the chef, they have three different names according to size (which I guess corresponds to age). This one was from the large ocean fish so more fatty. Quite a good bite to the flesh as well and new to me.

Then cuttlefish with a drip of a citrus fruit. The chef said to eat it as given, without wasabi or soya sauce. I like ika (cuttlefish) and this was likely the best I've had. Texture and flavour esp. with the citrus dressing. We asked if it was yuzu but he said no and showed us a small green fruit and gave us a name, but I don't remember it.

Then another white fish. This time I think it's the smaller version of hamachi (yellowtail). Also very flavourful and different from the previous one. I like both but prefer the first one.

Then we had uni (sea urchin). The chef gave us a small piece each to try to make sure we like it. It was very good. Reminder me of foie gras in texture and earthiness. Then came the full sushi, again eaten by itself with no sauce. Wow! That really packed a flavour.

Last was a handroll of tuna, I think. Shared with my wife. We also had miso to drink. And the chef asked if we were full and offered a last piece of our favourite. My wife got another of the sweet prawn and I just had to get the ika again.

Altogether, it was an amazing meal. We would go...

We came because of our hotel concierge’s recommendation, and what a delightful dinner it turned out. This is a small place helmed by the 3rd generation owner/sushi master who serves omakase mostly of sashimi and sushi. Besides us and another foreigner couple, there was a Japanese family of 5, and a local regular - and it was full house.

The sushi master prepared everything right in front of us. He was friendly and spoke enough English to be able to explain the fish and cut, and made a couple of jokes with us.

We started with some edamame, then a platter of sashimi each. There were sweet prawn, scallop and salmon. The meat were all so fresh.. I was blown away by the firm crunch in the meat texture.

The barbecue black cod was amazingly delicious. The chutoro was fantastic. The cooked big prawn sushi tasted like lobster only more flavorful & sweeter. I thought the hamachi sushi was really nice until I tasted the buri sushi, which according to the sushi master tasted best as the weather gets colder. The urchin sushi was so unbelievably fresh and full of umami.

What more can I say… highly...

Absolutely unforgettable. Four of us had the privilege of experiencing the omakase at Sushi Hananoi, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed not just as guests, but as family. The chef—whose mastery of flavor, texture, and presentation is truly world-class—and his kind mother created an intimate, soulful dining experience we will never forget.

Each course of the omakase was a revelation. From the delicate seasonal sashimi to the melt-in-your-mouth toro, every bite was perfectly balanced and artfully crafted. The pacing, the attention to detail, and the chef’s genuine passion made it feel like we were witnessing culinary artistry in its purest form.

And just when we thought the night couldn’t be more special, the chef and his mother surprised us with thoughtful parting gifts. It was an incredibly personal touch that left all of us moved and deeply grateful.

Sushi Hananoi isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience, a memory, and a testament to what hospitality truly means. A must-visit for anyone seeking the heart and soul of Japanese cuisine....