桂馬 — Restaurant in Onomichi

4.3 The family here were so sweet! They made us feel real comfortable even though we lacked Japanese language skills. He also gave us a photo menu and spoke English with us very well. We ordered sashimi, sushi set, and their famous steamed clay pot rice w scallops.

Everything was made with attention and care. I enjoyed all the sashimi, everything was so fresh! The salmon was lightly torched giving it a light browning on the top.

The clay pot rice takes 30 minutes which is legit. It came with a veggie and shrimp side and a small pickled sweet cold noodle. There is several fish and octopus variety for a clay pot rice. We shared with 3 of us and it was plenty! It reminds me of when my mom makes clay pot rice—simple, lightly flavored, and homey. The best!

The woman serving us was very attentive. She also gave us 3 each a complimentary miso soup and a delicious light flan. The Chef took his job real serious. Hard working folks! Came on a Monday after the bicycle touring from Onimishi and got a seat right away! I was super famished and enjoyed this meal. A suggestion from locals at Ryokan Suminoe....

Run by a family, looks like the chef's mum and dad are helping but I'm not sure. It's my kind of place. Fish is fresh and sushi rice is great. The English picture menu is limited though with only a choice of three sets; a sashimi set, a sushi set, and a seafood flavoured steamed rice set. We chose the sushi and the sashimi set and had beer. I believe you can order sake. If you know your sushi you can order ala carte. The chef will give you a hot towel and complimentary green tea. We were very happy with our meal. The dining area is cosy with but with the COVID safe screens in place it was a bit distracting. Only seats about 8 people around the sushi bar. Still I would highly recommend it to visitors to the area.

Note: Bring cash as with alot of places outside of the big cities in Japan...

This is one of those places that you almost don't want to review because it's too good to share. But there you go, I just did.

The sashimi teishoku here is off the chart. Best I've had in Japan in the three weeks we've spent here. So much attention to detail - the octopus sashimi and a small soba side dish were both lightly seasoned with wonderful local lemon. If the fish was any more fresh it would have been swimming about.

It seems to be a family-run place - with the son doing the bulk of the work preparing the food. The dad gave us some delicious plum soda.

For anyone doing the Shimanami Kaido bike ride, you'd be hard pushed to beat this...