Ichibazushi Namba — Restaurant in Osaka

I would caution people labeling this restaurant of being “racist” or engaging in “wasabi terrorism”. Please consider several issues 1) Japanese concept of omotenashi which loosely translates to accommodation of guests to best of the ability. 2) the western / non Japanese way of eating sushi is not the way that most Japanese eat sushi.

Example - I have seen many non Japanese ask for more wasabi like it was some sort of condiment like ketchup. I have also seen many foreigners eating ginger/gari like it was kimchi or pickles. No, the ginger is used only to cleanse the palate between different types of fish. Start with the white delicate fish, then more robust and oily fish, and use the ginger - one or two slices(at most)to cleanse the palate. Not a whole mouthful like you are eating as if it a side dish.

Also, Wasabi in sushi is a fine balance between just enough and too much. To ask for more wasabi is an affront to the the chef preparing your sushi...and yet I see many foreigners blatantly asking for more. Is it any surprise that that the chef is a little offended, and at the same time, trying to accommodate the foreign palate by putting more wasabi? Have you considered that they are trying to accommodate YOUR STYLE of eating their traditional dish however much they are offended. That’s like going to Peter Lugers and asking for A1 steak sauce.

If you do not want any wasabi then simply ask to have it held - ask for “sabi nuki “ . It is not uncommon for Japanese to ask for no wasabi either, so this should not be anything unusual. If they still will not accommodate your request, then I would agree that their behavior is deplorable. However, I would say that one should not place judgement on them before you consider both sides...

Tale of two tales here, used to be our favourite sushi and drinks hangout joint prior to Covid, they open 23 hours/day and we had many fond late night memories of reasonably priced and very well made nigiris, nothing fine or remarkable but generous cuts and well worth the pedestrian prices. Filled with late night revelers caressing their drinks and smokes, the tiny walled joint provided a truly vivid experience of a classic Edomae environment where you could mingle with your seated neighbours and share many random anecdotes.

Post Covid, they now shut around 1030pm and the ambience seems to have lost that aura. Service seems rather unfriendly now and sadder so the quality of its nigiri seems to have unfortunately waned. We briefly walked out after several pieces, wishing that it remained what it was, instead of what it is now.

Note that there are three branches around the...

Ate here today, and I don't know why it has 2.8, it was far better than that. Yes there was wasabi in the nigiri, but wasabi is good, give me all the wasabi. As a couple of introverts, it is a bit "scary" to ask for the chefs attention, but they are attentive and damn quick at serving you. The food is really tasty too! It is a somewhat tight spot, but that is just how it is in these kind of establishments. The people giving 1/5 need to grow some balls. Come here for an authentic...