Kukizen — Restaurant in Otaru

I walked in on Tuesday to get a lunch appointment for Sunday. The lady was very welcoming and took the time to explain the course.

When the time came, I arrived at 11.30am and was served along side 4 other customers. It was a lunch omakase for ¥5,000. As described by other reviews, you get 12 nigiri sushi and it takes about 30mins.

The chef looks a bit stern, but he respectfully named each piece to us as he served us. These is classic sushi, so please remember the Japanese names for the different types of fish.

Tips: Use your hands to pick up the sushi. I saw the local Japanese gentlemen do it. The sushi is seasoned already, so just put it directly in your mouth from the plate on which he served it.

It became apparent why the restaurant wasn’t full when he started the course. Because after he had served the last piece and before we had the chance to pay, they seat the next batch and he started preparing sushi for them.

So just because the restaurant has enough seats for your party, it doesn’t mean that you would be able to dine. GET A...

Just ate there. Unreal. To the poor reviews highlighting that it was like ‘fast food’ because of the speed of service...THAT’S HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE. It would be the same speed at Jiro...a 3 Michelin star sushi place. Your expectations were completely off from what this place is about.

And yes, it may seem empty and you may be upset because you didn’t make a reservation, but they could easily have a full booking coming into a place that is exceptionally small.

And as a Canadian with no reservation...we begged and pleaded and they accommodated and were more than gracious during our service. They don’t speak English much at all, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care about their customers.

This was the best dining experience of my life, and it...

Our last dinner in Japan we had an unpleasant dining experience in Kukizen! The whole dinner was so rushed by the chef and I felt like I was eating fast food! We were served 12 pieces of sushi in 30 mins (arrived at 6.30pm everything served by 7.00pm). The chef laid down the next piece without I finished the current piece! The chef has absolutely no intention to communicate with us but rather socialise with the only other 3 Japanese customers who came before us and still having food served when we were leaving. The quality of food was very average and does not warrant 2 Michelin stars. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant! Actually I am even reluctant to...