Asakusa Omakase Sushi Restaurant "Horikawa" — Restaurant in Tokyo

I've been in Tokyo for a few days now and the quality of the food has been very good and the service polite. But all of it pales into insignificance now that I've eaten here. It was bit of a random discovery helped by some other reviews here but without any research, as I was looking to have some top-notch and not very touristy sushi before I continued my trip in Japan and leave Tokyo.

I didn't have a reservation, but was very pleasantly surprised to find that there was room for me. Inside, there was a German/Czech couple and a lady from France who were waiting to be served. Between use, we occupied four of the six possible positions at the bar. I had decided on the 22,000-yen special omakase service. If you aren't familiar, this is where the chef prepares your food and hands it to you piece by piece. You eat each piece as you receive it, so that everything that you eat is decided by the chef.

I also followed the chef's recommendation of Sake to drink during my meal. Well I don't know where to start. I've eaten at some relatively decent sushi places at home in the UK and abroad, but this was another level entirely. The rice was at exactly the right temperature, and the toppings were exquisite in their freshness, taste and consistency. Each piece of nigiri was seasoned by the chef with his own soy sauce and wasabi and of course he uses real wasabi - not that fake green horseradish stuff. So you eat the food as intended y the chef. There's no real way I can convey the depth of the experience, but this was without exaggeration, the best sushi meal I have ever had in my entire life. No, I think it was the best meal of my life full stop. I suppose part of it is the theatre of the chef preparing each piece for you to eat, and part of it was the shared experience with the three other guests. But I came close to tears from this meal. It was something of a life-altering experience. I will never again be able to eat sushi back home in the UK as now I know how it really ought to be.

I'm not going to say that this is the best sushi restaurant in Japan or even in Tokyo. I'm sure that there are chefs with even more experience, and possibly an even more lavish omakase service. Chef told us that he had been making sushi for 25 years and I completely believe it. His English is pretty good, and he showed us a photo of him as a boy with his grandfather who used to make sushi at home. This isn't surprising considering where I am, but he has an obvious [passion for his craft (well it's more of an art as you'll see from the photos) and he has the skill to make magic.

If you like sushi, I can't recommend this place highly enough. That's all there is to say. I have only one regret - that I didn't find this place on my last night in Japan as I can't see how anything else I'm going to eat is going to measure up. I don't see food as a competition, but it feels like I've reached the climax of my food journey only a few days into my...

I was able to make a last-minute reservation at Sushi Horikawa just about two hours before the seating, which was unexpected. Now in Asakusa, you can legitimately worry that a restaurant that makes it easy to book online and advertises that they speak English is a "touristy place" that doesn't really deliver in terms of Japanese food and standards. Not so at Sushi Horikawa! This is absolutely authentically Japanese service and quality, some of the best sushi I have ever had anywhere in the world (including some much more expensive sushi places with Japanese-only menus in both Kyoto and Tokyo as well as places several times more expensive in Los Angeles, itself an excellent city for sushi). I had the most expensive omakase menu, and the value for money was, honestly, outstanding. The tuna roll at the end was a revelation---that's the way I wish every tuna roll ever were---easily the best I've ever had! The restaurant is very close to Senso-ji and quite easy to find with Google Maps. This restaurant deserves to be full at every seating---but I'm glad it wasn't when I was looking for a...

Omakase with Chef Horikawa was a pleasure and an experience I will not soon forget. We reserved all 6 seats for our family of 4 adults and 2 children. He was very accommodating to our kids (who tried everything), even gave more sea grapes to our 4yo son who was thoroughly enjoying them!

I would describe the special omakase meal as a marathon of the freshest, best cuts of sushi/sashimi I’ve had in my life. The care and attention to each detail was a spectacle to see. Think of the best nigiri you can think of, and he did them all. All 3 Bluefin cuts. Uni two ways. Hamachi, albacore, mackerel, red fish (popping eye lol), seared giant scallops, LARGE (not ama) Ebi, chawanmushi with cod milt, tiny octopus, and more.

I’m no expert in omakase, but Chef Horikawa could hang with some of the best. He doesn’t venture into the exotic and unique, which is preferable when you’re simply looking for great sushi. Thank you, chef!!!

Highly...