Manten Sushi Nihonbashi — Restaurant in Tokyo

I left Manten Sushi feeling quite disappointed, especially considering its reputation as a well-known establishment in Japan. For about $60 per person, I expected a much better experience, especially since we paid just $10 more at Ginza Sushi Banya Kai for exceptional service, top-quality fish, counter seating, and engaging chefs.

Unfortunately, the hostess played a major role in why our experience fell short. There was a misunderstanding regarding our seating (we had selected bar seating, but were seated at a table), and rather than helping to clarify the issue, she insisted we made the wrong choice during the online booking process. It felt dismissive, as though my friend was being questioned on what they remembered selecting. From that point, we noticed a clear distinction in how we were treated compared to other guests—almost as if there was a hierarchy, with those seated at tables being given lesser treatment than those at the counter. The difference in service left us feeling somewhat discriminated against for being “table seaters.” Another thing that really added to the feeling of being treated differently was the lack of acknowledgment from the chefs. At most sushi restaurants, the chefs greet or acknowledge you when you walk in or out, regardless of whether you’re sitting at the bar or a table. Here, the chefs never once acknowledged us, which only heightened the sense of being treated as “lesser” for not being seated at the counter.

We also politely requested ginger, but it took over 10 minutes to arrive, and when it did, it was served in large, thick chunks instead of the usual thin slices you find at every other sushi place. It seemed odd, especially as the guests at the counter were served the standard, freshly sliced ginger. If that wasn’t strange enough, when we finished the ginger, we were then brought thinly sliced ginger, but this time it was brown and didn’t look fresh at all.

The food was overall okay, but a few dishes stood out for the wrong reasons. Some of the fish didn’t seem as fresh as we expected, and a couple of the dishes had an odd, slimy texture. While the quality of most of the food was decent, it was the overall experience—particularly the service—that made it feel like it wasn’t worth the money.

It’s especially sad because this was our first time in Japan, and we were looking forward to an amazing sushi experience. Unfortunately, Manten Sushi didn’t deliver on that.

P.S. No one should treat my friends poorly or mess with my ginger!

Update - It’s been several hours later and the food didn’t sit well in my...

An Incredibly Disappointing Experience…

Our recent visit to Manten Sushi Nihonbashi was nothing short of a disaster. For a restaurant with such a well-regarded reputation, the experience was downright shocking and deeply disappointing.

The problems began the moment we walked in. Despite reserving counter seating well in advance—hoping for the immersive, chef-driven experience that sets high-end sushi bars apart—we were abruptly told that we would be seated at a table instead. No apology, no effort to accommodate us, just a dismissive, "there's nothing we can do." We tried to explain that the counter was a key part of why we chose this place, but we were met with zero sympathy. It felt like we were an afterthought.

To make matters worse, the waitress who served us was extremely rude and inconsiderate. From the moment she approached our table, her attitude was condescending and dismissive. She barely paid attention to our requests and made us feel like we were inconveniencing her by simply being there. I have never encountered such unprofessionalism at a restaurant, especially one that claims to be high-end.

And then came the food. The sushi was mediocre at best, but the real insult was the ginger. Instead of the delicate, thin slices that perfectly complement sushi, we were given huge, unsliced chunks. I was utterly horrified. How could a restaurant of this supposed caliber fail at something so basic? The ginger was overpowering and impossible to enjoy. It completely ruined the balance of the meal and showed a shocking lack of care and attention to detail.

Overall, this experience was nothing short of horrendous. From being treated rudely and inconsiderately by the staff to being served thoughtlessly prepared food, it was clear that Manten Sushi Nihonbashi is failing on multiple levels. We left feeling not only disappointed but outright disrespected. This was supposed to be a special lunch, but instead, it was a frustrating and miserable one. I absolutely will not be returning and cannot recommend it to anyone looking for a quality...

Initially I was planning to wake up at 4am to queue/wait at one of those well-known sushi restaurants in Toyosu for their “cheap” omakase.

After second thoughts, I decided not to waste my time and sleep; and instead chose Manten Sushi instead.

It turned out the best decision made in my Tokyo trip. :)

The whole experience was amazing from reservation to the actual dining.

Let’s start right from the beginning.

Online booking was done in English on their official home page. It was simple and straightforward. A day before I received an email and SMS asking for re-confirmation. Remember to do so to secure your booking.

During my meal, a few walk-in customers were turned away. To avoid disappointment, I would suggest you make a booking at least a week in advance as their slots run out fast.

The meal started at 11am and ended at around 1pm. The 2-hour session was more than just dining, it was a joy watching the chefs and service crew busy at work. I didn’t even take out my phone to take pictures or use it for other reasons. I was enjoying not only eating the food but also watching how the food was prepared.

All ingredients were fresh including the challenging ones such as sea urchins and octopus. The flavour of each dish was well balanced with the right amount of sauce and wasabi, you don’t need to add any condiments.

I don’t remember the exact number of dishes, it should be somewhere between 12 and 18 items including different types of sushi, sashimi, omette, tofu, chawanmishi, a soup and some strawberries.

The food is definitely delicious but I am sure there are other better sushis elsewhere. What I can say is that it would be unfair to compare them with other tip-top Michelin-starred omakase courses, of course. Having said that, at their price point and for the good food quality, excellent customer experience and service , it’s definitely...