Sushi Dai — Restaurant in Tokyo

Here is an in-depth review for the crazy ones like me who want to know the exact details. I visited Tsukiji market back in the day and can never get up early enough to queue for Sushi Dai because you need to go as early as 3am to avoid long queues. I managed to get on a work trip in August 2022 when there is not much tourist in Tokyo so this review is for this special scenario only.

I took a taxi to Toyosu Market early on a Thursday morning and arrived at 5am. Found my way to the 3rd floor where all the restaurants are and there was no one waiting for Sushi Dai. I figured it will probably not be busy so went downstairs to explore the wholesale market and boy it was one of the best experiences ever to see the big fishes being transported around then shops putting in the work to dissect them to lovely slabs of Tuna.

Other reviews said that they start taking names down from 5:30am so I went back up at the time and a nice gentleman who looks after the queues and cashier signed me up, I was 4th on the list (damn!). Since my spot had been secured, I went back downstairs to explore further because you can never see the whole market, it’s too big! Do be polite because official signs say that only authorised people are allowed into that part of the market, but I think visitors go in anyway.

Went back upstairs just before 6 and there were about 15 people waiting, caught the moment they opened for business official and the nice lad started calling guests in one by one. I think there are just over 10 seats, all against the bar.

They ask you about your preferred drinks, can have anything from beer to green tea. They then serve you sushi one by one omakase style. I got the following Fatty Tuna, Red Sea Bream, Horse Mackerel, Abalone, steamed egg (side dish), Flounder, Surf Clam, Lean Tuna, Baby Shrimp, Spanish Mackerel, Cod Roe and you can finish off with a choice from the menu (with English) which I went for fatty tuna again lol. My thoughts on the taste? So fresh it was like eating in the sea, but I can’t say there is much difference compared to Daiwa, they are equally amazing. Don’t even think about dipping anything into soy sauce, you will ruin the experience!

They whole service was around 60 minutes, everyone finishes around a similar time and left one by one, paid 5000 (what a bargain!) Then there were around 2 servings of people waiting outside already so you can imagine how busy it could get even without tourists.

Got real lucky with no tourists around, I was the only person who couldn’t speak Japanese during my serving, but would definitely recommend this experience to anyone 100% even when Japan opens up...

Well, got up at 3am and got there by 5:30am only to wait another 2hours. Now I was under the impression that this place was gonna blow my mind due to their freshness and such. So, I was super excited and are very much prepared to be "wowed!". We finally got in, small place but good enough room to eat comfortably. It's in the form of a bar to kitchen style serving and one extra table on the side. One older gentlemen and 2 younger male and female chef serving us. It is a set meal with the chef's choice what he wishes to serve that day. Miso soup and others are ordered separately. The place doesn't particularly give you a traditional Japanese restaurant feel nor their any attempt at it. It just looks like a hole in the wall? I'm ok with that as I'm here for the food. I ordered a clam miso soup and that was rather fresh and tasty, I enjoyed it. Then came the Tomago to start... not bad, but nothing I never had in a all you can eat sushi shop. Then comes a sequential style serving of sushi. Without too much detail of each single one... I'll summarize: disappointed. First of all, it lacks presentation. The sushi were not served up with any intentions of looks. To allow enjoyment of food, the food must be allowed to be enjoyed by sight. The hand pressed sushi lacked consistency and maki rolls were not even cut consistently. The rice was rather too hard and inconsistent between different serving of the sushi pieces. However, the amount of vinegar to rice was tasty, I can have a bowl of that. Carry forth, I was also having a hard time in comprehending the freshness to these dishes. Especially the surf clam and scallop, it lacked, ocean salt water sweetness if you know what I mean. Overall, disappointed and I felt it was overrated. I said that because of the time invested in waiting (I was told some waited upwards to 4hrs), time in getting there (3am for me), and value paid for the food. To be honest, I had better sushi and sashimi for the price paid at a local fish market like Kuromon or Tsukiji (and they usually overcharge). My 2 cents, I'm sure I'll get blasted by those who stake their life on how awesome it is. Also, this is one experience I don't recommend anyone to have (in terms of waking up early and waiting so many hours for just above average dishes). P.S. picture attached show 4 pieces as there were 4 of us... so one...

By far my favorite restaurant in the world. The freshest sushi with attention to detail like no other to curate an omakase that goes beyond a meal into an unforgettable experience. From the first bite to the last special piece of your choosing it's a symphony of flavors with crescendo of bluefin tuna (o toro, chu toro) melded with golden eye snapper ( kinmedai) or Japanese horse mackerel (Aji). It's taste is unmatchable. The focus is on elevating the freshness of the ingredients instead of overmasking with sauce or other additives. Given it's proximity and thoughtfully curated relationship with the fish mongers from Toyosu fish market, I have not had fresher sushi than Sushi Dai... and I have been to hundreds of other sushi establishments, including many other ones with Michelin stars all over the world. There is a reason why Sushi Dai is only open during the morning, ensuring the absolute highest level of freshness.

The friendliness of the staff and the care of the chefs to serve to everyone including individuals from other cultures along with having a female sushi chef is very rare in Japan culture.

Individuals may complain that you have to come wait at 330am in morning to secure one of the 17 coveted spots for 1 of the 5 group of seating per day and that by 7am a spot for that day is no longer available. However, what they don't realize is that Sushi Dai is tying this to the above mission of providing the absolute best for as many as possible while keeping prices reasonable. They could easily switch over to an exclusive, higher price, RSVP only model, which would make it less attentive and accessible to everyone, especially foreigners, like other top sushi restaurants. People forget or don't realize this choice they make so more can enjoy, and another reason to be thankful to Sushi Dai. it's Also there are many tasty establishments where there are long lines, this one is absolutely worth it...plus with the surrounding tuna auctions and attractions nearby, you can always go enjoy after putting your name down with the host.

An experience that will result in memories along smiles that you will forever remember. Strongly recommend to all sushi lovers that care and can tell the difference in the highest quality...