Sushizanmai Ueno branch — Restaurant in Tokyo

Waiters were not attentive or were purposely avoiding eye contact when I wanted to order the first time. When finally got the spectacled middle age man’s attention (didnt catch his name), he showed reluctance in taking our order. When we wanted to order the 2nd time, both waiters really looked away to avoid eye contact. Horrible service. Decided not to order anymore after experiencing that. The sushi chef at the counter was really nice and earnest though, perhaps we were to order directly from him? Still, the waiters could have told us. The other chef beside him though, kept staring at us (girlfriend and I), and even my girlfriend said he was staring at us all the way as we walked out the door. To be honest, I was watching the chefs work in marvel, but not them in the eye, only a glance to see that every time he turned his head towards us he was laying his glare upon us.

Sashimi and sushi slices were thick though, and quite fresh we would say, but the service really ruined...

Easily my worst restaurant experience in Japan.

I went around 6:30pm when they were busy, with everyone running around frantically and shouting. First, the host didn't want to take my name on the list of people waiting. Then he got angry that I (apparently) wasn't standing in exactly the right place to wait. When I got a seat at the counter, the chef who was talking orders and preparing the sushi made it very clear that he did not want me there.

At 100-300yen for each piece (not roll/maki), it was definitely not the cheapest sushi I have had. Most of it was good, but one of the pieces of salmon that I received was so tough that I couldn't bite through it (and I have never known sushi-grade salmon to be tough before).

Overall, a really bad experience; but to be fair, they were very busy and maybe they would have been nicer and given me better sushi if I had known all of their procedures...

I’m a fan of Sushi Zan Mai. But. If this Zan mai restaurant were my first, I’d never ever revisit any other of the chain. Fish tasted unfresh, the portions were tiniest I’ve ever seen in the chain. The taste was poor. Ordered food was passed us from hand to hand by the waiter instead of being set on the table. Without even asking who ordered what. It was like “here, get it and see for yourself who to pass it to next”. Picture this circus: while trying not to drop sushi from the plate passing it on overcoming the corona plastic wall. Besides that, staff yelled at their loudest. Not like I’m not used to sushi staff calling out loud things like “arigato gozaimasu”. Usually I’m ok with that. But not this way. Not when you’re not supposed to scream or sing at all. In short, if you want to eat at Zan Mai, you’d better try...