Sushizanmai — Restaurant in Tokyo

Sushizanmai is one of those places that lives up to the hype—especially if you’re looking for a sushi experience that feels authentic, welcoming, and doesn’t break the bank. With multiple locations across Tokyo (including the iconic 24-hour spot near Tsukiji), it’s become something of a beloved institution, and after eating there, it’s easy to see why.

The sushi is fresh, beautifully prepared, and generously portioned. You can absolutely taste the quality, even if you’re just ordering the more affordable sets. I tried a mix of nigiri and rolls, and everything—from the fatty tuna to the uni to the tamago—was delicious. The rice was just the right texture, and the balance of flavors was spot on. It's the kind of meal that makes you pause between bites just to enjoy it.

One thing that really stood out was the atmosphere. Sushizanmai has that perfect mix of casual and professional—it’s lively and friendly, but the chefs behind the counter are clearly masters of their craft. They work fast, but there's a calm precision to it, and you can tell they really care about the quality of what they're serving. If you sit at the counter, you get a great view of the action, which adds to the experience.

The staff were cheerful and welcoming, even with the restaurant buzzing. Menus are available in English, and the ordering process is easy, which is a huge plus if you're visiting from abroad. It’s a great place for solo travelers, couples, or groups, and it doesn’t feel intimidating even if it’s your first time trying certain types of sushi.

It’s also open late—sometimes even 24 hours depending on the location—which makes it an amazing stop after a long day of exploring Tokyo or a night out. There’s something comforting about knowing you can walk into Sushizanmai at almost any hour and be treated to a high-quality, satisfying meal.

If you want great sushi in Tokyo without having to navigate reservations or pay luxury prices, Sushizanmai is a solid choice. It may be well-known, but it’s popular for all the right reasons. I’d...

Not easy to find the entrance, you have to go to the left when facing the "ABC mart" shoes store and find the elevator for the third floor. This place is popular, so be prepared to queue. As in other restaurants of the sushizanmai chain, no conveyor belt, you need to order everything, but there's an English menu with pictures. To place your order, write the quantity of units you want for each item (they all have a ID number) on the paper form that are available at your table. The left column is "with wasabi" and the right column is "without wasabi". You can re-order as many times as you want. My highly recommended sushi is "Ootoro" the ID number 1. It's the only real fatty tuna I found in Tokyo with a reasonable price (about 400 yen for one sushi). When you order it, before eating, just remember that there are only three ingredients : rice, fish and wasabi. Dip in soy sauce just a little (without letting the rice touch it, otherwise it's absorbing and then you have a soy sauce soup topped with rice and fish instead of a sushi), close your eyes and put it in your mouth, chewing very slowly and gently. Feel everything melt, and think of the ingredients...

Wanted a little feel of USA sushi with rolls. Saw they had it on their menu so we checked it out. You order on an iPad which I prefer. Simplest item of all (tuna roll) for my son was forgotten about until I asked about the roll. We had high end sushi on the trip as well as conveyer belt sushi with bullet trains bring the plates to the table. This was probably the worst quality with the highest price. Reason I even decided to write the review was the final bill... We ordered house wine which was decent but way more expensive than any house wine in any restaurant including a fine dinging Steakhouse ( fine dining where steak was 240,000 yen for 200grams). The reason I decided to write the review was there was an obscure message scrolling at the top of the iPad that said an appetizer will be served with an alcohol order. Two of them appetizers were served and charged for. We didn't eat either and asked about it to find out this is how they operate. I thought this was deceiving. They didn't offer to take it off the menu until I said I will post about it. Second star added because it was removed. High end prices for low quality sushi with deceiving tactics...