Tsukiji Motodane — Restaurant in Tokyo

This is my favourite hidden gem restraunts in Tsukiji. To help you guys out, here is how to order.

Basics: At all the times bring JPY cash Order at least 1 dish per head No vegetarian menu No folks/spoons and you have to use chopsticks No gratuity needed, but the chef really appreciates if you buy beer or sake (at the restaurant) for them No, this is not fancy restaurant that comes with excellent service

Lunch) You can ask for English menu with picture, but basically your choices are (a) sushi, either 1nin-mae (8pcs) or 2-nin mae (12pcs) (b) sashimi bowl, either chirashi (everything) or negitoro (minced tuna) (c) sashimi with rice (d) [add-on only] rolls, my recommendations are cucumber ("kappa"), minced tuna("negitoro"), salmon eggs("sujiko") You can ask for smaller rice (shari-syo) or no wasabi if you prefer. Better ask than left over food.

Dinner) No they don't have english menu, but basically they have followings and tell them what you want. Leave details to them by saying “omakase”. It should be around (or less) than 5000 JPY per head.

(a) sashimi, fish without rice (b) sushi, you can call out how many pieces you want. (c) tempura (d) appetizers (call for "otsumami") this is most difficult pieces since menu varies day by day, and some written in Japanese menu but some hidden menu in their head. If you want to try you need to leave details to the chef, and call out "omakase otsumami".

Hope you enjoy...

visited there Jan 21, 2023, lined up already prior opened, but there were some native Japanese customers inside already (could be owner's regulars I assumed) . It was a sunny but windy morning. I went there mainly because of Mark Wiens was there few years ago. The owner does not speak any English but he does have a simple English menu. Just ignore the interior decor (non whatsoever) and the messy prep area. The owner had to struggle a bit with his old broken fridge to get the unagi out. One old big table only - seated 9, and the sushi bar area that could seat 4. We ordered a chirashi and a sushi combo plate, hot tea was served as well as a bowl of miso soup. It took about 20 mins for the food to arrive. While waiting, I could peek at how the owner and the other chef prep the sushi. They are professionals but the area was not cleaned and sanitized to the western standards (pls keep that in mind) The younger chef washed his hands clean but he kept using his semi-dirty apron to clean his hands - then using his bare hands again to prep the fresh seafood. (Please keep that in mind too). The food was good but my sushi combo plate did come with 2 pieces of fish scale unfortunately. The price we paid was fair. But the portion size was smaller than what Mark Wien had a few years ago. It was about $10 to $15 cheaper than what you could get for something similar at Tsukiji market. I will not visit again and would try a...

Probably the most authentic meal we had in Japan. We were looking for some really good sushi and we had heard that this place wasn't really as tourist trappy as other places in Tsukiji Market.

We went in the evening around 7pm and it was full of locals so we sat at the bar counter. They had a notice that said prices have recently increased, and from the looks of it the Nigiri 1.5 that we ordered went up from 2300 to 2500 yen. But this was exactly what we were looking for. The fish tasted super fresh and the portion sizes were pretty generous. I had gotten cheaper sushi at various places throughout the trip and I definitely noticed a difference in quality, which is rare for me.

A couple notes that it can feel a bit sketchy going at night, as Tsukiji is pretty much empty at that time, and this restaurant is located in a back alley. Still never felt unsafe but just something to be aware of if traveling alone. The restaurant also allows smoking, and the chefs may be smoking too. That being said the chefs are very nice and they make great food. I also had the funny experience of walking into a full restaurant of locals all speaking Japanese and then going silent to all stare at me as I poked my...