Sushi Morikawa — Restaurant in The Hague

It's not often that you feel properly transported when having a meal. After experiencing the chefs Osaka style Omakase I feel like I have had a glimpse of what a special meal in Osaka must be like. His 14 years of training as a sushi chef were on full display as we watched in awe at his delicate knife work preparing each offering. The sushi rice was so incredible. It offered a slightly sweet or salty bed for the different fish depending on the chefs use of wasabi and other complex mixtures of ingredients. The kingfish and scallops were sourced in Japan he explained. Both were excellent but the scallops were particularly delectable. Sweet and lightly firm flesh that basically melted in my mouth. The eel (unagi) was sorced in Alkmaar and was one of the stars if the evening prepared by the chef by boiling the eel first to remove some.of the oiliness, soaked in sugar and soy sauce then hand seared with a small hand torch before being cut and served over the afore mentioned sushi rice. Literally the best eel preparation I've ever had. Another favorite was the sashimi shrimp which I chose as my extra piece at the end so I could briefly revisit the lightly salty taste of the shrimp, the tang of the wasabi mixed with the light sweetness of the sushi rice. Heaven in one perfectly formed bite. I've seen other chefs do this on television but to behold this level of skill and be hand fed by a true master of his craft was an experience I won't soon forget. We...

Best sushi in the hague (perhaps in the netherlands!). I am a regular here since 2 years. Chef Morikawa starting preparing sushi in Osaka before moving to the Netherlands. And that is very clear from the dishes here: this is the real deal, authentic japanese sushi. So don't exoect to see california rolls, dragon rolls or similar, but only traditional dishes, and most of them are unknown in american-european style sushi restaurants. The quality of the fish is superb, the availability of ingredients follows the availability of the fish in the seasons. The rice has also very well balanced taste to it. The restaurant is small, and with an authentic atmosphere. You can eat at a table, or you can have the best experience eating at the counter. Nomura, the waitress, will welcome you with a smile. She helps the customers following the japanese customs, always with care but never intrusive. My advice is let yourself get spoiled by the chef and go for one of the menu, you will get the best value for money and you will have the chance to try many different dishes at the...

Japanese are renowned for their tact and politeness, and I have found that to be true until today. I’ve eaten at over 50 omakase restaurants worldwide, and have always been treated with respect and dignity. As soon as I walked into Sushi Morikawa, someone immediately ran over. They practically ran me over so they could open the door I just walked through 3 seconds prior, and motioned for me to leave.

Yes, I didn’t have a reservation, but the restaurant was empty (only 1 other table occupied inside), so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. She also told me last order was 20:00. The time then was 19:59, and I already knew what to order. Omakase, of course!

With such horrible attitude and eagerness to turn away business when the restaurant was clearly empty, I’m counting down the days before this place goes out...