Chihiro — Restaurant in Busan

Here is my revised review with more detailed feedback.

🟢 Highlights: The very first piece of sushi, which I assume was either flounder or sea bream, was excellent. The slicing technique was distinctive and refined—I would honestly consider ordering just that piece again.

The final dessert, a sweet potato mousse, was truly perfect. I don’t often use the word “perfect” in reviews, especially for dishes I don’t usually enjoy it, but in this case, I have no hesitation.

As someone who leaves reviews not only on Google but also on several other platforms, I consistently evaluate four main criteria: Price, 2. Taste, 3. Service, and 4. Cleanliness. In this regard, small touches like providing separate chopsticks and lidded dishes were definite pluses.

🔴 Areas for Deduction: I’m personally quite fond of sushi and make it a point to try seasonal fish throughout the year. This serves not only my personal interest but also helps build a data-driven palate. Based on that, I found the red fish (akami) and cooked items somewhat underwhelming—they didn’t meet my expectations.

The beef was a major letdown. It was quite tough, lacked character, and frankly, I believe it should either be significantly improved or removed from the menu entirely.

I was well aware of the pricing before visiting, and the entrance clearly displayed the menu and price points. My critique is not about the price per se, but rather about value for money and composition. In the case of the "Chihiro Course" being the base set: Over 40% of the platter consists of lower-cost items like raw shrimp, boiled shrimp, tamago (egg), and inari (tofu skin). Yet, the price already exceeds ₩17,500, and it gets even more expensive if you swap items for 'that' beef (5 pieces). From a cost-performance standpoint, that’s a significant drawback. I understand the local market well, and for a meal that costs over ₩20,000, there are certainly better alternatives nearby.

The salad, served as an appetizer, had a seasoning that felt overly strong. Rather than awakening the palate, it overpowered it. I think a better balance could be achieved by reversing the flavor intensities—perhaps a lighter salad and a more savory broth would offer a smoother progression.

🔎 Final Scoring: Based on the above, my breakdown is as follows:

Food: 3/5 — Mostly due to disappointing elements like the beef and certain types of fish. Service: 4/5 — No significant complaints, though I had personal reservations I won’t elaborate on here. Ambience: 3/5 — It’s average; not particularly remarkable.

Technically, ambience could merit a 4, but since it’s not part of my core evaluation criteria, I’m placing this review between a 3 and a 4, leaning toward 3. Given the meal itself—arguably the most important part—was a solid 3, that’s where I’m landing overall.

Though the restaurant is portrayed as a must-visit spot in many Naver reviews, based on my visit, I would not classify it as essential. It’s decent, but far from exceptional.

------+ Previous Review (for reference): This place isn’t worth going out of your way for. It’s fine for a quick stop or for something to post on Instagram. It’s not bad, but definitely not a must-visit. The menu is simple but decent, though you can find tastier options for the same price elsewhere. The thickly sliced sashimi was a highlight, but it was disappointing that changing the set menu cost extra. The sweet potato cream, though, was...

Awesome little sushi place, small and cosy. The menu is short, but great quality and taste is what makes it remarkable. Everything is written only in Korean, but google...

It was a Japanese mood. Also cozy. The staff looked a little busy but calm. It was tasty. Among them, seasonal sushi was delicious. I recommend the Chihiro Set, this...