Sushi Dai @ Tsukiji

There are two popular sushi restaurants in Tsukiji market. One of them is Sushi Dai and the other Sushi Daiwa, both located (almost side by side) at Block 6. You can't miss them as there is normally a long line outside the restaurants.

Queues outside restaurants in Tokyo is normal. Reason being that the restaurants are usually small and cramp so seating capacity is limited.

Sushi Daiwa - apparently been around for 55 years.

Sushi Dai - apparently been around for 50 years.

There are two types of sets you can order at Sushi Dai:
(i) Omakase (chef's choice) @ Y3900
(ii) Regular set (7 pieces) @Y2500
Both sets come with green tea, soup and complimentary tamagoyaki.

Sushi Dai seems to be more talked about in the internet. Note that the wait may be long, sometimes taking up to 2 hours!! Not surprising since the seating capacity is only 12 pax in the restaurant.

I was thankful to avoid the queue. Only solution is to starting your sushi breakfast before 6am!! Yep, despite the cold morning, forced myself to wake up for a Sushi Dai experience. Having been there, I understand why it is so popular with tourist....main reason is that they speak English (not fluent but enough for you to feel comfortable), not only that, they can speak Korean, Mandarin and also Bahasa Malaysia - when I informed the chef serving me that I was from Malaysia, immediately he spouted "Selamat Datang"!!!! How can you not feel instantly at home with this place? Also, it is common for pictures to be taken here - yep, almost every customer will be pointing their camera at the food, making the chefs proud if not insanely happy!!!

'My' friendly sushi chef.

The biggest drawback would be the long queue. But at least you can be comforted that you are not alone. Other option is to wake and be there super early!!!

The lot.

Starting from the bottom - Salmon Belly, Japanese Gizzard Shad, Yellow Jack, Mackerel, White Bait, Yellow Tail, Sea Eel.

Let's see left to right - Sea Eel, White Bait and Yellow Tail.

Complimentary soup.

Complimentary tamagoyaki.

Yellow Jack, never seen such a beautiful twist on a sushi!!


Address: Building 6, 3rd Alley at Tsukiji Fish Market, 5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

Tsukiji - Tuna auction & Market

There are some interesting things to see and do at Tsukiji.

First and foremost is the Tuna Auction which starts really early. To get there: Tsukiji Station, Hibiya Line, exit 1; Higashi Ginza Station, Hibiya and Asakusa Lines, exit 5; and Tsukiji-ichiba Station, Oedo Line, exit A1.

If you intend to attend the auction, do make your way to the Fish Information Centre (Osakana Fukyu Centre) early as only 140 vistors per day are allowed to observe the auction.

Woke up a little late, about 4.30am and got to the market before 5am. Was fortunate that there were not many people there and so got a safety vest and waited. Thought I was late as planned to be there by 4.30am but instead waited and waited (fortunately the waiting area was heated) until about 5.40am when the group was ushered in the semi-darkness towards the bustling restricted auction area. As soon as we got there, the cameras around me went crazy. Waited for another 5 mins before the auction commenced in batches. The acutioneer will ring a hand bell to get attention and start shouting the prices to sell the frozen fishes. I find most Japanese people rather soft spoken. For an auction, expected auctioneers with loud booming voices so was amused with the soft spoken ones instead!!! Since there were a couple of auctions carried out at the same time, the auction session all ended very quickly for us. Note that the fish market is not open everyday so do check ahead for the market days here.

Prospective buyers with pickes and torch lights, checking out the colour and quality of the frozen tuna.

Wholesale fish market, can only enter after 9am.

Normal mode of transport around the market - do watch out for them!!

The fish market is divided into two main areas - inner and outer markets. Inner market is where the auction takes place and also where the wholesale market is located and visitors can come in after 9am. Can also find some restaurants, shops selling fresh foods and sharp looking knives.

The outer market is just as interesting, full of restaurants and stores. Think most of the shops here also make the food stuff to be sold at larger shopping malls.

Notice how clean the roads are!

Aren't these cupcake containers gorgeous?

Whale meat for sale!

Grilled seafood.

The strawberries were huge, juicy, fresh and sweet. Just couldn't resist getting them, ate strawberries everyday I was there!

Bonito flakes. Interesting to note that there were different grades!

Tamagoyaki. Seems to be a big seller with a few shops selling these and in different flavours too.

Unagi.

Puffer fish.

Japanese crockeries.

Pretty food picks.

Sushi Zanmai restaurant.

Fried food.

Gingko nuts.

Assorted Japanese desserts.

Do you know what this is?? Its fresh wasabi plant.

This is a picture of their back alley - notice again how clean and orderly everything is *betahan, kidding...our stall traders here should learn a thing or two*

Kombu or kelp seaweed used to make stock - many variety and grade.

Pretty aren't they? Assorted mochi filled with red bean filling.

More assorted mochi. The fillings were not overly sweet, so I enjoyed them.