5 Hours for Sushi?

Sushi is one of the most common Japanese dishes. Made with vinegared rice with salt and sugar, it is normally paired with fresh seafood cuts.
 
Located in the most-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Dai is one of the most highly reviewed sushi restaurants in Trip Advisor.
 
A trip to Tsujiki Fish Market is a must for sushi lovers. There are two well-known sushi restaurants in Tsujiki—Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa—both serve almost the same set of menu but in different pricing.
 
We chose to try Sushi Dai as it was the more affordable option.
 

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO EXPECT IN SUSHI DAI:

QUEUE EARLY BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE HOURS OF WAITING

 
And when I say EARLY, I meant, before-dawn- early. Sushi Dai doesn’t accept reservations. To maximize the customer’s experience, the restaurant can only accommodate up to 12 paying customers at a time. Being famous to locals and tourists, the line really does get long and believe it or not, people start queuing up as early as 2:30am to get in sooner.
 
About 50 minutes away from our AirBnB, we arrived in Sushi Dai to line up around 5AM.
By 6 or 7am they already stopped accepting people to queue, I believe they base it on the number of people they can accommodate until 2pm.
 
Waking up early is one thing, but WAITING in line is another. We got seated around 10am already. Yes, we waited in line for 5 hours, all for the love of sushi. It was taking too long mainly because, as I mentioned, only 12 seats are available and per session takes around 30- 45 minutes. Doing the math, there are only around 140 slots per day! If you are trying it solo, chances are, you could get in ahead than anyone else. This is to fill in a spare seat or two in a session.
 
So pack your long string of patience with you if you really want to try the Sushi Dai experience.
 

IT GETS HOT/WET

Patiently waiting in line under the rain
 
Since you will be lining up for a long time with no shelters and on the side of the street, make sure to bring a jacket and/or an umbrella with you. In our case, we waited under the rain! In other days, it gets hot as the sun goes up. Your umbrella is your best friend during these times.
 

THEY ONLY ACCEPT CASH

 
Most tourists rely on using credit cards, but in Sushi Dai, it is strictly CASH ONLY. Make sure you bring your papers with you.
 
Here’s the price list for your reference.

 
Bring extra cash as well. You’ll never know if you want to order extra a la carte sushi. (Price rangebetween 100 yen to 300 yen each)

 

IT WILL SET YOUR STANDARD HIGH (IN SUSHI)

We’re finally seated
Not that other authentic sushi in Japan are not delicious, but this? This is SOMETHING. Tsukiji Fish Market is a large wholesale market for fish, thus what you get in Sushi Dai are fresh.

 
As stated in their menu, if you availed the Omakase Set (Trust the Chef), the chef will decide what will be served to you.
Unlike in other sushi restaurants with conveyor belts, the sushi here are made in front of you.

 

The first nigiri sushi served to us was the Fatty Tuna. I clearly remembered the chef said “no need soy sauce”. Me, who happens to love eating sushi, I like dipping my sushi in soy sauce. I was kind of skeptical – I’m not sure what to expect. But again, this is a “trust-the-chef” course, so I must let go of my doubts. The moment I took my first bite to my first sushi, oh boy, I swear, I felt a burst of flavor in my mouth. I was left speechless on how amazing it was! And same goes for all the nigiris served. I also have to admit that despite the love for sushi, I hate wasabi. I just can’t take it. BUT,the wasabi WAS already incorporated in the sushi that they served which I wasn’t prepared for! It was just a hint of taste; you know it’s in there but not strong enough to overpower the natural taste of the nigiri. This is the only time I appreciated wasabi—I still hate wasabi after this. Haha!
 
Nigiri Sushi served to us (in order)
 

1. Fatty Tuna (This is their best nigiri in my opinion)

 

2. Flounder

 

3. Sea Urchin & Red snapper & tamago

 

 

4. Horse Mackerel

 

5. Lean Tuna

 

6. Whitebait (my least favorite for this set)

 

7. Cutlass fish

 

8. Tuna and shellfish roll

 

9. Anago (Sea Eel)

 

10. Own choice – Octopus

 

 
The nigiris are really flavorful, in fact, you won’t be needing soy sauce!
 
I really did think that the waking up early and waiting in line for 5 hours was totally worth it!
 
The only downside I can think of is that you would always compare Sushi Dai’s to others. It would feel like no other sushi restaurant would come close to theirs until you find a better one.
 
I might be exaggerating, I may be not, but I highly recommend you to TRY it.
 
If I could, I would go back to Tokyo just for this!
 

SIDE NOTE: According to the Japanese government, Tsukiji Fish Market is set to move to a different location this coming October 2018. Make sure to make a research their new location if you are planning to try out these masterpieces.
 
Have you tried Sushi Dai? What are your thoughts?

 
 

Photo take: February 2017
 

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