Shinagawa Sushi Matsumoto

Restaurant Details

Even from the outside, you can’t miss the quiet intimacy capsulated within the confines of Shinagawa Sushi Matsumoto. The restaurant’s modest entrance is a neatly tucked hinoki door on the ground floor of a towering high-rise in Tokyo's bustling transportation hub. Once inside, the serene ambiance is anchored by a pale wood counter and warm-toned lighting.

The chef’s skill shines through his playful approach to appetizers, which contrasts with the steadfast commitment to traditional Edomae sushi. Each piece of nigiri is made one at a time, using fresh seafood like sea urchin, fatty tuna, or scallops, to name a few.

When you can, opt for the omakase course with the sea urchin tasting option. Before moving on to the sushi, the chef wraps thin slices of squid around Japanese sea urchins, like murasaki from Aomori or bafun from Hokkaido. The chewiness from the squid adds another layer of texture and compliments the creaminess of the sea urchin. Make sure to take note of the different undertones of each uni type; murasaki sea urchin is known to have a subtler flavor, which makes it perfect for sushi topping.

Following the tradition of its Akasaka branch which earned a Michelin star in 2019 and 2020, there might be a delicate serving of shijimi clam soup during the course.