Sushizen
A few blocks away from Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, this Bib Gourmand eatery is a lesson in chirashizushi.
Restaurant Details
※ Sushizen only takes reservations for lunch between 11:30 am to 1 pm. Diners looking to dine in at earlier or later times can do so on a walk-in basis.
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Edomae sushi might have gained peak popularity in Japan, but Sushizen takes the less-traveled path by serving chirashizushi, a type of sushi where rice is topped with colorful toppings of omelets and raw fish ("chirashi" means "scattered").
Ribbons of lightly sweetened, light-yellow omelet generously cover the top part of the bowl. Guests might need to do a little bit more digging for what’s underneath, but the effort is worth it: big chunks of marinated tuna, sea bream, yellowtail, octopus, and conger eel atop a bed of vinegared Koshikari rice from Shiga Prefecture. Chef does not rely on sugar. Instead, salt coaxes out the natural sweetness of the ingredients.
If you’re not satisfied with the dish (unlikely, as this is the one dish that draws in Michelin critics) order a side of the pressed conger eel sushi or the tuna sushi roll.
Michelin accolades for Sushizen:
2024 - Bib Gourmand
Sushizen Access Info
Sushizen is a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station.
Sushizen Phone Number
Sushizen Business Days
Sushizen Address
41-2 Koromonotanacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8203, Japan
Sushizen Cancellation Policy
Cancel your reservation at least 48 hours before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Restaurant location
Featuring beautiful landscapes from mountain to sea, Kyoto Prefecture conveys traditional Japanese culture through its architecture and gardens, art and artisanal crafts, and delicious local cuisine made from regional produce.
100/100. Must visit
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10 meals
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