Comments on: Sushi Dai @ Tsukiji Fish Market

By: Brandon

Brandon — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:14:23 +0000

Hello Ed. Great write up and excellent video on Sushi Dai! I’m a big fan of sushi myself for many years now, favoring the nigiri types over the maki’s. I recently took a “pilgrimage”, as you would say, that every avid sushi fan must do, to the famed Sushi Dai in Tsukiji just last month, having stayed in Tokyo for only 5 days. I purposely stay at a hotel 5 minutes from Tsukiji so that I can walk over there to have sushi every morning, and every evening, just to sample different sushi restaurants (to compare) and try different tane that I haven’t had before in the States (like shako and akagai, for example, since I couldn’t find any place that served those here) … You were sooo right.. its unbelievably delicious, the BEST sushi I’ve ever had, and now I only wish all sushi I eat from now on can taste that good, heavenly, beyond fresh,and perfect. Might be kinda hard, since I live in San Diego. The sushi thats very delicious tha comes close to the caliber of Sushi Dai that I’ve had now, but close only by a wide margin still, was Sushi Gen, in Los Angeles. (though I’ve to tried Urasawa and Sasabune, on my list to do!) After waiting for a hour in the 30 degrees tempurature when I arrived at 5AM, I was too excited and forgot to take pictures. But I recall that the kinme-dai (big-eye, red, alfonsino) topping was ethereal, so delicous… as well as the akagai, anago, hirame, and uni. I was lucky to have some fish meat in my miso soup, heh-heh. But again, thanks for your blog, write up, and recommendation of this sushi haven, its been so helpful… I believe it must be world famous or something, as each day I walk by, there are lines galore, with visitors from all over the world (I chatted with a family from Singapore while waiting in line) along with the locals… the sushi speaks for itself. No other place I’ve tried since compares to it, I must say. The price was 3900 Yen for omakase when I was there (Feb.17, 2010), just in case you wanted to update others. So worth it! Well, sorry to take so much of your space on the blog. I’ll read more on your other write ups, and thanks. Take care. – Brandon

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:59 +0000

I went to Sushi Dai in July of this year after watching your video and reading your account. It was phenomenal!

By: Naked SushiKing

Naked SushiKing — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:58:43 +0000

Love the write up…almost as good as being…okay maybe not! But very informative and loved the pictures.

By: Five Things I Miss About Japan | the.[ED]ition

Five Things I Miss About Japan | the.[ED]ition — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:29:31 +0000

[...] just any hour. While you aren’t going to get any poisonous sushi at 3am (although you could head to Tsukiji at 5…), many Tokyo restaurants are open very late. While Canada’s idea of variety in [...]

By: Steak House Satou - A5 Matsuzaka Beef | the.[ED]ition

Steak House Satou - A5 Matsuzaka Beef | the.[ED]ition — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:17:50 +0000

[...] the line-up for lunch is commonly 30 minutes. After lining up for more than two hours for sushi at Sushi Dai on two separate occasions, I had had enough of lining up altogether and opted to go for dinner, [...]

By: Heading Home (and Question For Readers) | the.[ED]ition

Heading Home (and Question For Readers) | the.[ED]ition — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:27:35 +0000

[...] hear how many locals have never been to some of the great hotspots in the city. Few have eaten at Tsukiji Fish Market, seen a sumo match live or partied all night in Roppongi. This truly is an amazing city for all of [...]

By: Andy’s Shinhinomoto | the.[ED]ition

Andy’s Shinhinomoto | the.[ED]ition — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:09:18 +0000

[...] specialty is fresh fish, which Andy buys from Tsukiji Market fresh each morning. The special of the day was John Dory, which I ordered along with a dish of [...]

By: Kojo

Kojo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:32:44 +0000

Great writeup.

Although, you should know that Sushi Dai is really only like middle of the pack in terms of sushi quality in Japan. It is great value, but not quite there in terms of the “best”.

If you are truly looking for the best of the best, check out Sukiyabashi Jiro or Sushi Mizutani. Cost is quite up there ($300US/person), but they can do things with raw fish that I never thought possible. Both have earned 3 Michelin stars.

By: Tonkatsu @ Maisen | the.[ED]ition

Tonkatsu @ Maisen | the.[ED]ition — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:50:57 +0000

[...] above average and very good even though I wasn’t completely blown away like I was at Sushi Dai or Kaikaya. I would still recommend it to all you carnivores out [...]

By: How to Do Tokyo in One Day » msdanielle - just another ego blog site » Blog Archive

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:36:17 +0000

[...] As for myself, since I love food, my day mainly revolved around meals and filling in the time between meals with shopping. Therefore, I had to secure lunch and dinner and the rest was icing on the cake! Ed and I had planned to eat at Sushi Dai in the fish market (line in front of entrance shown left), which he heard was the best restaurant there, then head to Harajuku for some fun shopping. Sounded good to me. We got to the market by 9 am and waited in line for two hours. Feel free to read about the entire adventure here. [...]

By: Ed Lau

Ed Lau — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:31:41 +0000

If you don’t have the time to go to Tsukiji, then you can try the Tsukiji Sushi Ko chain for some quality sushi. While not quite on the level of Sushi Dai, the ingredients are fresh and the service is friendly. I went to the one in Shinjuku but there are several branches all over the place. 1200 yen gets you a very good set meal.

By: Mike Lau

Mike Lau — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:28:14 +0000

I lived in Japan for 4 years but never ate at Tsukiji.

There are so many great sushi places. Even the local chains like “Bikkuri Sushi” are probably 10 times better than the 5 star restaurants located in NYC. Heavenly service with no tips or attitude.

By: Neil Duckett

Neil Duckett — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:58:44 +0000

Looks great Ed! This is what i love about living in Japan.

By: How Charming a Motherland It Is » msdanielle - just another ego blog site » Blog Archive

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:44:52 +0000

[...] so graciously woke up at 5 am to meet me at my hotel at 7 am for our Tokyo scramble. Feel free to check out our epic sushi adventure here. I only had one day in Tokyo, and my main priority of course, was food. Special thanks also go to [...]

By: Eva White

Eva White — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:57:26 +0000

Its not a meal, its an experience. Lucky you!

By: Jeff Kee

Jeff Kee — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:24:41 +0000

I’m very picky when it comes to sushi, but that’s my Vancouver standards. Once I taste that kind of stuff, I don’t think I could ever come back.

By: weew

weew — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:10:32 +0000

3700 yen is a steal if you ask me!

O-toro for the effin WIN. However, many Japanese prefer chu-toro as it isn’t purely fat.

Thanks for the heads up on timing though…there was even a wait shortly after 9? I will remember to go earlier.

By: Ray Ma

Ray Ma — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:02:58 +0000

ed, that fatty tuna belly looked AWESOME. man, i’m not sure i could ever eat at places like sui sha ya and tomokazu if i went to sushi dai. and it wouldn’t be due to health concerns either XD

By: Dot Com Pho - Dim Sum in Vancouver || Beyond the Rhetoric ||

Dot Com Pho - Dim Sum in Vancouver || Beyond the Rhetoric || — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:25:55 +0000

[...] how Ed Lau is still in Japan and John Chow is lost in a corn field, we figured that it would be good to hold last [...]

By: Thrifty

Thrifty — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:41:34 +0000

Wow I have never seen Sushi like that I am not very adventurous when it comes to Sushi I only eat Salmon and Tuna, which I love. Going to have to try out some other fish next time I do Sushi.