When in Tsukiji, how can one miss out trying out any of the sushi or kaisen don restaurants.
Not wanting to join the super long queues at the morning seafood restaurant street, we settled for sushi sen (すし鮮) which we were attracted by the lunch sets.
The prices are cheap! at only JPY1000 - JPY1500 for a lunch set, and it even includes miso soup and chawanmushi!
Besides the lunch sets, you can also order other sets or ala carte sushi from the menu.
We were given a counter seat, as the restaurant was filled with an American soccer group and the big sized players were ordering loads of extravagant food like lobsters and sashimi.
A counter seat is also not bad! You get to see the sushi master at work, preparing all the sushi customers ordered.
We ordered the lunch nigiri set 1.5 portion. 11 pieces of nigiri sushi and 6 makis at only JPY1365 (approx SGD19)
I ordered sushi from the ala carte menu as I wanted to eat something different from the standard lunch sets. And even though I did not order a lunch set, I was also given complimentary miso soup and chawanmushi. As expected, this is what they call the Japanese hospitality. No regrets in dining at Sushi sen. You can get fresh and very affordable seafood, without having to queue for a long time.
Besides 2 outlets at Tsukiji, they have a total of 15 restaurants all over Japan.
Sushi Sen (築地すし鮮4丁目場外市場店)
東京都中央区築地4-9-7 4-9-7 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Open 24 hours daily Nearest station: 1) Oedo subway line, Tsukiji Shijo station exit 1 (5 minutes walk) 2) Hibiya subway line, Tsukiji station exit A1 (3 minutes walk) www.sakanaya-group.com/01sushisen/00top (Japanese only)
Do you know that there are certain rules to follow before entering the Tsukiji fish market ? As mentioned, Tsukiji fish market is not a sightseeing spot, hence these rules are set out so as not to obstruct the workers in the market.
As many tourists enter the fish market via the outside market, they will miss out these important rules set out to them. You can only find these rules if you enter via the Tsukiji main gate (築地市場正門). Trust the Japanese to do it in the form of cartoons. Enjoy!
Tsukiji Fish Market (Central Wholesale Market) Nearest train station: 1) Tsukiji-Shijo Station (Oedo Subway line Exit A1) 2) Tsukiji Station (Hibiya subway line)
Hakodate being located at the Southwest of Hokkaido and facing the Tsugaru straits, it is never short of fresh seafood. The Donburi Yokocho is a restaurant arcade featuring 20 eateries, mostly selling kaisen don (海鮮丼) which is a rice bowl topped with fresh raw seafood.
One of the most unique kaisen don featured in Donburi Yokocho is the "Ika Odori don" (イカ踊り丼) or directly translating as Squid dancing bowl.
A live whole squid is put directly on top of the rice bowl and served to you. As you pour the soya sauce over it, watch the squid move (or dance) due to the acidity of the ginger in the soya sauce.
"Ichika tei"(一花亭) is one of the popular restaurant selling Ika Odori don. The squid practically danced out of the rice bowl! Each eatery will display photos or food models of their various kaisen don for you to choose your favourite bowl of seafood to dine in.
The prices are really affordable, with a luxurious bowl of kaisen don selling at an average of JPY1500 (SGD20).
We settled for restaurant "Maekawa" as I was attracted by their 5色丼, a seafood bowl consisting of 5 kinds of seafood - uni, ikura, salmon, hotate and ama ebi selling at a promotional price of JPY1500 (usual price JPY2100)
The eateries there are all small establishments, with just about 6 tables and some counter seats. As we went during lunch time, there wasn't much customers in the restaurant as most customers visit during breakfast time.
My long awaited 5色丼! Look at the freshness and size of the seafood! You can never get this with that kind of price in Singapore.
L ordered 鉄砲汁定食 or what is "cannon soup" set in Japanese. You may be wondering why it is called cannon soup when in actual fact it is crab miso soup, but this is actually how the locals call it in Hokkaido, as when the crab legs pick up the chopsticks look like a stuffed cannon.
I couldn't resist ordering the seafood gratin as well (JPY500) consisting of prawns, squid, crab and scallop cooked in white sauce topped with cheese. Definitely worth ordering for fans of creamy and cheesy stuff. The Hakodate Donburi Yokocho is a must visit place for an early morning breakfast or lunch. Definitely value worth for your money for it's freshness and price and variety. Don't worry if you don't speak English. As many tourist visit this place, the restaurants always have a picture menu for you to point at. Hakodate Donburi Yokocho Ichiba - Restaurant Maekawa 函館市若松町9-15 9-15 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate shi Opening hours: 5:30am - 3pm (closed on Thursday) Nearest station: 1 min walk from Hakodate JR Train station www.donburiyokocho.com (Japanese only) www.maekawa.hakodate.jp (Japanese only)
Not wanting to join the super long queues at the morning seafood restaurant street, we settled for sushi sen (すし鮮) which we were attracted by the lunch sets.
