Arguably Sukiyabashi Jiro

Wazzup Pilipinas!

According to my research, this is probably the greatest sushi restaurant in the world. Also, this restaurant is run by Chef Jiro Ono, who probably likes to make sushi a lot. :)

This is a Michelin Guide 3-star sushi restaurant in Ginza, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan. It is owned and operated by sushi master Jiro Ono. A two-star restaurant is located at Roppongi Hills in Minato, Tokyo.

Sukiyabashi Jiro was the subject of David Gelb's documentary film Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011). French chef Joël Robuchon says that the restaurant is one of his favorites in the world, and that it taught him that sushi is an art. I'll show you the picture of the Chef.

This is Jiro Ono. At 86, Japanese chef Jiro Ono is considered by many to be the greatest sushi chef in the world. Customers pay top dollar and make reservations for his three–Michelin star Tokyo restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, up to a year in advance. 

Now the sushi master is profiled in David Gelb’s mouthwatering documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a 2011 American documentary film directed by David Gelb. The film follows Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master and owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a Michelin three-star restaurant, on his continuing quest to perfect the art of sushi. 

So who says that Sukyabashi Jiro is the best in the world? Well, the Michelin Guide, for one. If you’re unfamiliar, the same Michelin company that makes tires and has a giant, puffy, white man for its mascot, has been putting out a restaurant and hotel guide for about 100 years.

The Guide hands out stars to restaurants, on a scale of one to three stars. Even earning just one Michelin Star is one of the greatest honors a restaurant can get. But three Michelin Stars? That’s essentially food perfection. There are fewer than 100 restaurants in the world with 3 Michelin stars, and Sukiyabashi Jiro is one of the few sushi restaurants to receive that honor.

What’s the difference between Sukiyabashi Jiro and your neighborhood conveyer belt sushi restaurant? You can’t even compare the quality.

Instead of the $2 sushi plates you’ll find at lesser sushi restaurants, a full meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro will run you around $300-$400.

You won’t find any sushi abominations at Sukiyabashi Jiro; no Philadelphia rolls, no sushi pizza, and no sushirritos. Everything is served per the chef’s specifications, omakase-style.

The ingredients are world-class. Being located in Tokyo, Sukiyabashi Jiro has access to some of the best, freshest fish in the world. The restaurant even has vinegar specially manufactured to its exact standards.

The preparation is careful and precise. Sushi is served in a specific order, and made only moments before you’re served. Everything comes at the right temperature, at the right time. And the list goes on. Sukiyabashi Jiro’s obsessive attention to detail is what makes it the best in the world.

The funny thing is, sushi IS NOT Japanese.  Sushi was developed in Southeast Asia (namely China) before it ever hit Japan.  The original sushi was/is called Nare-Sushi.  Sushi was brought to Japan by the Chinese. 

Just like tempura is not really Japanese either.  Batter-coated deep frying was introduced to the Japanese by Portuguese 

missionaries during the 16th century. The origin of the word tempura is due to Portuguese missionaries that ate fish due to the Catholic proscription against meat during Lent, in Latin, "ad tempora quadragesimae", meaning "in the time of Lent". 

So this is the end. Hope you enjoy reading this article. Makes me crave so much. :)


P.S. Does this post make you hungry? :)