Sushi Breakfast @ Daiwa-Zushi, Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

Price Range : Splurge  

Cuisine : Japanese (Sushi)

Recommended For : Finding out how sushi is MEANT to be

Catphobia-Friendly? : Yes

Articles after articles about the sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market conclude with a unanimous “You will never see sushi in the same way again.” It is not hard to believe their confident claims, what with Tsukiji Fish Market being the largest seafood market in the world! Where else would you find the freshest, plumpest piece of tuna for breakfast?

There are two popular sushi houses near the wholesale fruit and vegetables area, Sushi Dai and Daiwa-Zushi, and both see a steady queue of sushi connoisseurs and wide-eyed tourists starting from as early as 6 a.m. Sushi Dai is often the top, most highly-recommended choice. The side queue just to get to the main queue nearest to the restaurant however, is absolutely bonkers! Most have reported that they stood in line for up to 2 hours to dine at Sushi Dai, but the wait was well worth it.

Well, lucky for us, we came across some nice words about Daiwa-Zushi, stating that the place offers just as good sushi but at half the queuing time. It is a little bit more tourist-friendly as the staffs do speak a smattering of English, and apparently it is managed by the son of the Sushi Dai guy! 

Our ever-smiling chef

Also, you’d notice that a lot of locals make up the line at Daiwa-Zushi, while Sushi Dai’s queue is mostly made up of tourists. Best to go with what the locals love, no?

Our wait at Daiwa-Zushi was very forgiving, as we were expecting to wait for 40 minutes but were already ushered into its cosy interior at the 15-minute mark. 

The Nigiri Sushi Set (JPY 3500, approx. RM 105) is the way to go if you’d like to sample seven of their top, freshest catch that morning.

That is one serious piece of toro! Toro, by the way, is the fatty cut of the tuna and to be able to experience a fresh cut of this size gliding luxuriantly down your eager throat is definitely an unforgettable experience!  

Accompanying sushi masterpieces, including the ebi (prawn), maguro (tuna), tamago (egg) and tekkamaki (tuna rice rolls).

The highly-praised uni (sea urchin) completely blew our minds!

We will hold future mackerel experiences to a much higher standard after savouring this thick piece of aji.

A treat for unagi (eel) lovers!

That’s a lot of goodness to swallow at 6 a.m. in the morning, but who’s complaining? =)

Daiwa-Zushi

Tsukiji Market

Part 6 Bldg. 5-2-1

Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Japan

T: +81 (0)3547 6807

How to Get There:

We stayed overnight in a diner near Shintomicho Station,

and took a 10-minute walk to the market.

Alternatively, the nearest train station would be Tsukijishijo Station,

where the market is visible from the station’s exit.  

Opening Hours:

5 a.m. – early afternoon

GPS:

35.662657, 139.769214

A gentle reminder