Akachochin - Thursday Night Sushi Omakase

Akachochin on South Wharf, easily my favourite Japanese restaurant in Melbourne has recently started doing Sushi Omakase on Thursday evenings. 

Omakase roughly translated means 'leaving the decision to someone else' in other words the Chef decides the menu for the evening.

Head Chef, Kengo Hiromatsu (pictured above) creates several courses of incredible nigiri sushi comprised of the freshest catches of the day.

Nigiri sushi is the harmonious marriage of technique and fresh produce. Using extreme precision and his attention to detail, Kengo transforms gorgeous cuts of fish into luxurious mouthfuls with the perfect balance of rice and fish. 

My favourites of the night were the Otoro, scallop, sea eel and scampi sushi. They were rich, well balanced and sweet. Just the way I like my sushi. Akachochin's sushi omakase is also incredibly good value at $60pp. For such a humble price, you get world class sushi served in a beautiful space with top class service. I strongly recommend sitting at the bar as it allows for good conversation with Kengo whilst watching him expertly prepare each piece of sushi.

Since my first visit 2 years ago, Akachochin have been nothing less than amazing and I am still impressed each time I visit. I doubt I'll ever go back to Nobu when Akachochin is just across the road.

(special thanks to Carmen for providing some photos) 

Tokyo: Sushi Dai

This blog is about a humble sushi place called Sushi Dai.

Located in Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest fish market in the world Sushi Dai was pretty hard to find at first but after a bit of looking we eventually found it.

their long lines starting from 4:30 in the morning. However we were very lucky and were the second last couple to be served. As we stood in line they gave us hot tea, we ended up waiting an hour and a half but it was completely worth it.

We had the Omakase and it started off with glorious Tuna! It was so fatty and wonderfully melted in your mouth. 

Next was what the chef called Golden Ice Snapper, I'm not sure what it really is but it was yummy.

We ordered some beer and they gave us some octopus, because octopus is beer food! 

This was followed by some Sea Urchin. It was really rich and sweet!

This is Horse Mackerel.

Some Japanese Omelette, which is a lot sweeter than you would expect. 

This was clam. So fresh that it was still alive and moving! At first I thought it was a bit creepy but I just popped it in my mouth and it was yummy. 

This was sea eel. The best eel I've ever had.

Some Tuna and Shellfish rolls.

Tile fish, such a gorgeous looking piece of sushi.

Ikura sushi or Salmon Roe. It was delicious, big bursts of flavour in my mouth.

At the end of our omakase, they asked if we'd like to have any more sushi....

We of course asked for another serving of their amazing tuna. 

This was one of the three chefs in the very small Sushi Dai restaurant. He was extremely friendly and tried to speak as much english to my boyfriend as possible and spoke Japanese to me as slowly as possible.

We had a really good time there, we felt very welcome and all the staff were extremely friendly. 

The sushi was beyond compare to anything I've ever had in Australia. You just can't beat the freshness fish from Tsukiji.