Sawada

KenScale: 9.0÷10
In my previous review on Nihonryori Ryugin, I noted how dining experience in Tokyo can be a bit suffocating due to numerous Japanese formalities that may hamper your enjoyment at times. At Sushi Sawada, you are not allowed to take pictures or use your phones during your meal. When I at least tried to take handwritten notes on what I ate on a piece of paper, I got a little talking to from chef Koji Sawada, who said not so subtly that it’s a bad manner to write things down on the counter table and I should do it under the table should I desire. Add to the fact that I was the only non-​Japanese diner in the six-​person counter so naturally chef Sawada talked more to the other five Japanese diners, and I felt an air of slight discomfort while eating each piece that chef Sawada so deftly prepared. At the end of the meal, though, I felt a lot better; the sushi experience at Sawada is certainly one of the best I’ve had in recent years, and I can see the kind of dedication and craftsmanship from chef Sawada that makes me a huge fan of Tokyo dining scene. It’s no wonder that Sushi Sawada, a modest operation run by chef Sawada and his wife who is his assistant and manager, has been dubbed the favorite sushi place in Tokyo by the famed David Chang of Momofuku empire.
The omakase at Sawada doesn’t come cheap, at 31,000 yen per person. On the other hand, you get a lot of pieces (I can count 24 total) that chef Sawada prepares with such dexterity and speed (the entire lunch ended in slightly over 90 minutes, and I sometimes couldn’t see his hands in action, it was that fast). I had some of the freshest and tastiest pieces on my lunch. The best groups are the different parts of tunas that chef Sawada sends your way; I absolutely loved the succession of chutoro, shimofuri and otoro pieces, with each literally melting in my mouth! Another highlight of lunch came in the form of various squid, clam and prawn pieces. I remember one squid piece that chef Sawada highlighted is a very fine delicacy in sushi world that was very outstanding, and also enjoyed the generously large torigai (cockle clam) and prawn pieces that I was able to barely eat in one bite. A couple of sea urchin pieces were also outstanding. There really wasn’t any pedestrian piece during my lunch, and I can tell that chef Sawada put a lot of thoughts and efforts into selecting the freshest quality. One thing that I will never forget is the end of the meal. I was beyond full at the moment, but chef Sawada came up with a bonus meal: a giant futomaki with numerous types of tunas (seriously, its diameter was about the size of a big mug cup). While I couldn’t obviously finish the piece in one bite, it was just so awesome that I savored every bite of it.
Make sure to use concierge service at a hotel you’re staying at to book a reservation (and make sure to secure it in advance). While chef Sawada’s wife speaks a little bit of English, it’s not much so you may have some communication issues if you don’t speak fluent Japanese. At the end of the meal, chef Sawada gave me his business card and very politely apologized that he didn’t speak fluent English (I in turn apologized that I didn’t speak fluent Japanese). At that moment, I was able to tell that he was a genuinely nice person who just takes his sushi craft very seriously, not some stern fellow who is out there to show the world how important he is. I came out of Sushi Sawada with a big smile, and hope to return on my next visit to Tokyo.

Spencer D. has it right. Sawada is also my favorite restaurant in the world. Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone. Spencer, delete your review. The world does not deserve to know. But, then again, Sawada deserves all the accolades he can possibly get…

This is my favorite restaurant in the world, and every aspect of the experience was literally perfect. It was also the most difficult reservation ever… the concierge at the Century Hyatt told me multiple times that they were fully booked and I had to have them try multiple times and assure the restaurant that I would take any open spot at lunch or dinner.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the high end sushi spots in Tokyo. Jiro, Mizutani, Kyubey, etc. all make fantastic sushi but Sawada just feels special. There are 6 seats and he does one seating at lunch and one at dinner, so a maximum of 12 people are served per day. Sawada and his wife do everything — there are no apprentices or employees. Sawada doesn’t speak english but he is very friendly towards Americans and you get the feeling that he appreciates you eating there, unlike some highly-​regarded spots (Jiro). The meal was 30 courses, 35,000 yen and lasted about 2.5 hours.

²⁰¹⁴⁄₂₀₁₅ Michelin 2 star
This review is delayed as I dined here about a year ago and at that time the restaurant was not on Unilocal.
This place is not located on the ground floor so I would triple check directions prior to coming in. Also This place is around an 8 counter sushi restaurant with just Chef sawada himself and 1 assistant. Décor is simple and what you would expect from a Japanese sushi bar, oh and definitely CLEAN. Reservations are a must, we made ours a month out. If you are from outside of japan, just ask your hotel concierge to make your reservations.
The food: «best sushi in my life» Dont trust my judgement? fine, how about Momofuku’s own David Chang as he openly admits. While I didnt conceive that sushi at the fish market could possibly get better, this place brings sushi to the next level. Not only are the ingredients super fresh, but everything to the preparation, the rice, and the knife skills blew me away. I have been to many sushi restaurants in the US and the gap between the taste and quality is laughable. The food is so great here, that I will add this place to my Michelin snubbed list because its better than half of the 3 star Michelin restaurants Ive been to. Im not the only one who has this opinion as
also states this place is easily on par with its 3 star counterparts.
As photos are not allowed, and that this meal was had over a year ago, I still remember most of it, THATS how good this place is.
Price: I dont remember how much I paid for this meal but I would easily do it again, and again, etc. It was north of 250 USD per person. Meal took about 2 – 2.5 hours
Chef sawada is a master of his art, and I am so lucky to have tasted his craft.
would easily recommend this place to EVERYONE.
** of note, out of all my Unilocal reviews, this is probably the one with the most caps, and probably my favorite restaurant of all time. If I could give this 10 stars I would.

Best sushi in Tokyo and best sushi of my whole entire life. As I left I turned to my husband with actual tears in my eyes and said, «how are we ever going to eat sushi again?» Nothing can compare.
We were SO lucky our hotel concierge scored us lunch reservations. There’s only 6 seats at counter and you’re there for a solid 2 hours. It’s a quiet and clean space which sets you up for the sublime experience.
What we had was a little traditional, with just a perfect, «right» twist on everything. The pieces were ideal in size and quantity, the pace was slow and deliberate. I hate to overuse the word, but the fish was just so fresh and perfect, it was like it came out of some clean, pristine ocean and was served at just the right moment in time. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed, and we didn’t write down what we had, but it wouldn’t matter because Sawada’s sushi has to be tasted to be believed.
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE.

Best sushi I’ve ever head. This is also reported to be David Chang of Momofuku’s favourite sushi restaurant.
We had to get our hotel to book the reservation a month in advance but it was an incredible 2.5 hour gastronomic journey. The other couples with use were also from abroad so they’re quite accustomed to having foreigners visit.
It’s pricey but so worth it. You also get a keepsake at the end of the meal.

difficult reservation 1 mo ahead, no photos allowed, 6 seat dining experience. O-​toro tasting with an amazing charcoal grilled version that is better than wagyu beef! tabelog 4.37 but for the price can also find many other amazing eats in tokyo.