01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
A short walk from Omotesando Station in Kita-Aoyama, Sushi Issei welcomes guests through its traditional noren curtains to enjoy unpretentious, authentic Edomae sushi along a handsome counter of pale plain wood. At lunchtime, the chef prepares well-paced selections, offering the standard nigiri set and a vibrant two-tier chirashi for 1,980 yen, as well as a special nigiri set for 3,080 yen, each served with dashi-rich soup for a satisfying midday meal.
The lunch special and extra-special nigiri sets showcase attentive prep work in morsels like tender, fluffy sea eel, richly sweet squid, and nicely marbled medium-fatty tuna. In the evening, the kitchen turns to extended courses like the Hajime, Makoto, and seasonal Kiwami menus, letting guests savor small plates of sashimi and grilled items at a leisurely pace with drinks. Dining at the counter offers an up-close look at the craft, from kuruma prawn poached and peeled just before serving to the nuanced differences between vinegared and soy-marinated mackerel.
The beverage list is well suited to the food, spanning draft beer, Yamanashi Koshu wine, Champagne by the glass, and regional sake selected to complement sushi and sashimi. In addition to the spacious counter, private table rooms are available for quiet meals and conversation. Lunch payment is cash only, and with seats frequently filling up, reserving in advance is wise for both daytime and evening visits.
