Sushi Zanmai Bekkan, Tokyo, Japan

When it comes to sushi in Tokyo, there’s a wide range of dining options. There are fast food joints and conveyor-belt sushi stores on one of the spectrum and Michelin star restaurants like Jiro in Ginza on the other end. And while my family in Tokyo is spoiled for choice, Sushi Zanmai Bekkan is where they go – right around the corner from the old Tsukiji fishmarket, tucked down a side street. And in particular they seek out the company of Sushi chef Eiji Shibata who not only serves great sushi but entertains guests with witty conversation and his vast knowledge of the sushi trade. Since he’s worked in Dusseldorf at the famous Kikaku (see my other blog entry), he speaks some German and English which is a godsend for foreign customers. The best seats are at the counter and you can try to ask for a seat by his section.

There’s a fair amount of cheerful shouting going on as staff greet customers entering and thank departing customers. And do not be alarmed when this shouting goes up a notch. Once in a while, one of the sushi chefs will take a net and extract a fish from the large aquarium at the back. The fish – still flapping – will be held up high and displayed while a chef announces which type of fish it is. In response, eager customers start yelling back orders as the poor fellow meets its untimely end. That unfortunately is how fresh sushi is made. Note: Sushi Zanmai has numerous locations in that neighborhood. All are equally good and one is even open 24 hours. The Bekkan location just happens to be our family favorite.
Unlike some sushi joints which quote prices that fluctuate with the going market price, Sushi Zanmai is clear about pricing. The price on the menu is what you pay, no surprises.

And they have attractive sets for around 30 euros.

https://www.tripadvisor.nl/Restaurant_Review-g1066444-d1666530-Reviews-Sushizanmai_Bekkan-Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html