When I first learnt that Mizutani San is retiring this year, I finally made up my mind to pay a visit. Many friends of mine didn’t enjoy their meal at Mizutani and so I was hesitant to go all these years. Turns out my first visit here (and the last visit) was remarkable.

It was a 16-course sushi menu. The menu included: Hirame, Shinko, Tsuke Akamai, Ika, Chutoro, Otoro, Hodate, Kobashira, Torigai, Mirugai, Saba, Aji, Kuruma Ebi, Abalone, Uni, Unagi and egg. As there is a no photo policy, I can’t take pictures of the sushi. As everyone knows, Mizutani San used to be a student of Jiro Ono, but the sushi style is quite different. The texture of the Mizitani’s shari is very moist (or mushy), neta size is much bigger than the shari. Mizutani’s rice is also less vinegary compared to Jiro’s sushi. Mizutani San’s nigiri skills was impeccable too. You could see how the neta is neatly sealed on the shari, this also inherits the character of Jiro San’s sushi. A slight difference between Mizutani and Jiro’s nigiri is that, Jiro’s sushi is shaped according to the shape of the neta. But Mizutani San’s sushi tends to be more standardized for each piece.

There are rumours saying that if you are a foreigner, your experience would be different from a local Japanese. Even a friend of mine (a foreigner) who revisited Mizutani with me felt so too. As for my dining slot, it was all regulars who were very familiar with Mizutani San. I am not sure if this rumour is true as it’s my first visit, but all I could say is that… It’s a pity that I revisited Mizutani when he is about to retire. It was definitely one of my best sushi meal in Tokyo.

Sushi Mizutani(鮨 水谷)
Address: 8-7-7 Ginza Chuo Tokyo
Tel: +81-3-3573-5258

Chef: Hachiro Mizutani
Visited on: 4th August, 2016