TOKYO: Hakkoku
My latest sushi meal ignited the fire in me to pick up this procrastinated piece of work. This was my very first time (or maybe it will be my one and only time) splurging heftily on such a meal. So of course I must pen down the experience.
It was a thrilling and exciting experience to follow Jessie on her birthday sushi trip in Tokyo. I joined only one of her sushi meals; she had more during that November trip. You may check it out on her IG at @makijessiesoon.
We almost couldn’t get her idol’s session because Chef Hiroyuki Sato or Chef Sato (or we like to call him Hiro-san) was having a Sushi World Tour in Manila, Philippines; but but but… he was back on duty right on the day we were leaving to our home country! Tear of joy! Super glad that we bought a red-eye flight ticket, we savoured to the last minute till our flight!
HAKKOKU
Located in the heart of Ginza district, Hakkoku is set high up at third floor inside a building here in 6-Chome. The premise is painted in black, modern yet minimalist. Its waiting area is like an art piece. Just so wow. Even the name of the restaurant and the logo are like pieces of art!
The restaurant has three counters that can accommodate 6 diners at a time. We were seated at Hiro-san’s counter. This gastronomic journey began with small chats with Hiro-san and the other diners. I felt a touch of warmth; chef is fun and charismatic, he will try to know his diners, chat with them and the whole dining experience was very cosy and it was as though dining with close friends.
Our meal was consisted of a total of 30 pieces nigiri, a handroll and ended with an egg, a few vegetable palate cleansers, and a soup. 30 pieces, with seasonal best ingredients!!! That’s the most sushi I had in a meal! I thought I won’t be able to finish it but wow, I made it (I requested to have baby shari on the fifth nigiri onwards but anyhow the shari got slight bigger and bigger like ‘toddler shari’ or ‘child shari’ one after another. LOL)!
Do note that if you would like to be at Hiro-san’s counter, you must make your reservation as early as possible, maybe a few months in advance; as his counter only take up 6 diners at a time.
Tossaki 突先
Our sushi meal was started off with the heart-wowing Tossaki handroll. Tossaki is the part at the tuna’s neck. When I took my first bite, I was hooked! It was very creamy and very flavourful, along with the flavourful and unique shari that came with a sharp quick spike of sourness, and aromatic nori (seaweed); everything blended together in the oral cavity, combined with the amylase that start doing its works. It was so amazing, very appetizing and it just worked like appetite booster!
Since then, I miss Tossaki so much, till I finally get it here in KL (will blog about soon, I promise).
Hirame 平目
Kasugodai 春子鲷
Kisukobujime 鱚昆布メ
Shirako 白子
Botanebi 牡丹海老
Kinmedai 金目鲷柚庵漬
Shimesaba メ鯖
Nihamaguri 煮蛤
Ainame 鮎魚女
Iwashi 鰯
Another beautiful piece, isn’t it?! This was another memorable piece of nigiri.
Buri 鰤
Tairagai 平貝
Shako 蝦蛄
Ahhh another new neta in my sushi journey. I learned many new things during this sushi session. They were all heart-wowing.
Ikura イクラ
Sumiika 墨烏賊
Here came the Hakkoku’s special – tuna medley ! There were 5 of them!
Her “star struck” moment. Hahaha, sorry I just have to put this up here. Memorable
Kohada 小肌
Kuruma ebi 車海老
Ankimo 鮟肝
Ahhh, another favourite of mine!
Katsuo 鰹
A really delicious Katsuo is hard to get, and I found it here.
Sawara kobujime 鰆昆布メ
Kaki 低温調理の牡蠣
Koubakogani 香箱蟹
So sweet!!! Amai!
Nodoguro のど黒
Uni 雲丹
Honestly, watching Hiro-san making sushi is like a lively art performance. Harmony.
Anago 穴子
Gyoku 玉
The amazing tamagoyaki that tasted like crème brulee! Standing beautifully with a crackling layer of caramelised top. I also wanna have double like Jessie’s !
These were Jessie’s one because it was her birthday!!
Autographing our menu pieces for us to bring home.
One with Hiro-san
Another one with US! Ultra mega satisfying meal with great company
Hakkoku
7-6, Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0061
Thanks for sharing this review! I went to his previous shop Sushi Tokami for 3 times previously but didn’t have the chance to try this new place, hoping Japan to re-open soon for a visit! When was this visit?
I went in November 2019. It was a great experience in Hakkoku. You can give a try.
Yeah, hopefully Japan reopens soon and we get to visit to these sushiya.
Hi, do you mind sharing how you managed to get a reservation at Hakkoku? There doesn’t seem to be a website. Is it phone reservation only? If so, can you reserve in English? Thanks!
You can try booking on this website; https://omakase.in/en/r/hk067071
Or you can also try dropping them DM at their Instagram page (not confirm will they reply or not)..