01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
How many pieces of sushi should you order: a small selection to start, or enough for a more substantial meal? At O Sakana to Jizake Shimotaya Abechika-ten, platters come in five-, seven- and ten-piece sizes, making it easy to choose according to your appetite. One diner described enjoying a seven-piece assortment that included simmered conger eel and gizzard shad. Another mentioned the “Three Popular Tuna Pieces”: medium-fatty tuna, lean tuna and marinated tuna. The platter offers variety, while the three-piece selection focuses on different cuts and preparations of tuna.
The sashimi menu includes “Unkai-zukuri”, featuring seasonal fish delivered from Kizu Market, as well as assortments of seven or nine kinds. Diners have reported platters containing sea urchin, salmon roe, fatty tuna and abalone, making them an appealing choice for sampling a range of seafood. The selection may vary with the catch and season, so check when ordering. For a contrast in texture, try torotaku. One diner enjoyed the combination of meltingly tender tuna and the crunch of pickled daikon. The menu also highlights how well the pairing works; it can make a good drinking snack or add variety between sushi and sashimi.
The lotus-root manju has also left a strong impression on diners. One described it as fluffy on the outside and chewy within; the menu says grated lotus root is combined with ingredients such as prawns and ginkgo nuts. It is an easy way to add a different texture to a seafood-focused meal. For drinks, there is a three-sake tasting set, and sake can also be ordered at room temperature or warmed. The descriptions include Harushika Chokarakuchi, noted for its soft flavour and crisp finish, and Hakkaisan, praised for its rice umami and smooth finish. Settle in for a considered sake pairing, or enjoy a daytime drink with a fresh-fruit shochu highball containing fruit pulp.
