Marcus Chen
December 20, 2025
Twelve Courses of Pure Precision
Chef Tanaka's omakase is the closest thing to a religious experience I've had at a sushi counter. From the opening bite of hirame with yuzu to the closing tamago, every piece was a study in restraint and perfection.
The rice deserves its own paragraph. Cooked in a traditional hagama, seasoned with red vinegar, served at body temperature — it's the canvas that makes everything else sing. The uni from Hokkaido melted on contact. The otoro was so marbled it was practically translucent.
At $280 per person, Sakura isn't casual dining. But compared to omakase experiences in Tokyo at this level, it's actually reasonable. Reservations open 30 days in advance and disappear within minutes. Set your alarm.
The rice deserves its own paragraph. Cooked in a traditional hagama, seasoned with red vinegar, served at body temperature — it's the canvas that makes everything else sing. The uni from Hokkaido melted on contact. The otoro was so marbled it was practically translucent.
At $280 per person, Sakura isn't casual dining. But compared to omakase experiences in Tokyo at this level, it's actually reasonable. Reservations open 30 days in advance and disappear within minutes. Set your alarm.