In February 2018, “Hakkoku” was born in a corner of Ginza, Tokyo where many famous restaurants stand side by side. The owner-chef Hiroyuki Sato is a sushi chef who became instantly famous when he earned the Ginza restaurant “Sushi Tokami” world gourmet guide award within a mere six months of being appointed as its master chef. “Hakkoku” means “white and black,” which appears to be a reference to Mr. Sato’s dignified lifestyle.
The chef Mr. Sato began training as a sushi chef at the age of 25 and has pioneered a new and unprecedented world of sushi with his flexible ideas and hospitality. Take the red vinegared sushi rice, for example, that can be said to be synonymous with Sato’s name. This was produced in order to provide a powerful vinegared rice that could hold its own when combined with the tuna of Tsukiji intermediate wholesaler Yamayuki, which is famous for being the best of the best. Also, instead of serving courses that weave together Tsumami (appetizers) with pieces of sushi, which is a common way to serve sushi these days, he consistently maintains the original manner of an Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi restaurant by deliberately serving sushi pieces alone. The chef’s recommended course begins as you are handed a hand-rolled sushi that rolls “tossaki,” a rare tuna part (at the base of the tuna’s head), together with vinegared rice in premium quality Nori seaweed from Ariake, arranged in 30 pieces of sushi that packs the delicious flavor of seasonal fish. By the time the course concludes with a rolled egg that has a caramelized surface and is sometimes likened to crème brûlée, guests are thoroughly enchanted by Sato’s world of sushi.
The refined and sophisticated restaurant interior has 3 private rooms available, each of which are equipped with 6 counter seats. Partly as a means to train younger staff, the restaurant employs a unique style where Sato and two younger chefs each service one of the counters and provide hospitality to the customers sitting right in front of them. Being able to witness the story of young sushi chefs growing day by day together with Sato’s experienced technique can be said to be one of the pleasures to be had only at ""Hakkoku.""
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The availability of an English version of this page does not guarantee that the restaurant can provide services in English unless otherwise stated. Please be aware that, even if stated, there may still be days when English speaking staff are unavailable.
【Access】
■A 3-minute walk from Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya Line)
