Sakanaya Hiroshi

Let the restaurant choose the sashimi platter and discover what fish is in season. One diner said they named the fish they fancied and asked for an assortment, making it easy to tailor the dish to the mood of the day. Another visitor singled out amberjack and raw torigai clam sashimi. Their account highlights the amberjack’s rich fat and the clam’s subtle saltiness and sweetness.

Fish is served in more than sashimi form: diners have also mentioned grilled fish and simmered dishes. Spring sardine tempura, soy-sauce-grilled young chicken and simmered tofu offer a change of pace while keeping fish at the centre of the menu. Fried taro is another recommended snack to enjoy between seafood dishes. One diner noted that dishes were portioned into smaller servings for sharing, a useful option to ask about when dining in a group.

For a final bite, rice balls come with a choice of fillings, including salmon, pickled plum, spicy cod roe and leafy chilli. The listed menu also includes sake to pair with the fish, such as Toko, a warm sake from Yamagata, and Kirinzan, a honjozo sake from Niigata. The restaurant is described as suitable for solo dining, and reservations are available for dinner. For a leisurely drink with fish in Nakano, start with sashimi, then move on to a dish of your choice and a rice ball.