18 courses of extremely thoughtful omakase unique to the season and expression of the chef-owners' sushi/fish selection. A small team (at most three staff but since day one husband-wife couple) bring each element of the meal together as chef Fujiwara tells you everything from the niche elements of his restaurant to what makes these dishes and fish special. Normally this is the kind of place I covet so much I'd want to keep it on the DL, but their food and passion is so good and consistent (even back to their Renton location for those who have been) that I rather fight for reservations in the future knowing what a delightful omakase gem this is. Another thing of note is all dishes (sans dessert) is fish/seafood! No random meat nigiri, no random katsu chicken course to break it up, just pure quality expressions of seafood! read more

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A Masterclass in Sushi and Hospitality We had the absolute pleasure of dining here last night, and it was nothing short of spectacular. If you love sushi, experiencing it omakase style is a must, and Fuji-san delivers an unforgettable meal. The restaurant itself is a beautifully decorated, intimate treasure with counter seating for just eight guests. This small setting makes the entire evening feel incredibly unique and special. Fuji and his lovely wife, Mikako, are the ultimate hosts. As an experienced sushi master, Fuji takes the time to walk you through each exquisite piece of fish, and he is equally passionate about sharing the craftsmanship behind the sake preparation. Beautiful, authentic dishware sourced directly from Japan, including his hometown are used as decor and to serve food. It's truly special. We have been loyal customers of Fuji since 2017, and we are so incredibly proud to see him in his own space. This restaurant is a perfect reflection of his immense talent, beautiful aesthetic, and professional integrity. If you appreciate high-quality Japanese food or are looking for a truly unique dining experience, you must visit. You won't be disappointed! read more

Located in a quiet corner of a brick building, parking is available in the building's retail covered lot, 3h free for restaurant customers. Counter seating only, wonderfully personal experience with the chef. Decor was simple and elegant, a map of Japan made with denim (Chef Fujiwara is from a town famous for its denim industry, Kurashiki in Okayama). The omakase course was delightful, all seafood flown in from Japan. For each course, Chef Fujiwara would point to the location on the map to where it was from. We had 19 courses plus a dessert. Dependent on the day, the seafood could differ. Everything was super fresh, we could taste the depth of the sea from which the fish was from. The house-made shoyu was rich in adding umami to each course. I think i took pictures of everything but could have missed a few as I was mesmerized and felt like I was eating art A special place indeed. read more

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We visited the new Bellevue location and the sushi was absolutely amazing! The new setting is wonderfully decorated and intimate, just perfect for such a foodie experience! read more

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Found a true gem in Bellevue for Edomae-style sushi. Chef Fuji-san brings 30 years of expertise to the counter, and it shows in the delicate preparation of every course. Each piece was balanced and highlighted the natural flavor of the fish perfectly! The atmosphere is charming and intimate- the kind of place you already plan your next visit to before the meal is even over. read more

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tldr: One of the best omakase on the east side and definitely the south end. $150 omakase; walk-ins on Wednesday have a cheaper ala carte menu. Sushi chef and owner has a high quality standard. Located inside New Zen at its sushi counter. I would highly recommend Fujiwara Omakase to any looking for a great omakase experience. This isn't just a good option for the east side, I'd recommend it to folks in Seattle as well who love staples like Shiros and Ltd Sushi. Reservations are very hard to come by so be sure to plan in advance. When you arrive, you'll sit at a nicely prepared sushi counter inside New Zen restaurant. The restaurant wasn't too busy when we were there, so the vibe was relatively quiet. That said, the chef is great at carrying conversation with the 6 total guests at the sushi bar. The omakase is a 13 set with sides like soup, chawanmushi, and ice cream to end the meal. Good selection of beverages includes beer, sake, water, and tea. read more

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A Speakeasy Omakase! Located secretly inside New Zen Sushi. No signs, no name, not even on google maps. But wow, does Fujiwara-san bring mouthwatering game from the sea! He even makes his own salt! I enjoyed every single dish, and each piece was equally refreshing and delicious. Chef Fuji was a delight to talk to, and is very easy going. I can't wait to go back! Fujiwara-san proudly presents his culinary art on handpicked plates, cups and utensils from his favorite place in Japan. His hometown Okayama, Japan. I love this cute touch! He and his wife run this hidden gem in Renton, and they just opened last month. Make reservations through his IG or text before he gets fully booked out. Omakase price is $150 pp before tax and gratuity. Max of 6 people at the bar. He also sells Kaiseki-don, limited to 3 per day. Eat in only. He doesn't want to rob you of eating his deliciously prepared dish at prime time by letting you take it home in the car.. cause who know how long it'll be sitting in traffic for. Haha We made the 7:00PM reservation on Wednesday, and had great timing leaving Bellevue at 6:30PM. Traffic had died down by then, and they have a private lot for easy pull up parking! Highly recommend. Nom nom nom. read more

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Hidden gem new omakase in Renton! Fuji-san and his wife make a very intimate, delicious omakase experience. The location is inside New Zen sushi which is a little strange, although there aren't any other customers in the restaurant other than those for omakase. Only 6 seats and two seatings per night, so book a reservation early! You just text their number to make a reservation. The meal was 12 pieces of nigiri plus two appetizers, chawanmushi in the middle, and dessert. Total was $150 per person. Everything was amazing and expertly made by Fuji-san. He included some items I have never had before including King Mackerel, halibut toro, and sardine. This is now my new favorite omakase in the Seattle area and would definitely come again. read more

Fujiwara Omakase - 2nd half - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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It was my first personal omakase experience and it was a very fun, educational and yummy in my tummy experience! read more

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Fujiwara Omakase is open for walk-ins on Wednesday from 5-6pm. Omakase are served on the other days and only done through OpenTable reservations. They have an active Instagram page for updates @fujiwara_omakasa Fujiwara is located inside the New Zen Japanese at the back of the restaurant. There are 6 seats and limited to a first come basis for walk-ins. We walked in shortly after 5pm and were glad they could still accommodate us at the side table even though 5/6 seats at the bar were taken. The kaisen donburi was delicious and fresh. Chef Fuji is very friendly and converses with everyone. We will definitely go again for the delicious food and Fuji san!! Service: 10/10 Ambiance: 10/10 Food: 10/10 read more

Fujiwara Omakase - Kaisen Don - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

The omakase with Chef Fujiwara in Renton is the real deal. Every course delivers that wow factor you do not feel at other typical omakase sushi bars around the area. I have tried the major omakases in Seattle such as Taneda, Kashiba, Shiro's, Suzuki, Takai, Wataru, and Fujiwara ranks in my top 2, if not top choice. The vast array of fish is exquisite as you will find nigiri such as Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seapearch), Makogarei (Marbled Flounder, different than typical Hirame), Kue (Longtooth Grouper), and other Japanese classics. Even the Kinmedai and Otoro had out of the ordinary goodness to them. The chawanmushi is the best I have ever had, the ingredients and consistency created a sense of peak harmony. Sake by the glass comes with generous pours, great selection of house sake as I opted for the Dassai. The seasonal firefly squid (Hotaru Ika) tasted like it just came out of the sea. It is an outstanding value for $150 in terms of the caliber of fish selection that you would not easily find at other omakase's. There is a mysterious allure with how this is a restaurant within another restaurant and no specific signage outside. Provides that low key speakeasy hidden factor. This place takes you to Japan without having to go to Japan. This is a no nonsense omakase experience where it is all about the food and ambiance. It is literally a two-person show with the chef and his wife and they provide the most hospitable and welcoming experience. They make everyone at the seating feel like old friends together again. The entire time flowed well as it was a pleasant and relaxing dining experience. I left feeling like I had to come back again as soon as I can get another open reservation. My advice is to run and try this omakase soon before it gets too well known and becomes impossible to book. I can definitely see why all the glowing 5-star reviews out there hold true. read more

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We came here for kaisendon on Wednesday and showed up at 5:01 and there were already 5 people seated so there was only one seat left (there's only 6 seats total). We're so thankful they still accommodated us (there were 2 of us) and let us sit at a side table - although given the circumstances, I think it was an exception. All the fish was so fresh and was the best I've ever had! The service was also very good. We'll definitely be back to sit at the sushi bar so we can watch Chef Fujiwara prepare everything! read more

Fujiwara Omakase - Kaisendon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

Looking for an amazing omakase experience? Fujiwara Omakase is just that. They are located inside of New Zen restaurant, at the back sits their 6 seat sushi counter. We went on a Sunday, the main restaurant was closed so it was just the guests at the counter. Chef explained each item as well as provided fun facts about sake, miso, and how to season sushi rice. Chef and his wife were warm, accommodating, and attentive. I appreciated the personalized name cards at each seat. The sushi was fresh and delicious. I had firefly squid for the first time and the miso sauce it was paired with was very tasty. Ended on a sweet note with horjcha(favorite), salted plum, and green tea ice cream. Treat yourself or someone special to you. Worth the 150 dollars! read more

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What an amazing hidden gem omaskase spot in downtown Renton! I haven't been Yelping as much since I mainly share my reviews via Instagram, but since I was able to go back a second time, I wanted to share my experience on this platform as well! What everyone has already written is spot on, and I am grateful I was able to share the first meal with my husband and the second with my mom! Everything was amazing, but especially the uni! Sharing photos of tonight's (11/22) dinner for your viewing pleasure. Can't recommend this spot enough! I definitely want to try for their kaisen don soon! read more

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The sushi chef and his wife are a wonderful team. It's at the back of a restaurant and when they close this starts! You really feel like it's a special experience and it's very personable. Some of the best sushi you'll have. It's a quaint little sushi counter and totally worth it. I'll be back. read more

Fujiwara Omakase - Excellent Food and lovely people. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

Finally tried Fujiwaru on my birthday. Love the experience and the sushi was so fresh with lots of different variety that I haven't tried before, all from shipped from Japan. Our favorites were the Uni and toro, so fresh and sweet. Chef Fujiwaru and his wife were super nice and attentive. The experience was inside a sushi restaurant, 6 seats at the sushi counter, casual yet intimate. Best way to get reservation is to call or text the phone number and he will get back to you the next day. read more

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I found Fujiwara Omakase on Yelp and was very excited that we did not have to travel too far for an omakase experience. This is still a new establishment - it occupies the sushi counter of New Zen Japanese Restaurant, so you won't be able to find it on Google Map yet. Check out Fujiwara Omakase for reservation/walk in information. We texted to make a reservation. Upon arrival, we learned that we were the only two customers for the 7pm round, which made the entire experience more relaxing and we had a lot of fun conversations with Chef Fuji and his wife. The food was great! As a beginner in omakase style sushi menu, I truly enjoyed every bite that we had. It was my first time having Kama toro (fatty tuna cut from jaws), which blew my mind - it's like biting into a piece of wagyu. We also learned that uni from Rishiri Island in Hokkaido is more special - we could definitely taste it! As a foodie in WA, we are very familiar with spot prawn and often bought live spot prawns for sashimi when they're in season. Chef Fuji's preparation truly enhanced the taste! Chef Fuji also shared with us on how he ages the fish to achieve its desired state/deliciousness. I learned a lot (probably didn't remember everything), and will definitely revisit! They offer two kinds of sake that can be ordered by glass, and a few other kinds for the entire bottle. I highly recommend you to check it out! It's a great place for celebrating any special occasion or just wanting to enjoy an omakase experience if you live nearby. read more

Fujiwara Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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The easiest 5 stars to give a restaurant. I like to think of this place as a sushi speakeasy- a hidden bar, separate, but located inside "New Zen" restaurant. Don't let the outside fool you, once you sit at the 6-person bar, you will only notice chef Fuji's artistry. Though you can let the food speak for itself, for the full experience, you can also converse with the chef as he shares his techniques, limitless knowledge, and pairing choices; it's a rare and wonderful thing to witness such passion while eating the best sushi greater Seattle has to offer. Omakase was about $160 per person but we had so much food, few appetizers, and dessert, we were left extremely satisfied and full of gratitude. I have already recommended this to so many people and can't wait to come back! Omakase directly translates to "chef's choice" so I'm advising everyone to place trust in chef Fujisan for a great experience. * only a few pictures posted to not give away everything read more

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The latest location of Fujiwara Omakase is inside New Zen Japanese Restaurant in Renton. The counter only holds six seats, making the experience feel more personal, especially with the friendliness of Chef Fujiwara. The omakase served the following: - Somen with Eggplant, Tomato, and Ginger Soy Sauce - Pickled Flounder with Vegetables in Miso Sauce - Pickled Spot Prawn - Fried Spot Prawn Head - Barfin Flounder Topped with Seared Fin - Striped Jack - Bluefin Tuna - Amberjack - Golden Eye Snapper - Squid Topped with Uni - Seared King Salmon - Fat Greenling - Otoro - Scallop - King Mackerel Topped with Grated Sansho Leaves - Uni - Tamagoyaki - Mango Sorbet with Condensed Milk - Tea Everything was delicious and I liked the unique combination of topping the nigiri with a special part of the fish or uni. I was also impressed that ingredients were literally made from scratch, including the coarse salt. Hot tea is complimentary. Alcoholic drinks by the cup or bottle are available for purchase, but there was no price menu. There did not seem to be a drink pairing like other omakase places offer. We discovered this new omakase through a shared Instagram post. Reservations are placed through the phone number. Ours was at 7:30 PM and the experience was not affected by the restaurant's business which closed soon afterwards at 8 PM. The restaurant has a parking lot. read more

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Prepare yourself, prepare for an exclusive, intimate, fine dining experience that is something special to behold. Fujiwara Omakase is located inside of New Zen Japanese Restaurant in Renton, WA. From the moment you arrive, you have a large parking lot at your disposal next to the restaurant. Chef Fujiwara spoke to us about how he prefers to be located on the east side so his customers can have a place to park without stress. He really cares about his customers. He proves this by keeping his Omakase small - 6 people / twice a night. My wife and I came for our friends birthday with him and his wife. Each guest had their names written out on cards welcoming us to our seats! Chef Fujiwara and his wife work together to prepare the Omakase, a true power couple. Chef Fujiwara is so kind, pleasant, and down to earth. It was a pleasure hanging out with him and his wife for the evening. You're not just going for Omakase, you're going for a relaxing dinner party with two friends you didn't know you had. I didn't post every item that was created for us, but most of them are there. We all left extremely satisfied and happy. Chef prepared many rare cuts of fish that I had never tried before. He puts his own spin on everything and only uses highest quality ingredients. My favorite was the Jabara Toro. I learned more about fish and sushi in 1.5 hours from Chef Fujiwara than the past 25+ years of eating sushi and Omakase. He taught us about each fish and gave us a life changing tip - to use your hands (instead of chopsticks) to pick up each nigiri piece, and to place it upside-down in your mouth, fish to tongue, to experience the flavors on a whole new level. I will never eat sushi the same way again. The price should honestly be much higher, because it's such a private event. It's personal customer service by the Fujiwara's. It feels like you're at their house. I hesitated to write this review, because Chef Fujiwara's Omakase is that good, and before long, I wouldn't be surprised if you'll need to book him six months to a year in advance! Please don't tell too many people, because I want to be able to go back without waiting ten years for a reservation to be available lol read more

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Great hospitality and food. Had an excellent time. Thank you for the amazing experience! read more

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This omakase restaurant stands as a pinnacle of culinary excellence. The fish was so fresh and all imported from Japan. Service was great! The cool thing about this restaurant is the six seater, located just inside of New Zen sushi. It was such a great experience! read more

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It was my first time doing Omakase. The chef and his wife were very friendly and explained a lot of the food we were about to eat. A few things I was totally surprised in how much I enjoyed it. I've had Uni before and didn't care for the taste at other places, I didn't know there were different grades of Uni. The firefly squid I thought was going to be chewy, but it was very tender and not chewy at all. Black Sesame seed ice cream was a pleasant finale to the evening. I would totally do this again in the future. read more

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Very high quality fish and prep, with excellent variety. We've been to Fujiwara for the omakase, and for the chirashi that's offered on Wednesdays at 5 pm. Both rank among our best sushi meals in the greater Seattle area. The chirashi in particular is an amazing value at $50, and you don't need a reservation for it. read more

Fujiwara Omakase - Chirashi (Wednesdays 5-6 pm only!) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

There were personalized name cards upon arrival. Ordered Junmai ginjo house sake and it came full to the top of the rim for $15! We enjoyed conversation with Fujiwara, his wife and his son who were helping that day. It was a very intimate and special setting. the food was amazing and came with 16 courses. read more

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Went to Fujiwara for my sister in laws belated birthday dinner. Beautifully presented food. The fish is flown from Japan and freshly prepared. Sushi chef and his wife are friendly and personable. One of the best Omakase's I've been to. It's a must try! read more

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Fujiwara was the best omakase meal I've ever experienced. The chef sources all of his fish from the best ports in Japan, and the cuts were like unlike anything I've tasted before. He goes beyond the traditional omakase menu and has fish like golden eye snapper, firefly squid, and much more. He even hand makes his soy sauce, and grinds his own sea salt. This husband and wife duo love what they do, and their craft and mastery show in the food they create. One of my favorite meals that we will be thinking about for a very long time, and certainly revisiting! read more

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wow, if you love sushi, specifically nigiri and want fish would be local to Japan, chef Fuji shares his love and vision for the sea. It's omakase, a gem hidden in renton, that has just two seatings a night for 6 people. It's actually bookable at the moment, unlike some other sushi restaurants, but won't be for long once this gets out. Omakase is different every night, so posting all the delicious pieces would be pointless, but a few standouts that really blew my mind: - uni handroll- uni from Japan! - the center cut of the tuna belly (look at the marbling - so good without being too rich) - marinated tuna, a traditional way of preserving the fish, a real treat to try - squid with shiso and uni - you never see this combination - skipjack - I've never had this fish before, but it was melt in your mouth tender with a bit of the sea in terms of flavor I loved how he talked about the different fish and watching him work. It was absolutely fantastic and I would highly recommend it. Thank you chef for an amazing dinner and I hope that you keep living your dream. read more

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I quit yelp but came back to write this review. Fujiwara-san deserves all 5 stars here. I am born and raised in Renton, left Renton, came back to Renton, and never in my life did I think someone would open an Omakase counter of this quality in Renton! The sushi speaks for itself, and is up their with the top tier sushi for the Seattle area. Price is on par with the new generation Omakase sushi restaurants in the Seattle area. You will get a very genuine experience and it's just the Chef and his wife helping. Limited selection on drinks, but that's because it's just a Husband and Wife team running the Omakase counter. I won't complain about that! It's basically an Omakase speakeasy inside of another Japanese restaurant. I look for the day that Fujiwara-san opens his own shop in his own building. I will be back! Now that I have written this review, I quit yelp again. read more

One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food was fantastic. You could tell everything was so fresh and prepared with care. It was awesome to watch the chef prepare the food right in front of you and see how much care he put into it. A bit pricey but we'll worth it for a little treat. The yellow tail was my favorite. And the ice cream was a delicious way to end the meal. I would highly Recommend anyone who enjoys sushi to splurge and give Fujiwara a try. read more

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What a hidden gem! Finally we have a great omakase down in Renton. Chef Fuji and his wife started here in the last month or so. It's a small 6 seat dining experience at the sushi bar within New Zen Japanese restaurant in downtown Renton off 3rd street. Reservations are a must! His food is truly authentic Japanese and all the ingredients are very fresh, fine, and delicious. Many ingredients are directly from Japan and from regions known for producing its unique flavors. You get to see the preparation process and he gives you a description of each dish with explanation of why things are prepared as they were. He has a good selection of sake to pair with the meal. Highly recommend! read more

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Amazing new spot to get some delicious Omakase from Fuji-San! Get your reservations in as they only seat a certain amount of people per session. Great food, great people, and great fun! His wife is also is so helpful, she made our dinner much more welcoming and offered excellent service. We also enjoyed their energy and team work as we are seated at the spacious sushi bar. The location is tucked away in Renton downtown, but offers ample parking nearby. Will be back for more! Aloha! read more

Fujiwara Omakase - Cheers! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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I'm so happy to try this new sushi spot! We used to see Chef Fuji regularly when he was the head chef at Katsu-Ya in Seattle, and even there it seemed like he had a loyal following of fans. We quickly learned why as the passion and care he takes with preparing food is evident. When we learned he was starting this new venture, we knew we had to try it as soon as we could. Expectations were high, and he exceeded all of them. Fujiwara Omakase is such a hidden gem located at the sushi bar inside of (but separate from) New Zen Japanese Restaurant. This is an intimate dining experience owned and operated by Chef Fujiwara and his wife. They only seat ~6 customers at a time! Make sure you make a reservation. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming with personalized name placards and the cutest little shiba chopstick holders. They offer a traditional omakase experience (chef's choice) that changes regularly, and each course we had was beautifully presented and delicious. The fish is outstanding, super high-quality, and with a great variety selected and expertly prepared by Chef Fuji to bring out unique flavors and textures that are simply incredible. I tried to take lots of photos but got too excited and likely ate a few before I remembered. We had a great night of incredible sushi and fun conversations. This is hands down the best sushi I've had in the PNW and definitely worth the short drive from Seattle. I'm so excited to return and see what Chef Fuji comes up with next. read more

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Mr. Fujiwara's chef omakase course was wonderful! It was a part of our wedding anniversary celebration! All the fish and ingredients were carefully chosen and fixed. We enjoyed a course of three appetizers, twelve nigiri's and a dessert. The service was immaculate as well. If you would like to have authentic nigiri's in Seattle/East Side area, I highly recommend this new restaurant! read more

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Chef Fuji-san and his wife were wonderful hosts. The food was wonderfully prepared. We highly recommend!

We had a wonderful omakase dinner at the cozy 6-person counter at the back of the New Zen restaurant. A great new addition to Renton.

Amazing food, attentive service and can't beat the quality! Uni salad dressing was amazing. Can't wait to go back!

Excellent Sushi in town, must try their Omakasen and their sushi bar open for public without reservation on Wednesday and Thursday.

The sushi / sashimi was fresh and the staff was so nice. And it's like you are dining in Japan surrounded by paintings and soothing music. read more

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We had our first omakase in Fujiwara and it was wonderful experience. The 12 courses of nigiri were just amazing. We fell in love with uni and hoped to have more. The 6 seats table allowed us to happily chat with the chef and other guests like old friends. Highly recommended. read more

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