Visiting Nadeshiko Sushi in Akihabara

Date: 2018-06-11

An All-Female Sushi Restaurant

Up a flight of stairs off a side street in Akihabara, Tokyo's famous electronics and anime district, is Nadeshiko Sushi — a small sushi restaurant run entirely by young women. The restaurant opened about eight years ago and caused quite a stir at the time.

The space seats only about 15 people, arranged around an L-shaped counter with a preparation area in the centre. On our visit, two female sushi chefs were working — dressed in kimono with tasuki (sleeve ties), which suited the atmosphere perfectly.

The Menu

I visited with my daughter, arriving just after 6pm — a little early for dinner, and only one other customer was in. We ordered:

• A set of 10-piece nigiri with salad and clear soup (¥3,500)
• Three types of maki (rolled sushi)
• Edamame
• Black oolong tea

The salad was rocket and water-spinach (mizuna) with wakame seaweed, topped with diced squid, salmon and tuna in a tangy Japanese dressing. When I asked if I could take a photo, the chef smiled and said "That's a bit embarrassing!" — then smiled again for the camera.

The nigiri course included standard favourites (tuna, salmon, squid, white fish) plus seasonal fish — katsuo (bonito), which is in season in early summer around the rainy season. The squid was served with a shiso leaf underneath, and the seared engawa (flounder fin) with spring onion was particularly good with a pinch of the lemon salt provided on the table.

My daughter ordered the additional maki rolls: seared tuna and garlic chip roll, aji (horse mackerel) namero and lotus root roll, and a prawn and cream cheese roll. The tuna and garlic chip combination was especially delicious — a flavour I want to recreate at home.

Clear soup with shiitake mushroom, wakame and wheat gluten fu. Full, satisfied and happy.

By the time we were finishing, the restaurant had filled up — nearly every seat taken.

Why Visit

Professional cooking has been male-dominated for centuries — but the world over, female chefs are increasingly visible and celebrated. The quality of the food is all that matters. These young women make excellent sushi.

Japan still has some way to go on gender equality, but establishments like this are a step worth noting.

If you visit Akihabara, look for Nadeshiko Sushi — up the stairs, just off the main street.

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