Tokyo's best sushi

Recommended: Magurobito’s maguro

Thick tuna is the order of the day everyday at Magurobito.

“One of the most popular sushi restaurants in Tokyo is this fun and energetic kaiten-zushi place,” says Tokyofoodcast.com writer Etsuko Nakamura.

In a city where sushi can get quite expensive, Magurobito is known not only for its quality of food, but also reasonable prices.

“Magurobito has the best of both worlds,” says Nakamura.

“You can quickly grab your favorites as the plates go around on the conveyor belt, or order directly from the chef if you don't see what you want coming down the track.”

So what's the best order?

“As the name indicates, maguro really is their speciality,” Nakamura says.

Open Monday - Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and public holidays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Magurobito Asakusa main branch,1-5-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, tel. +81 (0) 3 3844 8736, www.maguro-bito.jp

Click through to see another recommendation and Tokyo's best sushi dish.

Recommended: Midori-zushi’s spider rolls

Sushi with an American twist at Midori-zushi.

“What makes Midori-zushi stand out for me is the very generous serving sizes of fresh fish for informal dining,” says Tokyofoodcast.com writer Etsuko Nakamura.

“Their menu is not typical of traditional sushi joints, but has new adaptations of sushi, such as Californian spider rolls, which you never see at more traditional places,” she says.

"To get an idea of serving sizes here, they use a whole eel for one piece of anago sushi -- you will never leave Midori-zushi hungry," says Nakamura.

Lines to get in are common.

Open Monday - Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4:30-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Midori-zushi, Coridor-dori 1F, 7-108 Ginza, Chuo-ku, tel. +81 (0) 3 5568 1212, www.sushinomidori.co.jp

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Winner: Ginza Kyubey’s omakase lunch

It's total sushi immersion at Kyubey.

Often referred to as one of the finest sushi places in Tokyo, Kyubey offers classic-style sushi dining in the heart of Ginza.

For quality and total immersion in the art of sushi, ¥8,400 for the omakase lunch is an amazing deal.

“As you sit at the counter across from the chef, you soon realize the next hour is literally in his hands,” says Kyubey fan Etsuko Nakamura.

”Throughout the meal, watching him slice up a piece of tuna with a long sword-like sashimi knife, or bringing out the very best flavor by sprinkling a tiny bit of salt, is like observing a Shinto ritual,” she says.

“While the chef is very serious when preparing the food, he has a totally different, approachable air as he checks in or chats with patrons,” she adds.

Kyubey has become a sushi empire. Even the main Ginza restaurant has multiple floors and an annex.

Open Monday - Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-10 p.m. Closed Sunday and public holidays. Ginza Kyubey, 8-7-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, tel. +81 (0) 3 3571 6523, www.kyubey.jp