We take pleasure in a number of the freshest fish from Japan’s northeastern coast in a gloriously colourful seafood buffet.
Our Japanese-language reporter Saya Togashi was having a blast in her solo northern travels to the Matsushima Bay space in Miyagi Prefecture, and was decided to take pleasure in all that Matsushima has to supply. Having already cooked some BBQ on a rooftop deck and visited the mysterious, off-the-beaten-path energy spot of the bay, she had labored up an urge for food and was now on the hunt for some contemporary fish within the type of sashimi.
Now, sashimi is a type of meals that may be very hit-or-miss for Saya. However since she was proper by the ocean, she was cautiously optimistic that she’d discover one thing actually scrumptious. On this explicit day, she didn’t care about the associated fee, both–she simply wished to eat plenty of good sashimi. That’s when she found a restaurant referred to as All-You-Can-Eat Feast of the Sea: Matsushima Sashimi Aquarium, which is situated on the second ground of the identical Matsushima Rikyu complicated the place she ate her rooftop BBQ whereas gazing out over the picturesque bay. She thought it was a bit uncommon for a restaurant to focus on all-you-can-eat seafood, so it was intriguing to her.
The restaurant gives contemporary seafood caught domestically, together with within the neighboring metropolis of Shiogama, the place one in all Japan’s main ports for freshly caught tuna is situated.
Saya couldn’t assist however assume that “Matsushima Sashimi Aquarium” was a little bit of an odd identify for an eatery, however then she discovered that the constructing stood on the previous website of the Marinepia Matsushima Aquarium, which was open from 1927-2015.
Upon getting into, she famous that the inside of the house was vigorous and festive, with giant wood panels inscribed with the names of various seafood hanging from the ceiling. She paid for her meal prematurely of taking a seat. The usual all-you-can-eat course for one grownup is 3,500 yen (US$24), however there’s additionally a premium possibility which incorporates all-you-can-eat native oysters as properly. The time restrict is 80 minutes.
As soon as located, Saya instantly turned her focus to the buffet desk. Simply have a look at all of that sashimi–there have been piles and piles of it! Although the menu adjustments each day relying on the catch, on this present day she noticed bigeye tuna, albacore tuna, purple shrimp with heads, purple flying squid, Japanese Spanish mackerel, salmon, octopus, soused mackerel, and skipjack tuna, to call just a few. The beautiful show seemed extra like a fishmonger’s shopfront than a restaurant buffet.
We’ll allow you to salivate over some closeup pictures of the buffet so that you just don’t drool on high of the particular meals accidentally.
Yep, I can really feel the drool pooling now…
What a feast for the abdomen–and eyes!
Solely the ikura (salted salmon roe) was restricted to 1 plate per individual. In any other case, Saya may take as a lot of every part as she wished to her abdomen’s content material. Some top-tier seafood objects like sea urchin and crab have been lacking from the unfold, however loads of native and seasonal dishes made up for it. She additionally famous with some shock the velocity at which emptied plates have been replenished. The workers there have been extremely attentive, not like at another all-you-can-eat buffets she’s been to.
A nook of fried meals amused her however have been additionally a bona fide temptation. In spite of everything, in her expertise, eating places which have good fish additionally are likely to have good fried meals.
She couldn’t assist taking just a few fries. Additionally, whereas she often has bother consuming oysters, the fried oysters at this restaurant didn’t have a powerful scent and have been scrumptious sufficient for her to eat–with no points–for the primary time in her life.
She chosen her first plate of sashimi together with a little bit white rice and arajiru (fish head soup). The enjoyable factor about this place was that she may eat her meal like this, as a teishoku set tray…
…or like this, as a kaisen-don seafood rice bowl with a dollop of grated yam and sliced okra on high (really, she determined to attempt each!).
This freedom was potential as a result of every kind of ornately adorned bowls and trays lay in watch for diners to craft no matter form of meal they wished–even a little bit sashimi boat.
In reality, she was shocked by how a lot a easy change from a disposable plate to a finely crafted plate makes a distinction within the sashimi’s look. The restaurant additionally actually is aware of the right way to cater to diners who’re doubtless importing pictures to social media.
Saya marveled on the high quality of her first piece of vibrant tuna. It was beautiful in look and style.
As well as, the Miyagi-caught salmon was chic. Saya’s really eaten salmon in Alaska earlier than, however she discovered these wild ones too greasy for her liking. This one gave off alternating tastes of refreshing fattiness and piercing umami taste inside her mouth.
After consuming chunk after chunk of delicious sashimi for some time, she determined to attempt the “sushi parfait” pattern she’s seen not too long ago on social media. She would make her very personal colourful creation utilizing this offered parfait glass.
She put some vinegared sushi rice on the base of her glass to kick issues off (common white rice was an alternative choice) after which began layering on items of sashimi.
Oh no! She was a little bit bit disillusioned in her work. She had even much less inventive sense than she thought…
Nevertheless, cling on. She had been assembling it from a aspect view, making an attempt to layer the sashimi on high of one another in a ravishing cross-section of substances. She may have additionally piled every part greater, nevertheless it was now in the direction of the top of her time restrict and he or she solely wished to take what she may end consuming. On high of that, the squid blended in with the white rice and made it laborious to select from the remainder.
In any case, it was enjoyable to think about the infinite potentialities of presentation for the sashimi given the entire choices. She–and her abdomen–have been very glad with this expertise.
It’s clear that the Matsushima Sashimi Aquarium is a well-liked place, as there was already a line forming exterior of the door when Saya arrived proper earlier than it opened for lunch. In case you’re planning to cease by throughout a busy time, it’s possible you’ll wish to make a reservation beforehand.
Now that Saya is content material and stuffed with sashimi, who is aware of the place her Matsushima travels will take her subsequent. Even when she’s now on her manner dwelling, we think about that she’ll wish to return once more someday to replenish on extra fish and see a number of the different beautiful seasonal sights within the space.
Restaurant info
All-You-Can-Eat Feast of the Sea: Matsushima Sashimi Aquarium / 海の食べ放題 松島おさしみ水族館
Handle: Miyagi-ken, Miyagi-gun, Matsushima-machi, Matsushima Namiuchihama 18
宮城県宮城郡松島町松島字浪打浜18番地
Open: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (final orders at 6:30 p.m.)
Closed: New 12 months’s Eve, New 12 months’s Day
Web site
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