Sugared & Spiced

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Sushi Oyama 大山鮨

Address: 2/F, 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Lu /東湖路20號2樓, 近淮海路
Tel: 5404 7705
Hours: 5:30pm – 10:30pm (closed Sunday)
Price: 800 RMB/person, drinks extra

Reservation required. Menu changes nightly.

Click here to see my more recent and comprehensive review of Sushi Oyama.

The opening of Sushi Oyama, a 14-seat Japanese restaurant upstairs of the popular el Willy, was an exciting affair. As far as I know, it is the first omakase restaurant in Shanghai, where you are at the mercy of the chef to serve you whatever he’s got based on what’s fresh in the market. Naturally, Sushi Oyama boasts authentic ingredients – seafood is imported directly from Japan, and the seasonal menu changes nightly. You don’t have to worry about what to order because you don’t. Just sit back, relax, and let the chef do his magic.

Hand-written menu, changes nightly

A selection of sake cups for you to choose from

We started off with sake and were presented with a selection of cups to choose from – a small detail that made the meal feel more personalized. Oyama also offers shochu, plum wine, beer, and access to the wines from Torres and el Willy downstairs.

Tonight’s Menu

1. First shot – clear broth of clams
2. Sashimi plate – sweet shrimp, Hokkaido scallop, medium-fatty tuna, yellowtail, and ???.
3. Vinegared seaweed with yam

Sashimi plate

4. Sushi: medium fatty tuna, mackerel, sea urchin, grunt with scorched skin
5. Cod fish with pomelo black pepper puree
6. Salad

Medium fatty tuna

Grunt with scorched skin

Vinegared Mackerel

7. Chopped fatty tuna with salmon roe over sushi rice
8. Steamed egg with salmon roe and sliced crab meat
9. Individual sushi: Botan-shrimp, red clam, anago (eel)
10. Chopped fatty tuna with quail egg bowl
11. Tamago-yaki (rolled eggs)
12. Miso soup

Chopped fatty tuna with salmon roe over sushi rice

Chopped fatty tuna with quail egg bowl

Tamago-yaki

Botan-shrimp, red clam

13. Panna cotta with blueberry compote
14. Lemon & mango sorbet

Panna cotta with blueberry compote

What a meal!

We sighed in utter satisfaction after almost every course…

Oyama-san at work

Sleek sushi bar

I highly recommend the bar seats because 1) you get to watch Oyama-san prepare the food, and 2) you can learn about what you are eating. There are two tables and one private room available if you so choose.

I love love love Sushi Oyama. Incredible attention to details and impeccable quality, every course, including the extraodinary miso soup, was a pleasant surprise. This is surely the most unique and memorable Japanese restaurant in town.

Click here to see my more recent and comprehensive review of Sushi Oyama.