Friday, 16 May 2014

Post #17 (13.05.14) >> Famous Sushi

Today's breakfast was long awaited and mega anticipated !
I love SUSHI.
I can eat it day in and day out.
Salmon, tuna, squid, roe, sea urchin, octopus *salivate* mmm ^_^ ~

Rather than eat at any of the many Sushi restaurants in the Dotonburi area, we travelled to the Central wholesale fish market by train and foot.






Early each morning before the sun rises,  the Central wholesale fish market is abuzz with business.
This is the seafood supply for trade and households of Osaka.
There are Tuna auctions held at 4:15 each morning, but that was a little too early for us.
By the time we got there (8am) the operations were coming to a close.


Blurry photo ... sorry !


Established in 1907 and currently run by 4th generation shop owner, Endo Sushi is the place to go for the best sushi in Osaka.

http://www.endo-sushi.com/english.html

Every Sushi restaurant claims to use only the freshest and best quality ingredients ... at Endo Sushi, it is no lie.
Being located on the grounds of the fish market guarantees freshness as they source their ingredients right there, that morning.


Upon entering the small restaurant, we were warmly greeted and given their English menu 



On the table, there was no sight of the usual soy sauce bottles or pre-packaged wasabi.
Instead, there was a communal bowl of soy sauce + brush & a bowl of pickled ginger.

The soy sauce was to be applied to the Nigiri by brushing, not dipping as we are normally accustomed to.  
With repeated brushes, the flavour of the soy sauce is enhanced from contact with the fish, octopus, roe, sea urchin etc.
No fear of double dipping here.


No additional Wasabi was readily available because it has been already been applied between the rice and the topping.





The Gari (pickled ginger) is to be eaten between the different pieces of Nigiri to cleanse the palate.


We ordered the chef's selection (Omakaze) menu and let them work their magic.
Each plate was 1,050Y/A$11 with 5 pieces of sushi per plate. 






The Otoro (fatty tuna) is the piece to salivate over.
Delicious, melt in your mouth fattyness goodness.


To accompany the sushi was their own version of Miso soup.
A rich, intense, flavoursome broth enhanced by dozens of baby clams.
Holding the bowl with my two hands and sipping was comparable to an alcoholic having a beer or a caffeine junkie having their first morning coffee.
Ahh :)


Something else notable was that the Nigiri was crafted with hot rice which was still soft, warm and crispy by the time it was in our mouths.


Between the four of us we ordered 15 plates.
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
2, 3, 4

Weaksauce !!! I could have had at least 5 to myself.






Consumed and absorbed in a state of culinary ecstasy, we heard a clutter of wooden footsteps.
Next thing I know, the owner was sitting beside me.
It felt like we were amongst royalty.
Using chopsticks and eating the sushi became almost difficult as my hands trembled.











Although Sushi is readily available all over Osaka, this place was special.
It lived up to its hype.
Nigiri will never be the same again.

I know for a fact that it will be hard to top Endo Sushi.
They only way to enjoy this calibre of sushi is to return *wink wink @ Cat*  

The restaurant is open 5am to 2pm Monday to Saturday.
They are closed on Sundays and holidays.

The easiest way to get to here is to catch a train to stop S12 on the Sennichimae line.
Get out at exit #3 or #6 then keep walking straight on the main road until you see a bridge.
Turn right and there is the Central wholesale fish market.
Endo Sushi is located in the carpark on the left hand side.
We took a slightly different path (via Google Maps GPS) through some residential side streets.

Although an effort to find and get to, Endo Sushi is worth the fuss without any doubt or hesitation.







Next up ... fish of a different kind.

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