(Visited on 4.54)The finale of my whirlwind trip to Kitakyushu was here. Well, I actually came here to match my reservation (^◇^;).I wonder, there aren’t many sushi places in Tokyo that serve sushi like this.In contrast to the minimalist aesthetic of Edomae sushi, this place embraces a more additive philosophy. There’s no sushi before the main event; it starts directly with the nigiri. Each piece is adorned with a variety of toppings—wasabi, kabosu, shiso, chopped green onions, homemade soy sauce, and even some lightly seared options, often totaling 4 to 6 different toppings.Another unique feature is the presence of cucumber and salt alongside the gari (pickled ginger). This is surprisingly delicious, and I found myself munching on it without realizing. It’s true that you don’t usually eat vegetables at sushi restaurants, so having this as a palate cleanser and for nutritional balance is quite nice.As for drinks, there’s no menu; it’s just green tea. Initially served slightly warm, the temperature gradually increases. This attention to temperature is very important, and before you know it, a fresh pot of tea is brought out. You can fully focus on the sushi and the chef.It’s not about which sushi is better; there’s just something about the sushi here and the chef’s smile that makes you feel an inexplicable longing for it. It’s a place with a mysterious charm.Here’s what I had that day:- Tuna - The marinated tuna, soaked in that famous tuna broth, was the first to arrive! It was crisp and delicious.- Otoro (fatty tuna) - It seems to have been briefly submerged in hot water, giving it a unique texture. It truly melts in your mouth!- Squid - One of Ten Zushi’s most famous signatures. The meticulous knife work and the use of nishiki sesame make it an artistic masterpiece.- Sweet shrimp - The sweet shrimp here is served semi-raw, and it’s absolutely delightful.- Clear soup - Receiving the bowl early on is part of the Ten Zushi style. When asked whether customers prefer clear soup or miso soup, some request both, so they serve the clear soup first and the miso soup later. Such thoughtful touches are what attract fans.- Seared mackerel - The searing is done perfectly, and the shredded kombu and myoga (ginger) toppings pair wonderfully.- Scallop - The scallop is delicious, but the sauce it’s cooked in is exceptionally good.- Flounder - It’s served with shiso hidden inside, making it refreshing.- Seared knife fish - Look at the size! The thickness of the flesh! The cooking is perfect!- Chutoro (medium fatty tuna) - Silky and incredibly beautiful.- Horse mackerel - It’s in season, with a refined flavor. You can really feel the change of seasons.- Sea urchin - The chef jokingly said that once you try this sea urchin, you won’t be able to eat any other, and he might be right... it was that delicious!- Turban shell - As usual, it comes with okra. How does one even think of such a pairing?- Striped jack - The flesh was so firm and bouncy, with a refreshing fat content that made me wonder if it was yellowtail (^◇^;).- Shrimp heads- Sea bream and its liver - This was another highly anticipated dish. I casually ate it, but the liver was incredibly smooth and rich, suggesting a lot of preparation went into it.- Miso soup- Anago (sea eel) - You could almost call it a drink. The sauce is just so good...- Sea grapes and negitoro roll - The moderate saltiness of the sea grapes is just right. The texture adds a delightful pop.- Tamago (egg)- Melon - The chef jokingly said, "The best thing in this restaurant is the cucumber, the second is the gari, and the third is this melon," but honestly, the cucumber, gari, and melon are all addictively delicious.And just like that, an hour and a half flew by.The chef was chatting and very relaxed, yet his hands were skillfully at work, and before I knew it, the next piece of sushi arrived in perfect rhythm. This is the essence of someone who has mastered their craft, truly embodying calmness and composure.I truly felt that the sushi at Ten Zushi is unique to Ten Zushi.I would be thrilled to visit again.It was delicious!Thank you for the wonderful meal!