I had my perspective on sushi completely turned upside down.Such an experience is rare. I canceled plans with a woman I had just met and even skipped a reservation at a men's esthetic salon.I wanted to fully confront my memories.This was at Ten Zushi, Kyomachi branch in Kokura.Here, local fish from Kyushu is enhanced with salt and citrus, creating a delicious harmony that defines the essence of Kokura sushi.To be honest, I approached this visit with skepticism. I thought, if it’s fish, it’s Tokyo. Sushi is about simplicity: fish, wasabi, and vinegared rice. I believed that true beauty lies in that simplicity.But I was completely defeated.As I savored the strength of Kyushu fish, I was utterly charmed by Chef Koichi Amano. I found myself unable to stand up after the meal.Before I knew it, I wasn’t just eating sushi; I was immersed in the chef’s world.By the end of the meal, I believe everyone will not just be a fan of sushi, but a fan of Chef Amano himself. He has that kind of magnetic appeal.What struck me most were the chef’s words.He said, "If Edomae sushi is the sun, then Kokura sushi is the moon."He explained that Kokura sushi exists because of the vast culture of Edomae sushi. There was a strange persuasive power in his humility.The dishes I enjoyed were as follows:Chutoro, otoro, akai ika, shrimp, marinated mackerel, fugu, swordfish, marinated tuna, kisu, uni, turban shell, isaki, sea bream, anago, tamagoyaki, and melon.Many sushi enthusiasts tend to nitpick the fish and vinegared rice.That’s understandable; if you eat critically, you can find negativity in anything.However, the essence of sushi is not in that.It’s about seeing the craftsman’s life through the fish. It’s about feeling the streets of that town. It’s about tasting the history and atmosphere of the land.Ten Zushi was precisely that kind of place.It’s not just a restaurant I want to visit regularly; it’s a place I want to go to see Chef Amano regularly.You can instantly understand why it has national recognition and why it has been at the forefront of Kokura’s sushi culture once you sit at the counter.Ten Zushi, Kyomachi branch, is truly a storyteller of that street.
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