Nakajo Yokohama

Hello everyone, thank you for your hard work! (^_−)−☆I’ve also started a blog!! Please check it out!!https://nakazaki-kenji.jp/Today, I visited "Nakajo" in Kannai!!Previously, I attended a dinner hosted by the entrepreneur and YouTuber Ikko, and I was truly impressed by the quality of the appetizers and sushi!!Reservations for OMAKASE can be made for two or more, but if you call, you can reserve for just one person as well. d(^_^o)Let me briefly introduce the restaurant. _φ(･_･**About the Chef, Kiyotaka Nakajo**Born in 1962 in Kanagawa Prefecture. Having grown up in a family that ran a sushi restaurant, he became familiar with fish from a young age. After graduating from university, he began training at his family’s restaurant, "Sushi Kappo Kiyokawa," and officially embarked on the path of becoming a sushi chef. Originally, the restaurant operated with 60% takeout, but after taking over, he established a new style focused on serving authentic sushi, sourcing fish directly from Tsukiji. Now, it is renowned for sourcing top-quality fish from Toyosu.**Message from the Restaurant** Experience with all five senses, savor the aromaAt "Nakajo," located in Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, we place the utmost importance on "aroma." The delicate fragrance spreads in your mouth and wafts through your nose—this is the essence of sushi. We carefully select the finest ingredients and pay meticulous attention to each piece.Reservations for OMAKASE can be made here:https://omakase.in/ja/r/ym180162I got off at Bashamichi Station on the Minato Mirai Line and headed to the restaurant. It took about 10 minutes on foot to arrive.Upon entering, the staff warmly welcomed me. The handsome male staff provided exceptionally attentive service, and their attention to detail was impressive. (//∇//)The interior features a compact layout with an L-shaped counter and private rooms. The bright lighting and warmth of the wood create a soothing atmosphere. (o^^o)I sat at the counter and greeted Chef Nakajo. We had a great conversation, and I learned a lot today. (＾◇＾) It’s true that both shellfish and fish prices have risen significantly. (　ﾟдﾟ)Today, besides myself, there were two other guests, which allowed for a more relaxed dining experience. (^_−)−☆I ordered a soda highball with barley shochu as my first drink. d(￣ ￣) I wanted to drink sake, but with bonuses and other expenses, I ended up drinking shochu again today...Alright!! Let’s start the sushi course at Nakajo!! I was really looking forward to it today!!**Shari** We use both rice vinegar and red vinegar. Both have a gentle flavor that doesn’t tire the palate. The rice is well-cooked, flavorful, and delicious!! The rice vinegar has a nice acidity, and it’s very tasty, similar to what I had at "Mizukami" during my last visit!**Gari** The acidity is strong, and the spiciness is pleasant. As expected, the gari is also excellent.**New Squid** It’s already the season for new squid! Each piece features precious squid!! It’s crunchy with a subtle sweetness that’s delightful!! The more you chew, the sweeter and more aromatic it becomes!! I’m surprised at how rich the flavor is for new squid!! This is truly mesmerizing. (//∇//)**Ala** This is the real Ala from Yamagata!! It’s plump and incredibly delicious with each bite!! The aroma that wafts through the nose is superb!! This is irresistible. (＾◇＾)**Kasugo** It looks absolutely beautiful! (//∇//) It’s well-prepared, with the perfect balance of acidity and flavor!! The more you chew, the more delicious it gets!! Indeed, the more it’s prepared like this, the tastier the Kasugo is!!**Akamu** This is Akamu from the outer Bōsō Peninsula. It’s melt-in-your-mouth sweet and absolutely amazing!! There’s no unpleasant odor, and the aroma is irresistible!! Sometimes, Akamu can have a fatty smell, but this one allows you to enjoy pure aroma and sweet fat. d(￣ ￣)**Kinmedai** This is Kinmedai from Choshi. It’s marinated in kombu, making it incredibly flavorful!! The fat is rich, and the aroma expands with each bite—so delicious!! It’s rare to find Kinmedai with such a rich taste and aroma!!**Shiro Amadai** This one is also marinated in kombu, and the flavor is intense!!!! It has just the right amount of fat, and the aroma is superb!! The taste is truly rich, and each bite brings happiness. (＾◇＾)**Shima Aji** It looks incredibly beautiful!! It’s melt-in-your-mouth good with a lovely aroma!! The fat is refined and melts smoothly in your mouth!!**Shinko** I also got to enjoy Shinko!! Since it’s the season, I had four pieces!! Even though it’s Shinko, the flavor is rich! (　ﾟдﾟ) The acidity is pleasant and delicious!! This is truly tasty Shinko. (//∇//)**Kisu** This Kisu is huge! (　ﾟдﾟ) It’s lightly marinated, plump, and incredibly flavorful!! I’ve never had Kisu with such rich flavor before! (　ﾟдﾟ) It’s definitely Kisu season now. d(￣ ￣)**Katsuo** This is Katsuo from Kesennuma. It’s thickly sliced, melt-in-your-mouth good, and the aroma and flavor are incredible!! The fat is rich, and it’s delicious!! It pairs well with red vinegar too!! I’m surprised at how fatty this is! (　ﾟдﾟ)**Akami** This is Akami from Funka Bay!! It’s rare to have fresh tuna at this time of year!! Wow!! The aroma and flavor are abundant and delicious!! The aroma of the Akami is also delightful!!Oh no!! I forgot to take a picture!! I did it again...**Chutoro** This is from Sado! Wow!! It’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious!! The sweetness and aftertaste are amazing!! I can’t believe I can have such tuna at this time of year. This is the best! ( ◠‿◠ )**Otoro** This is from the same fish as the Chutoro. Words can’t describe this... It’s just sweet and delicious... The time spent savoring the aftertaste is the best. (//∇//)(//∇//)(//∇//)**Kohada** This is it!! This is what I wanted to eat!! As always, it’s packed with acidity and flavor—so delicious!! The Kohada here is truly the best! (　ﾟдﾟ)(　ﾟдﾟ)(　ﾟдﾟ)**Torigai** This is huge! (　ﾟдﾟ) It’s plump and full of flavor and aroma—so delicious!!! The more you chew, the more flavor and aroma burst in your mouth!! I was so happy to eat such Torigai. (//∇//)**Bafun Uni** This is Bafun Uni from Yoichi. Wow!! It’s rich and sweet—absolutely irresistible!! Is it really this flavorful?!**Red Uni** The first red uni is from Amakusa!! Wow!!!! As always, red uni is delicious!! It’s rich and simply amazing!! What is this?! (　ﾟдﾟ) Red uni is truly in a league of its own!!**Red Uni** The next red uni is from Hagi!! I even got to enjoy red uni from Hagi!! Oh no... with Shinko and two pieces of red uni, is today’s bill going to be okay? (　ﾟдﾟ) This is also incredibly delicious!! It’s a bit different from Amakusa!! The small quantity makes the flavor extremely rich. (//∇//)**Kuruma Ebi** This is huge! (　ﾟдﾟ) It’s plump, and the flavor and aroma burst forth—absolutely the best!! I could chew on this forever. ( ◠‿◠ )**Hamaguri** It’s big, plump, and full of flavor!! The more you chew, the more delicious it gets!! Why is it so rich and aromatic?! (　ﾟдﾟ) It’s so flavorful that it doesn’t even need to be simmered! (　ﾟдﾟ)**Shako** I had two pieces. They’re soft with a delicate flavor and aroma that’s irresistible!! Even without eggs, they’re still delicious. (//∇//)**Anago** It’s fluffy, rich in fat, and so delicious!! The simmered flavor is also rich and superb!! The temperature is perfect, melting in your mouth. (＾◇＾)**Tamago** On the left, the dashi omelet has a strong flavor of dashi, which is soothing!! It reminds me a bit of the omelet my mother used to make. ( ◠‿◠ )On the right is the thick omelet with shiba shrimp. It’s fluffy, and the flavor of the shiba shrimp is prominent. The grilling is beautiful, showcasing delicate craftsmanship!!Today, I was completely knocked out by the incredible sushi!! No matter how many times I eat here, I’m always deeply moved!!Here’s what I had today:1. New Squid 2. Ala 3. Kasugo 4. Akamu 5. Kinmedai 6. Shiro Amadai 7. Shima Aji 8. Shinko 9. Kisu 10. Katsuo 11. Akami 12. Chutoro 13. Otoro 14. Kohada 15. Torigai 16. Bafun Uni 17. Red Uni (Amakusa) 18. Red Uni (Hagi) 19. Kuruma Ebi 20. Hamaguri 21. Shako 22. Anago 23. Tamago I thoroughly enjoyed 22 pieces of sushi!! As always, the speed of service was quick, and I was a bit flustered, but somehow, I’ve come to appreciate this speed as part of Nakajo’s charm. d(^_^o)The impact of the flavor and aroma in each piece was astounding, and it was a serious time spent facing the chef’s sushi!!I’ve reaffirmed that Nakajo’s sushi is truly exceptional!! I had a lot of fun hearing various behind-the-scenes stories. (＾Ｏ＾☆♪Thank you, Chef Nakajo and the staff, for today’s wonderful experience!! I’ll visit again in September! (￣^￣)ゞ Less

If you're a true sushi lover, you must visit the renowned Nakajo! This place gathers the finest seafood selected from all over the country, allowing you to indulge in the best seasonal ingredients. It's a restaurant I want to return to again and again! ♡This time, since I was with children, I consulted with the chef in advance and enjoyed a leisurely meal in a private room. ♡ To make it even more luxurious, we had a tasting of two types of red sea urchin, purple sea urchin, and horse manure sea urchin, along with the exquisite red, medium fatty, and fatty tuna. It was a dream come true for sushi lovers, and I was completely satisfied!!!!!・Junsai The course started with a refreshing appetizer. The smooth texture and bouncy feel were delightful, and the fresh flavor reminded me of the arrival of summer.・Abalone Soup with Chilled Broth A carefully crafted cold soup that brings out the umami of the abalone. The clear broth has a light mouthfeel, yet the rich ocean flavor of the abalone layers beautifully, leaving a deep aftertaste with each sip. It was a perfect dish for the hot season! ♡・Sashimi of Arare The beautiful, translucent flesh has a pleasant elasticity, and with each bite, a refined sweetness and umami unfold. This dish truly showcases the charm of white fish.・Katsu from Kesennuma With its beautiful red flesh and just the right amount of fat, it leaves a strong impression of umami. There was no unpleasant odor at all, and the aftertaste was surprisingly refreshing. It was delicious enough to make me gasp in delight.・Sado's Fixed Net Bluefin Tuna The finely textured flesh and concentrated umami are captivating. With a moist mouthfeel, you can slowly savor the deep flavor of the red meat.・Daruma Squid from Chiba Prefecture The sticky texture that clings to the tongue and the refined sweetness are impressive. Thanks to the careful knife work, it achieves a wonderful balance of tenderness and bite.・Botan Shrimp Lightly seared on the surface to enhance its aroma, the inside is a melt-in-your-mouth rare finish. The sweetness and umami stand out. The shells are also grilled to perfection, allowing for a fun comparison of flavors between salt and soy sauce.・Braised Abalone The abalone, carefully simmered over time, is astonishingly tender while still retaining a pleasant elasticity. With each bite, the ocean's umami and refined sweetness overflow.・Wakame and Myoga with Plum Soy Sauce The thick wakame has a fresh ocean scent, complemented by the refreshing aroma of myoga. The gentle acidity of the plum soy sauce cleanses the palate beautifully.・Seared Torigai By searing the surface, the sweetness and aroma stand out, and the simple seasoning with salt brings out the quality of the ingredients.・Long-finned Pilot Whale Tail Meat The melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of the fat harmonizes beautifully with the rich umami of the red meat. There was surprisingly no strong taste, changing my impression of whale meat.・Natural Eel from Lake Shinji, White Grilled The skin is crispy and fragrant, while the flesh is plump and elastic. You can enjoy the strong umami and high-quality fat that comes from being natural.【Nigiri】・Red Meat The concentrated umami leaves a strong impression. With a moist texture, the natural aroma of the tuna lingers long.・Medium Fatty Tuna The balance between the umami of the red meat and the sweetness of the fat is exquisite, with high-quality fat melting away effortlessly.・Fatty Tuna The moment it enters your mouth, it melts at body temperature, providing an exquisite melt-in-your-mouth experience. Rich yet surprisingly light on the aftertaste.・Shinko The delicate balance of soft acidity and umami from the vinegared preparation is outstanding.・Purple Sea Urchin from Koyasu With a refined sweetness and a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, it has no off-flavors. The ocean aroma is also rich.・Horse Manure Sea Urchin from Yoichi The dense, milky richness is impressive. With a sticky texture, you can enjoy the rich umami.・Red Sea Urchin from Amakusa While it has a strong umami, it also has a sense of transparency in its flavor. The aftertaste is as beautiful as the sea urchin itself.・Red Sea Urchin from Hagi With a refined and delicate sweetness different from that of Amakusa, being able to compare the unique characteristics of each region's red sea urchin is a special delight of this place.・Kuruma Ebi With exquisite cooking, you can enjoy the plump texture and rich sweetness. A generous size made it quite satisfying.・Braised Clam Fluffy and tender, the concentrated umami and gentle sweetness are impressive. It was a wonderful piece that harmonized beautifully with the broth.・Anago Meltingly tender, it has a refined sweetness that is perfect for concluding the course.I am grateful for the warm welcome even with children, and for being able to enjoy a leisurely meal in a private room. (*>∀ Less

On this day, I reserved a private room at Nakajo and visited after a long time. By the way, this place features an incredible lineup of the best seafood sourced from Japan, including Toyosu Market. It's amazing! (laughs)⭐︎ Champagne Bottle Cheers!⚪︎ Junsai This is different from what I usually eat! It's three times more wobbly than usual!⚪︎ Cold Soup with Abalone The rich umami of this broth is incredible!⚪︎ Sashimi of Fish Trim The flavor hits you right away and makes you smile.⚪︎ Katsuo from Kesennuma This is the best I've had this year!⚪︎ Tuna from Sado's Fixed Net It's a medium fatty tuna sushi wrapped in thin seaweed! ⚪︎ Daruma Squid from Chiba So this is what squid is like!⚪︎ Botan Shrimp, lightly grilled on the outside The legs are salty, and the body has a soy sauce flavor. It's non-fried, so you can hold it in your hand—like real shrimp chips!⚪︎ Simmered Abalone This is said to be straight from the sea without refrigeration.⚪︎ Wakame and Myoga With plum soy sauce.⚪︎ Grilled Torigai Sprinkled with salt.⚪︎ Tail Meat of Long-finned Pilot Whale This is absolutely the best! The allure of whale.⭐︎ Additional Champagne Bottle ⚪︎ Grilled Natural Eel from Lake Shinji Crispy, thick, and delicious.⚪︎ Gari Sharp and tingling.⚪︎ New Squid Nigiri ⚪︎ Spring Sea Bream Nigiri ⚪︎ Black Mutsu Nigiri ⚪︎ Red Mutsu Nigiri ⚪︎ Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper) with Kombu Nigiri ⚪︎ Shiro Amadai (White Sweetfish) with Kombu Nigiri ⚪︎ Shima Aji Nigiri ⚪︎ Kisu Nigiri ⚪︎ Akami (Lean Tuna) Nigiri ⚪︎ Chutoro (Medium Fatty Tuna) Nigiri ⚪︎ Otoro (Fatty Tuna) Nigiri This is a triple treat of the best from Yamako! ⭐︎ Additional Champagne Bottle ⚪︎ Shinko (New Baby Fish) Nigiri ⚪︎ Purple Sea Urchin from Koyasu ⚪︎ Bafun Uni from Yoichi ⚪︎ Aka Uni (Red Sea Urchin) from Amakusa ⚪︎ Aka Uni from Hagi A four-piece lineup of sea urchin is astonishing! Plus, there are two types of red sea urchin!! And they are all surprisingly sweet and delicious! ⚪︎ Kuruma Ebi (Tiger Shrimp) Nigiri ⚪︎ Spring Clam Nigiri ⚪︎ Kuruma Ko (Baby Shrimp) Nigiri ⚪︎ Anago (Conger Eel) Nigiri ⚪︎ Tamago (Egg) Nigiri with Shiba Ebi (Small Shrimp) version On this day, I ended up drinking three bottles of bubbly! (≧∇≦) It had been a while since my last visit, but the sheer amount of delicious fish and appetizers served was overwhelming. The four consecutive sea urchin dishes were truly amazing! (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) The chef is so cool and hard-boiled! I'll definitely be back. It was a great meal! Less

Everything is delicious at Nakajo.Today, I enjoyed a special treat: a four-piece sea urchin gunkan, only available during this season.After savoring a variety of exquisite appetizers, I indulged in nigiri starting with fresh squid, followed by premium white fish and tuna. To truly appreciate the four-piece sea urchin gunkan, you need a hearty appetite. Thankfully, I was able to enjoy every bite!The selection included purple, horse dung, red tengusa, and red hagi sea urchins.Each one was of top quality, surpassing offerings from other restaurants.This is why I could truly discern the differences in the flavors of the sea urchin.It was an incredibly luxurious experience. Less

Last time, I hesitated and skipped a few pieces.So this time, my goal is to finish everything!First, I started by refreshing my palate with some junsai.The simmered abalone was incredibly tender and fragrant.The way the red clam's flesh curled was impressive, and it had a great texture. The entrails were delicious too.The long-finned pilot whale was soft and absolutely delightful.They also recommended some sake with the aji and bonito.The grilled white sweetfish with yuzu marinade was delicious as well.Everything I tried was simply amazing.I had a pre-meal drink to adjust my timing, so I was a bit nervous about my capacity.However, I managed to conquer all the nigiri.It's a given that the uni was delicious.The white fish like the kiss and white sweetfish were also fantastic.When the chef asked if I still had room, I replied that I did, and he prepared a kanpyo roll for me.The sweetness was just right. It was the perfect dessert to finish off my sushi experience. Less

My first time experiencing it! The king salmon roe was exceptional!The tender, fluffy, and sweet taste of the whale meat melted in my mouth…I had it last time too, but the unique flavor that I almost forgot came rushing back, and I was moved once again.The botan shrimp, which is one of my favorites, was large and delicious! (^○^)!The rich umami and the smoky aroma filled my mouth with joy… so happy!!!The big cut of abalone was too large to eat in one bite.This time, I had the rich kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) simmered dish, and the abalone broth natural collagen jelly served as a perfect palate cleanser was just heavenly!ヽ(；▽；)The tuna nigiri included akami, chutoro, and otoro in a thrilling three-piece lineup!!! I’m so glad to be alive!I enjoyed the giant purple sea urchin without nori! The generous two-layer serving of bafun uni was delicious, and I got so excited that I drank too much! On this day, there were a total of 18 sushi pieces. (You can choose to have all or just a few, and they also ask about the size of the rice.)Sumiyaki squid Spring sea bream Isaki Red mullet Kinki marinated in kombu White sweetfish marinated in kombu Kisu Akami Chutoro Otoro Kohada Kobashira King salmon roe Purple sea urchin Bafun uni Kuruma shrimp Simmered clam Anago Tamago Dashi-maki tamago It seems that the season for red sea urchin will start soon! If you enjoy calm and delicious sushi, I highly recommend visiting this place! Once you experience the real thing, you might find it hard to be impressed elsewhere, which is a bit sad, so proceed at your own risk m(_ _)m Cheers to cheat days~‼︎☆☆☆☆☆ Less