Minamishima

Pace-setter for stellar sushi.

November 18, 2024

1 / 9Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).Supplied

2 / 9Inside the minimalist restaurant. Supplied

4 / 9Supplementary nigiri of fugu with foie gras shavings.Bonnie Savage

5 / 9Take a seat at the sushi counter.Supplied

7 / 9Gold-leaf wrapped maguro rolls.Bonnie Savage

8 / 9Chawanmushi topped with abalone.Bonnie Savage

9 / 9The 24-piece nigiri box.Minamishima supplied

18/20

Japanese$$$$

“Camera eats first” is practically law at this pinnacle of omakase – but not before a chef reaches over to quickly adjust an off-kilter garnish on your nigiri. See them also apply precise pressure to bricks of rice and deploy subtle flicks of the wrist to assemble a runway show of supermodel sushi.

Sweet scampi is jolted by finger lime jelly, while a tiny taco of nori, rice and torched goldband snapper is presented like a gift. Texture is everything. Calamari is more like butter after cross-hatching by scrupulous knives. Whispers of sliced wagyu echo ethereally light tofu skin in one of four hot dishes that intersperse those of raw seafood.

Purposeful staff swoop in with drinks, specialist cutlery and advice. In the Minamishima universe, there is no such thing as luck. Except your good fortune to have a seat at the show.