Sushi Yuu Otaru (鮨 結) was where we chose to have a quiet lunch omakase during our Hokkaido trip. The small counter setting let us watch each piece being prepared, and the chef’s warm welcome made the meal especially memorable. My favorite bite was the uni: creamy, rich and naturally sweet.
Sushi Yuu at a glance
Name for maps: 鮨 結
Address: 1 Chome-5-8 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031, Japan
Our meal: lunch omakase, ¥7,700 per person at the time of our visit
Our reservation: arranged through Instagram DM at the time
This is a review of our own meal. The course, prices, opening days and booking arrangements may change; use the official Sushi Yuu website to check the current details before planning your visit.
How we booked our lunch
I wanted one proper sushi meal in Otaru rather than choosing a large, busy restaurant on the day. We contacted Sushi Yuu in advance through Instagram DM. Our original request for 11:00 a.m. was unavailable, and we accepted the 11:30 a.m. time offered instead.
That was our booking experience, rather than a promise that the same method or seating times are available now. Confirm your date, party size, course and arrival time with the restaurant before treating an inquiry as a completed reservation.
A small counter and a welcoming chef
The room felt intimate and calm. Sitting at the counter made it easy to concentrate on the sushi and watch the chef work. During our meal, the chef explained the toppings in Korean after learning we were Korean visitors. That thoughtful gesture helped us follow the course, although it should not be taken as a guarantee of Korean-language service on every visit.
Menu and the lunch course
We chose the lunch omakase we had arranged in advance. The menu photographs below record the options at our visit; they are useful for understanding the style of the restaurant, but the current menu and prices should be checked separately.
Our course included tuna akami, scallop, silver-skinned fish, shrimp and uni. The pieces arrived one at a time, and the different textures were a large part of the enjoyment. The seasoning did not overwhelm the fish, so each topping kept its own character.
My favorite bite: uni
The uni was the piece I would choose if I could repeat just one bite. It felt soft and creamy, with a rich sweetness and none of the unpleasant aroma I sometimes worry about with sea urchin. It was exactly the kind of Hokkaido sushi experience I had hoped for.
Warm green tea brought the meal to a gentle finish. After the sequence of sushi, it was a simple and satisfying way to end lunch.
Would I go back?
Yes. Sushi Yuu suited us because we wanted a slower counter meal, attentive hospitality and memorable sushi. I would reserve ahead and leave enough room in the day to enjoy the course rather than squeeze it between sightseeing stops.
Questions before visiting
Is the ¥7,700 lunch price current?
¥7,700 was the price recorded for our visit. Check the restaurant’s current course information before booking.
Will the same sushi be served?
Our photographs show our own course. Treat them as an example of the meal we experienced, rather than a fixed list of toppings.
More restaurant reviews
For another seafood-focused dinner, see our Pearl Shell oyster bar review in Seoul. Browse more first-hand trips on Birdiway.
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