[Shanghai] Sushi Oyama 大山鮨

Sushi Oyama 大山鮨

Add: 2/F, 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Lu / 東湖路20號2樓, 近淮海路
Tel: 5404 7705
Hours: 5:30pm – 10:30pm (closed Sunday)
Price: 800 RMB/set menu, drinks extra
Visited: Aug 2010

The opening of Sushi Oyama, a 14-seat Japanese restaurant upstairs of the popular el Willy, was an exciting affair. As far as I know, it is the first omakase sushi restaurant in Shanghai, where you are at the mercy of the chef to serve you whatever he’s got based on market ingredients. Sushi Oyama works with seafood directly imported from Japan, and the menu changes nightly. You don’t have to worry about what to order because you don’t. Just sit back, relax, and let Oyama-san do his magic.

We started off with sake and were presented with a selection of cups to choose from – a small detail that made the meal feel more personalized. Oyama also offers shochu, plum wine, beer, and wines from Torres and el Willy downstairs.

Tonight’s Menu

1. First shot – clear broth of clams
2. Sashimi plate – sweet shrimp, Hokkaido scallop, medium-fatty tuna, yellowtail, and ???.
3. Vinegared seaweed with yam

4. Sushi: medium fatty tuna, mackerel, sea urchin, grunt with scorched skin
5. Cod fish with pomelo black pepper puree
6. Salad

7. Chopped fatty tuna with salmon roe over sushi rice
8. Steamed egg with salmon roe and sliced crab meat
9. Individual sushi: Botan-shrimp, red clam, anago (eel)
10. Chopped fatty tuna with quail egg bowl
11. Tamago-yaki (rolled eggs)
12. Miso soup

13. Panna cotta with blueberry compote
14. Lemon & mango sorbet

What a meal!

I love Sushi Oyama. Incredible attention to details and impeccable quality, every course, including the extraordinary miso soup, was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend the bar seats because you can observe Oyama-san prepare the food, and learn about what you are eating when you are at it. There are two tables and one private room available if you so choose.

Click here to see my more recent and comprehensive review of Sushi Oyama.