Open 24 hours, 365 days a year — a popular Japanese restaurant at Tsukiji Market

Text and photos byPingzi

When visiting Tokyo, Japan, how can you miss Tsukiji seafood? Pingzi would like to recommend Sushi Zanmai Main Store at Tsukiji Kyubey, a 24-hour chain sushi restaurant from Kyubey. No need to worry about it being closed on weekends or public holidays, and there's no need to get upset over long queues. Enjoy Tsukiji seafood for lunch or dinner any time of the year — it never closes, satisfying all your taste buds.

Want to enjoy fresh seafood in Tsukiji, Japan? Foodies shouldn’t miss this. First, take the Tokyo Metro to Tsukiji Station, and it’s just a 5-minute walk to Tsukiji Market.

How to get to Tsukiji Market Station? Take the Tokyo Metro to “Tsukiji Market Station.” You can check here:http://www.tokyometro.jp/tcn/ticket/search/index.php.

A convenient way to get to Tsukiji Market from Shinjuku is by taking the Tokyo Metro Oedo Line. Board the subway bound for Roppongi or Daimon at Shinjuku Station and get off at Tsukiji Market Station. The trip from Shinjuku Station to Tsukiji Market Station takes about 20 minutes.

To get to Tsukiji Market from Shibuya, the most convenient option is to use the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line. Take the Ginza Line (bound for Asakusa) from Shibuya Station, then transfer to the Hibiya Line at Ginza Station. Please note that the Hibiya Line’s Tsukiji Station and the Oedo Line’s Tsukiji Market Station are different — be careful not to mix them up.

Tsukiji Market covers a vast area, and just looking at the map shows why it attracts all seafood lovers. It draws visitors from around the world every year.

Tsukiji Market is divided into the inner market and outer market, both covering a large space. Everyone wakes up early, and because the inner market is closed on weekends and public holidays, many Japanese sushi restaurants close by 1 PM. On weekdays, even the famously popular Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi have long queues — tempers can flare.

The wide array of shops at Tsukiji Market all offer their specialties — fresh sushi, N<饭系列。

Pingzi thinks that for those who want to avoid the queues but still enjoy Tsukiji seafood for lunch or dinner, they should consider Sushi Zanmai from Tsukiji Kyubey, which has many branches, operates 24 hours a day, and never closes all year — pretty amazing, right? A sushi restaurant can truly achieve this level of greatness.

The Sushi Zanmai sign is eye-catching and can be spotted at the corner of alleys — you really can’t miss it. With a large white background, pink lettering, and black text indicating it’s open 24/7 all year.

Sushi Zanmai has a main store and branches. Pingzi visited the main store in the outer market (as shown in the photo above). This is the Sushi Zanmai main store at Tsukiji.

It displays an award badge from TripAdvisor, so you know the reviews must be pretty good.

There’s a mascot figure of the owner at the entrance — haha, it’s really amusing, and every customer taking a seat will rush to take photos with it.

The artistic Japanese characters of the Sushi Zanmai logo are well-known far and wide.

The interior of the Sushi Zanmai main store is spacious, with dining areas on the first, second, and third floors, as well as counter seating. We were seated in the wall-side seating area on the first floor. The dining area is divided into a smoking section on the first floor, a non-smoking section on the second floor, and private rooms on the third floor.

No matter when you come, there are always crowds — it’s quite something. Sometimes, the queue during meal times is almost as long as those at Tsukiji’s famous restaurants.

Sitting at the counter lets you watch the chefs prepare fresh fish sushi.

Professionalism makes great business — watching the chefs prepare sushi with precision shows the attention to detail typical of the Japanese.

Before the meal is served, you’ll be given a hot drink — Pingzi loves this, and it’s unlimited refills.

Tableside arrangement and provision of sauces.

If you’re unsure how to order at Sushi Zanmai, don’t worry — they offer menus in Japanese, Chinese, and English. Very professional, right? No need to worry about not understanding Japanese or how to order. Pingzi recommends getting a set meal — you’ve come all the way to Tsukiji, after all, so treat yourself.

Each dish comes with a picture and price, so no worries. If you’re not sure, just ask the staff. Pay after you finish your meal.

The menu is illustrated with lots of dishes. Late March to early April is tuna season, and many nearby fish vendors are slicing tuna. The tuna here at Kyubey is well-known — each year, it’s mostly secured through bids by the company president’s team, such as 222 kg for 155 million yen. The price hit a new high in the history of the auction, and you can enjoy fresh tuna during this season.

That day, Pingzi ordered the Sushi Zanmai set meal series — just looking at the photo is comforting.

Just looking at this entire order form shows how many choices there are, with prices clearly marked. You don’t have to keep asking about prices, which is one of the things Pingzi likes about dining at Sushi Zanmai.

We selected two sets: one (No. 58) for 3,000 yen & another (No. 59) for 1,980 yen.

(No. 58) 3,000 yen set / the bottom photo & (No. 59) 1,980 yen / the top photo — just looking at them makes you realize how generous the portions are, with such fresh dishes. The presentation of ingredients like nigiri sushi is quite different from what you’d find in Taiwan, offering a really refreshing take.

Just looking at this dazzling array of sushi, bursting with vibrant colors — it’s not just about arranging salmon, tuna, or swordfish. They’ve also incorporated tamago, sea urchin, and special vegetables into the plating.

The rice is all cold vinegar rice, firm with distinct grains and a slightly sweet flavor. Paired with the seafood and sweet shrimp on top, everything is incredibly fresh, melting in your mouth like a dance on the tongue.

(No. 59) 1,980 yen — no less impressive. At 1,000 yen cheaper than the (No. 58) 3,000 yen set, it still comes with shrimp, salmon roe, sea urchin, squid, and more, all equally delicate. In Taiwan, such refined dishes would usually cost several thousand yen, but at Tsukiji, it’s an incredibly economical way to eat.

The translucent fish eggs shimmer brilliantly, while the sea urchin beside them is tender and melts in your mouth. Seafood lovers simply can’t miss this global paradise for seafood cuisine.

Even the simple bowl of miso soup is done without any shortcuts — the broth isn’t overly salty and is smooth and delicious.

The fish is sweet and tender, with layers of delicate fat slowly melting the moment it touches your tongue. Highly recommended. Maybe you’re thinking: is just a few pieces of nigiri enough to fill you up? Even the big-eater Pingzi was super full and satisfied. The portions here are hearty and the freshness uncompromising — that’s why Pingzi gives it such a strong endorsement. If you’re ever hungry late at night and don’t know what to eat, head to Tsukiji Market and try Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushi Sushizanmai — you won’t regret it.

Location of Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushi Sushizanmai Main Store.

Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushi Sushizanmai Main Store
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Address: 4-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
Phone: +81-(0)3-3541-1117.

Sushizanmai Branch Store
Address: 4-10-6 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Business Hours: 24 hours.
Official Website:http://www.kiyomura.co.jp/.

Upssmile Pingzi (up’s smile / Upward Smile)!
She is a designer and also a photographer for Upward Smile Travel, Food, Design, and Photography.
Passionate about “Travel,” “Food,” “Design,” “Photography,” and movies.