Hanamizushi

Start with shellfish sashimi and finish with a few pieces of nigiri: at Hanamizushi, one reviewer’s meal followed their appetite rather than a set plan. They chose sashimi of whelk, pen shell, geoduck clam and ark shell, and enjoyed the contrast between the whelk and geoduck’s crisp bite, the pen shell’s slightly grainy texture followed by sweetness, and the ark shell’s softer mouthfeel. Whether you want to focus on sashimi or move from small plates to nigiri, the choice can suit the occasion. Reviewers also appreciate being able to order the nigiri they want without a fixed course or time pressure.

One diner’s nigiri choices included tuna and sea urchin. The tuna’s aroma lingered, while the sea urchin—which they said they do not often eat—proved tempting enough to want more. Other menu highlights mentioned include “sea urchin and salmon roe,” nigiri, sashimi, ark shell, flounder and engawa, the fin muscle of a flatfish. You might begin with shellfish sashimi, then order any appealing toppings as nigiri.

For something between pieces of nigiri, shrimp shinjo and chawanmushi are also options. Shrimp shinjo appears among the menu suggestions and was recommended by a reviewer. Another diner enjoyed chawanmushi, a savoury steamed egg custard, with salmon roe. These make a good choice when you’d like something warm or want to try a little beyond nigiri.

Wine is another way to shape the meal. One reviewer paired Chablis with shellfish sashimi, then chose a full-bodied Primitivo from southern Italy for the richer nigiri later in the meal—a useful reference if you’re considering wine. Hanamizushi is a sushi restaurant in Meguro, and reviews mention both counter and table seating. One diner also visited alone, making it a place to enjoy dinner at your own pace and choose the dishes that appeal to you.