Tabelog ratingSushi Matsu (鮨 松) is a small, focused sushi bar in Hiroshima that has quickly become a destination for its singular approach to Edomae-style sushi. The experience is built around local seafood from the Setouchi region and, most notably, a firm, assertive shari (sushi rice) made with red vinegar that reviewers consistently praise as the restaurant's defining feature.
The omakase menu showcases the chef's craft through both nigiri and tsumami (small plates). Guests frequently highlight the quality of seasonal catches like sayori (halfbeak), sawara (Spanish mackerel), and kuruma ebi (Japanese tiger prawn), all enhanced by the unique texture and acidity of the rice. Multi-part preparations, such as ankimo (monkfish liver) or chawanmushi with clam, demonstrate meticulous technique. The chef’s calm, personable demeanor and his wife’s thoughtful sake pairings are also recurring points of praise, with many diners singling out the final inari sushi as a memorable finish.
While the experience is highly rated, a few points of friction appear in reviews. Booking is exceptionally difficult, and a small number of guests have noted mixed service moments. Following recent price increases, a few regulars felt the portion sizes were modest for the cost, while others found the nikiri (glaze) a touch strong. The omakase course is priced at ¥18,700; reviewers have recently reported total bills with drinks ranging from approximately ¥16,500 to ¥21,700.
Despite this, most diners consider Sushi Matsu to offer excellent value for the high level of technique and quality ingredients on display.
- Booking: Reservations are mandatory and extremely difficult to secure, handled via the restaurant's LINE account or during limited monthly phone windows. Expect to plan weeks or months in advance.
- Seating: The restaurant has just nine seats at a single counter. Service is a single seating per evening with a unified start time for all guests.
- Getting There: Located on the ground floor, a short walk from Inari Machi station.
- Payment: Major credit cards (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not.
- Language: Service is in Japanese. Visitors who do not speak the language should be prepared with a translation app.
- Rules: The restaurant is non-smoking and has no parking. Guests are asked to refrain from wearing strong fragrances.
