Most traditional Japanese restaurant in São Paulo: Shin Zushi

I recently went to dinner at Shin Zushi: the most traditional Japanese restaurant in São Paulo and I left amazed! Located in the Paraíso neighborhood, next to Jardins, it was founded 40 years ago and is now in its second generation, under the command of brothers Ken and Nobu Mizumoto. In a relaxed atmosphere, haute Japanese cuisine with emphasis on the high quality Omakase menu.

Whoever passes by the discreet facade of the Shin Zushi on Rua Afonso de Freitas, you wouldn’t imagine that there is exactly one of the best japanese restaurants of the city. Remembering that reservations are essential and so is punctuality. Even more so in times of pandemic. The restaurant, which has capacity for 80 people, now has two fewer tables and a counter, where, for now, only ten diners can fit instead of 17.

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Customers are always greeted with a festive welcome and don’t be surprised if the staff speak Japanese to each other. Which, by the way, makes us feel like we’re actually in Tokyo, where chef Ken lived for ten years. “I went to Tokyo because real sushi is only there,” he says, serving the delicacies on an Aspidistra leaf, as if it were a plate.

Most traditional Japanese restaurant in São Paulo

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O menu

On the Omakase menu, there are 17 pieces, with very fine cuts, of the best fish of the day, with an impressive variety. Among them, for example, groupers, buri (fish eye), sea urchin, toro, marinated tuna and a creative sweet corn tempura. The fish comes from Ceasa and the Municipal Market, with some exceptions from outside São Paulo, such as Buri, from Cabo Frio, according to him “the best in Brazil”.

In addition to immersing ourselves in real Japanese cuisine, when ordering from the Omakase menu, we have the chance to get up close and personal with the chefs. And Ken, in addition to being extremely talented, is an excellent and fun host, which makes the dinner even more attractive. Furthermore, there is nothing like hearing in detail the explanations of each dish or sushi, where they came from and the story behind them.

The Edomae style

Zushi is a supporter of the Edomae style, therefore, he defends traditional Japanese cuisine, focused on valuing the regional foods available to create the dishes. They are meticulously prepared and presented in their most natural state, with the aim that the flavor is preserved to the maximum.

The environment do most traditional Japanese restaurant in São Paulo

Meanwhile, of course, those who prefer to sit in the dining room and order à la carte will receive very good service and will certainly leave the most traditional Japanese restaurant in São Paulo satisfied. The main feature here is not the decoration but the quality of the food. The tables and chairs are wooden and the light is cold. We could easily be in Japan, as the service is agile and attentive. Remembering that Zushi also opens at lunch time.

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Text and Photos: Renata Araújo