05 Sushi Sugahisa: Masahiro Suga

Introducing the guests and themes

theme

We spoke to Mr. Kan, who runs Sushi Sugahisa in Mizonokuchi, about the appeal of Edomae sushi and how to enjoy it with alcohol.

Disliked Foods

None. (I eat everything except poisonous things lol)

Guest Biography

Masahiro Suga, originally from Osaka, graduated from Rakuno Gakuen University in Hokkaido and lived in the Republic of Panama for two years as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. After completing his term, he worked for a major record company and Recruit in Tokyo, then worked at the Thai restaurant " Im Yem " in Kawasaki City, before taking the Sushi Meister course at the short-term intensive cooking school " Inshokujin University ". After training for two months at the head chef of a seafood izakaya in Tokyo and the Edomae sushi restaurant " Chiharu " in Osaka, he opened " Sugahisa " in Mizonokuchi, Kanagawa Prefecture in 2017.

What is your goal and what are you working on now?

In addition to serving delicious Edomae sushi, we are exploring new ways to enjoy sushi, such as combining Thai cuisine with sushi.

The appeal and fun of alcohol and food

What is Edomae sushi?

The origin of sushi is Funazushi , and the Kansai style Oshizushi was adapted in Edo to become Edomae Nigiri Sushi. Nigiri Sushi is also called "Hayazushi".

There are various ways of thinking about it, but nowadays, ingredients can be obtained anywhere, so I think Edomae sushi is nigiri sushi made with a touch of handwork, without being limited to a specific location, such as "Edo sushi shop = Edomae sushi." Historically, ingredients have evolved rapidly, so we are challenging ourselves with new forms of Edomae sushi, including a fusion with Thai cuisine.

What made you get hooked?

As a craftsman, I find it fascinating how amazing the techniques passed down from our predecessors are, and how flexible and free they are to evolve with the times.

What's the most memorable happy moment you've experienced since getting hooked?

I love cooking, so I'm always trying new things and seeing the customers' reactions when I serve them is fun and rewarding.

What is the appeal of Edomae sushi?

Traditions are often thought of as something strict, but I think the appeal of tradition is that it allows you to enjoy it in a free and relaxed manner, including learning about those traditions.

What failures have you experienced or lessons learned since getting hooked?

I used to think that if I followed a cookbook or recipe book, I would end up with something delicious, but sometimes the food turned out not to be so tasty. I learned that a recipe book is merely a guideline, and it's important to use it as a base and make your own adjustments that you think taste good.

I once cooked simmered conger eel in coconut milk, but it wasn't very tasty. I then made some improvements and discovered that adding cinnamon made it taste better. There's no perfect recipe, so I'd like to keep trying new things.

The most important points for enjoying the course: How to get started and advice

Rather than ordering each dish individually, the key to enjoying the restaurant's seasonal recommendations is to order "omakase" after telling them your likes and dislikes as well as your budget in advance.

It is important to eat nigiri sushi as soon as it is served. If it is left for a while, the temperature will drop, the rice will harden, and the flavor will decrease.

I think it doesn't matter whether you eat with your hands or chopsticks.

It tastes better if you eat it with the topping facing down.

Recommended ways to enjoy at home

We recommend the hand-rolled sushi that uses ingredients other than seafood.

It's fun to try different experiments, such as pairing blue cheese and pepper sushi rolls with Western liquor.

Recommended content for studying

I recommend Shota's Sushi .

Guests' unique way of enjoying alcohol

What kind of alcohol do you usually drink?

I drink anything.

The bar mainly serves sake, but also wine and tequila.

I especially recommend the tequila, as I made a tequila water cocktail with the owner of Gatito and paired it with sushi. The tequila tastes like a sharp potato shochu.

What pairings do you recommend?

In addition to sake and shochu, other interesting pairings include tequila with water and wine with sushi.

The pairing is done in such a way that the flavors of the alcohol and food are in harmony and in sync with each other.

We are also experimenting with temperature pairings (warm sake).

The way you taste the sake changes depending on the shape of the glass and the angle at which you raise the neck, so we have different types of sake cups to suit the type of sake.

The pairing will change depending on whether you eat first and then drink, or drink first and then eat, and whether the food or the alcohol is the main focus.

How to enjoy pairing at home

There's no rule that says you have to do it a certain way, so the most important thing is to enjoy what you like in the way you like, and try out different things.

The pairing of liver paste and jalapeno hand rolls with tequila was delicious.

It's also fun to make your own taste chart and share your impressions with your friends.

Recommended shops

The best Edomae sushi is Sugita in Kakigaracho, Nihonbashi.

Trends and services you're interested in

Thai food CHOMPO

Katagata Ya, a creative izakaya where you can drink aged sake

Sushi Sho is a place where people do Edomae sushi in Hawaii.

Guest contact and service information

Information about Sugahisa

FB: Sushi Sugahisa , Hentai Sushi

Instagram: @sushi_sugashisa

Things to keep in mind when enjoying guest services

First of all, come and enjoy the Edomae sushi, and relax and enjoy what kind of sushi will be served!

A message to enrich your life by enjoying food and drinks