Shunsai Oguraya

Japanese dining is prized for its ability to do much with basic ingredients. Kaiseki, in particular, focuses on presentation and ingredient quality to create stunning meals without overwhelming flavors or sauces. And at Shunsai Oguraya, the cultivated menu and freshest produce come together for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Price range

While there is an á la carte menu, we’d recommend the course options for a first-time visit. There are three to choose from, priced at ¥5,500, ¥7,700, and ¥11,000. Each one has the chef’s personal choice of dishes walking you through their pick of seasonal produce, as well as fresh meat and fish.

If you’ve been before, or something on the menu catches your eye, you can also order individual plates. These will set you back around ¥1,000 to ¥2,000 each. We’d recommend at least 4 or 5 of these per guest, so budget around ¥8,000 before drinks.

Food

Shunsai Oguraya’s chef focuses on kaiseki-style dining, plating their food with as few spices and sauces as possible. This allows diners to taste the subtle notes in the main ingredients, which are hand-selected by the staff.

Their seasonal menu is locally sourced, with vegetables often coming from either nearby farms, or neighbouring prefectures. Meanwhile, the meat and fish is usually caught and prepared a day or two before serving, ensuring none of their flavor is lost.

For the plates, expect a centerpiece of seasonal goodness as the main element of a dish, with a small garnish or simple seasoning to complement it. Fish and meat is often lightly seared to provide texture, before being plated with rice or vegetables — like the popular sakura sea bream with rice. Meanwhile, vegetables are served raw, picked, or fried in tempura batter, depending on the chef’s expert judgement of its flavor profile.

Both elements come together to create light, delicious dishes where the texture and flavor notes of the main ingredient shines. Don’t just take our word for it either, as Shunsai Oguraya previously held a Michelin Star in 2021.

Drinks

An equal amount of care goes into Shunsai Oguraya’s choice of drink pairings. The drinks menu contains a mix of different alcohol from around Japan. These include sake and other grain spirits, as well as shochu, or plum wine. These are all served by the glass, and are priced between ¥600 and ¥1,500, making it easy to try a mix of spirits.

If you’re not sure what to pair with your food, the chef is always happy to help with suggestions.

Ambience

Despite being near a busy train station and national highway, Shunsai Oguraya is an oasis of calm. The restaurant entrance gives the welcoming feel of walking into a home, rather than a business. Once inside, the decor shifts to minimalist and elegant, with warm wooden tones and simple pull-out seats at the counter. There’s a light hum of conversation, but no music to pull you away from experiencing your food to the fullest.

Making a reservation

Shunsai Oguraya is extremely popular, and with its private rooms and limited counter space, reservations are a must. You can reserve online using Tablecheck.

Shunsai Oguraya is good for:

The restaurant is excellent for anyone who really wants to experience the soul of Japanese cooking. If you’re after an experience that explains why simplicity is at the heart of so many Japanese meals, stop by. With just a few simple, high-quality ingredients and a talented chef, you’ll fall in love too.

by Shyam Bhardwa