Truly Tokyo

A Tokyo Travel Guide

Uoriki

If you’re in Shibuya and craving fresh, tasty sushi that won’t break the bank, look no further than Uoriki.

Uoriki's daily special sushi set.
Uoriki's daily special sushi set. - image © Florentyna Leow

Saito, Sawada, Jiro. These hallowed Michelin-starred sushi restaurants are highly sought after, and given the quality of their sushi, justly so. But that’s not how Tokyoites eat on a daily basis, especially when dinner at any of those places will set you back around JPY20,000~30,000 (around USD200-300). Instead, everyone should have a go-to place for times when you need to scratch that itch for decent sushi without breaking the bank.

The entrance to Uoriki restaurant is marked by white noren curtains.
The entrance to Uoriki restaurant is marked by white noren curtains. - image © Florentyna Leow

Enter Uoriki. Their name translates to ‘strong fish,’ which is particularly apt as they are mainly a seafood retailer. Luckily for us, their secondary business is sushi, which they offer at competitive, reasonable prices.

It's mainly counter seating here, and another two seats next to the window (not pictured).
It's mainly counter seating here, and another two seats next to the window (not pictured). - image © Florentyna Leow

Their Shibuya branch is in the very heart of the whole hub, right in the basement of Tokyu department store in Shibuya Station. Despite this, it remains a relatively quiet restaurant, probably because it’s sequestered away in a little corner of the west wing of the food basement.

The view from the front of Uoriki - cashiers to the left, bagging tables to the right.
The view from the front of Uoriki - cashiers to the left, bagging tables to the right. - image © Florentyna Leow

The easiest way to find Uoriki is to look for Seijo Ishii supermarket. Walk past the cashiers towards the elevators, and you’ll find the white noren curtains to the restaurant.

The English menu comes with photographs of each set meal.
The English menu comes with photographs of each set meal.- image © Florentyna Leow

Ordering sushi sets or rice bowls at Uoriki is super easy, as you can simply point at the photo of the set you’d like.

The back of the menu has a list of fish with names in Japanese, romanized readings of the Japanese names, and the English equivalents.
The back of the menu has a list of fish with names in Japanese, romanized readings of the Japanese names, and the English equivalents. - image © Florentyna Leow

The a la carte sushi section on the flip side is also well-translated. They have a wide selection of seafood, including several grades of tuna. Do try some of the less widely-eaten fish for nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), such as flounder or turbot. Both are delicious. Horse mackerel can be a little strong for first-timers. And, if you prefer your sushi without wasabi (as I do), you can specify this in your order. Try saying this in Japanese - “sabi-nuki.”

The daily special - they print this up every day.
The daily special - they print this up every day. - image © Florentyna Leow

I decided to try their daily special sushi set. You’ll find this on the laminated Japanese menu pictured above - it’s pronounced “gensen nama neta sushi.” This is a 10-piece set which changes daily depending on the season and the catch available at Tsukiji. I like that they take care to list where the fish was caught. That day the fish was from Miyazaki, Ehime, Russia, Kochi, Iwate, Aomori, and Nagasaki. It doesn’t look as though they have the resources to translate the menu everyday, so consider this a more adventurous option for non-Japanese readers! As long as you have no particular dislikes or allergies, it’s a fun way to eat.

Fresh, generous slices of fish on vinegar rice, with a little heap of pickled ginger on the side.
Fresh, generous slices of fish on vinegar rice, with a little heap of pickled ginger on the side. - image © Florentyna Leow

Clocking in at JPY2,380 or around USD20, this 10-piece sushi set is ridiculously good value for money. The fish was fresh and tasty - not premium, but that’s not what you’re paying for. It even comes with a sea urchin and a large botan ebi (spot prawn)!

Saving the best for last - a large spot prawn nigirizushi (hand-pressed sushi).
Saving the best for last - a large spot prawn nigirizushi (hand-pressed sushi). - image © Florentyna Leow

Incidentally, when it comes to hand-pressed sushi like this, it is completely acceptable to eat it with your fingers if you want, instead of chopsticks. (But you probably shouldn’t do that with sashimi.) You’ll want to pick it up, dip it fish-side down into the soy sauce and eat it all in one bite.

All sets come with miso soup with green scallions and seaweed.
All sets come with miso soup with green scallions and seaweed. - image © Florentyna Leow

I really liked the green seaweed miso soup served alongside. I suspect that they throw in all the fish bones and clam shells they accumulate every day, since the soup has so much umami depth you can taste the bottom of the seafloor.

There’s a row of chairs and a stand with a clipboard outside, indicating that Uoriki can see longer queues - likely during peak lunch and dinner hours. Consider yourself forewarned!
There’s a row of chairs and a stand with a clipboard outside, indicating that Uoriki can see longer queues - likely during peak lunch and dinner hours. Consider yourself forewarned! - image © Florentyna Leow

Uoriki is a casual sushi joint serving up fresh raw fish, and they do it well. Don’t expect Michelin-quality fish, but do go for a fresh, fun sushi meal in the heart of Shibuya.

For more Tokyo sushi restaurant choices, see our Best Sushi In Tokyo page.

Name:
Uoriki

Name in Japanese:
魚力

English address:
B1F Tokyu Toyoko-ten Depachika, 2-24-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku

Japanese address:
渋谷区渋谷2-24-1 東急百貨店西館B1F

Opening hours:
10:00~21:00 (L.O. 20:00)

Smoking environment:
No

Nearest station:
Shibuya Station

Reservations:
No

Outdoor seating:
No

Telephone:
+81-3-5428-3813

Website:
Uoriki.com

Customer Reviews:
:: Read customer reviews of Uoriki on TripAdvisor

Near To Here:
Uoriki is located in Tokyo's Shibuya district. See our complete list of things to do in Shibuya, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

Eat Like A Local In Tokyo
See all recommended places to eat in Tokyo where you can mingle with the locals.

More Tokyo Restaurant Recommendations:
See all sushi restaurants we recommend on our Best Sushi in Tokyo page and get the complete list for all cuisines on our Best Tokyo Restaurants page.

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