Why top sushi chef chose Hong Kong for first overseas branch of one of Japan’s best restaurants
Sushi Saito, Takashi Saito’s three-Michelin-star establishment in Tokyo, is extremely difficult to get a reservation at. Fortunately, he is now opening a restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Why did you choose to open your first and only overseas branch in Hong Kong? “My primary objective is to make sure everything here is exactly the same as in Tokyo. I’ve done collaborations before in other countries, but only in a consultation relationship.
“Right now, around the world, only Hong Kong can do the same-day delivery, same-day clearance through customs and deliver fresh fish to the restaurant. The ingredients are so important – I have to make sure all the ingredients here are the same.
“Secondly, from observations of my overseas guests, Hong Kong customers understand sushi culture: they understand how to appreciate it, they love it.”
How many Hong Kong guests visit Tokyo’s Sushi Saito? “About eight to 10 per month. But as you know, it’s very difficult to get into Sushi Saito [the counter seats only eight, and the restaurant doesn’t accept new customers unless they have been introduced by a regular guest].
“That’s pretty normal in Japan. Ever since Sushi Saito opened in 2004, some of my customers have been going there every week, non-stop – they never miss a session.”