Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku Review: Late Night Sushi in Tokyo

After traveling for 12 hours from California to Tokyo, I was exhausted, jet-lagged, and starving. It was midnight, and I figured I was stuck eating convenience store snacks.

That is when I remembered Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku.

This popular chain is famous across Japan for quality sushi at reasonable prices, but it was a total lifesaver that night because it is open until 5:00 AM.

Arrival

I arrived at Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku around 2 AM. As I approached, the bright lights of the restaurant were a welcome sight in the dark street.

Even at that hour, the restaurant was busy. Most guests appeared to be locals finishing up a night out drinking in Shinjuku, so the place was buzzing.

Above the entrance, you will see a photo of Kiyoshi Kimura, the president of Sushi Zanmai. Known as the “Tuna King,” Kimura is famous for spending millions on the first bluefin tuna auction of the New Year, a tradition believed to bring good luck. Some locations even feature a life-sized statue of him outside.

Since I was dining alone, I asked for a seat at the sushi counter. After about 10 minutes, a staff member led me to my spot but gave me a heads-up. Because of the late-night rush, food orders were taking about 30 minutes to arrive.

I was hungry and tired from the long journey, but I didn’t mind the wait. I had a cold beer in front of me, so I was happy to sit back and relax.

Interior

The interior was cozy but basic. The wooden decor and bright lights made the space feel welcoming, especially after a long flight. There was also traditional Japanese music playing in the background.

It wasn’t fancy, but the restaurant was clean and modern.

The dining room has tables on the left and a long sushi bar on the right. There is also a downstairs seating area, though I stayed on the main floor.

Since I was dining alone, I grabbed a seat at the sushi bar. This is the best seat in the house. You get a front-row seat to watch the chefs at work, and you can see all the fresh seafood lined up in the glass case right in front of you.

Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku Menu

The first page of the menu at Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku features a huge selection of nigiri sushi.

You can stick to staples like tuna, salmon, and yellowtail, or try more unique options like ark shell, surf clam, and horse mackerel.

If you want to try a little bit of everything, flip to the second page for the set menus. There are four sets to choose from, plus two sashimi bowls. All bowls and sets come with miso soup.

The drink menu has plenty of options, including beer, highballs, shochu, tea, wine, and whisky.

The ordering process is a mix of old and new. While they hand you a physical menu to browse, you actually place your order by scanning a QR code with your smartphone.

Just a heads-up, though. Even if you order on your phone, you still pay at the front register when you are done.

Kokoro-iki Sushi Set with Miso Soup

After traveling all day, I didn’t have the energy to pick and choose from the massive à la carte menu. So, I took the easy route and ordered the Kokoro-iki Sushi Set with Miso Soup.

This set comes with 12 pieces of sushi, a half tuna roll, and miso soup. Since I was at the counter, the chefs placed the beautiful platter right in front of me. Looking at that food, I instantly forgot about the long journey to get here.

What came in the Kokoro-iki Sushi Set?

Here is a breakdown of what I ate, moving from top to bottom, left to right.

Tuna Roll: The tuna in this simple roll was fresh. The rice was delicately sweet, with a subtle hint of vinegar complemented by the salty seaweed wrapper.

Egg: This piece of tamago was massive. The texture was light and moist, while the flavor balanced between salty and sweet. I loved how they hid a small amount of rice and seaweed underneath the egg.

Squid: While not my favorite, the squid stood out with its firm, chewy texture. Topping the squid was a piece of shiso leaf, which added a nice floral kick. If you are an adventurous eater, I recommend trying this.

Scallop: This was the highlight of the meal. The delicate scallop was sweet and buttery, almost melting in my mouth. If I could only eat one piece of sushi on my trips to Japan, it would be this scallop.

Snow Crab: I found the slender piece of snow crab soft and slightly spongy. On top was an interesting salty paste with a bitter note that reminded me of miso.

Bonito: This had a firm texture and a distinct, fishy flavor. It is definitely an acquired taste. While the bonito was much more intense than the other fish on the platter, the added ginger and green onions helped balance the strong flavors.

Huge Red Shrimp: This shrimp lived up to its name. It was huge. I really enjoyed the creamy texture and the natural sweetness of the meat.

Salmon Roe: While salmon roe might sound strange to some, this gunkanmaki (boat-shaped sushi) is one of my favorites. When each egg popped, it released a rush of salty ocean flavor that paired perfectly with the sweet sushi rice.

Minced Tuna with Green Onion: This was the second gunkanmaki on the platter. The minced tuna was fresh and creamy. A piece of green onion on top added a fresh, spicy crunch to break up the richness.

Medium Fatty Tuna: Also known as chūtoro, this cut comes from the back and belly sections of the tuna. It was bright pink with a fatty, creamy texture that felt indulgent.

Yellowtail: Also known as hamachi, the yellowtail was thick and meaty. It had a rich, buttery taste and a smooth texture. The sweetness reminded me of the scallop, but with the richness of the tuna.

Red Tuna: This was a classic piece of sushi. The tuna was thick and melted in my mouth, yet still had a satisfying texture. The sharp wasabi was the perfect counter to the sweet and salty notes of the fish.

Eel: Eel is another one of my all-time favorites. The combination of smoky and savory flavors was delicious. This piece was charred more than usual, which gave it crispy edges while keeping the inside moist.

Miso Soup

A bowl of miso soup was served on the side. This was hands down one of the simplest soups I have had in Japan.

But simple doesn’t mean bad. It was surprisingly tasty. The bowl was filled with seaweed that was so tender it almost melted in my mouth. It gave the broth a rich flavor that wasn’t too salty.

On a cold night in Tokyo, this soup was exactly what I needed. It was warm, comforting, and hit the spot after a long day of travel.

Service

Even at 2 AM, the restaurant was busy. Luckily, I only had to wait about 10 minutes for a seat at the counter.

Since I don’t speak Japanese, the smartphone ordering system was a huge help. Being able to see photos and order directly on my screen removed the language barrier completely.

The only downside to this system is that you don’t interact much with the staff. My interaction was limited to watching them work behind the counter and paying my bill.

As I mentioned earlier, the food took about 30 minutes to arrive because the kitchen was backed up.

When you are finished, remember to take your bill to the cashier at the front to pay. This is standard practice in Japan, but it can catch visitors off guard if they are used to paying at the table.

Overall, the service was efficient and I enjoyed my visit.

Conclusion

I have visited Sushi Zanmai several times, and it consistently hits the sweet spot between price and quality.

It sits right in the middle. It is a step up from cheap conveyor belt sushi, but it won’t drain your wallet like a high-end omakase counter.

In my opinion, Sushi Zanmai is the perfect starting point for a first-time visitor to Japan. You get the authentic experience of sitting at a counter and watching chefs prepare your food, but without the intimidation or high price tag of a luxury restaurant.

The Kokoro-iki Sushi Set I ordered was fresh, filling, and offered a great variety of fish for the price. It proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great meal in Tokyo.

If you are looking for a dependable sushi restaurant that is casual and welcoming, this is an excellent choice. And since they are open until 5:00 AM, it is your best bet for satisfying those late-night cravings.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros

• Affordable
• Fresh sushi
• Open late (until 5:00 AM)
• Casual atmosphere

Cons

• Often a wait for a table
• Sushi took 30 minutes to arrive

Last Updated on January 25, 2026