An Evening Alone Stacking Plates at Sushinro in Shinjuku Sanchome, Tokyo

Exiting Shinjuku-Sanchome Station and walking along the underground passage, you'll spot the Sushinro sign. In Tokyo, conveyor belt sushi restaurants are everywhere, but finding a…

Tokyo · Sushiro Shinjuku Sanchome

Exiting Shinjuku-Sanchome Station and walking along the underground passage, you'll spot the Sushinro sign. In Tokyo, conveyor belt sushi restaurants are everywhere, but finding a seat during dinner hours in the heart of Shinjuku is another matter entirely. When I arrived, there were about a dozen teams ahead of me on the waiting tablet. The moment I registered as a single diner at the counter, my turn jumped way up. That day, I learned definitively that the seating structure here favors solo diners.

All orders via tablet, with Korean language support

Once seated, there's a vertical tablet display facing you. Switch the language to Korean and all the menu photos, names, and prices appear in Korean text. The Korean menu is clearly visible in the photo on screen as well. This means you won't have any trouble ordering even if you don't know Japanese. You can pick dishes off the conveyor belt above, but if you order via the tablet, they're delivered on a separate rail right to your seat. An arrival chime sounds, and all you need to do is reach out and grab your plate.

According to the instructions on the table, don't return plates that you've taken from the conveyor belt. It's for hygiene reasons, and I witnessed customers, clearly visiting for the first time, unconsciously returning plates to the belt, only to be gently redirected by staff members at the next table.

Fried dishes — you have to catch them fresh

It might seem odd to order fried food at a sushi restaurant, but Sushinro's fried assortment is deep-fried immediately upon order. Shrimp, squid legs, and white fish were stacked neatly in a black paper boat. The squid legs were fried a deep, charred brown at the edges, and when you bit into them, the crispy exterior burst with juices. The shiso leaves layered underneath were also fried alongside, so their fragrance drifted through the oil.

However, fried food loses its crunch as it cools. About three minutes after arriving, the bottom started to absorb oil from the paper and became soggy. I tried to save a few plates of sushi to eat later, but that plan failed. When fried dishes arrive, the right move is to stop what you're doing and finish them first.

One piece of chu-toro — this is really why you came

No matter how good the fried items or side dishes are, it'd be a shame to leave without trying tuna. I ordered a plate of chu-toro. The red meat was threaded with fine white fat, and it was cut large enough to spread across both sides of the rice. The sight of a single piece sitting on that white plate stamped with the Sushinro logo somehow drew the eye even more.

As it enters your mouth, the fat melts first against your body heat. The rice is surprisingly densely packed, leaving a distinct texture as you chew. I didn't have high expectations for chu-toro from a conveyor belt sushi chain, but this level leaves no complaints about the value. One piece wasn't enough, so I ended up ordering another plate.

The mystery of a green soda

Beverages are also ordered via tablet. When I pressed melon soda, a fluorescent green drink arrived with ice. Picking up the glass, water droplets beaded on its surface, making my hand slippery, and bubbles continuously rose from within. The flavor was less melon and more like the green hard candy I ate as a kid. The sweetness was quite strong, which definitely helped wash away the fried oil.

The soy sauce bottle visible in the background of the photo is placed at each seat. Rather than pouring directly onto the sushi, it's better to apply it lightly to the front plate or fish. If you pour it on the rice, the clumped grains dissolve and crumble as you pick them up. Green tea is available with powder and hot water dispenser at your seat, so you can mix it yourself. There's no extra charge for this.

Location and tips for waiting

It's just a short walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station. If you walk from the Isetan department store side, you won't get lost on the way. It's also walking distance from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station, but once you emerge at street level, you'll get swept up in the crowds—heading underground is faster.

Things I figured out from actually experiencing them.

• Evenings from 6-8pm have long wait times. Between 2-4pm was the quietest.
• You can pre-reserve via the Sushinro app, and you can sign up even without a Japanese phone number. Since on-site conditions can change, it's recommended to confirm before visiting.
• The single counter seats definitely get served faster. If you're alone, don't bother choosing a table seat.
• For payment, call a staff member to your seat or request via tablet—they'll come count your plates. After that, you pay at the register.
• Prices vary depending on the time and menu items, so it's most accurate to go by what's shown on the tablet screen.

By the time I'd finished all my plates and left, outside was already dark. It was the time when the signs of Shinjuku-Sanchome's alleys were lighting up one by one, my stomach was full, but my wallet wasn't hurting much. On a day in Tokyo when spending big money on sushi feels awkward, a choice like this leaves no regrets.