Wa Shin

Incredible experience. Amazing sushi and very friendly chef and staff. We felt very welcomed and had an amazing time! This is one of the best fine dining experiences I've had anywhere, and for $185 I'm convinced that it's the best value as well. Can't wait to come back!

In my opinion, the best sushi omakase in Boston. You are transported to Japan with the decor, traditional Edomae style, and flavorful bites. The quality of the fish and service are unmatched. Chef and all of his staff are accommodating, knowledgable, personable, and timely. The menu prioritizes seasonal ingredients which results in the highest variety and quality. The a la carte menu before the sweet courses allows even further exploration. I cannot recommend any place more highly than this!

Really fantastic omakase experience. Chefs and waiters were really friendly and accommodating, and the food was just spectacular. Less flashy perhaps than other omakase restaurants found in the US, but more than makes up for it with fresh, high quality ingredients done simple and done right. Perhaps the most authentic omakase experience to be had in Boston right now.

Had a wonderful experience at Wa Shin. The omakase was every bit as exceptional as expected — each course beautifully prepared and thoughtfully balanced. Chef Sky was not only incredibly skilled, but also warm, friendly, and made the whole evening feel personal and inviting. The space itself is peaceful and elegantly designed, creating the perfect setting to fully enjoy the meal. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a refined yet welcoming omakase experience.

Simply amazing. It is difficult to find the words to accurately describe this experience. If you’re considering it, just do it!! The level of service and attentiveness is unlike anything I have ever experienced or witnessed. The attention to detail is incredible, and of course every bite was perfect. Chef Sky and the entire staff gave us the most memorable experience, one that we will likely never stop talking about.

To make reservations, it did take a couple of months if you want to coordinate for the common dinner times between like 5-7. I advise to look for booking your dinner time as soon as possible. It was hard to find the front door, but eventually we found the door on the side next to the door. We were greeted warmly and felt very welcomed upon entry. They took our coats and walked us to our seats. The ambiance is very peaceful, calming and enjoyable. The staff were very attentive. The head chef was charismatic and explained what every dish was. They all ask in advance upon seated to know if there were any allergies so that there can be alternatives. The omakase experience was very enjoyable and tasty. The seafood is very fresh that came from Tokyo! They had some seasonal fish was very great to try! Throughout the dinner, the staff remained very attentive. Overall, it was a positive experience!

If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation at Wa Shin in Boston, do it - it’s a quiet masterclass in Japanese cuisine with a killer play list while you enjoy. Every detail is deliberate, from the minimalist, calming decor to the meticulous preparation of each dish. The food itself is stunning — balanced, elegant, and incredibly fresh. The standout? Honestly, it’s impossible to pick just one. The fish is so fresh it practically introduces itself, and the flavors are so clean and layered that it makes me question why I ever move out of South East Asia. Wa Shin somehow strikes the rare balance of feeling high-end without ever being pretentious. It’s refined but welcoming, luxurious and relaxed. I left already plotting how soon I could come back — and seriously reconsidering every mediocre sushi I’ve tolerated over the past 3 years.

Absolutely blown away by the amazing service and outstanding culinary omakase at Wa Shin. Every course was a delight — fresh, inventive, and perfectly balanced. The staff went above and beyond to make the experience memorable.

Absolutely wonderful fine dining experience. You sit at the intimate chefs counter and watch them cut and prepare each dish. It's also great to chat with the chef, he's awesome. The service is incredibly attentive, ex. your tea cup is always filled, a drop on your plate is cleaned, pickled ginger always supplied, your phone even gets a little tatami mat! Fish and seafood is incredibly fresh and tender. You can definitely tell the high quality of ingredients, most of which is sourced from Japan. A lovely dinner for a special occasion!

Wa Shin is high end Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is beautiful. Simplistic elegant design creates a peaceful atmosphere. I was brought here by my Japanese born friend. Her boasting about this place was true. The food is incredible. Flavor and freshness of the sushi is the best I have ever had. Expertise of presentation made food look like art. The passion to be perfect at every stage was enjoyable to watch and appreciated. The service, food and experience were perfect. The reviews are right. This is a five star establishment. Your time here will be memorable.

Outstanding. Service from the moment you enter the door to the time you leave is Michelin star quality. Watching Chef Sky & his team prepare the sushi was like watching an artist at work. He was so friendly with a great sense of humor to keep us entertained all evening. There were 8 of us total at the 7pm seating. We were sat immediately & were finished by about 8:50-55pm with an 18 course omakase & optional add ons. Chef Sky explained in detail the type & origin of each fish, with many being imported from Japan. The fish itself was the star of each dish (as it should be) & you could really taste the freshness with each bite. The ambiance was perfect. High end with Japanese inspired decor & soft Japanese lofi playing in the background. Price after tip, 2 omakases, a beer, & an A5 wagyu with uni add-on for each of us came out to $592. Obviously this is a special occasion meal but this experience was phenomenal & highly recommend for a special evening. Courses: 1 Firefly squid Japan 2 Japanese skipjack tuna 3 Japanese skil fish rare 4 Japanese grouper 5 Japanese wild yellowtail 6 Japanese golden eyed snapper 7 Japanese hotate scallop from Hokkaido 8 Young sea bream/snapper 9 Boston King Salmon 10 Japanese Bluefin Tuna 11 Japanese Toro Fatty Tuna 12 Japanese Mackeral Seki Sapa famous 13 Japanese hairy crab 14 Hokkaido Uni 15 Tuna hand roll A5 Wagyu with uni 16 Salt eel 17 Egg cake tomago Japanese hot tea 18 Matcha Panna cotta

To make reservations, it did take a couple of months if you want to coordinate for the common dinner times between like 5-7. I advise to look for booking your dinner time as soon as possible. It was hard to find the front door, but eventually we found the door on the side next to the door. We were greeted warmly and felt very welcomed upon entry. They took our coats and walked us to our seats. The ambiance is very peaceful, calming and enjoyable. The staff were very attentive. The head chef was charismatic and explained what every dish was. They all ask in advance upon seated to know if there were any allergies so that there can be alternatives. The omakase experience was very enjoyable and tasty. The seafood is very fresh that came from Tokyo! They had some seasonal fish was very great to try! Throughout the dinner, the staff remained very attentive. Overall, it was a positive experience!

Ate here on a Tuesday night and my experience was stellar! All of the chefs and wait staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. Good vibes all around. I loved all of the courses, as they were relatively traditional and had bold flavors. My favorite bites were the Toro with caviar, the pufferfish eggs (add-on), and the Japanese mackerel. All of the fish tasted extremely fresh, and the chefs shared that nearly everything came in from Japan that morning. My only recommendation would be to add a wine and sake pairing to enhance the experience. Wa Shin could very easily hold its own with the likes of many mid-to-high tier NYC omakase spots. Extremely reasonable base price of $185 for super high quality sushi. Overall, a must try if you're an omakase lover and in downtown Boston!

I would declare this the best omakase in Boston. The ambience is so perfect that we forgot about the passing of time, and felt like we had been transported to Japan. The chef's passion and dedication to detail really shines through the beautifully prepared dinner and experience before your eyes.

The 18 course omakase was an amazing experience. Everything was delicious, the service was great, and the head chef was friendly. They even put a candle in my dessert to celebrate my birthday :) Only downside is that the wine pours were small, especially at $22/glass.

I'm speechless. Wa Shin is that good! The omakase rivals the best in NYC with the freshness of the fish and the exceptional ambiance and service. It ain't cheap but for the caliber of food, you are more than getting your money's worth. I love when a chef focuses on highlighting the natural flavors of the fish. I don't need a lot of fancy bells and whistles, aka going overboard with the sauces and garnishes, and it's a thin line between overzealous creativity and one or two add-on's that really make the piece sing. The painstaking eye for detail is apparent from the wood used for the counter (hinoki, imported from Japan) to the staff making sure your drink is always filled to the little bowl of house-made pickled ginger (with a tinge of yuzu) is never empty. I noticed Chef Sky would adapt immediately to customers' preferences - if someone didn't like shrimp, he switched it out for another fish; if someone else preferred less wasabi, he made sure to modulate. The chefs also constantly made tiny scores in the fish for more depth of flavor, especially for the pieces getting torched. I could go on and on about what an incredible meal this was. The rice - temperature, coherence, taste - was perfect. From start (an oyster topped with uni) to finish (lychee sorbet), everything reflected a commitment to taste that you wouldn't expect anything less from someone who was mentored by Nakazawa himself. My favorites: - King salmon. Insanely buttery. Best piece of salmon I've ever had. - Tamago. Like an eggy cake. If you've watched Jiro, you know that scene of Nakazawa trying to perfect the tamago and this was all I could think about. - Medium-fatty tuna with caviar. - Eel: this isn't the eel you see in sushi spots where it looks a little too perfect and is drowning in sweet soy sauce. This eel was a lighter color and, yes, cliched as it sounds, melted in my mouth. I will say that a lot of the pieces were pretty light and clean, with only a minimal amount of sauce or garnish. I walked out feeling the perfect level of satiety after 18 courses. To top it all off, Chef Sky is a hoot. Can't say enough good things. 5/5! 10/10 A++++

Absolutely hands down the best sushi I've ever had in my life. Chef Sky is phenomenal!!!!! Ambiance was fantastic. Service impeccable. Definitely going to head back again soon!!!!! Hopefully Chef will teach me how to make Gyudon. :).

After hearing from friends about their amazing dining experience at Wa Shin, we were stoked to try this new omakase spot. We were lucky to get a reservation, which open 14 days in advance and are released online daily at 12:00pm EST. The interior is beautiful and spacious, with each counter seat offering an intimate view of the chefs and their meticulous craftsmanship throughout the evening. Chef Sky and his team thoughtfully prepared an immersive, upscale, yet homey dining experience for each guest, engaging us in conversation throughout the night and providing impeccable service (even folding and unfolding the napkin when a guest returned from the restroom). In regards to food, each piece of nigiri seemed better than the last. The creativity of flavor combinations, freshness of their ingredients, and premium quality set this dinner apart from other omakase spots in Boston. We left completely full and satisfied and are already looking for an excuse to return!

Sounding like a broken record- as is every other review. This is the best omasake in Boston. Traditional and extremely fresh. No added fancy sauces. Very subtle flavors are added that bring out the fish's natural flavors. For once every dish isn't scotched to hell. Only a few fish see a touch, and just enough to bring out the fish's fat. The staff are incredible. A tiny piece of garnish fell off my plate and a server Immediately saw it and grabbed it off the counter. The sushi chefs are very personable and talk to you throughout the meal. It's kind of like you're just hanging out, but still manages to remain high end. I highly recommend anyone to come here if you like sushi. You will get addicted and come here again again and again. 5/5

Came here for a girls' night dinner, they were nice to seat us at the corner of the counter so we could kind of face each other instead of along the counter. Definitely intimate setting but love the decor and the ambiance. Perfect little date spot too! The wait staff were all super nice and knew their stuff - from the fish to the wine menu. It was also cute of them to offer little coasters for our phone, first time seeing that - or maybe I don't do enough fine dining to know any better? But each course was delicious - the chef explained each fish and everything was so good I could've eaten two of every thing. If you want a fun omakase experience with variety but quality, this is one of the best I have had in Boston. They also change up their menu which is great so you can come back and enjoy the ambiance and new dishes more than once!

My goodness... what can I say?! I was so grateful to be in the presence of Chef Sky. I read about him on the website. His personality is very warm and friendly. The ambiance was very nice. The arrangement of bonsai trees in the back, the beautiful dishes behind the chef, the wood... all beautiful. The service was amazing. The servers were attentive of keeping my eating area clean, drinks full/replenished, and the chefs making sure I had enough ginger before I was completely done. I want to bring sooo many people here to experience this! It was art! I thought I wouldn't be full from sashimi and nigiri, but I felt just right by the end of all the courses. We had 2 deserts: a spongey cake, and ginger ice cream topped with pistachio. Green tea was served right before our ice cream which was delicious as well. I enjoyed everything and I look forward to coming back! Everyone was so kind and attentive. The fish was fresh, delicious and amazing. To watch Chef Sky and his assistants help cut and torch fish was a treat! Such an honor to watch them perform such beautiful art!

The quality of the fish here is up there!! I love how clean the space is, other than the work station, it's very minimal and clean. I really like watching the chef make the sushi in front of us and how they prepare each course. The fish to filling ratio was perfect, and I appreciate that they don't just give you miso soup and call it a course LOL, but your starters are pretty much protein so it's pretty worth on that aspect. And everything is SO FRESH. Loved the raw scallop and otoro of course! They also re-up your ginger which is a gamechanger because I love ginger Def a place to go for a special occasion or if you just feel like going all out for a high quality meal ($185/pp) After 18 courses, I left satisfied and comfortably full!

Probably one of the best omakase's in Boston. The food has been very consistent and very good. The fish is super fresh and the ever changing menu keeps the experience new and engaging every visit. Especially for the sub $200 price range. Chef Sky and the staff are also super warm and friendly. Welcoming to all levels of omakase customers. The service staff was extremely attentive at all time would rate service an A+ The chefs counter is definitely the nicest buildout in Boston. Super clean modern and sleek.

If there's one thing Boston is lacking, it's omakase spots. Compared to NYC, we just don't have that many. Few and far between, I am always excited when I find one. Enter the brand new spot, Wa Shin. The host/manager Matt was super friendly. He was very polite, and is the expert on their alcohol. He can tell you all about the drinks and sake and suggest something to your liking. Absolutely ask Matt for guidance on your beverage selection. Chef Sky's omakase concept is not to be missed. The setup is roughly 12 counter seats if I'm not mistaken, but the area dedicated to the sushi chefs is huge. Many places I've been to in NY, the area for the chefs to work is very small, or smaller by comparison to Wa Shin. This feels like the design was conceived to spotlight the experience behind the counter. This feels much more authentic. A beautiful interior, and limited seating, you're really getting a premium experience. The price does correspond to that level of offering as well. Seatings are Monday thru Saturday, 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm, as of now. It did run up right to the end though. The next seating is already waiting for you to be done. Expect to spend the full 2 hours there, which is awesome, as you're not rushed. The omakase selection is pretty awesome. The menu is expertly curated by Chef Sky. The Uni is from Hokkaido. The salmon from New Zealand. The fish is all sourced from hand selected destinations. The scallops were so sweet. All the courses were VERY fresh and fine tuned to please your taste buds. Chef offers purple Uni as well. The shell is purple, so the Uni itself just looks very much like regular Uni, but it's so delicious. The aged tuna was so good! Fatty tuna melts in your mouth. The chefs use a kind of scoring technique with the knife in some of the pieces, which makes them much more tender. They care alot about the preparation, which is a tribute to Chef Sky. The omkase experience is just that... an experience. I've been to $70 omakase in NYC and they crank out the courses in an hour flat with little care. This is a premium offering with premium fish and hand crafted courses with sushi chef expertise.

This is the best sushi experience in Boston, better than our dinner at Nakazawa in NYC! Beautiful service and food. Deserving of two Michelin at least.

2nd visit. Had an expectation going in that I will be used to the quality of Washin, but they outdid themselves again! I was hesitant to leave review until now because I don't want to fight the reservation... but now that I am away from Boston back to Los Angeles, I will happily say this is one of the best if not the best omakese I tried so far. My wife and I always reserve under her name and surprisingly the system shows it was a return visit and got a welcome back. Refeshing to know that exist. Food was always amazing, I been to couple of Michelin star restaurants and even trip to Japan couple time, but I have yet to find better sushi than here. Hakodate Uni was my favorite on my 2nd visit but everything were amazing. No photo needed, enjoy with eye and sushi is best served when eaten right away! Suttle things that American diner don't do is realizing what customer need when customer themselves don't realize. For instance, I am left handed eater. Waitress would notice and start putting utensil and ect to my left hand position. Chef would slant the sushi opposite direction for me to have better grab (he forgot once on my 1st visit but none this time :) ). These things add up and makes the whole dining experience more appreciated. I am going to miss this place a lot. Hopefully when I visit by again I can go there again :(

I've been lucky to dine here a few times and it never disappoints. The staff makes the experience amazing and the food leave you speechless. Must try in Boston

Wow! This was one of the, if not the best, omaksase we've been to in Boston. From the food to the service to the ambiance, everything was top-notch. I was lucky to snag a reservation for a Friday reservation right when the dates opened up on the booking portal. The location is easy to find in back bay. Limited parking cause it's back bay but not impossible. The inside is spacious and decorated with some beautiful bonsai plants with a large sushi counter in the middle of the room. The seats were comfortable, and you can see all the action of the sushi chefs. The sushi was so good I still think about it to this day! The texture, temperature, and taste of the fish were all perfect. The chef used grated seasonal fruits to top off some of the nigiri, which added a wonderful citrus aroma and taste. For one of the standouts..the sweet shrimp which were live and kicking btw, they added finger limes, which gave it a wonderful pop of texture. We added on 2 pieces of sushi at the end, a seasonal scallop from Japan and toro with truffles. There were quite a few other seasonal options to choose from as well. Don't forget the dessert! We were served a silky green tea pannacotta that was not too sweet. We were stuffed by the end. The service was amazing with the most attentive staff you could ask for. Napkins were magically folded when you got up to use the restroom and unfolded on your lap upon your return. This takes the top spot on our list, and we will be sure to return.

- If you haven't tried Wa Shin you must definitely book your reservation now. The hospitality and service was exceptional! Every course was beautifully crafted and so delicious!!! - We had a reservation booked for their first seating at 5pm. We arrived around 4:55 pm and was a little taken aback when the hostess told us we could not enter as they were not ready. The hostess informed us we could wait in the lobby of the building next door if it was too cold to wait outside. I guess it's a doors open at your reservation time place? - The entry way of the restaurant is tight and with everyone arriving around the same time it got congested fast. The hostess checked everyone in and did coat check simultaneously as several severs sat guests. The space itself was smaller than I expected. A narrow entryway, an omakase counter seating 10, and two small dinning tables. It was cozy. - We were sat right in front of the chef and were immediately waited on to take our drink order. The bar seats were comfy and there were hooks underneath the counter for your purse. As everyone got seated our omakase experience commenced! - Everything tasted so fresh and some courses just melted in your mouth. It was so hard to pick a favorite. Both the chef and servers were very attentive and anticipated our needs every step of the way. We had such a great time and I would 100% recommend dinning here if you're also a fellow sushi lover.

We had a lovely dinner here. It is an intimate setting with maybe only 8-10 seats (3 other couples the night we dined there). The chef is friendly and service was very personable and attentive. They literally give you a little mat for your phone to rest on during the meal, and once I think there was a grain of rice or sauce or something on my plate, and someone immediately wiped it up. They also replete your ginger as soon as they see the pile getting low. I thoroughly enjoyed most pieces, besides the unagi which just didn't seem to be very good, and there was one pickled fish that was too fishy for my taste. I do think that's part of the fun of an omakase experience though--not every piece can be a crowd pleaser. It is difficult to choose a favorite piece. The barracuda and uni pieces were probably mine, but I also loved the oyster with uni and the marinated tuna pieces in the beginning, and surprisingly the tamago. I really appreciated that we could watch the entire meal being put together, even the wasabi being grated. I didn't really appreciate that the extra pieces people ordered a la carte were prepared and served before the main omakase meal finished, and we were left wondering whether we would be getting these pieces or something else--I feel like those should have come afterwards. Dessert was a black sesame sorbet with a small refreshing glass of green tea. In NYC this place would be a solid 4 stars for the price point, but here in Boston omakase options are more limited.

We celebrated my bf's birthday here and it was an amazing experience. Chef Sky serves an 18-course omakase with 10 countertop seats with 2 seatings. I had the perfect front row seat in the house as his team freshly prepared each course. Not only does he display his culinary expertise and meticulous work in front of the guests, but he is an active listener and engages us in conversations. What I love most about Chef Sky is his commitment to making guests happy. I had mentioned my distaste for mackerel and eel and he accommodated it. Usually, other places don't unless it's an allergy, but he had a note right under the counter. During the meal, my bf wanted extra wasabi in his nigiri and another party wanted less and he happily accommodated them. He cares deeply about people's preferences and is very attentive, as he's constantly watching us. Our server Cathy also provided great service with a warming smile. She was very attentive to our needs. Our course had many smoky, salty and citrusy flavors. The starters were an oyster w/ uni and smoked tuna. I thought they were ok. The nigiri is the main show. The rice was warm and soft. I was a little scared of the rice breaking each time. Interestingly, He makes different precisions in the fish for textural contrast, which I loved. Some were cut very thick and others weren't. My favorites were the spot prawn, otoro, king salmon, scallops, belt fish, and snapper. We finished with a refreshing matcha panna cotta paired with hot green tea. Nigiri: -Isaki: loved the grated citrus -Japanese belt fish: very yummy and cut to be perfectly torched. -Hokkaido scallop: cut interestingly, very yummy smoky flavored salt on top -squid with grated salted fish egg: loved the salted fish eggs -salmon thickly cut and torched: very fatty and melts in your mouth -soy marinated bluefin tuna: saltiness from the soy -otoro fatty tuna: thickly cut and very very buttery -sea bream: nicely paired with lime -spot prawn: freshly prepared live paired with finger lime. perfectly bouncy and not slimy at all. They fried the shrimp head which is my favorite part!! -Hokkaido uni: very cold which contrasted the warm rice perfectly and was buttery with no fishiness at all -tuna handroll: the pickled radish gave it nice texture. So cold and crispy. -tamago: a little too hard/overcooked for my liking. For 2 people, it was $630 including 25% tip. I would definitely come back.

Wanted to try this new omakase place in Boston and take advantage of the grand opening price. Had a reservation right when they opened. The ambiance is very zen with soft lighting that is not intrusive and good spacing at the counter between guests. The service is top notch with servers dressed immaculately and always attentive to keeping water and drinks topped off. Chef Sky introduced himself and continued to be an excellent talker about his experience and also description of each course. You know he is very serious about his craft and how the food tastes. For example, I got carried away with a conversation with another guest after he served me shrimp sushi, when he noticed I was distracted and let the sushi rice get cold, he immediately took the sushi, tossed out the cold sushi rice and put fresh warm sushi rice. I immediately apologized and ate the sushi as it was at the temperature he thinks is best. I respect his craft and didn't complain as I know I should be enjoying the experience. Each course was super fresh and tasted excellent. This is exactly what I would expect from a high quality omakase.

This was my first-ever omakase experience and I booked it solo for my birthday. The table seats 9 total, I was in between a party of 2 and party of 6. I love that the chefs and staff are attentive to social cues (amount of conversation) and your likings throughout the meal. Check-in is promptly right before the start of your meal. If you come a little too early, they direct you to the apartment lobby next door (myself, 15 minutes early). There is a coat/bag room, but there are also hooks at the table for your bag. They give you a warm towel to wipe your hands and a little pad to place your phone on the table. I ordered an iced matcha to help with my digestion throughout the meal and just an iced tap water. The fish was so so fresh and just straight quality. Nothing too fancy outside of caviar which is prefect for me, I sought out this place due to reviews that called out their focus on traditional omakase that focused on the fish. My favorite sushi fish is tuna, so naturally I loved those dishes the most. The mackerel options, tamago, and tobiko surprised me most - I think because these items in usual sushi restaurants have been very fishy, sour, or too sweet, compared to the items served this night. So tasty! The dessert (yuzu sorbet with crushed pistachios) was so refreshing and a perfect way to end the meal. They also give a small cup of hot tea. The chef was attentive throughout the meal but also took the time to thank each patron on the way out. This experience truly completed my birthday and time in Boston. I highly recommend to others and I would love to come back with friends/family. Also location was perfect for me! Right next to Chinatown, Theater District and Commons. Cost: $215 with iced matcha tea and tax. Tipped with cash.

We are visiting from out of town and found this Omakase place on Yelp. It did not disappoint! Impeccable service and high quality food. Great ambiance. Would definitely come back again if we are back in Boston.

I found Wa shin on Yelp and I actually booked my first night of my stay at a hotel and in the area just to go there. It was beyond worth it. The attention to detail, every aspect of the dining experience made it feel like something truly special. The chef was not only talented and made some of the best sushi I've ever had, but also fun, funny and amicable. Sometimes these experiences feel pretentious, not here, this is a one of a kind sushi experience. Even if you're a novice sushi-er wanting to learn more and try new things without being overwhelmed, they teach you. Wonderful for a date night, solo dining, or family outing. I cannot rave more about this experience. Book it two weeks in advance on their website and just go. You'll never look back. Boston now has an absolute gem of an omakase experience!

The omakase in Wa Shin rivals almost all restaurants in NYC! I drove up to Boston from NJ to experience the fresh and carefully selected pieces that Chef Sky prepared for us. It's truly hard to pick one favorite, but I would absolutely take more Hokkaido uni, scallop, and king salmon if I have more space in my tummy. On top of the delicious meal, the service is so attentive and top notch! I left the restaurant feeling extremely satisfied and am already longing for my next visit!

Had this for dinner last night and woke up still thinking about how delicious the sushi was. THATS how amazing the omakase at Wa Shin is!!! Hands down my boyfriend & my favorite omakase experience in Boston. I say experience because a good meal is more than just the food, it's also the service & ambiance. You can tell how dedicated Chef Sky and his team are to the art of sushi making and ensuring their customers have a wonderful meal. At the end of the meal Chef Sky asked a guest what their favorite piece was. Honestly it was so hard to choose because I had multiple favorites: the Hokkaido uni was so creamy and melted in your mouth, the "dancing" scallop was sweet & refreshing, the chutoro with caviar was delicious, the king salmon was umami, loved the texture of the tuna hand roll with pickled daikon, the anago (saltwater eel) was fatty and succulent, I can go on! Each piece was so unique, and perfectly spaced out with lighter notes following heavier, rich ones. It felt like we were eating a symphony of sushi. Also special shout out to sous Chef Jin who was excellent at cutting & preparing all the seafood! For their grand opening they have a special price for $185 for 18 courses (normally $250); not sure how long this will go on for but it's reasonable when comparing with other Boston omakase places. Definitely such a treat, and hope to come back again in the future!! :))))

Just came back from one of the best meals I ever had in Boston. Wa Shin is fabulous and a must be for any special occasion or any occasion. We had a party of four and each of us could not say enough good things about the experience. Every one of the 18 courses was wonderful. Sky Zen Chef was terrific, warm and smiling and described each piece with pride which tasted even better. Loved his staff, very attentive and knowledgeable. At one point, tried to Shazam a soundtrack which was unique and enjoyable. She saw I could not get it and comes over with the name of the song written down. The staff watched every move and noticed anything in need and immediately handled it. Not inexpensive but worth every penny. Highly recommend. Would provide more praise but hope to get a future reservation once the word gets out how great this place is so keeping the accolades less than experienced. Thanks for a great meal.

The best omakase experience in Boston! The intimate setup of Wa Shin allows you to directly speak to and watch the chef prepare each bite. The freshness of the ingredients and the way Chef combines them is unmatched. With a brilliant tasting menu, there are no decisions to be made which is great for a date night! This is a must do in Boston! If you want a Michelin experience, this is the place to go!

All around amazing! The service, outstanding, anticipated everyone's needs! The ambiance, intimate, well lit not like other places that just dim the lights, counter is beautiful setting. Food at their highest peak, fresh, the fish enhanced to their peak with complimenting sauces that make the fish the star of the show. If you interact with Chef Sky your experience is enhanced with amazing conversation and really felt more like an artistic performance that left you pleasantly full. He asked what my favorite piece was and I honestly couldn't say since each one had amazing flavors, texture, etc! The add ons looked delicious and I would've jumped on experiencing pufferfish if it was legal in the US. But the pufferfish eggs looked enticing.

Wa-Shin is a phenomenally authentic omakase dining experience. The atmosphere may seem intimidating at first but the warmness, kindness and laughter of Chef Sky and his staff will immediately set you at ease. Every dish seems better than the one before but some how at the end they could all be your favorite. So much attention to detail in the ambiance, preparation and flavor profiles truly create an immersive and one of a kind culinary adventure.

Incredible food, service, ambiance. Outstanding and lastingly memorable meal. Hopefully this restaurant and team receive every accolade they deserve.

Really enjoyed it. Pretty similar to O Ya but cheaper and a little more personal. Service was excellent. Chef was very personable and willing to explain things. All courses were great.

YES! Wa Shin is beautiful. The food is superb, the ambiance is comforting, and the service is great. Chef's Hinoki Counter is the way to go. Yum!

Best Omakase in Boston. Wa Shin Omakase offers a truly exceptional dining experience that left me in awe from start to finish.

What an incredible meal and experience! Chef Sky is a master in his craft, there is NO doubt. Every bite was unique and incredibly tasty. And his team was there for every want and need. If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this is the place to go - you won't be sorry!

Wow! What a great time to be a sushi lover in Boston. First 311 and now Wa Shin. Had an amazing meal here the other night (well, the 5pm seating felt like noon-time sunlight this time of year) with the missus. Service is top notch and both the wait staff and chefs pay great attention to detail. Our left handed neighbor had the direction of her sushi pieces, orientation of her chopsticks, and location of the finger bowl all swapped direction seamlessly without mention. The wait staff brought out a coaster for me to set my phone down on when they saw me snapping these photos. The list goes on. How does this compare with 311 (especially considering both will eventually come in at the same price point at $250 + tax&tip)? As similar as they might seem, they are actually quite different experiences. Wa Shin has a decidedly more NYC vibe which aligns with Chef Sky's pedigree as executive chef at Sushi Nakazawa where he held one Michelin star. In fact, this meal reminded me very much of my meals at Nakazawa served by the man himself as well as at their DC outpost (even the atsuyaki tamago seemed like a very similar recipe with the castella cake like texture, albeit without any rice). It's fast paced, brutally efficient, and straight to the point. Seatings are every 2 hours so you know they have to finish the meal in 1.5-1.75 hours. This is a no holds barred omakase whirlwind of edomae style sushi save for two starter amuses and the dessert. I would say this is comparable to 311 in quality but differs based on the type of sushi experience you are looking for. Some key highlights of the experience that differ from 311: - liquor license - greater focus on sushi (vs a more significant portion at 311 being the prelude to the sushi) - ability to order extra pieces (some specials not offered in the omakase as well as repeating your favorites) - more torched (aburi) pieces - larger space (Hinoki counter seats 12 and they have tables as well) - more banter with the sushi chef Notwithstanding, while I prefer 311 overall for the more intimate space (seats only 10), learning about the dishes in greater detail, slower pace (only 2 seatings at 5:30 and 8:00), and the more varied menu (cold dishes, warm dishes, soup in addition to the sushi) the wifey who is an equal connoisseur of sushi preferred our sushi-centric Wa Shin meal. So it's a draw. Truth is I'll continue to patronize both places as both have my ringing endorsement. At a grand opening promo price of $185 though, it is currently an amazing deal (as far as you can call a $185 meal a deal) and I'd run to snag spots before it goes up as well as becomes impossible to book like 311.

Very traditional sushi. Hits all the right notes in terms of ambiance, presentation and service, but not creative or interesting enough to warrant a return visit. Perhaps they can draw some inspiration from more innovative places such as Chīsai or Kusakabe in San Francisco or Gari in NYC. Would also be nice if they offered some namazake by the glass.

What an experience Wa Shin was! From the moment you enter throught the door to the moment you sit down, you are treated like a VIP. The restaurant is decorated very elegantly with bonsai trees and the chefs cutting knives. We were seated right in front the chef which made for a great display of his skills. The hostess paid close attention to our needs including providing us with a phone tatami and consistently pouring my tea and refilling the tea pot. The experience was impeccable with the service the hostess provided. On to the food! The fish served by Chef Sky was extremely fresh. Once entering the restaurant, I saw his sous chefs preparing and shucking the scallops. When the scallops were served, it was still partially moving! Chef Sky called these "Dancing Scallops". He got jokes, and it's not the first time he cracked jokes, which made for a more relaxing and enjoyable meal. A lot of the fishes are actually shipped from Japan and Chef Sky let's you know where each piece comes from in Japan. Very interesting to learn where certain pieces comes from which not a lot of Omakase places do. Each piece of fish is prepared very intricately with even the smallest flower that he puts on the fish compliments every flavor. My favorite was the Scallop (even though it is Boston Scallops), Tiger Prawn and the Uni. To be frank...each piece is my favorite and I cannot wait to come back as he rotates the menu depending on what fish is available...so every experience can be a different one! I'm glad Boston finally got a delicious Omakase restaurant.

Thanks to Chef Sky for giving a fun omakase experience at Wa Shin! Excellent presentation on all the dishes, with delicate flavors that were distinct for each course. Blown away by the freshness and quality of all the ingredients. A couple personal favorites were the oyster starter, the Hokkaido uni that tasted like sweet custard and the Wagyu beef. This has been my favorite omakase experience in Boston.

We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to dine at Wa Shin when they opened. Wow, Chef Sky and his assistant chef made our dinner experience so memorable. Every course was delicious. My personal favorite was the scallops, the oyster, the toro... honestly it's difficult to choose a favorite. We also really enjoyed the matcha panna cotta alongside their green tea. Thank you Chef Sky and we can't wait to come back!

Incredible experience. Varied yet refined taste palette. Presentation was fantastic. You're truly watching a master of his craft. Boston is lucky to have this treasure here!

From the ambiance, the bathroom (yes, the toilet), and the exquisite bites, Wa Shin perfects what a fine Japanese sushi dining is all about: Simple, meticulously presented, clean. Sky, the head chef, and his chef staff behind the meticulously arranged bar, work with high concentration with each presentation to its demanding Japanese perfection. And the staff in the background transports you to Japan with all of its highest standard of okyaku (customer) care. Every bite was interesting and tasty which delighted the eyes and the palate. So fresh a presentation wiggled (find out for yourself which offering). Best rice in nigiri ever in this connoisseur of sushi's humble and fair opinion (even compared to anywhere in Honshu). A diner next to me who is a 30-year Bostonian and an avid fisherman was so impressed, he secured another culinary memory for himself and his five other fishing buddies before leaving the bar. You will taste the "Best" here at Wa Shin (Japanese Soul).

A truly memorable meal. Delicious, extremely fresh sushi prepared right in front of you. Each piece was delicious, with extremely fresh fish prepared perfectly. It is a meal you share with a small number of people and you slow down and enjoy it. You get a chance to speak with the chef about the food, if there is something that you don't like, tell them ahead and they will change that course. the meal featured two courses with local New England seafood. Hopefully over time as they build their distribution chain and meet more local fishers, they will add more local seafood! I wish Chef Sky and his team success!

I meant to write this review earlier as I went to Wa Shin in July, so I have forgotten some details and the menu may be different, as it's seasonal. My brother and I love omakase and he booked a reservation to celebrate our birthdays. His girlfriend joined us, and we all had a wonderful time! Chef Sky Zheng was really the heart of why the experience was so great, he was funny, interactive, and exceptionally attentive. The ambience is refined as it's a traditional sushi counter around the chef, so not really a place to get rowdy. He paid close attention to all of the diners at his counter and adjusted individual plates of the 18-course meal based on our palates. I actually requested less wasabi after another customer requested more wasabi, and later on, he left it out of the uni nigiri without me asking, which is how I prefer it! Everything was beautifully presented and overall the meal was honestly incredible. My brother said it was the best omakase he's had compared to places he's been in NYC and Tokyo. My favorites were the spot prawn w/ finger lime, uni, otoro, and tamago nigiri. Honorable mention to the scallop nigiri and kumamoto oyster+uni because it's my favorite oyster. Some of the pieces of fish really do melt in your mouth, showcasing his skill and training as an omakase chef. He curates his ingredients very carefully, and puts a lot of thought into each plate. Ask him about the ingredients, he is very engaging. I loved the salt flakes he used in some of our plates. I could continue on, but honestly the only thing you need to know is that I haven't even mentioned the price. $185 is a steal, you are not only paying for the food but an experience. Go because the price will only go up. He is absolutely going to change the scene in Boston, and I definitely plan to be back. Chef Sky deserves all the best!

Was recommended to us in the Spring as an alternative by the team at O Ya when they were fully booked. Wa Shin was a special and very traditional omakase experience. The fish was exquisite and the flavours were all so clean, even ones I normally dislike. Being able to see the chef prepare each piece adds an element of theatre and anticipation between every course. The other staff were also incredibly attentive and accommodating. Food, service, and setting were all 5/5.

Exquisite omakase experience! Every dish was a masterpiece, perfectly curated and expertly prepared right in front of you by Chef Sky. His Michelin star experience really shows in how he prepares every single dish. Impeccable service in a luxurious setting. Worth every star!