Youji's #WashokuRenaissance

Great dining experience. Chef is very knowledgeable and friendly as are his two assistants. The location is in a commercial pop up kitchen , . It's sort of a very generic kitchen, but then there is the chef making amazing dishes with his craft. It throws you off for a min, but It was actually a nice change of pace once you settle in. There were about 20 dishes and I enjoyed all of them. Good quality fish and savory appetizers full of flavor with unique presentation I will certainly come here again and highly recommend anyone who enjoys omakase style dining should give it a shot!

Was excited to try this place as it had a lot of hype. It definitely wasn’t terrible, but I am rating based on overall value and experience. The fish was good, but the rice was super soft and mushy. There were 20+ courses but somehow I left still hungry. The staff was in general nice but randomly announced during the dinner that we should all stop eating so much ginger (??). Lastly, the location leaves a lot to be desired. It felt like we were eating in a warehouse. Again, fish was good but for the price they charge I expected way more. I really wanted to like this place but left disappointed. Likely will not go back.

Truly the best omakase experience I’ve ever had! It was such a treat to talk with Chef Youji and his assistant about the traditional washoku dishes and their preparation. Chef Youji’s passion for and devotion to his craft was evident with every course of the meal - this was by far the best sushi I’ve had. Pictures just can’t do it justice. I can’t wait to bring friends and family back to try his food.

This was the best sushi experience of my life. If you are a sushi lover, this is a must-do experience in Boston. My fiancee took me here for my birthday as a surprise, and I was completely blown away at the food and service. It was a 13 course meal, featuring exquisite pieces of fish, many of which I had never heard of before. The chef and his assistant were two of the kindest people I have ever met, and their preparation of the food was like watching an artist work. I was enamored the whole time, and it's a very special place for highly intimate dinners. I simply cannot recommend this highly enough. I cannot wait to come back!

We spent over three hours on small stools at a food hall stall that caters to only six people per night, experiencing the Kamakura Signature Kaiseki at Washoku Renaissance. The chef, Youji, methodically crafted each dish, and everything was fantastic. The Hokkaido uni was the best I've ever tasted and the whole meal was an amazing experience.

New Secret gem that serves affordable omakase and amazing Kaiseki course. Located within Foundation Kitchen, a space that offers space for restaurant "start-ups," the sushi counter at Washoku Renaissance might seem mundane at first glance. Yet, Chef Youji transforms this simple setup into a captivating space with his craftsmanship, reminiscent of a hidden gem tucked away in a Tokyo alleyway. I’ve been here for the Downtown Tokyo Sushi Club and his signature Kaiseki course, and had fantastic experiences in both. The Tokyo Sushi Club was a straightforward 9-nigiri course, accompanied by an appetizer and a handroll. The appetizer was a concoction of my favorite seafood ingredients—Japanese Firefly squid, Mentaiko, and Ankimo. The addition of spicy apple slices provided just the right amount of kick and sweetness and perfectly complemented their richness. The Nigiri selections, featured in both the omakase and the Kaiseki course, were exceptional. The sushi rice was perfectly warm and had just the right density, and most of the pieces went through proper aging process for better flavors. Rather than using overly sophisticated additions, Chef Youji kept the toppings simple. He focused on making finer slices across the top of the fish, which allowed for a more even distribution of sauce and its respective flavors across each piece. My favorite pieces included the Aori Ika, Bluefin Otoro, and Sakura Masu. During the Kaiseki dinner, a sequence of seven small dishes was interspersed among the nigiri course. The entire experience spanned over three hours, and sitting on a small bar stool chair was somewhat cumbersome. Yet, it was a joy watching Chef Youji crafting each dish to perfection. Each of the seven dishes was spectacular, with standouts including the Mizutako Otsukuri, Hotaru Ika with spring vegetables, and his signature duck breast. Another dish worth mentioning was the Wanko Saba, where the light aroma of the sesame sauce enhanced the rich flavors of the Ikura and Uni toppings. Undoubtedly my favorite Japanese restaurant in the city at the moment. Highly recommend giving this place a try if you’re looking for the best authentic Japanese food experience in Boston.

We had an incredible experience at the Tokyo Downtown Sushi Club soft opening. Super intimate, and we had a lot of fun talking with Youji as he made each piece of sushi. The sushi was very high quality, with a mix of local, European, and Japanese fish. My favorite piece was probably the salmon with paper thin daikon and trout roe, but we really enjoyed each piece. Definitely check this out before it's too hard to get a reservation!

We had a wonderful time with chef Youji. Great food and service. This is a hidden gem in Boston. Definitely worth try.