Sushi Shikon (志魂)

OVERVIEW

Sushi Shikon is Hong Kong’s most decorated sushi-ya, holding three Michelin stars — a near-unprecedented achievement for a Japanese restaurant outside Japan. Located on the seventh floor of the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, this intimate eight-seat counter offers a quintessential Edomae sushi experience. Executive chef Yoshiharu Kakinuma welcomes guests to a space that feels transplanted from Tokyo’s Ginza district, complete with a centuries-old hinoki (cypress) counter imported from Japan.

The philosophy here is pure and uncompromising: the finest seafood, flown in daily from Japan’s Tsukiji and Toyosu markets, prepared with techniques honed over decades. Every piece of nigiri is served at the perfect temperature, seasoned with exactly the right amount of nikiri (soy-based sauce), and presented with quiet precision.

THE LUNCH DEAL

Sushi Shikon’s lunch represents one of the most coveted reservations in Hong Kong — and for good reason. At HK$2,250, the lunch omakase is nearly half the price of dinner (HK$4,000) but offers the same quality of ingredients and the same seat at the master’s counter. It’s an exceptional value for anyone seeking to experience world-class Edomae sushi.

The lunch menu typically includes a starter (often the famous steamed abalone with abalone liver sauce), a seasonal soup, eight pieces of nigiri sushi, and a dessert. The selection depends entirely on what arrived from Japan that morning — expect treasures like Shimane abalone, lean and fatty tuna (akami and otoro), shrimp (kuruma ebi), and sea urchin (uni).

LUNCH DETAILS

• Set Lunch Price: HK$2,250 per person (10% service charge applies)

• Hours: Monday – Saturday, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm (seatings are fixed)

• Location: 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

WHAT TO EXPECT

• One starter (e.g., steamed abalone with liver sauce)

• Clear soup

• Eight pieces of Edomae-style nigiri sushi

• Dessert

• Total dining time: approximately 1.5 hours

WHY IT’S A GREAT DEAL

For the price of a nice handbag, you get a front-row seat to one of the finest sushi masters in the world, using ingredients that most restaurants can only dream of. At HK$2,250, the lunch omakase is considered by many connoisseurs to be the best value for ultra-high-end sushi in Asia — especially compared to Tokyo’s top sushiya, where similar meals cost ¥40,000–¥50,000 (HK$2,500–$3,000) without the flight.

RESERVATIONS

Essential. With only eight counter seats and one private room (seating six), Sushi Shikon books up weeks or months in advance. Reservations open on a rolling basis; check their website or call. Corporate hotel concierges often have priority access.

CONTACT

• Phone: +852 2643 6800

• Website: www.sushi-shikon.com

HOURS OF OPERATION

• Lunch: Monday – Saturday, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

• Dinner: Monday – Saturday, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm

• Closed on Sundays

INSIDER TIPS

• Etiquette matters: Avoid strong perfumes or colognes. Do not place anything on the sushi counter except your phone. No video recording, and no phone calls during the meal .

• The abalone liver sauce is legendary — don’t be shy about asking for extra rice to soak it up.

• If you see a rare sake not on the menu, just ask the chef — some are so exclusive they’re kept unlisted .

• Dress code: Smart casual. Men should avoid open-toed shoes