I recently revisited Motodane (本種) after a long time, and I was reminded why it’s such an amazing lunch spot in the Tsukiji area.
Motodane is located on a side street off Harumi Street. While it operates as an izakaya during dinner hours (I’ve even attended a dinner party there before), it’s a popular spot for lunch too.
A paper lantern marks the entrance, and you can spot it from Harumi Street. It’s located right in front of Tempura Kurokawa. On busy days, you’ll see two lines forming: the left one for Kurokawa and the right one for Motodane.
Motodane was previously known as “Meshimaru (めし丸).” The restaurant has a mix of counter seats and tables. During lunchtime, they don’t accept reservations, but the casual setup makes it perfect for solo diners. They’ve also started an Instagram account, which I follow, of course!
The seating area is divided by the kitchen. While the counter seats are visible from outside, the table area is not. If no counter seats are available, the staff will guide you to the table area through a side door. At lunchtime, sharing tables is common in the table section.
Their menu is straightforward and displayed prominently. Options include:
✔Negitoro bowl / ねぎとろ丼 (1200 yen)
✔Maru chirashi / 丸ちらし (1000 yen)
✔Regular portion of sushi / にぎり1.5人前 (1200 yen)
✔Large portion of sushi / にぎり1人前 (1700 yen)
✔Sashimi set / 刺身定食 (1400 yen)
I think 80% of visitors order Maru Chirashi and Large portion of sushi.
Additionally, they now offer a Chef’s Choice Set (Osusume), which sometimes includes tuna steak or Battera sushi.
Motodane’s Maru Chirashi is undoubtedly the star of their menu. Priced at just 1000 yen, it’s a stunning sashimi bowl featuring a variety of fresh seafood. The high quality of the seafood is impressive, considering the price. Many of the cuts come from trimmings prepared for their dinner service, allowing them to serve this bowl at such an affordable price.
There’s no shop in Tsukiji that serve such a good sashimi bowl with only 1000 yen !
Motodane’s seafood is really good. So fresh. Some of them are cut end after they prepare dinner. So, they can serve such a gorgeous sashimi bowl at lower price 🙂
This bowl is packed with flavor, and the seafood is exceptionally fresh. You won’t find such a high-quality sashimi bowl at this price elsewhere in Tsukiji!
While most diners go for the Maru Chirashi, I sometimes opt for the Negitoro Bowl, featuring fatty tuna scraped fresh from the bone. The bowl includes not only negitoro but also sliced tuna, tamagoyaki, and a few other side dishes. The negitoro is so rich and flavorful that tuna lovers will find it irresistible!
Motodane’s sushi sets are another great choice. I always go for the Large Sushi Set, as the regular portion isn’t enough to satisfy my appetite. The sushi is fresh and generously portioned, with light vinegared rice that complements the seafood perfectly.
Each piece is beautifully prepared, and the variety includes some shellfish. If you have dietary restrictions, let the chef know in advance—they’ll do their best to accommodate you.
If there’s something you can’t eat, it’s best to let them know in advance, and they’ll substitute it with something else. However, their selection of seafood is somewhat limited, so you might get a repeat of certain items. Unlike many other shops in Tsukiji that purchase tamagoyaki from specialized stores, they make their own tamagoyaki in-house. It’s a favorite among regular customers – and I love it too!
For those who prefer sashimi served separately from rice, the Sashimi Set is an excellent option. The assorted sashimi is plated beautifully, and the rice is served on a flat dish instead of a traditional rice bowl, reflecting Motodane’s izakaya roots.
When they have an abundance of seafood in stock, they offer a Large Sashimi Set, featuring around 15 different types of seafood for just an additional 300 yen.
It’s a brilliant deal for sashimi lovers!
About
Name Motodane (本種)
Open Lunch, Dinner
Reservation Available at dinner time only
Credit card Unavailable
URL Instagram
Google Map
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