When I was searching for good deep-fried oysters online, I found Sanyuu (三友) in Ningyocho area, known for serving huge deep-fried oysters, with multiple oysters in each. The idea of trying them sounded irresistible, so the next day, I visited. They are open for lunch on weekdays and serve deep-fried oysters exclusively.
They are a very popular restaurant. I heard that people start waiting an hour before opening. I thought arriving 20 minutes before opening would be fine, but I was wrong. I mistakenly arrived at the station one hour ahead of time. I first confirmed the restaurant’s location and decided to take a walk around Suitengu Shrine. However, when I got back to the restaurant, I found two people already waiting in front.
After walking around the shrine for a while to kill time, I became a bit nervous. I returned to the restaurant 40 minutes before opening, and by then, there were already about 12 people in line. I quickly joined the queue and waited until opening time.
This photo was taken after I left the restaurant, but when I first arrived, the line was just as long. By the way, there are only 12 seats in the restaurant, and it takes a bit of time for them to serve the food. So, expect a longer wait, including waiting in line.
The restaurant only has counter seating and two tables. The staff leads guests to their seats right after the opening.
The atmosphere inside the restaurant is nice, with a cozy and relaxed vibe.
The menu is simple: they only serve deep-fried oysters during winter season. Payment is made in advance, and there are two set options: a two-piece deep-fried oyster set (1,080 yen) or a three-piece set (1,400 yen).
Although the menu indicates that they are open until 1:30 p.m., they close earlier if they run out of oysters. They also serve other dishes, like tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet), deep-fried horse mackerel, and katsudon during the rest of the year.
I ordered Three deep fried oysters set. You might think my rice portion looks small. I ordered it with half the normal amount. The set also came with pickles and pork soup.
The deep-fried oysters were even bigger than I had expected, almost like scotch eggs! The coating was thick and crunchy, with shredded cabbage, onions, and potato salad on the side.
Each deep-fried oyster contained 4 to 10 oysters, depending on their size. The staff mentioned there were six oysters in each piece, making it feel like a “bomb” of oysters. The burst of oyster flavor was incredible!
The tonjiru (pork soup) didn’t have much pork meat, but the broth was rich and flavorful, making it delicious.
There are other places known for great deep-fried oysters, like Fujimura in Tsukiji and Odayasu in Toyosu Market. However, Sanyuu’s gigantic deep-fried oysters are something special. Despite the wait, people seemed to enjoy the experience, and I can certainly agree. It’s a unique winter event!
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Name Sanyuu (三友)
Open Lunch
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