Minato-Sushi: Sushi and ‘Bekko’ Sushi Made From Local Catch. A must try!

Opening close to 200 years ago, Habu Port in English, or Habu Minato in Japanese as it’s known locally, was for a long time the gateway to Oshima Island. As boats to and from the main island of Japan no longer dock here, there is not much maritime activity any more, leaving no trace of its bustling past.

Walking inland from Habu Port, you come across a gently curved street with an elegant, historical feel about it. It’s on this very street, which has many historical connotations where you can find Minato-Sushi, a restaurant much loved by locals for many years now.

A local hotspot for a long time, it’s a place that travellers should definitely check out too. If you intend on going, it’s safer to book a table in advance to be sure, as it's a popular place. The seats fill up fast with customers enjoying delicious sushi even during a weekday lunch. The menu is full of imaginative dishes boasting local ingredients including sushi, sashimi, and a lobster tempura bowl.

Of those, the nigiri style sushi and bekko sushi you should definitely try. The nigiri platter comes lined with 9 pieces of sushi. Each piece is of a different type of fish, and as the name ‘local catch nigiri’ suggests, each and every one of these are of local variety. It’s a lavish signature dish where you get to try 9 varieties of fish local to Oshima island all in one go.

Bekko sushi is a local speciality sushi dish served with fresh white meat fish marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and island chili peppers. It’s a typical Oshima Island dish which is unique to the island. Savour the taste whilst appreciating the interesting culture of an island that came up with a sushi dish using island chili peppers.