Cutting his teeth in his late teens at some of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo, Masato Shimizu became the youngest chef in New York City to earn a Michelin star back when he was head chef at raw fish temple, Jewel Bako. After relocating to Bangkok with his half-Thai, half-Japanese wife last year, Chef Masato opened his eponymous ten-seater, which serves up to only 20 guests in two seating periods. A 20-course omakase dinner empties the pockets at B4000 (a lot cheaper than Ginza Sushi Ichi), but you may need to reserve a few months ahead due to the long waiting list.

After honing his craft in Tokyo and building his reputation in New York City, Masato Shimizu opened his eponymous omakase sushi bar in Bangkok. Housed on a quiet lane, Sushi Masato is hard to find and only identified by a small sign in Japanese. Once inside, the intimate space and elegant interior create a tranquil feeling.

This exclusive traditional omakase sushi bar is the work of Chef Masato Shimizu, a culinary virtuoso whose journey began in Japan and soared to new heights in New York City, where he became the youngest chef to be honoured with a Michelin star at the tender age of 29. Sushi Masato, tucked away off Soi Sukhumvit 31 (there it is again) behind an unmarked door, brings the chef’s meticulous craft from over 20 years of experience to the forefront, showcasing both his skills and his impeccable sourcing directly from the fish markets of Tokyo to a first-floor chef’s counter. Though that first floor is chef Shimizu’s domain, for a more laid back, languid experience, head upstairs to Raw Bar Masato, where you can order a la carte sushi of the same premium quality as the full experience below.

Omakase dining is a rarity here, so Sushi Masato’s arrival in 2015 was an exciting addition to the dining scene, allowing locals and visitors to experience traditional Japanese fare at the sushi bar. Sushi Masato’s opening followed Michelin-starred chef Chef Masato Shimizu’s previous ventures in Tokyo and New York and he repeated the accolade here in 2021. There are premium and standard omakases available both served Edo style, with the first floor run by Chef Masato Shimizu and Chef Kenichi Kanno and the third floor under the leadership of Chef Satohiro Kurokawa.

Tucked away in a bustling district of Bangkok, Sushi Masato is a hidden gem that encapsulates over 20 years of sushi expertise gathered in Tokyo and New York. Chef Masato Shimizu, a maestro in omakase sushi, orchestrates an extraordinary dining experience where he meticulously transforms the finest ingredients into edible masterpieces right before the guests' eyes. Whether seated at the chef's counter on the first floor or indulging in bites with a New York twist on the third, Sushi Masato promises an unparalleled culinary adventure.

Chef Masato Shimizu, while working at a sushi restaurant in New York City, was a prominent sushi master in his own right. He earned his first Michelin star at the age of 29, making him the youngest chef in NYC at that time to receive this accolade. After relocating and opening his eponymous restaurant in 2016—a time when Bangkok still experienced a shortage of proper sushi restaurants—Chef Masato’s establishment is currently the only sushi restaurant in Bangkok that has secured a Michelin star from the Michelin Guide Thailand.

Bangkok’s omakase scene has gone from zero to 100 in just a couple of years, and while many of these hallowed dens of raw fish can seem daunting, that’s not the case here. Japan-native Masato Shimizu earned his stripes in New York, and it shows in his warm, conversational demeanor where he’ll happily break out a book mid-meal to educate you on the relative merits of murazaki or bafun uni, or to explain at length his process of charcoal grilling (replacing the blowtorch). You won’t want your 20 courses to end.

After moving to Bangkok from New York with his Thai-Japanese wife in 2015, Chef Masato Shimizu opened the doors to his own tiny restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 31. Here, at the eponymous Sushi Masato, you’ve found yourself at the most in- demand sushi counter in the city. Six nights a week, a team of three chefs serve 20 or so courses of omakase sushi to the nine customers lucky enough to get a seat.

One of the hardest Omakase restaurants to get a reservation in Thailand, Sushi Masato run by Masato Shimizu, who once earned a Michelin star since its opening in New York till its relocation to Bangkok. 'Delicious until the last bite' would best describe how tasty each dish is. Omakase fans who like to dare with their taste buds, Sushi Masato won’t fail to surprise decent Omakase seasonally.

A top pick for high-end omakase, Sushi Masato is led by Chef Masato Shimizu, formerly Michelin-starred in New York. This intimate ten-seater provides an elaborate 20-course experience using the freshest ingredients flown in from Japan. The omakase here is known for meticulously crafted nigiri, and each dish is a testament to the chef’s dedication to traditional sushi methods.

Sushi Masato is the second official restaurant by Chef Masato Shimizu, following his one Michelin-starred 15 East Restaurant in New York. At Raw Bar Masato, fresh produce like sea urchin, Japanese oysters, and wagyu beef are delivered from Toyosu market in Tokyo to be served to customers. Like Masato’s former brainchild, Sushi Masato also received one Michelin star in 2021.

Sushi Masato is Chef Masato Shimizu’s second official restaurant, following his Michelin-starred 15 East Restaurant in New York. At Raw Bar Masato, fresh produce such as sea urchins, Japanese oysters and Wagyu beef are shipped from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market to be served to customers. Like Masato’s previous idea, Sushi Masato received a Michelin star in 2021.

The finest seasonal Japanese ingredients, paired with Chef Masato Shimizu's refined culinary techniques, create haute Japanese cuisine at its finest. For the extra-special culinary experience, where Masato presents your dishes himself, it's advisable to book ahead. Address: 3/22 Soi Sukhumvit 31, Khlong Tan Nuea, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand.

3 22 Soi Sawatdi, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand. Sushi Masato in Bangkok offers an intimate setting for enjoying fresh ingredients sourced from Toyosu Market. Guests can choose between an omakase experience or an a la carte menu upstairs, ensuring flexibility for different dining preferences.

One such high-end restaurant is Sushi Masato, the passion project of chef Masato Shimizu, who honed his skills at the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo and New York before settling in Thailand, where he continues to serve some of the best omakase dinners you'll find in any country.