The chase is over; Saiko is the winner of the title and the belt! Even though Saiko happened to be the 2nd contender among the list of five in our chase for the title "Best Sushi in Malmö" we are not bothered to visit any other! We will, and have, in fact but we are sure unless hell freezes over Saiko can't be stopped!!
I have to admit, besides being curious, bunch of us were even more suspicious of the news received in regards of Saiko winning the World Sushi Cup in Tokyo snatching the title world's best sushi restaurant 2013. Regardless of what weight titles in fact carry or not Saiko has made true believers out of us! It might not be the best in the world, but probably in Sweden, most likely in Scania (tha south) and definitely in Malmö. This is because these guys play entirely in another league in terms of Thinking outside the box, Innovation, Quality control and Creativity.
Abundant relaxed, intimate, friendly and welcoming atmosphere where one might expect, due to the titles and awards, pretentious is a surprising pleasant shock. Saiko is an Izakaya where you are asked to take your shoes off, putting slippers on if you like, when wanting to share the long table with strangers. An Izakaya where your Japas (Japanese Tapas) arrive under or after your mains, whichever is ready first, served on colorful plates that could have been picked up at a second hand shop, flea market or a garage sale. Your orders are taken and dishes are explained to you while staff sits down next to you and the chef's runs out of the kitchen to pick up empty plates as well as feedbacks. That is when you'll find yourself blushing giving away all these praises to the kitchen. I was for instance serenading the head chef for a so called Japas being the juiciest and most tender aka fall of the bone chicken wings of my life when a friend felt obligated or embarrassed enough to stop this madness by kicking me under the table.
I am not going to tell anyone what is good or not; at Saiko half the pleasure is to trust the competent kitchen to take care of you while they challenge your taste buds. I will tell you all this though; at Saiko you might find yourself getting mad enjoying eating what you always thought you hate. The pike-perch Nigiri topped with rhubarb, which is on my "no fly" list, happens now to be a strong favorite of mine!! For God sake I even devour the pickled herring Maki topped with yoghurt and red onion without wanting to cut my wrist, which is what herring makes me wanna do!
P.S. Fatty tuna lovers be warned this is not a place where you are served species on the "Fish Red List"! read more