Though there are quite a few Japanese sushi joints in Joburg, this one is distinguished by its staff of all-Japanese chefs, about a half of dozen of whom are furiously chopping and rolling at any given time behind the central sushi bar.

The sushi bar is the main attraction in this rather small space on the upper level of the Blubird Center, which features black granite surfaces, white tile floors, and brown wood paneled walls with bamboo carvings and other wood accents.

There are few conventional booths are pressed against the far wall, for those who prefer to face their companions. You can order from the menu if you are seated at a table, and if you are seated at the bar you can grab a roll from the moving conveyor belt, or pick an item from the menu. The menu includes a selection of rolls – not the crazy, fancy ones you see at other restaurants, but rather “normal” ones – plus an array of soups, noodle dishes, udon, tempura, salads and appetizers. There’s also a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as green tea, coconut milk, aloe juice, kola tonic and lemonade.

I decided to try a little from column A, and little from column B. I grabbed a couple of nice-looking fashion sandwiches, nigiri sushi, and two-piece rolls from the conveyor, and also decided to try the  chicken and cashew nut noodles off the menu. The noodles were filling and pleasant, and the rolls were extremely fresh and tasty. Which is not surprising considering that we witnessed the sushi rice coming straight out of wooden buckets, and watched the chefs cut fresh-off-the-tree avocado and just-caught fish.

Service was prompt and polite, and the prices were fairly reasonable. I was there on a Sunday afternoon, which was prime time for families and senior citizens, but I imagine that in the evenings a younger, more chic crowd turns up.