"Masato Shimizu's one-star Edomae counter off Sukhumvit 31, ฿4,000 omakase with Toyosu fish — book a counter stool for solo dining."
About Sushi Masato
There is no street frontage to speak of — a wooden door down Soi Sawasdee, off Sukhumvit 31, and a name in kanji. Masato Shimizu learned sushi in Japan, then cooked in New York for a decade, where he held Michelin stars before moving to Bangkok in 2015. The counter he opened here earned its own one Michelin star in 2021 and has kept it since, including in the 2026 Thailand guide. It is consistently named among the best omakase rooms in the city. For the wider scene, see the Bangkok dining guide.
The Kitchen
Shimizu works in the Edomae tradition: fish aged and cured rather than served straight from the ice, rice seasoned with red vinegar and held close to body temperature, a single brush of nikiri instead of a soy dish on the side. The tuna is the test piece, flown from Toyosu and cut into akami, chutoro and otoro that show the aging clearly. Hokkaido uni and a warm anago near the end are the other markers of a good night. There are two menus — the standard omakase at ฿4,000 and the premium at ฿6,000, the latter adding crab, abalone and extra sea urchin. Shimizu runs the counter himself alongside chefs Kanno and Kurokawa, and a single diner gets the same attention as a table of four. It is the most serious sushi address in the city; for the global picture, read the best sushi restaurants worldwide and the wider Japanese restaurants guide.
The Room
The room is small and hushed, built around a pale hinoki counter that seats about ten, with a couple of private tables behind. Lighting is low and warm, focused on the cutting board rather than the diners. Sound is quiet enough to hear the knife; conversation stays low, and the pacing follows the chef, not the table. Dress is smart-casual — no jacket required, but neat — and strong perfume is discouraged at the counter. It is a setting designed for one chef and a dozen guests, not for a crowd.
Best for Solo Dining
Sushi Masato is one of the best seats in Bangkok for eating alone. The counter format means a single diner is the ideal guest, not an awkward one: you watch the chef, you can talk to him when the rhythm allows, and the omakase pacing removes any pressure to fill silence. A lone seat also slips into bookings the larger parties cannot use. Take the earlier seating, sit in front of Shimizu, and let the meal run. For more counters that reward a table for one, see our solo dining guide.
Not for
Not for a lively group night or anyone counting baht — it is a quiet counter built for one chef and a dozen stools, and a full omakase with sake clears ฿7,000 a head fast.
Frequently Asked
Is Sushi Masato worth it?
Yes, if you want the most serious Edomae sushi in Bangkok. Chef Masato Shimizu trained in Japan and held Michelin stars in New York before opening here, and the kitchen took its own one-Michelin-star in 2021. At ฿4,000 for the standard omakase it is expensive but consistent, and the fish flown from Toyosu is the equal of good counters in Tokyo. For a quiet, focused meal it is the easiest recommendation in the city.
How hard is it to book Sushi Masato?
Hard. The counter is small and seatings sell out a week or more ahead, with Friday and Saturday the first to go. Book directly through the restaurant by phone or its site, and ask to sit in front of Masato Shimizu rather than the second chef if it matters to you. Weeknight slots and the earlier seating are the realistic options if you are booking late. See more counters in our Bangkok dining guide.
How much does omakase at Sushi Masato cost?
There are two omakase menus: the standard at ฿4,000 and the premium at ฿6,000 per person, before drinks and the service and tax add-ons. The premium adds seasonal items such as crab, abalone and more sea urchin. Sake and tea push the bill higher. Budget around ฿5,000 to ฿8,000 a head for a full evening with a couple of drinks.
What is the dress code at Sushi Masato?
Smart-casual. There is no jacket requirement, but the room is formal in feel and most diners arrive in collared shirts or neat dresses rather than shorts and sandals. Avoid strong cologne or perfume at the counter, as it competes with the fish and the other guests sit close. Phones on silent; this is a quiet, attentive room.
Is Sushi Masato good for solo dining?
Yes, it is one of the best solo seats in Bangkok. The counter is built for watching one chef work, and a single diner is treated as a full guest rather than an afterthought. Conversation with the chef is welcome but never forced, and the pacing suits eating alone. See our solo dining guide for more counters that reward a table for one.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Sushi Masato
Book directly through the restaurant. Two seatings most nights; weekends go first.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address3/22 Soi Sawasdee 1, Sukhumvit 31, Bangkok
NeighbourhoodSukhumvit 31, Watthana
CuisineEdomae sushi (omakase)
Price฿4,000 / ฿6,000 omakase
Dress CodeSmart-casual
SeatingCounter (~10) + private tables
ReservationDirect / phone
DietaryFish-led; advise on shellfish allergies when booking
