Twenty years later and no sushi experience has topped our meal at Sushi Dai. Back then it was still at the old Tsukiji market (they've since moved to Toyosu), but the reputation for incredible sushi at surprisingly reasonable prices hasn't changed. Just those 10 counter seats and sushi that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about raw fish.

The legendary lines are apparently even longer now - up to 5 hours - but our experience explains why people are willing to wait. The chefs' precision, the quality of fish (getting first pick at the market helps), and that intimate counter experience create something special.

Sometimes you wonder if memories get better with time, but seeing how this place still draws crowds two decades later at their new Toyosu location tells me that magical meal wasn't just in my head.