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Cities/Shanghai/Sushi/Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司
Shanghai · Sushi · omakase

Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司

JapaneseOmakaseEdomaeSushi

Hulu Sushi is an intimate 12-seat omakase restaurant on Xingfu Road, tucked inside Pirata, where chef-owner Liu-San — a seven-year veteran of Sushi Oyama — delivers a lively, flavor-driven omakase. Expect creative touches like torched toro crowned with uni, layered ebi-scallop-sea urchin combinations, and a menu that changes nightly.

Price
¥¥¥¥
Area
Changning
Since
2018
Chef
Liu-San
Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 — authentic japanese restaurant in Shanghai, Changning
Plate № 12
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About
Founded in August 2018 by Liu-San, a native of Jiangxi who spent seven years as sous chef under Japanese master Takeo Oyama, Hulu Sushi occupies a sliver of space at the back of Pirata on Xingfu Road. The counter seats just 12 — originally six, now expanded — across two tightly-timed seatings per evening. Liu-San's style bears the clear imprint of Oyama but is distinctly his own: a theatrical play of textures and temperatures, marked by generous flavor bombs (torched fatty tuna, scallop-uni stacks, foie gras over salmon roe rice) and a genuine entertainer's showmanship. The ¥1,080 set menu changes nightly based on what arrives fresh. Despite the modest location within a Western bar, Hulu Sushi has carved out a devoted following among both expats and Shanghai food insiders as one of the city's most satisfying omakase experiences at its price point.
Neighborhood & visiting

Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 sits in Changning, one of Shanghai's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Seven years of training under legendary Japanese master Takeo Oyama at Sushi Oyama underpins every technique and flavoring decision on the menu.
  • A strictly 12-seat counter with two seatings ensures the chef's full personal attention and a genuinely intimate omakase experience.
  • Creative, flavor-focused nigiri — torched toro crowned with uni, layered shellfish combinations — sets it apart from more traditional omakase counters.
  • At ¥1,080 all-in, Hulu offers exceptional quality-to-price ratio in a city where top omakase routinely exceeds ¥2,000.

Two seatings nightly (18:00 and 20:00); reservations are required and book out well in advance. The location inside Pirata bar means you can start or end the evening with cocktails. — Format: Omakase counter. Authenticity: Chef-owner Liu-San spent seven years as sous chef under Japanese master Takeo Oyama at Sushi Oyama before launching this 12-seat counter in 2018; the Oyama-school lineage is central to his craft.

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Frequently asked

About Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司

Is Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 an authentic japanese restaurant in Shanghai?
Yes — Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Shanghai: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 located?
Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 is located at Lot 101, 110 Xingfu Road (inside Pirata), Changning District, Shanghai, Shanghai, China in the Changning neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司?
Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular sushi restaurants in Shanghai we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司?
Hulu Sushi 葫芦寿司 sits in the ¥¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Shanghai.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Shanghai →Sushi in Shanghai →Authentic sushi worldwide →All cities →