There are sushi restaurants, and then there are sushi experiences that feel like a truly special occasion.

The 10th edition of Sushi Summit definitely belonged to the latter.

Held from 18 to 20 September 2026 at Sushi Hibiki, Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, this year’s edition brought together four master sushi chefs for a three-day culinary experience showcasing the flavours, techniques and stories of Miyagi, Japan.

The Malaysian debut of the DATEMAE SUSHI chefs offered diners the opportunity to experience different expressions of sushi in one intimate omakase journey, with the limited sessions priced at RM1,680++ per person.

Having attended the 20 September session, here are five reasons why we enjoyed the 10th Sushi Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

1. The Very Exclusive Location

One of the first things that makes Sushi Hibiki special is its location.

Secretly tucked within Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, Sushi Hibiki does not have the appearance of a large, bustling Japanese restaurant designed to accommodate huge crowds.

Instead, it offers a much more intimate setting, making it feel like a hidden culinary gem right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

With only a limited number of seats available for each Sushi Summit session, the atmosphere was particularly personal. Guests were able to sit close to the chefs and observe the preparation and presentation of the dishes, rather than simply being one of hundreds of diners in a large restaurant.

This intimacy is very much part of the Sushi Summit experience itself, with each two-hour session designed to be personal and engaging.

For an event featuring four chefs from Japan and Malaysia, having such an exclusive setting certainly made the evening feel even more special.

2. A Menu Built Around High-Quality Ingredients

When it comes to sushi, the quality of the ingredients makes all the difference.

And this is where the 10th Sushi Summit really stood out.

The menu featured an impressive range of seafood, including bluefin tuna, sea urchin, hairy crab, rare prawns, blackthroat seaperch, Spanish mackerel, Japanese char and monkfish liver, alongside other premium ingredients.

What made it even more interesting was the relationship between the chefs and the fishermen and distributors involved in the DATEMAE SUSHI project.

The project brings together local fishermen, distributors and chefs from Miyagi, creating a direct connection between the people who catch the seafood and the chefs who ultimately present it to diners.

For this special Malaysian engagement, the seafood was therefore not simply selected from a standard menu. It represented the ingredients, seasons and fishing culture of Miyagi.

And yes, an experience of this calibre does come at a price.

At RM1,680++ per person, Sushi Summit is certainly well above what you would normally pay for an average dinner.

But this is not an average dinner either.

It is a limited-seat culinary experience involving master chefs, premium ingredients and a concept that brings an entire Japanese region to the dining counter.

3. Helmed By Four Amazing Chefs

The 10th edition brought together four chefs, with three travelling from Miyagi and one representing Kuala Lumpur.

From Japan, Chef Tsuyoshi Sato of Shiogama Otokoyama in Shiogama, Chef Takayuki Iwai of Sushi Iwaki in Sendai, and Chef Shota Kasahara of Ryusei in Kami brought their individual styles from Miyagi to Kuala Lumpur.

Joining them was Chef Makoto Saito Sam, Executive Chef and Owner of Sushi Hibiki and Sakana Japanese Dining, who is based here in Kuala Lumpur and is also one of the founders of Sushi Summit.

What we particularly enjoyed was that despite their impressive credentials and experience, the chefs were incredibly friendly and approachable.

The evening did not feel overly formal or intimidating. Instead, there was a sense of camaraderie among the chefs as they shared the counter and presented their respective creations.

And that is perhaps what makes Sushi Summit different.

Rather than putting the chefs against one another, the event celebrates the individual character of their work — different styles, techniques and philosophies coming together as one dining experience.

4. An Exclusive Event That Happens Once A Year

If you missed this year’s Sushi Summit, you will have to wait until next year.

And that is part of the appeal.

Sushi Summit is not something that happens every few months or is available whenever you happen to be in the mood for an elaborate omakase dinner.

It is a special annual culinary event, with each edition bringing together a different selection of chefs and culinary stories.

The 10th edition itself was held over just three days, from 18 to 20 September, with only two sessions each day.

So when Sushi Summit returns next year, keep an eye out for the announcement and make a reservation early.

It is the kind of dining experience where the limited number of seats is very much part of the experience.

5. It Is An International Culinary Event

Perhaps what makes Sushi Summit even more fascinating is that it is not solely a Kuala Lumpur event.

Since its inception in 2019, Sushi Summit has travelled beyond Malaysia, with editions held in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Dubai.

To date, it has brought together more than 25 master chefs from around the world, creating a platform for sushi chefs with different backgrounds and approaches to share their craft with diners.

The event was founded by Chef Makoto Saito Sam, Executive Chef and Owner of Sushi Hibiki and Sakana Japanese Dining, together with Ee Soon Wei of APW.

Their aim is to elevate the appreciation and standard of sushi in Malaysia by bringing together top chefs and building a growing community of sushi enthusiasts, with the ambition of raising local sushi craftsmanship to a world-class standard.

That international outlook is what makes Sushi Summit particularly interesting.

One year, diners in Kuala Lumpur could find themselves experiencing the work of chefs from one part of Japan, while the wider Sushi Summit journey connects the Malaysian dining scene with culinary communities and chefs from around the world.

And that makes it much more than just another omakase dinner.

It is a meeting point for chefs, fishermen, ingredients, techniques and sushi lovers — all coming together at the counter.

So, if you are a sushi enthusiast, do not miss the next Sushi Summit when it returns to Kuala Lumpur next year.