Omakase Guide: 5 Things to Know Before Trying Omakase

Omakase derives from the phrase Omakase shimasu, which translates to "I trust you, chef." In omakase dining, the chef serves the first course based on what fresh ingredients are available that day, then creates the following course based on the diner’s reaction to the initial course, and so on. Traditionally, the omakase sushi dining experience occurs at the sushi counter of Japanese restaurants. There, diners can ask the chef directly for more courses until they’re full. Omakase has roots in Japan, but you can experience it in sushi restaurants around the world.

During an omakase experience, you can expect to sit at the sushi bar, interact with the sushi chef, and learn about ingredients handpicked from the fish market. It’s flexible, creative, and relatively casual. By comparison, kaiseki is fine dining at its best. It’s a high-end, multi-course meal that can feature anywhere from nine to 15 small dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients. While omakase and kaiseki both center around precision, presentation, and experimentation with Japanese cuisine, the kaiseki experience is more formal and fixed whereas a chef may improvise during an omakase experience.

There are a few things you should know before ordering omakase for the first time.

1. 1. The cost of omakase varies. Since the ingredients and number of courses vary from diner to diner in omakase, you won't receive the price of the meal until after you've finished eating. The menu might be simple or feature one-of-a-kind pieces of sushi, but if it's an omakase experience, the chef will curate it for you.
2. 2. It’s going to be a long meal. If you’re looking for a quick bite, skip omakase and save it for when you have the time. Omakase meals tend to be longer than most other meals because they feature many small dishes. Due to the preparation involved and the variety of dishes you receive, you’ll want to set aside at least two hours to get the most out of the dining experience.
3. 3. You might not like everything you try. Part of the fun of omakase is not knowing what you’re going to taste next. You may discover you love bluefin tuna sashimi only to realize with the next bite that you’re not a fan of sea urchin nigiri. It’s best to try omakase with an open mind.
4. 4. Expect to interact with the chef. Omakase chefs typically want to engage in conversation and explain the thought process behind each piece of food. Asking questions, learning new terms, and enjoying the intimacy between diner and chef are all part of the omakase experience.
5. 5. Ask before taking photos. Due to the intimacy of omakase, it’s respectful to ask before pulling out your camera.

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