Imagine going into a restaurant and not quite knowing what to expect. Omakase describes a type of Japanese dining where the chef decides what you eat. Here are three restaurants to enjoy an amazing omakase experience.
I’ll leave it up to you.”
That is what omakase means. Derived from the phrase “makaseru”, which means “to entrust”, omakase is style of dining where the chef decides what the customer eats. This usually involves creating dishes based on whatever is in season, and the freshest produce available.
If you’re not familiar with omakase dining, you may find the concept a little strange at first. However, dining at a top-quality omakase restaurant is often a magical experience where you get to witness the chef’s creative genius. Because omakase restaurants tend to have smaller, more intimate settings, you’ll get to interact with the chef to find out more about the dish, the type of ingredients he uses and where they’re from, why he’s decided to use a particular preparation method, the best way to enjoy the dish, and so on. It’s almost like a theatrical performance where you get to pick the mind of the artist.
A typical omakase menu comprises of a variety of courses, from appetisers to desserts. The chef will present a series of dishes, usually starting with the raw dishes and lighter fare before proceeding to heavier dishes. While some omakase restaurants focus exclusively on sushi, others also incorporate other cooking methods such as grilling or simmering.
Dining at an omakase restaurant is a delightful sensorial journey; every meal is a pleasant surprise.
