omakase
Trust the chef
Omakase is a Japanese term for a meal left to the chef's discretion—literally "I leave it up to you." At sushi restaurants, ordering omakase means receiving whatever the chef selects, typically the freshest seasonal ingredients prepared in sequence: We sat at the bar and did the omakase.
The format implies trust in the chef's expertise and often commands premium prices.
Hand-formed rice with topping
- sashimiThinly sliced raw fish
- toroPrized tuna belly
- uniBritish term for college
- hamachiJapanese amberjack served raw
chirashi · maki · temaki · eel · salmon · tuna · octopus · roe
Japanese culinary professional
- preparationArranging things in advance
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- artisanSkilled manual tradesperson
- creativityCapacity for original thought
conversation · expertise · technique · sourcing · seasonal · intuition · mastery · relationship
Cease resistance, yield
- faithTrust without proof
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- opennessQuality of being accessible
adventure · confidence · vulnerability · curiosity · deference · spontaneity · expectation · discovery
Flat service surface
- intimateClosely personal or private
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- splurgeSpend freely, impulsively
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
ambiance · exclusive · indulgence · epicurean · connoisseur · foodie · destination · premium
Refined Japanese multi-course cuisine
- coursesAcademic subjects or meal stages
- progressionSequential forward movement
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- presentationFormal display to viewers
ceramics · harmony · balance · refinement · artistry · plating · succession · pacing
nigiri
Hand-formed rice with topping
hamachi · chirashi · maki · temaki · eel · salmon · tuna · octopus · roe · seaweed
itamae
Japanese culinary professional
- preparationArranging things in advance
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- artisanSkilled manual tradesperson
creativity · conversation · expertise · technique · sourcing · seasonal · intuition · mastery · relationship · trust
surrender
Cease resistance, yield
- faithTrust without proof
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
openness · adventure · confidence · vulnerability · curiosity · deference · spontaneity · expectation · discovery
counter
Flat service surface
- intimateClosely personal or private
- reservationAdvance arrangement to hold
- splurgeSpend freely, impulsively
experience · ambiance · exclusive · indulgence · epicurean · connoisseur · foodie · destination · premium
kaiseki
Refined Japanese multi-course cuisine
- coursesAcademic subjects or meal stages
- progressionSequential forward movement
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
presentation · ceramics · harmony · balance · refinement · artistry · plating · succession · pacing · aesthetics
- cuisinelocal cuisine, regional cuisine, indigenous cuisine, ethnic food, traditional recipes
- eateriesrestaurant, diner, bistro, cafeteria, pizzeria
- gastronomygastronomy, gourmet food, fine dining, degustation, culinary tour
- Japanese foodsushi, ramen, tempura, sashimi, miso
- restaurantsmenu, chef, reservations, table service, waitstaff
- sushisushi, nigiri, sashimi, maki, temaki
omakaseà la carte
Separately priced dishes
custom order · special request · made to order · self-selection · self-selected
omakaseà la carte
Separately priced dishes
prix fixe · set menu · tasting menu · buffet · kaiseki