What Is Omakase? Everything You Need to Know

What does omakase mean?

If you've ever seen omakase on a Japanese restaurant menu, you may have wondered exactly what it means.

The word omakase (おまかせ) roughly translates as “I leave it up to you” or “I entrust it to you.” In a restaurant, this means placing your dining experience in the hands of the chef.

Rather than selecting every dish yourself from a menu, an omakase experience allows the chef to decide what to serve, based on the best ingredients available, the season, and the style of the restaurant.

It is this element of trust and discovery that makes omakase so different from a conventional meal.

How does an omakase experience work?

There isn't one fixed format for omakase. Every chef and restaurant can interpret the experience differently.

At a sushi restaurant, however, omakase often involves a carefully considered progression of dishes. You might begin with lighter dishes before moving towards more delicate or richer flavours, finishing with sushi and other seasonal specialities.

The chef considers not only the individual ingredients but also how the meal progresses as a whole.

This could mean changing the type of fish, adjusting the seasoning, varying the preparation or introducing a particularly special ingredient at the right moment.

The result is a meal that feels less like ordering from a menu and more like being taken through a culinary journey.

Why is omakase different from ordering à la carte?

When ordering à la carte, you decide what you want to eat. With omakase, the chef takes a much greater role in shaping the experience.

That doesn't mean you have no choice at all. Allergies, dietary requirements and dislikes should always be communicated to the restaurant beforehand. But beyond those considerations, the idea is to give the chef the freedom to create the meal.

This is particularly well suited to sushi because the quality and availability of fish can change with the seasons.

Instead of simply choosing the same favourites every time, omakase gives you the opportunity to discover something you might not have ordered yourself.

Seasonality is at the heart of omakase

One of the most appealing aspects of omakase is that it can reflect what is best right now.

Japanese cuisine places enormous importance on seasonality. Different fish and ingredients come into their prime at different times of the year, and an omakase menu allows the chef to respond to those changes.

A chef might select a particular fish because it is at its peak, introduce a seasonal ingredient or use a preparation that brings out its best qualities.

This means an omakase experience can change considerably from one visit to the next.

What can you expect from an omakase menu?

Every restaurant is different, but a sushi omakase might include a combination of:

• Seasonal appetisers

• Carefully prepared sashimi

• Seasonal cooked dishes

• Nigiri sushi

• Specialty sushi

• Soup or other traditional Japanese dishes

• Dessert

The exact number and order of courses will depend on the restaurant and the particular menu.

At Sushi Atelier, our approach to omakase is designed to showcase the quality of the ingredients while creating a considered progression throughout the meal.

Our one-hour Omakase experience includes 14 courses, including 10 pieces of sushi, offering guests the opportunity to experience a selection of sushi and Japanese dishes chosen to create a complete dining experience.

Do you need to know a lot about sushi?

Absolutely not.

One of the great things about omakase is that you don't need to be an expert. In fact, it can be a particularly enjoyable way to discover Japanese food if you're still learning about sushi.

Your chef or server can explain the dishes as they arrive, including the ingredients, preparation and recommended way to enjoy them.

You may discover a type of fish you've never tried before or experience a style of sushi that you wouldn't have chosen from a standard menu.

Is omakase expensive?

Omakase can range considerably in price depending on the restaurant, the number of courses and the ingredients used.

At the highest end, some traditional sushi counters offer lengthy experiences featuring exceptionally rare and premium ingredients. Other restaurants offer shorter, more accessible omakase menus.

The important thing is to understand what is included in the menu before booking.

For guests looking to experience omakase without committing to a lengthy multi-hour experience, a shorter format can be an ideal introduction.

How should you eat omakase?

There are plenty of myths surrounding sushi etiquette, but you don't need to worry about getting everything perfect.

The most important thing is to relax and enjoy the experience.

If you're served nigiri, the chef may have already seasoned it with soy sauce or other ingredients, so there may be no need to add anything yourself. When using soy sauce, a small amount is generally enough.

Gari, or pickled ginger, is traditionally eaten between pieces of sushi to refresh the palate rather than placed directly on top of the sushi.

And if you're unsure about something, simply ask. A good omakase experience should be welcoming and enjoyable rather than intimidating.

Why try omakase?

Perhaps the biggest appeal of omakase is the element of surprise.

You arrive without necessarily knowing exactly what you'll eat and allow the chef to guide you through the meal.

For sushi lovers, it can be an opportunity to explore new ingredients and seasonal specialities. For newcomers to Japanese cuisine, it offers a way to experience a variety of dishes without having to navigate an unfamiliar menu.

And for anyone who simply enjoys great food, it is an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the craft behind each dish.

Experience omakase at Sushi Atelier

Located in Fitzrovia, Sushi Atelier offers a modern approach to Japanese dining, combining carefully selected ingredients with the precision and creativity of sushi preparation.

Our one-hour Omakase experience features 14 courses, including 10 pieces of sushi, making it an accessible way to experience the chef-led style of Japanese dining.

Whether you're already passionate about sushi or trying omakase for the first time, the best way to understand it is to experience it for yourself.

Leave the choices to the chef, take your seat at the counter and see where the meal takes you.