The art of omakase: Trust the sushi chef for an authentic experience

When you visit a traditional sushi restaurant (not the fast-food kind with a conveyor belt), you’ll often find that it’s a small space with a simple wooden counter.

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Once seated, a great way to fully lean into the experience is by ordering omakase, which essentially means “I trust you, chef”. You’re giving the sushi master permission to choose for you, and that usually consists of about 12 to 15 different dishes featuring the restaurant’s signature menus and ingredients in season. This is probably the most authentic way to experience traditional sushi, which is certainly enhanced by the opportunity to chat directly with the sushi master in the intimate space.

However, there are two points you should keep in mind.

If you have any allergies or strong preferences, make sure to let the chef know. However, in terms of preference, try to keep it to a minimum because that’ll defeat the purpose of omakase. First and foremost, be open to tasting whatever comes your way!

The bill can end up staggering if you’re not explicit about the maximum amount you want to spend, so it’s always good to communicate it with the chef in advance.

Learn more about omakase: https://shorturl.at/QUx4i