Omakase: Letting the Chefs Decide

What's the essence of omakase, you ask? The fate of your meal is entirely in the hands of the chef. That's the essence of omakase dining. You've likely heard of the word omakase for those dedicated Japanese diners. But it's often misunderstood to mean 'the dish of the day' or 'chef's recommendation' – omakase goes much further than this. Suppose you want to experience the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine and go on a culinary adventure. In that case, omakase must feature on your foodie bucket list.

Omakase means "I'll leave it up to you." 

This is what omakase dining entails—you're letting the chef decide what to cook for your dinner, and they'll serve you whatever they believe you'll like. Chefs frequently use the best seasonal ingredients. Still, the remainder of the experience is totally up to the chef's philosophy and preferences. All you need to do is unwind, sit back, and savor the meal. 

Many Japanese omakase establishments need more than ten diners per evening, making it more expensive than other types of dining because it is such a special occasion, and you are also paying for the experience. After trying a handful of omakase establishments on the Upper West Side, I will give you my recommendations, including quality and price.

Omakase dining is extremely well-liked both in Japanese restaurants and in eateries all over the world. It's a memorable experience that can also make ordering less stressful. Of course, there's also the outstanding quality of the food on offer.

Why should you add the Omakase experience to your bucket-list?

When did you last speak to the cook, let alone see their face? These barriers are broken down via omakase dining, which enables patrons to watch the chefs in action and interact with them while they produce your delectable meal. 

As a result, you can have a specially tailored experience where the chef can modify his dishes to fit your preferences and responses when they probe you. 

You'll get the chance to learn more from the experts about the food you're eating and what ingredients are in season. You'll experience a genuine connection with the food in front of you and are sure to try various new flavors.

Omakase Spots on the Upper West Side

1. Omakase Shihou (Shiro) NYC

My first ever omakase experience was shared with my mom! We went at 5 PM and had the whole place to ourselves. We could converse with our chefs and learned so much about each fish cut and the difference each cut made. The staff at this UWS location were out of this world, excellent! They made us feel so special for our first omakase experience! Plus, their homemade ginger is the best I've ever had.

Watch this video to see all the dishes at this location!

2. Sushi Ishikawa

I made a reservation at this location for 9 PM. It was at total capacity. Our waitresses are very accommodating as there was a larger loud party there. They offered us free drinks for our inconvenience. The presentation and mix of flavors were out of this world. 

3. Sushi Nonoka

We were among the last people to be seated, and there was only one chef. The service was slower than my other experiences. I felt full and was dreading each piece the more we were served. The fish was fresh; I wish the service were quicker. We were there for three hours. 

Dishes at Sushi Nonoka

4. Sushi W

This place is a tip-free establishment and is the most affordable. It was my least favorite. The fish could have been better quality than in the other omakase establishments. It was still good for the price and a good experience. They offer two types of service, basic and premium omakase. We tried the same premium as the basic, with just three other sushi pieces. For a first-timer, this place will be great to try.