An omakase course at a sushi restaurant is more than just a meal — it’s a full immersion into Japanese sushi culture. Traditionally, it is customized based on your budget, preferences, and any ingredients you dislike, communicated at the time of reservation. Nowadays, it’s common for restaurants to determine both the menu and the prices.

For first-time visitors, this system lets you focus entirely on the food and conversation, making it ideal for business dinners or special occasions. Experienced sushi lovers can still customize the course by sharing their preferences when booking.

 

Omakase Course Styles

１．Nigiri-Only Style
For example, at restaurants like Sukiyabashi Jiro, the course focuses solely on carefully crafted nigiri.

２．Tsumami (small appetizers) + Nigiri Style

・A course where Tsumami are served first, followed by nigiri.

・A style where Tsumami and nigiri are served alternately, as at Sushi Sho, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in New York.

Tsumami typically includes 5–10 dishes, and combined with nigiri, the course totals around 20 items. This allows diners to enjoy a rich variety of seasonal flavors.

 

Example: Summer Omakase Course (Tsumami-Focused First Half)

■ First Half (Tsumami)

・Edamame

・Three kinds of sashimi (today: Tairagi, Aoyagi, Hirame)

・Corn chawanmushi

・Abalone rice

・Sardine roll

・Three kinds of sake appetizers (Tsumami)

・Grilled Mehikari

■ Second Half (Nigiri)

・Kohada

・Kasugo

・Chutoro

・Kobashira

・Kue

・Akami

・Otoro

・Aji

・Kuruma ebi

・Kitamurasaki uni

・Anago

・Nihama

・Tamago yaki

■ Course Finale

・Shijimi wan

 

Summary

This course is notable for never repeating the same fish, allowing a well-balanced tasting of seasonal flavors. Another highlight of this course is that it showcases the full spectrum of sushi neta categories—Akami, Shiromi, Hikarimono, Nimono, kai, and ebi—offering a well-rounded and comprehensive tasting experience. Enjoying about two cups of sake while working through the menu leaves you quite full. Priced at approximately ¥50,000, this course delivers not just exceptional flavors but also a deeply satisfying dining experience.

＊This is an omakase course for true sushi lovers. It’s usually quite a challenge to eat this much.

 

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