Omakase stands for, "I will leave it up to you". At Japanese omakase restaurants, diners leave it entirely up to the chef to select and serve seasonal ingredients and specialities. The element of surprise and creative freedom for chefs are what makes omakase meals such a gastronomic adventure. Today, we’re picking out our favourite omakase restaurants in Singapore. Which ones are your favourite? Click here to vote and let us know!
1. Shoukouwa
Shoukouwa was awarded with Michelin two stars just four months into its opening, which speaks for itself! The eight-seater restaurant is helmed by Japanese chefs who hail from a long edomae sushi tradition and have honed their artistry for years at prestigious Ginza establishments. Fresh fish is flown in daily from Tokyo. Since the local market is closed on Mondays, so does the restaurant. Choose from the Miyabi ($380++) or Hana (S$480++) sets. The former showcases the freshest seasonal seafood from Japan, while the latter features the finest selection of local Japanese ingredients.
2. Sushi Kimura
Sushi Kimura provides guests a private and intimate setting designed to invoke tradition. Guests can expect to enjoy seasonally curated edomae-style delicacies and fresh premium ingredients from different parts of Japan. Helmed by Master Chef Tomoo Kimura, the focus is on premium and seasonal ingredients, freshly flown in from Japan four times a week. Choose from three sets for dinner: Enshu ($280++), Oribe ($330++), and Rikyu ($400++), and leave it up to Chef Kimura to surprise you with his exquisite and delicate dishes.
3. Ginza Sushi Ichi
The overseas branch of the famed Tokyo restaurant, Ginza Sushi Ichi provides an authentic omakase dining experience as if you were in Japan. Tuna and sea urchin are the restaurant’s specialty, and you also expect some of the freshest nigiri sushi and small plates you’ll ever have. Lunch is generally the cheaper option, with sets going from $100++ to $240++, while dinner ranges from $220++ to $430++.
4. Teppei Japanese Restaurant
Teppei is well known for its affordable omakase, drawing a crowd to the 22-seater restaurant every night. It’s difficult to snag a seat here unless you book months in advance. Menus change monthly depending on the seasonal ingredients available. If you wonder if the quality will be compromised because of its price, the answer is no. In fact, some of the dishes here taste better than those served by bigger names and more respectable restaurants!
5. Ki-sho
Housed in a colonial house along Scotts Road, Ki-sho is well known among foodies for its “aristocratic craftsmanship”. It is helmed by Chef Kazuhiro Hamamoto, who gained his wealth of experience and expertise from the three Michelin-starred Kichisen in Kyoto and with Chef Tetsuya Wakuda at Waku Ghin. Omakase prices range from $300++ to $450++ per person. It’s definitely not the cheapest meal you’ll have, but you can expect really fresh and indulgent dishes like the luxurious uni and caviar plate!
6. Shinji by Kanesaka
Shinji by Kanesaka is the overseas branch of Chef Shinji Kanesaka’s one Michelin-star restaurant in Tokyo. When it comes to decadent omakases in Singapore, there aren’t many quite as reliable and elegant as this spot. Diners can choose between two omakase sets for lunch (from $250++) and three (from $300++) at dinner. Needless to say, the dishes you’ll be served here are world-class. Expect a gastronomic adventure!