Omakase is a style of dining in Japanese culinary culture where the customer leaves it up to the chef to select their menu choices.
An omakase menu combines the freshest ingredients, craftsmanship, and the unique creativity of a chef to surprise and delight guests.
In this article, we will introduce five of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo where an omakase menu is particularly popular.
What Is Omakase?
Omakase is a Japanese phrase that means "I’ll leave it to you."
In omakase-style dining, the customer leaves everything to the chef to enjoy the best ingredients of the day and the chef's recommendations.
More than just a meal, omakase offers the experience of tasting dishes that bring out the most of seasonal ingredients by placing complete trust in the chef's skill and taste.
The charm of omakase is that a different menu is served each time, providing the guest with discoveries and surprises.
Another great attraction is that communicating with the chef can deepen your understanding and connection to the cuisine.
Let's look at some of Tokyo's popular sushi restaurants offering an omakase menu.
Sushi Shina / 鮨 しいな
Conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, a three-minute walk from Shin-Nihonbashi Station and a four-minute walk from Kanda Station, "Sushi Shina / 鮨 しいな" is an excellent sushi restaurant for overseas visitors as well.
At Sushi Shina, you can enjoy sushi crafted by skilled chefs to your heart's content at the counter, in a private room, or at a table.
The restaurant has a relaxing Japanese space, with private rooms with counter service and a private dining room.
In particular, the private counter rooms offer special seats where you can indulge in the exclusive view of a sushi chef preparing the dishes right in front of you.
Enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere without having to worry about your surroundings.
The Chef’s Omakase Course is a unique course in which the sushi master carefully selects the freshest ingredients of the day and serves sushi made-to-order.
The course also comes with kobachi (side dishes), owan (soups), and dessert.
You can savor a sumptuous sushi kaiseki (traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine) with nigiri-zushi (hand-pressed sushi) and sashimi made from fresh seasonal seafood, as well as a la carte dishes, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), and dessert.
Experience the best of Japanese culinary culture with the course by fully enjoying the season's flavors.
The drink menu features a wide variety of sake carefully selected from all over Japan to complement your sushi and Japanese dishes.
The sake selected to pair well with Edomae-zushi (traditional Tokyo-style sushi focusing on nigiri-zushi) enhances the flavors of the dishes.
You can find a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including beer, highballs (whisky and soda), and sours, as well as soft drinks for non-drinkers or children.
"Sushi Shina / 鮨 しいな" enjoys its privileged location near Shin-Nihonbashi and Kanda stations yet offers a relaxed atmosphere to ensure a luxury sushi experience, making it a sushi restaurant well worth a visit.
Visit and enjoy the craftsmanship and seasonal flavors to your heart's content.
Sushi Koma / すし独楽
"Sushi Koma / すし独楽" is located in a quiet residential area, five minutes from Toritsu-daigaku Station on foot.
This restaurant offers a relaxed sushi experience with kappo-style (cut and cook) a la carte dishes and seasonal delicacies.
It presents a bright and open space, and the spacious hiba cypress counter welcomes guests with exceptional comfort.
During the day, sunlight fills the space, while at night, warm lighting gently illuminates the street outside, creating a cozy ambiance.
Enjoy nigiri-zushi made with a perfect balance of carefully selected ingredients and rice in a relaxed atmosphere.
The recommended Omakase Course Yakumo is a luxurious, special kaiseki course that includes sakizuke (appetizers), shinogi (appetizers after sakizuke), otsukuri (sashimi), nine pieces of the finest nigiri (hand-pressed sushi), and makimono (roll sushi), priced at 11,000 yen.
The course offers delightful, dainty dishes that are satisfying in quality and quantity.
"Sushi Koma / すし独楽" also focuses on sake with carefully selected local sake from all over Japan.
With six to seven kinds of seasonal local sake regularly in stock, it ensures guests enjoy sake that matches their preference and dishes.
Why not visit "Sushi Koma / すし独楽" and revel in the authentic Japanese culinary culture in the Toritsu-daigaku neighborhood, just 10 minutes away from Shibuya?
Ginza Ryoheisushi / 銀座 量平寿司
"Ginza Ryoheisushi / 銀座 量平寿司", located on the basement floor of a building near Ginza-itchome Station, has quickly gained popularity since its opening in 2023.
The restaurant uses the highest-grade seafood in season carefully picked at the Toyosu Fish Market.
It offers exquisite nigiri and seasonal dishes that showcase the chef's great skill.
In addition to two types of nigiri courses that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, there is also an Omakase Course that is only available at night.
The evening Omakase Course is a luxury set of meals that costs 33,000 yen and includes appetizers, five to six types of seasonal sashimi, two cooked dishes, eight pieces of nigiri-zushi, an owan bowl of soup, and dessert.
Enjoy each and every dish created by Chef Shimada, who has devoted himself to Edomae-zushi.
At the restaurant, you can also ask for recommendations on the best sake to pair with your sushi from the owner's wife, a qualified sake sommelier.
Enjoy finding a cup of sake that fits your preference from their wide selection of sake from all over Japan.
The restaurant has counter seats made of a single piece of beautiful hinoki cypress and a private dining room with a calm ambiance, creating a luxurious atmosphere.
"Ginza Ryoheisushi / 銀座 量平寿司" offers a full English-speaking service, so you can enjoy your meal without language barriers.
Sushi Tsubaki Ikebukuronishiguchi-ten / すし 椿 池袋西口店
"Sushi Tsubaki Ikebukuronishiguchi-ten / すし 椿 池袋西口店", a minute walk from the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, offers sushi starting at 150 yen (165 yen incl. tax) per piece.
They use fresh seafood shipped directly from the Toyosu Fish Market.
One of the restaurant's charms is its affordable prices despite its quality sushi.
For example, egg sushi at 165 yen, salmon at 330 yen, engawa (fluke fin) at 385 yen, ikura (salmon roe) at 495 yen, and uni (sea urchin) at 880 yen.
Try the sushi at Sushi Tsubaki, which is both inexpensive and delicious.
The Omakase Course starts at 7,700 yen (incl. tax), the Satsuki Course at 8,800 yen (incl. tax), and the Tokusen (special) Omakase Course at 11,000 yen (incl. tax).
Each course includes appetizers, assorted sashimi, makimono, grilled dish, chawanmushi, assorted nigiri-zushi, miso soup, and dessert, allowing you to fully enjoy the seasonal ingredients and craftsmanship.
An all-you-can-drink offer can be added for an additional 2,000 yen.
Why not spend a special moment at Sushi Tsubaki?
The restaurant also offers a wide veriety of sake curated from all parts of Japan.
The seasonal local sake menu changes monthly and can be found on the recommended menu as limited edition sake.
Due to limited quantities, it is a good idea to order your favorite sake early before it sells out.
The regular menu also features a selection of delicious local sake from various regions of Japan, which will go perfectly with your sushi.
Enjoy delicious sake and sushi in a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Sushi Ebisu Kourin / 鮨 恵比寿 幸凛
Located only three minutes from Ebisu Station, "Sushi Ebisu Kourin / 鮨 恵比寿 幸凛" offers Edomae-zushi prepared by a chef with over thirty-six years of experience.
Enjoy creative nigiri made with fresh seasonal ingredients carefully selected at the Toyosu Fish Market.
The specialties such as "steamed abalone with sake served with liver sauce" and "fukahire (shark fin) nigiri" are particularly loved by many customers.
"Sushi Ebisu Kourin / 鮨 恵比寿 幸凛"'s main course is the Omakase Course.
It consists of 10 to 11 nigiri dishes using the finest seasonal seafood and five to six side dishes, priced at 11,000 yen (incl. tax).
Also offered is the Special Omakase Course for 15,000 yen (incl. tax), which includes extra special sushi and champagne, perfect for those seeking an even more luxurious experience.
The restaurant stocks a wide selection of sake and wine to enjoy a perfect marriage with sushi.
For example, you can enjoy renowned sake such as Hitakami, as well as champagne and Japanese wines.
A sushi course paired with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages is also available, ensuring that everyone can savor the delicious combinations.
Inside the restaurant, there is a relaxed atmosphere, and the warmth of wood creates a special moment for guests.
The counter has 15 special seats where you can observe the chef's artistry up close and personal, ideal for special occasions.
"Sushi Ebisu Kourin / 鮨 恵比寿 幸凛" offers a unique sushi experience that blends tradition and innovation.
Visit to taste the exquisite Edomae-zushi yourself.
Summary
We have explored five sushi restaurants in Tokyo where you can enjoy your omakase experience.
Each restaurant has its own character and charm, and the chef's unique creativity is reflected in every piece of sushi you relish.
Why not savor exquisite seasonal ingredients and craftsmanship through the Japanese culinary tradition of omakase?
And when visiting Tokyo, be sure to enjoy your special dining experience at one of these sushi restaurants.