Robert WebbBest Japanese Restaurants for Omakase
If you’re like us, we can’t possibly get enough of Japanese food. But we have one problem with it though. There are just so many options! Being the indecisive people that we are, we often struggle to make a choice when presented with many options.
That is why, my friend, we’re so excited to tell you all about the best Japanese restaurants for omakase! Think fine dining and exquisite sushi and sashimi, all prepared by skilled chefs.
1. Masayoshi
We made sure to book early at Masayoshi so we could score a counter seat to watch their chefs prepare the Omakase meal. The restaurant is pretty much the epitome of elegance, as it features minimalist decor, leather couches, and subtle lighting.
So we don’t know about you, but we don’t really know a lot about sushi, but the chefs made sure to give their recommendations. We ended up trying a few different things and finding some new favorites.
First is the otoro with caviar. Now, this dish was tasty as hell. The otoro was so tender, and the caviar was really a nice added touch, as it added a salty but subtle taste.
Our next favorite was also a big surprise, as we never thought we’d love eel. The tamago was sweet, and the eel was very savory, much like the taste of salmon, and we liked dipping it in soy sauce.
We could not finish our meal without tasting sake, so we ordered a sampler of their sake, and you know what? It’s a big mistake not to try Japanese sake.
These drinks were refreshing, and they had a unique flavor that stood out to us. We caught hints of citrus and herbs, which gave the drinks a bright and invigorating taste.
2. Sushi Bar Maumi
We have to say that Sushi Bar Maumi is an awesome introduction for newcomers to omakase service. It was absolutely wonderful to be able to see our sushi being prepared in front of us.
All the dishes are fresh and visually appealing, so much so that we ordered extras. We also liked the ambiance and the intimate feel of this restaurant because it was not too crowded.
Perhaps our favorite of them all is the Shima Aji. It was light and buttery, and boy, was it tender and sweet. This was one of the many dishes that we ordered an extra serving of. It’s just that good!
We also loved the Ikura! If you’re wondering what this is, it’s salmon roe, which is salty and sweet. We also detected a subtle fish flavor in the roe.
And you know what? While you’re here, we highly recommend you try the Sumi Ika Geso. It’s made from the tentacles of squid and is a popular Japanese delicacy that is grilled to perfection and served with a side of soy sauce. Very yummy!
3. Tetsu Sushi Bar
This place is an absolute must if you’re into sushi. Although we must admit that the price tag can be a bit steep, you’ll quickly see that it’s well worth it, and we’ll tell you all about it.
First thing you have to know about the Tetsu Sushi Bar is the intimate ambiance of the restaurant as it has only 3 bar seats and limited seating. That’s why we recommend you to book a table in advance!
We got the nigiris from the premium omakase menu, and boy, it didn’t disappoint! First off, the portions were generous, and the taste of each dish was perfectly balanced. We also made sure to rinse our palates with garlic after every bite.
Out of everything we tasted, our top pick has got to be the wagyu beef nigiri. It was rich and had a buttery flavor that melted in our mouths. It really stands out among other meats.
But if you’re more into fish, then we suggest you try the tamago with unagi. Think of it as a sushi roll where the sweet egg is wrapped around the savory unagi eel.
4. Sushi bar Shu
This sleek Japanese omakase restaurant is the epitome of modern and fine dining, as it immediately welcomes customers with light brown and black accents and subtle lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere.
Here’s something different. We loved their octopus soy sauce with marinated karashi, and we think you would too. The dish has a unique flavor that is both savory and tangy, and the octopus was tender, so it wasn’t hard to chew at all.
Another favorite of ours on their menu is the hokkaido uni. Look, if you’ve had uni before, you know it can be hit or miss, but the uni at this restaurant is consistently fresh and buttery.
Of course we couldn’t leave without dessert so we got the flan and mochi which are both equally fluffy and sweet. Maybe consider getting these as well if you’re a sweet tooth like us!
5. Miku Vancouver
Gorgeous views of the Vancouver harbor, a well-decorated interior, and comfortable seating. This was all that welcomed us when we arrived at the Miku Restaurant.
While the set menu had relatively small portions, each bite was just heavenly, and you really get what you pay for here. Plus, the menu is so diverse, and the sauces that come with the dishes are just well done.
We know what you’re thinking: “So are we supposed to try everything on their menu if it’s good?” Well, you can, but the dish that stood out to us here at Miku is the red tuna aburi nigiri.
It’s a simple yet very flavorful dish, and you can definitely taste the smoky flavor of the tuna. We highly recommend that you dip this in soy sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
We also tried their sake flights, which we think you should try too, as sushi is best paired with Japanese sake.
Out of all these three, we liked the aburi ginjo the best, as it wasn’t too strong for us but still had a rich and complex flavor that complemented the sushi perfectly.
6. Minami
Minami has some pretty awesome walls, intricately painted with Japanese fish that reflect the traditional art of Koi fish painting. That’s why we were glad to score a seat right below it!
Hands down, our favorite has got to be the premium Aburi oshi trio. First off, the plating of this dish is exquisite, and being seafood lovers ourselves, we liked how the different types of fish were perfectly seared and the flavors were well-balanced.
Naturally, we didn’t stop there. We also ordered the champagne roll, premium oshi trio, oshi sampler, and the Minami signature 10-piece set. Please don’t judge us; we were having a particularly hard week at that time.
In the end, our visit to Minami was delightful. We went out with full stomachs and big smiles and if you’re wondering, we definitely plan on going back soon.
7. Tojo’s Restaurant
A fellow foodie told us about Tojo’s Restaurant, and we can’t thank them enough for letting us know about this Japanese omakase restaurant.
We had a hard time finding the entrance because it wasn’t heavily advertised, but we think it adds to the restaurant’s charm as it feels like a hidden gem.
It’s also a good thing we booked ahead, as the restaurant was also 70% full by the time we got there.
If we’re being completely honest, we licked every plate and bowl clean and drank every drop of soup. The taste, smell, and presentation of the dishes were great, and it’s safe to say that we still think about this restaurant today.
But if we had to pick favorites, the spider roll and the Pacific Northwest roll really did it for us. And no, the spider roll doesn’t have a real spider in it.
Both had their own unique tastes, like the spider roll, which was sweet and tangy, while the Pacific Northwest roll was fresh and had a hint of smokiness from the salmon.
8. Sushi Jin
Perhaps the biggest asset of Sushi Jin is none other than Chef Jin and his wife, as they were both so friendly and professional to us when we came in for our reservation.
Now, on to the omakase experience! We liked that the courses are evenly spaced and the flavors progress naturally from light to more rich and fatty dishes.
It was like a culinary journey that allowed us to savor each dish and appreciate the balance of flavors in their omakase menu.
If you plan to visit here, their king salmon is a must try. It’s lightly torched and served with a delicious citrus glaze that perfectly complements the richness of the fish.
Let’s see, what else? You may also want to try the bluefin tuna chutoro. It’s not seared so you don’t get that smoky flavor, but you do get a buttery and melt-in-your-mouth texture that is truly unique to chutoro.
9. Bistro Sakana
We dropped by Bistro Sakana during Dine Out Vancouver, and the interior really made us feel like we were in Japan. There were cherry blossom decorations, traditional Japanese lanterns, and the menu offered a great selection of sushi.
We got the aburi set, which included wagyu, angus, bluefin otoro, and engawa. While these dishes were absolutely delicious, we decided to hold on a little longer to make our decision and try more dishes.
Alas! We found our top pick: spinach gomae. Want to know why this is our top pick? Besides the fact that it’s healthy, we liked the nutty and savory flavor of this dish, and it serves both as a side dish and a main course.
10. Sushi Okeya Kyujiro
Sushi Okeya Kyujiro’s elevated omakase experience is why we recommend them so highly. They managed to turn omakase into a theatrical art form while showcasing traditional cooking techniques with a contemporary twist.
After 20 courses of sushi and sashimi goodness, we narrowed it down to three favorites. First, the monkfish liver. Hear us out first! This dish was sweet and it had a smooth buttery texture like foie gras. It’s delicious, we swear!
Our second recommendation is the saltwater eel. It’s got a similar taste to salmon, but this meat is sweeter, and we highly recommend you dip it in eel sauce!
Lastly, the Mackerel roll! It’s everything you’d want in a sushi roll—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The mackerel was so tender, we ordered three extras!
Omakase Dining Etiquette
- Don’t mix your rice and soy sauce: This can be considered rude to your chef. Make sure to dip your sushi over so the soy only touches the fish, NOT the rice.
- Dress appropriately: most Omakase experiences are fine dining, so make sure to dress up! This means freshly pressed shirts and blazers for men and a proper dress or a skirt and blouse for the women.
- Don’t eat sashimi with your fingers: make sure to use your chopsticks. Using your fingers can be seen as disrespectful in Japanese culture, and it can also be unhygienic.
- Eat ginger before and after each sushi: ginger serves as a palate cleanser and prepares your mouth to enjoy the full flavor of your next dish.
- Eat in one bite: sushi is designed to be the perfect bite so no splitting it into bites please!
Well, there you have it! The Japanese are really creative when it comes to food, eh? If you ever feel like you want to try omakase, feel free to visit the establishment above.
Just in case you would also like to try other Japanese cuisine. Here are some related articles that can help:
