What Is Omakase? A First-Time Guest’s Guide

By adminPublished: July 14, 2026Updated: July 14, 2026

What is Omakase?

Omakase is a way of dining in which guests entrust the chef or restaurant with selecting and arranging the meal. Instead of choosing every dish independently, guests follow a progression designed around the menu, available ingredients, preparation and serving sequence.

The Japanese expression is commonly understood as “I leave it up to you.” In a restaurant, that trust does not remove the guest’s role: allergies, dietary restrictions, budget, timing and other essential limits should still be disclosed before the booking is confirmed.

Omakase is a format, not one dish

Omakase does not name a single recipe and is not limited to sushi. The idea can be applied to sushi, hot dishes, Teppanyaki, hotpot and other formats when the chef or restaurant meaningfully guides selection and sequence.

This is why two Omakase meals can look very different. One may focus on pieces served individually at a counter; another may use a teppan; another may centre on a shared broth. The common element is a curated journey rather than a particular ingredient.

Omakase, set menus and à-la-carte dining

These terms overlap, but they are not identical:

À la carte: guests select individual dishes and often decide the order or timing.
Set menu: a defined collection of courses offered together.
Omakase: the chef or restaurant also guides how the meal develops, including selection, preparation and sequence.

A set menu is not automatically Omakase. It reflects the Omakase idea when the courses are treated as a connected experience rather than as a discounted group of unrelated dishes.

What happens during an Omakase meal

The precise format depends on the restaurant, but guests can usually expect:

confirmation of the menu or format before service;
courses presented in a deliberate order;
lighter flavours before richer or more intense stages;
explanations or guidance when an ingredient needs context;
a conclusion planned as part of the meal rather than added at random.

Omakase does not mean guests must accept unsafe or unsuitable food. Dietary information should be discussed in advance so the restaurant can determine whether the requested experience is possible.

Teppanyaki Omakase

Teppanyaki Omakase combines cooking on a flat heated teppan with a planned course sequence. Guests can observe heat control and preparation near their seats, and dishes can be served as soon as they are completed.

The cooking method and the menu format remain separate concepts: Teppanyaki describes how food is cooked, while Omakase describes how the meal is entrusted and organised.

At The Gu, current details are listed on the Teppanyaki Omakase page.

Hotpot Omakase

Hotpot Omakase applies the same curated principle to a shared pot. Broth, seafood, meat, vegetables and the closing course are introduced in stages rather than treated as an unrestricted list.

The format is explained in what Hotpot Omakase means, with current service information on the Hotpot Omakase page.

Five things to confirm before booking

Format: ask whether the service is à la carte, a fixed set or Omakase.
Current menu and charges: confirm the set, price basis, service charge and any deposit.
Dietary needs: report allergies, religious requirements, vegetarian requests and ingredients you cannot eat.
Time: allow for a meal served in stages and disclose any required finish time.
Seating and preparation: reserve early enough for the restaurant to confirm seats, rooms and ingredients.

First-time guests do not need specialist vocabulary. Clear booking information and willingness to follow the planned sequence are more useful than trying to predict every course.

Frequently asked questions

Does Omakase always mean sushi?

No. Sushi is one well-known expression of Omakase, but the format can also be applied to Teppanyaki, hotpot and other chef-led meals.

Is every set menu Omakase?

No. A set menu becomes Omakase in spirit when the chef or restaurant meaningfully controls selection, preparation and sequence rather than merely grouping dishes together.

Can guests request changes?

Guests should disclose essential restrictions before confirmation. The kitchen can assess requests, but it may not be able to change every course or guarantee complete absence of cross-contact.

Is Omakase necessarily expensive?

The word describes a way of organising the meal, not a price tier. Guests should confirm the current menu, price and additional charges with the restaurant.

What should a first-time guest prepare?

Provide the party size, date, preferred time, dietary information, seating preference and any timing constraints, then wait for the restaurant to confirm the experience.

Confirm an Omakase experience at The Gu

Browse The Gu dining guides for more practical planning. Menu, seating, ingredients, preparation time, dietary requests and deposits remain subject to confirmation.