How to Eat Omakase: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Eat Omakase for Your First Dining Experience

If it’s your first Omakase experience, here are essential etiquette tips to help you enjoy this special dining journey. Since omakase means “I leave it up to the chef,” the entire meal is thoughtfully curated, so it’s best not to request changes to the chef’s creations—including adjusting wasabi or soy sauce levels—unless absolutely necessary.

1. Make a reservation and be punctual.
Omakase dining runs on a precise schedule. Showing up on time is a sign of respect for the chef who prepares each course in sequence. If you cannot make it, kindly inform the restaurant in advance.

2. Avoid wearing heavy perfume or cologne.
Strong scents can interfere with the delicate flavours of fresh seafood. As our restaurant is intimate in size, fragrance can easily affect other diners’ enjoyment as well.

3. Use the warm towel to clean your hands before eating.
This prepares you for handling sushi traditionally.

4. Eat nigiri in one bite.
Whether using your hands or chopsticks, enjoy the fish, rice, and wasabi in a single bite for the perfect balance of flavours. Taking multiple bites is considered impolite.

5. Don’t mix wasabi into your soy sauce.
The chef has already added the ideal amount for each nigiri piece.

6. Dip nigiri fish-side down.
Dipping the fish instead of the rice prevents the sushi from falling apart and preserves texture.

7. Enjoy pickled ginger between courses.
Ginger is a palate cleanser. Avoid eating it together with the sushi.

8. Be respectful to the chef.
Do not ask where or how a chef trained. Skill is not defined by nationality—just as in any French or Italian restaurant.

9. You may buy the chef a drink.
Offering sake, whisky, or beer is a thoughtful gesture to show appreciation, but moderation is key—no need to get the chef drunk.

10. Don’t rub wooden chopsticks together.
This suggests poor chopstick quality and may be seen as disrespectful.

11. Appreciate the rice.
Omakase rice is specially seasoned and prepared to complement each piece of fish—treat it as the heart of the sushi, not just a filler.

12. Talk to the chef.
Respectful questions and conversation enhance the experience—you may discover interesting insights about ingredients, techniques, or Japanese cuisine.