Omakase: What is special about Japanese cuisine that Tran Thanh and the rich are fascinated by?

Recently, "Omakase" is the most mentioned phrase revolving around Tran Thanh's noise. Besides the scandals on social networks, many people also wonder what "Omakase" is that is so promoted by Tran Thanh and the rich.

"Omakase" is a common phrase in the Japanese food industry. Omakase means "I'll let you decide", so the phrase can be used in restaurants, hotels, and even fashion.

When ordering in an Omakase restaurant in Japan, diners are giving the chef the right to choose the meal, because "Omakase" now means "just trust and let the chef decide the dish". Accordingly, they will present in front of the eater random dishes. The dish can be chosen according to the season or the chef's personal review.

Each set of Omakase will have between ten and several dozen dishes, with small portions fitting in a scoop. At first glance, it may seem like a small amount, but Omakase lovers will feel full because the dishes are extremely diverse, even if it is an appetizer, there are 5-7 options.

Origin of Omakase

Contrary to popular belief, Omakase is not a centuries-old tradition. Before the 90s, sushi was often an expensive and quite luxurious dish. Then along with Japan's bubble economy, sudden prosperity appeared, people came to sushi shops more because they wanted to enjoy what was previously inaccessible.

But also because they had never tried sushi before, they entered the restaurant with a confused and unfamiliar attitude. To help diners stay faced, the restaurant staff created "Omakase".

Omakase is very popular with the Japanese because it saves time for indecisive people. Instead of not knowing what is delicious, the eater will "entrust" the decision to a person with culinary expertise, which in this case is the chef or store staff.

Secondly, Omakase helps to save face for diners when they first experience luxury sushi restaurants and do not have extensive knowledge of cuisine. Because of the fact that Omakase restaurants are more expensive than regular Japanese restaurants, but that's because the dishes are carefully cared for and come with an intimate service attitude.

The chefs of Omakase restaurants are often seen as talented artists with unlimited culinary creativity. They understand the ingredients, firmly grasp each processing method to ensure that the dish is the most delicious. The ingredients used are also very carefully selected, ensuring freshness and seasonal use, so every time you come to eat, you will always be served different dishes.

Omakase is not popular and full of art, which also explains why the cost of an Omakase meal is not cheap. Diners will only receive a general bill with the final price to be paid.

Next, not having to think about what to eat will be a plus for eating Omakase. Having to choose a dish can make you lose some of your interest in eating. But with the Omakase experience, you don't have to think about it. The chef will randomly serve the dishes in your meal.

The surprise factor is the uniqueness of Omakase when diners will not know what the restaurant will serve in advance, thus adding eagerness and curiosity to the meal. This type of eating has hit the psychology of wanting to experience the surprise of gourmet diners.

Things to Know When Enjoying Omakase

The "3 no's" principle: No ordering - No changing dishes - Not picky

Surprise and experience are important elements in the Omakase culinary style. Once you have decided to enter an Omakase restaurant, diners are not allowed to order, but must trust and respect the chef's decision. The dish that has been served is not required to be changed, unless you are allergic to an ingredient.

However, usually right at the beginning of the meal, the chef asks diners about the food they are allergic to, so it is very rare to have to change the dish due to allergies. And that last principle is not picky, that is, users should eat all the meals for themselves, do not choose to eat one and leave the other or show an attitude of not appreciating food.

Interact with the chef

Choosing a seat near the chef will give diners the opportunity to observe them making the dish, listen to the introduction of the dish, and make it easier to chat. The more openly shared, the more diners will know about the story of culinary culture as well as the basis for the chef to judge the dish that will suit each person's personality and taste.

Duration of an Omakase Meal Set

With several dozen dishes prepared and served continuously, each Omakase meal can last about 2 hours or longer. Therefore, when deciding to schedule an Omakase meal, you should leave the calendar blank long enough to have a complete culinary journey from appetizer to dessert, satisfying the taste buds with a set menu menu selected by exquisite chefs.

A small Omakase sushi restaurant will be a delicious restaurant

Japanese people often say that delicious Omakase shops are usually small and run by older, experienced chefs. Because if it is a large restaurant or operates in a chain, the source of ingredients will often be fixed and less flexible. While for small shops, the ingredients will depend on the chef's "going to the market" every morning, so it is improvised, regardless of the season - more true to the spirit of Omakase.