Last Updated on October 14, 2021 by admin

What does the Japanese word Omakase mean?

Top 5 Things You Need To Know About Omakase

1) What do Japanese people mean when they say “omakase”?

“Omakase” essentially means “I’ll leave it to you”.
It is usually used when ordering food in sushi restaurants when a customer wants to leave the details of the order to the chef, trusting in their expertise to make the best choice.

2) In which situations can omakase be used?

What does the Japanese word Omakase mean?Omakase originated in sushi restaurants at a time when sushi was becoming more accessible to the increasingly prosperous Japanese population. More and more people could afford to buy sushi but were unsure about which dishes to order. It was therefore more convenient to trust the chef to choose the sushi they ate.

Nowadays, omakase can be used at many kinds of restaurants, as well as other businesses such as hairdressers and even travel agents.
Restaurants providing omakase service will tend to fall into the following categories:

  • High-end restaurants, particularly sushi restaurants
  • Isakaya (Japanese pubs)
  • Small, family-run restaurants

However, the following establishments are unlikely to offer omakase:

  • Chain restaurants
  • Kaiten (conveyer belt sushi restaurants, which are largely automated and self-service)
  • Restaurants with a limited menu, such as noodle bars

3) How can I use omakase in conversation?

When making your order, simply use the phrase “omakase de” (おまかせで) and trust your hosts to do the rest. Add “onegaishimasu” (お願いします) for a little extra politeness. Using this phrase is a sure way to impress the restaurant staff with your knowledge of Japanese culture.

4) Why do Japanese like omakase?

There are many reasons people choose omakase over deciding on their own order.
Originally, most people knew little about sushi cuisine, and so were happy for the chef to choose for them, like a recommendation.

However, the main reason for using the omakase method now is that it is a good way of trying exciting new dishes. Who knows? You might even discover a new favourite.

Another motive may be the busy and often stressful work culture that Japan has become infamous for. Using the omakase method means that there is one less decision to be made, allowing the consumer to focus on other things.

5) What do foreigners need to know before trying omakase?

Foreigners (particularly those new to Japan, and unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine) will no doubt find omakase very useful. It can be daunting trying to decide what to order at an exotic restaurant, particularly if you don’t understand the language. As such, many tourists will simply opt for something familiar, like McDonalds or Starbucks.

Omakase offers a different solution, taking the stress out of dining while allowing you to immerse yourself in an authentic Japanese culinary experience. You can always be reasonably confident that you’ll be served a tasty dish.

However, it’s worth checking with the staff that the restaurant does actually provide an omakase service.

This can be achieved with the phrase: “Omakase o chūmon dekimasu ka?” (おまかせを注文できますか). Literally: “Can I order omakase?”

Some establishments may also provide an omakase menu. To ask for one, say: “Omakase menyū wa arimasu ka?” (おまかせメニューはありますか).

It is also worth bearing in mind that omakase orders tend to be more expensive than average orders. Customers may wish to set a price limit before ordering if they are on a tight budget…

Written by Hong Kong Native Japanese Tutor

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