omakase

American  

[oh-muh-kah-sey] / ˌoʊ məˈkɑ seɪ /

noun

Japanese Cooking.

• omakases
  plural

1. a series of dishes selected by the chef for the customer or a group of customers, often at a fixed price.

   The omakase was a lovely experience—the sushi servings were small, but they were numerous, unique, and exquisite.

---

adjective

Japanese Cooking.

1. in accordance with or trusting the chef’s discretion.

   The items on the omakase menu did nothing to ease my doubts about this whole dining omakase thing, but props to the chef, who knew just where to find the convert in me.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• omakases
  plural

Etymology

Origin of omakase

First recorded in 1965–70; from Japanese: “the leaving (of a decision) for another to decide,” from o-, 2nd person honorific prefix ( cf. otaku ( def. )) + makase “deferring, entrusting” (derivative of makaseru “to entrust”)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

omakase omakases

Red Bull invited me to check out their three-story social hub and hospitality destination at Coachella, which included a Nobu omakase dinner on the top floor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026

At the multi-level Red Bull Mirage that overlooks the Quasar Stage, Nobu will offer a reservation-only omakase counter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2026

“I see omakase customers as young as 6 years old,” says David Seo, the chef and owner of Shumi, a sushi restaurant with two New Jersey locations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026

Between omakase, small plates and cocktails with unpronounceable ingredients, even the most devoted foodies can get baffled when they walk into a restaurant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

The omakase tower offers a selection of sushi, tuna tartare, spicy tuna crispy rice, sashimi, and rolls — perfect for those who enjoy heavily sauced sushi.

From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2025

If you’re looking for a truly special meal, there are countless options, but here are a few favorites that express seasonality through the mind-boggling and delicious range of their omakases.

From New York Times ● Jan. 4, 2022

We have impressive caviar-punctuated omakases and dragon-roll specials so corpulent and substantially garnished that they require steak knives.

From New York Times ● Jan. 4, 2022

He offers stunning omakases and excellent lunch deals that feature imported rice polished each day in-house.

From New York Times ● Jan. 4, 2022

With eight seats at a lobby counter, this is the second location in Hotel 3232 for this sushi restaurant offering 30-minute, 10-piece omakases for $50.

From New York Times ● Feb. 26, 2019