Hello, I’m Kodak.
You see the word omakase on a sushi restaurant’s website. There is no ordinary menu, the meal may be expensive, and the chef decides what to serve.
Omakase (お任せ) means “I’ll leave it up to you.”
In a restaurant, you entrust the selection and order of the dishes to the chef. It is strongly associated with sushi, but the Japanese word itself is used far beyond food.
Omakase is a Japanese expression meaning “I leave it to you,” “chef’s choice,” or “I’ll trust your judgment.”
In an omakase sushi meal, the chef selects and serves a sequence of items based on factors such as the day’s ingredients, seasonality, preparation, balance, and the restaurant’s style.
① what omakase means in English
② how the Japanese word is formed
③ what happens during an omakase sushi meal
④ the cultural idea of trust between diner and chef
⑤ whether omakase is always expensive or always sushi
⑥ beginner-friendly etiquette and allergy advice
⑦ the differences between omakase, osusume, okonomi, okimari, and kaiseki
What Does Omakase Mean?
Omakase is most naturally translated as:
⇒ I’ll leave it up to you
⇒ I trust your judgment
⇒ chef’s choice
⇒ leave the decision to someone else
In a restaurant, it means that the customer leaves the content of the meal largely or completely to the restaurant or chef.
今日はお任せでお願いします。
Kyō wa omakase de onegai shimasu.
I’ll leave it up to you today.
大将のお任せをください。
Taishō no omakase o kudasai.
I’ll have the chef’s choice.
Omakase describes the customer’s act of entrusting a decision—not simply a plate labeled “chef’s special.”
How Is the Word Omakase Formed?
お任せ comes from the verb 任せる (makaseru), meaning to entrust something to someone or allow that person to decide.
A polite or honorific prefix.
任せ (makase)
A noun-like form connected to 任せる (makaseru): to entrust, leave in someone’s hands, or let someone decide.
お + 任せ
A polite expression meaning “leaving it to you/them.”
The core verb is 任せる. You can hear it in everyday phrases such as 私に任せて—“Leave it to me.”
Watashi ni makasete.
Leave it to me.
選ぶのはあなたに任せます。
Erabu no wa anata ni makasemasu.
I’ll leave the choice to you.
髪型は美容師さんにお任せしました。
Kamigata wa biyōshi-san ni omakase shimashita.
I left my hairstyle up to the hairdresser.
Omakase Is Not Only a Food Word
English speakers often meet omakase through sushi, but Japanese speakers use お任せ whenever a choice or task is left to someone else.
a course whose contents are selected by the restaurant
店員さんにお任せする
leave the choice to the staff member
美容師さんにお任せする
let the hairstylist decide
デザインはプロにお任せ
leave the design to a professional
私にお任せください
Please leave it to me
The important idea is always the same: “You know more about this, so I trust you to decide.”
What Is Omakase Sushi?
Omakase sushi is a chef-directed sushi meal. Instead of ordering every piece yourself, you receive a sequence chosen by the chef.
The selection may reflect:
・seasonality
・the condition and maturity of each ingredient
・the chef’s preferred preparation
・the order in which flavors should be experienced
・temperature and timing
・the restaurant’s concept
・sometimes the diner’s preferences, appetite, or reactions
The chef also thinks about balance, progression, texture, temperature, seasoning, and when each item will taste best.
What Happens During an Omakase Sushi Meal?
There is no single universal format. One restaurant may serve mostly nigiri, while another may alternate small cooked dishes, sashimi, soup, and sushi.
A small appetizer
↓
Sashimi or a seasonal dish
↓
Grilled, steamed, or simmered seafood
↓
A sequence of nigiri sushi
↓
Soup, egg, roll, or another finishing dish
↓
Sometimes dessert
This is only an example. Some sushi counters begin with nigiri, some serve snacks before sushi, and some sell a fixed course that all guests receive at the same pace.
Some courses are almost completely predetermined. Others are more flexible and may change according to your preferences, pace, appetite, or conversation with the chef.
The Core of Omakase Culture: Trust
The cultural heart of omakase is the relationship expressed by 任せる: one person entrusts a decision to another person’s knowledge and judgment.
trust, openness, and willingness to experience the chef’s choices
The chef accepts:
responsibility for selecting, preparing, ordering, and presenting a satisfying meal
Good communication—especially before the meal—is part of making the experience work.
Omakase can also create a closer connection between preparation and eating. At a small counter, the diner watches the chef form each piece, and the chef can observe the pace of the meal.
・fresh and seasonal ingredients
・the chef’s technical skill
・a carefully considered order of dishes
・food served at a precise moment
・surprise and discovery
・interaction at the counter
・a meal that expresses the restaurant’s identity
Is Omakase an Ancient Japanese Tradition?
The broader verb 任せる is old Japanese, and leaving choices to a trusted expert is not a new idea. However, the modern restaurant format now marketed internationally as an “omakase course” should not be treated as one unchanged ancient ritual.
Sushi restaurants traditionally offered different ways to order, and the modern fixed omakase course has developed and changed with restaurant culture.
The label alone does not tell you how traditional, flexible, personal, or sushi-focused the meal will be. The restaurant’s actual format matters more than the fashionable word.
Is Omakase Always Sushi?
No. The term can describe chef-selected meals in many kinds of restaurants.
・sushi omakase
・yakitori omakase
・tempura omakase
・Japanese barbecue or wagyu omakase
・modern Japanese tasting menus
・cocktail or drink pairings selected by staff
・a chef-selected meal in a non-Japanese restaurant
Is Omakase Always Expensive?
No single price defines omakase. However, high-end omakase sushi can be expensive because of ingredient sourcing, skilled preparation, limited seating, labor, and the number of courses.
・restaurant location
・lunch or dinner service
・number and type of courses
・ingredient quality and seasonality
・the chef’s reputation and experience
・included drinks or pairings
・service charges or taxes
・optional additional pieces
Still, you should check whether drinks, tax, service, and additional sushi are included. “Omakase” describes who chooses the food, not one universal pricing system.
・the listed course price
・whether tax and service are included
・whether drinks are separate
・whether extra pieces cost more
・the cancellation policy
・the expected duration
・whether the restaurant accepts your dietary restrictions
Omakase vs Chef’s Choice vs Tasting Menu
The diner entrusts the selection to the chef. The menu may be flexible, seasonal, partly improvised, or fixed in advance, depending on the restaurant.
Chef’s choice
A useful English translation, but it may refer to one selected item rather than a complete dining relationship or course.
Tasting menu
A sequence of smaller dishes designed to present a restaurant’s cuisine. It is often predetermined and does not necessarily involve diner-to-chef trust or real-time selection.
But omakase emphasizes entrusting the choice, while tasting menu emphasizes sampling a planned sequence of dishes.
Omakase vs Osusume: What Is the Difference?
おすすめ (osusume) means a recommendation. The restaurant suggests an item, but the customer still decides whether to order it.
“What do you recommend?”
The staff proposes an option; you choose.
お任せ
“I’ll leave it up to you.”
You hand the decision to the chef or staff.
おすすめは何ですか？
Osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend?
お任せでお願いします。
Omakase de onegai shimasu.
I’ll leave it up to you.
With omakase, you give the other person broader authority to decide what comes next.
Omakase vs Okonomi vs Okimari
These terms describe different ways of ordering sushi.
Leave the selection to the chef.
お好み (okonomi)
Order individual items according to your own preferences.
お決まり (okimari)
Choose a predetermined set or fixed assortment prepared by the restaurant.
In modern marketing, however, omakase is often used for a chef-designed fixed course. Real restaurant usage does not always follow perfectly separate dictionary categories.
Omakase vs Kaiseki
Both can be refined multi-course Japanese meals, but they are not synonyms.
Defined primarily by who makes the selection: the chef. The sequence may change with the day, ingredients, restaurant, and diner.
Kaiseki
A structured tradition of Japanese multi-course cuisine emphasizing seasonality, presentation, balance, and a considered progression of cooking methods and dishes.
Kaiseki names a culinary tradition and structure. Omakase names the act of leaving the choices to the chef.
How to Pronounce Omakase
Kanji: お任せ
Romaji: omakase
Mora: お・ま・か・せ (o-ma-ka-se)
Approximate English guide: oh-mah-kah-seh
Japanese rhythm gives each mora a relatively even length. Avoid pronouncing the final se like the English word “say.” It is closer to seh.
The last sound is せ (se), not the English word “say.”
How to Order Omakase in Japanese
お任せでお願いします: “I’ll Leave It Up to You”
お任せでお願いします。
Omakase de onegai shimasu.
I’ll leave it up to you, please.
お任せコースをお願いします: “I’ll Have the Omakase Course”
お任せコースをお願いします。
Omakase kōsu o onegai shimasu.
I’ll have the omakase course, please.
予算は一人一万円です: State Your Budget
予算は一人一万円くらいです。
Yosan wa hitori ichiman-en kurai desu.
Our budget is about 10,000 yen per person.
苦手なものがあります: Mention Dislikes
苦手なものがあるのですが、大丈夫ですか？
Nigate na mono ga aru no desu ga, daijōbu desu ka?
There are some foods I do not like. Is that okay?
甲殻類アレルギーがあります: Mention an Allergy
甲殻類アレルギーがあります。
Kōkakurui arerugī ga arimasu.
I have a shellfish allergy.
Omakase ingredients may be purchased and prepared for a small number of reserved guests, and some restaurants cannot safely accommodate every restriction.
Can Vegetarians or People with Allergies Eat Omakase?
Possibly, but you must check before reserving. Traditional sushi omakase can rely heavily on seafood, fish stock, shellfish, soy, wasabi, and ingredients prepared together in a compact workspace.
・a food allergy
・a religious dietary requirement
・vegetarian or vegan restrictions
・a medical restriction
・many ingredients you cannot eat
・a strong aversion that would make the course difficult to complete
You should communicate honestly, and the restaurant should tell you whether it can accommodate you. A restaurant may decline a reservation if substitutions would make the meal unsafe or fundamentally change the course.
Beginner Omakase Etiquette
Omakase can feel intimidating, but there is no need to perform like a sushi expert. Respect the restaurant’s instructions and ask politely when unsure.
1. Arrive on Time
Small counters may serve all guests in sequence. Being late can interrupt the flow and may cause you to miss dishes.
2. Communicate Allergies Beforehand
Do this when reserving. Do not surprise the chef after ingredients have been prepared.
3. Avoid Strong Perfume
Powerful fragrance can interfere with the subtle aroma of sushi and affect nearby diners.
4. Eat a Piece Soon After It Is Served
Nigiri may be formed and seasoned for a particular temperature and texture. It is generally best not to leave it sitting while taking many photographs.
5. Follow the Chef’s Seasoning
At some restaurants, each piece already has soy sauce, salt, citrus, or another seasoning. Adding more without tasting it may upset the intended balance.
6. Hands or Chopsticks May Both Be Acceptable
Nigiri can traditionally be eaten by hand, and chopsticks are also widely used. Follow the restaurant and choose the method you can use neatly.
7. Ask Before Photographing
Photography policies differ. Some restaurants welcome photos, while others restrict cameras, video, or photographing staff and other guests.
8. Keep Conversation Considerate
You do not need to remain silent, but avoid loud calls, bright screens, or behavior that disturbs the small shared counter.
The more important point is to eat the sushi neatly and soon after it is served. Restaurant-specific instructions always come first.
Do You Tip at Omakase Restaurants in Japan?
Tipping is generally not a standard custom in Japan. Some restaurants may include a service charge, and international restaurants outside Japan may follow local tipping customs.
You can also say とてもおいしかったです—“It was very delicious.”
Gochisōsama deshita.
Thank you for the meal.
とてもおいしかったです。
Totemo oishikatta desu.
It was very delicious.
素晴らしい料理をありがとうございました。
Subarashii ryōri o arigatō gozaimashita.
Thank you for the wonderful meal.
Can You Request Specific Sushi During Omakase?
Sometimes. Some restaurants allow additional pieces after the course or may ask whether you want a favorite item repeated. Others serve only the planned sequence.
追加で注文できますか？
Tsuika de chūmon dekimasu ka?
Can I order something additional?
もう一貫いただけますか？
Mō ikkan itadakemasu ka?
May I have one more piece?
追加料金はいくらですか？
Tsuika ryōkin wa ikura desu ka?
How much is the additional charge?
Just understand that the ingredient may be unavailable, unsuitable that day, or offered for an extra charge.
What If You Do Not Like a Piece?
You do not need to pretend that every item is your favorite. However, an omakase course is best suited to diners who are open to unfamiliar ingredients.
For ordinary dislikes, tell the restaurant beforehand when possible. If many central ingredients are unacceptable to you, a menu where you choose individual items may be a better experience.
Common Misunderstandings About Omakase
Misunderstanding 1: Omakase Means “All You Can Eat”
No. Omakase describes who selects the food, not unlimited quantity.
Misunderstanding 2: Omakase Means Only Raw Fish
An omakase course may include cooked, grilled, steamed, cured, or fermented items as well as raw seafood.
Misunderstanding 3: Omakase Is Always Completely Improvised
Some chefs adjust the course in real time; other restaurants prepare a mostly fixed sequence for all reserved guests.
Misunderstanding 4: The Customer Is Not Allowed to Speak
Conversation policies differ. Respectful questions may be welcome, but timing and atmosphere matter.
Misunderstanding 5: Omakase Guarantees the “Best” Meal
The experience depends on the chef’s style, ingredients, restaurant, price, and your personal preferences. Trust does not eliminate subjectivity.
Misunderstanding 6: Omakase Is Always Traditional
Modern restaurants around the world use the term in many creative and commercial ways.
Natural Japanese Examples with お任せ
注文はお任せでいいですか？
Chūmon wa omakase de ii desu ka?
Is it okay if we leave the order up to you?
今日は旬の魚を中心にお任せでお願いします。
Kyō wa shun no sakana o chūshin ni omakase de onegai shimasu.
Today, please choose for us, focusing on seasonal fish.
予算を伝えて、店主にお任せしました。
Yosan o tsutaete, tenshu ni omakase shimashita.
I told the owner my budget and left the selection up to them.
お任せコースは季節によって内容が変わります。
Omakase kōsu wa kisetsu ni yotte naiyō ga kawarimasu.
The contents of the omakase course change with the season.
苦手な食材は予約の時に伝えてください。
Nigate na shokuzai wa yoyaku no toki ni tsutaete kudasai.
Please tell us about ingredients you dislike when making the reservation.
追加の握りは別料金です。
Tsuika no nigiri wa betsu ryōkin desu.
Additional nigiri costs extra.
髪型は美容師さんにお任せしました。
Kamigata wa biyōshi-san ni omakase shimashita.
I left my hairstyle up to the hairdresser.
この仕事は私に任せてください。
Kono shigoto wa watashi ni makasete kudasai.
Please leave this job to me.
FAQ About Omakase Meaning and Culture
What does omakase mean in English?
Omakase means “I’ll leave it up to you,” “I trust your judgment,” or, in a restaurant context, “chef’s choice.”
What is omakase sushi?
Omakase sushi is a meal in which the chef selects and serves a sequence of sushi and possibly other dishes, often according to the day’s ingredients, seasonality, and the restaurant’s style.
Is omakase always expensive?
No, but high-end sushi omakase can be expensive. Price depends on ingredients, location, course length, chef, service, and other factors.
Is omakase always raw fish?
No. It may include raw, cured, grilled, steamed, simmered, or fried dishes, depending on the restaurant.
Is omakase only used for sushi?
No. The Japanese word can be used for many decisions and services. Restaurants may offer omakase yakitori, tempura, wagyu, drinks, or other chef-selected courses.
Can I tell the chef about allergies?
Yes, and you should do so when making the reservation. Every restaurant has different accommodation policies.
Can I choose items during omakase?
It depends on the restaurant. Some courses are fixed, some are flexible, and some allow additional items after the course.
What is the difference between omakase and osusume?
Osusume is a recommendation that you may accept or reject. Omakase means you entrust the decision itself to the chef or staff.
What is the difference between omakase and kaiseki?
Omakase describes leaving the selection to the chef. Kaiseki is a structured Japanese multi-course culinary tradition emphasizing seasonality, presentation, and progression.
How do you pronounce omakase?
Pronounce it in four even parts: o-ma-ka-se, approximately “oh-mah-kah-seh.”
How do you write omakase in Japanese?
It is written お任せ in kanji and hiragana, or entirely in hiragana as おまかせ.
Do you tip at an omakase restaurant in Japan?
Tipping is generally not customary in Japan. Check whether the restaurant includes a service charge, and follow local customs when dining outside Japan.
Summary: What Does Omakase Mean?
Omakase means “I’ll leave it up to you” or “I trust your judgment.”
● Word structure
お is a polite prefix, and 任せ comes from 任せる, meaning to entrust or let someone decide.
● Omakase sushi
The chef chooses and serves a sequence based on ingredients, seasonality, technique, balance, and restaurant style.
● Cultural core
The diner offers trust, and the chef accepts responsibility for the choices.
● Not only sushi
Omakase can describe many kinds of meals and ordinary non-food decisions.
● Not one fixed format
The course may be flexible, partly improvised, or predetermined. Price, length, etiquette, and substitutions vary by restaurant.
● Beginner’s priority
Check the price and cancellation policy, arrive on time, and communicate allergies before the meal.
Remember the conversation behind the word:
Customer: “I trust you to choose.”
Chef: “I accept responsibility for the meal.”
Related Article
For a wider overview of Japanese food vocabulary, see Japanese Food Words: Essential Japanese Food Vocabulary for Beginners.
References
- Kotobank: 御任せ — dictionary definition of お任せ, including leaving a restaurant’s food selection to the establishment.
- Kotobank: 任せる — definitions including entrusting work or judgment to another person.
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Sushi in Japan Guide — sushi styles, omakase, reservations, and sushi etiquette.
- MICHELIN Guide: Kitchen Language—What Is Omakase? — the chef-directed, seasonal nature of omakase and comparison with kaiseki.
- MICHELIN Guide: Omakase Sushi Tips — practical advice on timing, restrictions, fragrance, photographs, and eating sushi promptly.
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Japanese Customs and Etiquette — reservations, punctuality, and cancellation considerations.
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Etiquette — dietary restrictions and the general absence of tipping customs in Japan.