What do you call a Japanese tasting menu?
The Michelin Guide called omakase the spiritual companion and counterpoint to kaiseki, an elaborate multi-course highly ritualized meal. While izakaya focuses on relaxed dining and drinking with friends, omakase emphasizes the chef’s artistry and a carefully curated culinary journey.While kaiseki is a strictly structured set menu where you will know the dishes you are having beforehand, omakase is more dynamic, without a menu, with the chef adapting what is served to create a more personalised experience.While kaiseki and omakase are both refined ways to enjoy japanese cuisine, they refer to different things. Kaiseki is a style of traditional japanese multi-course dining that focuses on seasonality and presentation. Omakase is a style of ordering food, where the customer leaves the food selection to the chef.You are not just paying for the chef’s expertise, but for the skilled artisans who work alongside them. Finally, omakase restaurants are typically smaller in size, thus creating a cozy space where only a handful of customers can dine. This more intimate setting facilitates conversations between the chef and customers.