Living in a multicultural hub like Philadelphia provides a unique advantage. You don't necessarily have to travel across oceans to immerse yourself in various cultures. From authentic cuisine to cultural events, Philly offers a melting pot of experiences right at your doorstep. One such culinary experience gaining popularity is Omakase, a Japanese dining concept that offers a curated and personalized tasting menu. But what exactly does Omakase entail?
"Omakase", directly translating to "I'll leave it up to you" or "chef's choice", is a Japanese dining experience that involves entrusting the chef’s extensive knowledge and creativity to select a sequence of dishes using the freshest and most premium ingredients available to create a exceptional dining journey.
While the concept originated in the Edo period (1603 – 1868) in Japan, Omakase started gaining popularity in the 1990s. Today, Omakase is a popular dining experience around the world, but is still deeply rooted in Japanese tradition.
Each Omakase encounter is a unique experience, as the chef crafts the menu based on seasonal ingredients and the chef's creative vision. Diners relinquish control over their meal, placing their trust entirely in the chef's expertise to surprise and delight their taste buds.
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Creating special dishes for an Omakase is a delicate art which showcases the chef’s knowledge and expertise of tradition, the ingredients, and their ability to balance textures and flavors to create a harmonious dining experience.
In addition to sushi, an Omakase experience can also feature a range of traditional Japanese cuisine such as Kappo (simply translates “to cut and to cook”) which is a multi-course Japanese dining experience that falls somewhere between Kaiseki (a refined Japanese dining experience offering a seasonal course menu served like art in a formal dining room) and Izakaya (a casual style experience where small plates are served to accompany drinks).
Every step of the way, from preparation to presentation, each plate and bite is crafted with meticulous care. To make a dish so memorable, our chefs often incorporate specialty ingredients that are unique to the season, which starts with a selection of the daily freshest fish, seafood, vegetables, and various other ingredients. The chef’s creativity shines as they explore new and innovative flavor combinations, along with the presentation of the dish.
Savory Japan's exploration of "The Power of 5" underscores the depth of Japanese cuisine, emphasizing the importance of engaging all five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. From the vibrant colors of carefully prepared dishes to the nuanced flavors and meticulous presentation, Japanese cuisine is an art form that delights and captivates.
The goal is to create a dish that not only tastes extraordinary but is stunning to the eye (and camera).
Our Omakase dining experience transcends expectations in every aspect. Set within our tranquil ambiance, you'll relish not only the flavors of our cuisine but also the comfort of your surroundings as we take care of every detail, allowing you to focus solely on enjoying your meal and the company of your companions.
Omakase at Ogawa Sushi & Kappo is a roughly 2 hour experience with a 23-course, 29-bite menu meticulously crafted by our Michelin Guide-featured Master Chef Minoru Ogawa and his most trusted chef team.
