“Sushi†is a dish of bite-sized rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and salt, then topped with fish, eggs, or seafood. Sushi made with the freshest ingredients of the day is one of the dishes that contains all the natural flavors of the ingredients and the personality of the chef. “Omakase†means entrusting the judgment and processing of things to others. When applied to cooking, it means that the customer trusts and entrusts all of the food served to the chef. “Sushi omakase†refers to a course meal where the composition of all menus, from starters to sushi and desserts, is served according to the chef's judgment. You can see it being made right in front of your eyes, so it's a bonus to enjoy it with your own eyes even before you eat it! Each chef has a unique recipe, which arouses curiosity and wonder what today's menu will be. Let's take a look at 5 of the best emerging sushi omakase restaurants, where chewy fresh fish and rich green shari meet.
Sushi Omakase restaurants in Seoul include City Hall Chosun Hotel Sushi-jo, Jangchung-dong Shilla Hotel Ariake, Dosan Park Sushi Athlete, Cheongdam-dong Sushi Koji, Cheongdam-dong Sushi Hyo, Gwanghwamun Ogawa, Dosan Park Sushi Cho-hee, Sindaebang Sangnam Sushi, Seorae Village Sushi Tano, Cheongdam-dong Kojima, Seorae Village Sushi Man, Cheongdam-dong Shoku, Apgujeong Dosan Park Sushi Inn, Cheongdam-dong, Susisle Daechi-dong Sushi Sora, Sinsa-dong Dosan Park Sushi Kiyose, Apgujeong Dosan Park Sushi Shimizu, Dosan Park Sushi Kaishin, Seolleung Sushi Sanwon, Samam-dong Sushi Noi, Songpa Jamsil Sushi Mountain, Yeouido Sushiai, City Hall Sushi Mito, Hannam-dong Sushi Chou, Hannam-dong Sushi Gokoro, Apgujeong Sushi Ebisu, Apgujeong Takara, Eunpyeong Ngam-dong Sushi Shobu, Hongdae Sanghwa Sushiro, Gwanghwa Sushiro Sindorim Sushi Mountain View, Samseong-dong Sushi Yuri, Seocho Station Sushi Dow, Hannam-dong Sushi Tetsuka, Eunpyeong Cosmos Sushi, Itaewon Gida Sushi, Apgujeong Sushi Ito, Sindorim Hikaris City, Seorae Village Takumigon, Sinsa Station Kim Susa Temple, Yeouido Hatsuho, Gangnam Station Sushi Ryo Premium, Shillim Seoul National University Sushi Ryo, Yeouido Tama Sushi, Yeouido Tama Sushi, Yeouido Sushi Musi, Mokdong Sushi Tama, Yeoksan-cheong, Sushiwon Apgujeong Sushi Sakau, Mapo Gongdeok Iyoiyo Sushi, Yeoksam Sushi Shouki, Hongdae Sushi Hikari, Itaewon Hannam-dong Sushiame, Yeoksam Seolleung Sushi, Gyodae Sushi Jinsu, Yeouido Ichigoichi, Mokdong Park Hongnam Sushi, Mokdong Sushi Oshima, Apgujeong Sushi Yuki, Eunpyeong Sushi Ima, Yeoksam Sushi Tsuru, Sushi Shun, Dosan Park Sushi Komatsu, Mokchi-dong Sushi Nami, Apgujeong Sushi Kaisei, Gwanghwamun Sushi Sushidam, Cheongpyeong Sushi Famous places include Shikanae, Cheongdam Sushi Yoshi, Garosu-gil Sushi Restaurant, Nonhyeon Sushi Aota, Gwanghwamun Sushi Hyo, Apgujeong Sushi Chicken, Yangjae Dogok Sushi Gangjimun, and Nowon Sushi Way.
Sushi restaurants around the country include Bundang Jeongja Sushi Kun, Pangyo Sushi Kun, Busan Haeundae Zen Sushi, and Pusan National University Sushi Sim. Jeju City Sushi Hoshikai, Anyang Sushi Gaisen, Bupyeong Sushi Hosan, Daejeon Wolpyeong Sushi Hosan, Bundang Sunae Sushi Ryoko, Ilsan Sushikame, Songdo Sushi Iwa, Suwon Gwanggyo Sushi Yukai, Incheon Guwol-dong Sushi Tenmei, Changwon Masan Norensi, Ilsan Tooru, Bundang Seo-hyeon Hoshi, Bundang Pangyo Gimpo Aoi, Busan Seomyeon Momoyama, Haeundae, Gwangaori Famous places include Bok-dong Samsong Sushi, Haeundae Umi, Haeundae Sakana Restaurant, Daegu Suseong Minsu Temple, Daegu Big Fish Sushi, Daegu Sirasto, Gwangju Suwan Suwan Sushi, Gwangju Chungjang-ro Gamae Sushi, Daejeon Research Complex Gappo Hosan, Ulsan Daldong Gappoichi, Jeonju Africa, Seosan Myungin Main Branch, and Jeju Aewol Yoshino.
1. 'Sushi Sumire' in Cheongdam-dong stands out for its stylish interior
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Image source: kaao01's Instagram
Image source: ju__hooooo_2.7 on Instagram
“Sushi Sumire†was newly opened by Chef Lee Sung-joon, who has worked at various restaurants such as Yoichi, Sushi Taku, and Sushi Kiyose. The curved bar seat, which looks like a wave flowing, catches the eye. The menu consists of two types: a sashimi course and omakase without a single item. The signature menu “Dinner Omakase†enhances the taste with 5 to 7 types of tsumami, such as sashimi and monkfish liver, then 12 to 15 pieces of sushi, kaisendon, soba, and dessert are served one after the other. In particular, sushi made with tuna as the main ingredient, such as akami and judo, and kaisendon, which generously contains caviar and sea urchin, are very popular. In the case of “Lunch Omakase,†the composition of the fish changes slightly, and 1 to 2 pieces of tsumami are served.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 18 Dosan-daero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 22:00 every day, B/T 15:00 — 18:00
â–²Price: Lunch omakase 90,000 won, dinner omakase 180,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Be sure to put on makeup): I ate omakase in my room, but room omakase was only for dinner. It was really nice that the tsumami was clean, and the sushi came out more than I expected, so I was full even before the meal. But when I saw the Kaisen-dong visual, I couldn't help but eat the visuals!!! It was a meal I have no regrets about.
2. “Sushi Kaisei†in Apgujeong, where a variety of feasts unfold
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Image source: minn_727's Instagram
Image source: minn_727's Instagram
“Sushi Kaisei†is operated under the second brand of the famous sushi omakase restaurant “Sushi Kouji†in Cheongdam-dong. Chef Jeon Sang-yoon, who made his name known in Sushiya and Sushi Kouji, is leading the store as head chef. The signature menu is “Lunch Omakase,†which consists of appetizers using seasonal ingredients, kobachi, sushi, à la carte, soup, and meal dessert. Starting with a soup that gently soothes an empty stomach, smoked tuna and steamed abalone will whet your appetite to the fullest. Afterwards, you can enjoy a variety of sushi feasts using flounder, tuna, hanki, and sea urchin. Gyoku, which has a purple color with purple sweet potatoes, has a soft texture like castella and is great for a sweet finish.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 8, Eonju-ro 170-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 22:00 every day, B/T 14:30 — 17:30
â–²Price: Lunch omakase 90,000 won, dinner omakase 180,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Zhang Yuan Hunnam, the god of food): I had high expectations since I had eaten sushi kouji so delicious, but it was as delicious as I expected. On the day I visited, omakase started with a soup made with pufferfish, and I liked the rich flavor. The quality of the sushi is also really good, so if you like it, I definitely recommend going there.
3. Dosan Park's “Sushi Inn†captures the fresh sea
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Image source: _sapiens_ on Instagram
Image source: ggot132's Instagram
“Sushi Inn,†where you can enjoy the cuisine of Chef Lee Jin-wook from the Japanese restaurant “Sushi Jo†at the Westin Chosun Hotel, is so popular that reservations were closed until the end of March. They only serve lunch on Wednesday and Saturday, and dinner only on the rest of the days except holidays. The signature menu, “Lunch Omakase,†is impressive for its various types of tsumami using seasonal seafood. Among them, the rich flavor of “Inari Doromaki,†which is deep-fried tofu filled with a mixture of minced tuna and sea urchin, raises the anticipation of the meal to the fullest. The most popular type of sushi is “bahunni gunham sushi,†which is topped with plenty of bahoon eel on top of the shari and wrapped in seaweed. The rich, green flavor that covers the tongue and fills the mouth, and the flavor of the sea are exquisite.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 49, Apgujeong-ro 42-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
▲Opening hours: 17:00 — 22:00 every day, Wednesday and Saturday 12:00 — 14:00, closed on Sundays
â–²Price: Lunch omakase 150,000 won, sushi omakase 220,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Food Girl): Tsumami came out so plentiful that I drank two glasses of beer before the sushi came out. After the grilled fish is over, sushi is served in earnest, and personally, the sushi made with tuna and the sushi made with plenty of sea urchin were the most delicious.
4. 'Sushi Ryo Premium' at Gangnam Station, a hearty configuration that you can enjoy at a reasonable price
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Image source: darongarong0407's Instagram
Image source: konsun22's Instagram
“Sushi Ryo Premium†allows you to enjoy sushi omakase at a reasonable price. This is a place where you can experience high-quality sushi presented by Chef Son Jae-woong from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The signature menu is “Lunch Omakase,†which starts with sody-marinated chorashi with ingredients such as tomatoes and seaweed. After that, chawanmushi with truffles, herring maki, Japanese mackerel tataki, clear soup, and grilled eggplant came out one after another, and then sushi appeared in earnest. The rich composition stands out, from about 10 types of sushi topped with the freshest ingredients of the day, such as croaker, kamado, scallops, mackerel, and prawns, to eel rice bowls, kaisendon, soba, and desserts. Please note that “Premium Omakase,†which has a more diverse composition, can only be ordered for dinner.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: Acrotel 206, 34, Hyoryeong-ro 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 22:00 every day, B/T (weekdays) 15:30 — 18:00, B/T (weekends) 15:30 — 18:30
â–²Price: Lunch omakase 60,000 won, premium omakase 120,000 won
â–²Testimonial (red dot pattern): I visited here looking forward to being able to eat sushi made by Chef Son Jae-woong. First of all, the chosai that comes out at the beginning enhances the taste buds and contains truffles that make you feel bad, so the scent isn't really a joke! When it comes to sushi, the best is to wrap seaweed with sea urchin and shrimp!
5. 'Sushi Glass' in Samseong-dong, a deep flavor with a luxurious atmosphere
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Image source: Noble.ing's Instagram
Image source: Noble.ing's Instagram
“Sushi Glass†is a high-end sushi restaurant newly opened near Samseong Station by Chef Son Seung-yeon of “Sushi Sanwon†in Samseong-dong. The interior, which has a sophisticated feel with dim lighting, and Hermès brand tableware, creates a luxurious atmosphere. Chawanmushi, which makes use of the deep flavor of chicken broth, marks the beginning of omakase, and dishes such as ankimo, which have an excellent green flavor, and scallops and octopus with an attractive, chewy texture are served. After cleaning the mouth with clam soup, sushi topped with flounder, horse mackerel, judo, smoked mackerel, and gizzard will appear one after another. After enjoying the combination of the diverse texture of each sashimi and the chewy shari, it's nice to add a hearty touch of kaisendon and make your mouth feel refreshed with sweet gyoku and dessert fruit.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 2F, 36 Teheran-ro 83-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 12:00 — 22:00 every day, B/T 15:00 — 18:00
â–²Price: Lunch omakase 80,000 won, dinner omakase 170,000 won
â–²Testimonial (I'm a bachelor): Since Chawanmushi, it's a taste hard to find anywhere else, so I've come to the right place! That's what I thought. Shari has a strong side of walking in other places, but I found it a good match for my taste. Overall, the atmosphere is classy, so I think it would be great for a special day.