Japanese Fusion 2: Omakase

I first tried out Omakase last year, during godchild Lucas’ baptismal party. Already it made an agreeable impression. We tried it again just recently, upon friend Janelle’s prodding. Janelle goes a long way back with Omakase. She’s tight with “Sushi Man”…otherwise known as one of the 2 brave Filipino chefs who pioneered the restaurant. As the story famously goes: two Pinoy chefs worked in a restaurant in, of all places, Bermuda. One went to the US and the other one went home to the Philippines. Both took their fantastic sushi creations with them and created Omakase.

*What I really want to know is if Sushi Man is a hot looking chef…imagine how perfect that would be: Gorgeous man serving up sushi day and night.

ANYWAY – Janelle wanted to take us on a Japanese fusion whirlwind, starting with something not on the menu but can be requested by those in the know: The Zigzag Roll. Soft shell crab and spicy mayo combo. It’s a perfect beginning, the crunchy texture of deep fried crab mingling perfectly with the evil seductive smoothness of the mayo. Clearly this was not going to be one of those healthy Japanese outings.



Next up was the Dynamite Roll. So named after the taste explosion it delivers. Imagine unagi tempura with spicy scallops. Deadly dynamite indeed. This was followed by Uni Tempura. Yep. Sounds nasty and yummy in one go - crunchy on the outside and gooey uni on the inside. I can only eat one piece at a time. It is too decadent and sinful.

The tofu steak is one of my favorites, Thin slivers of tenderloin hugging soft tofu pillows. And at P160, who’s complaining?







Just when I thought my taste buds were done partying, in came huge platters of Jurassic (ebi tempura, kani, ebiko and salmon skin and unagi wrapped inside and out) and Seabreeze maki (ebi tempura, salmon and slices of tuna). We also had the Salmon Skin American Dream which is really deep fried sushi with salmon, kani and dig this, cream cheese. It made the Rock and Roll combo (Spicy tuna with scallion and sesame seeds) plain boring. When the Crazy Maki platter rolled in, I was ready for anything and everything.

I find Omakase best enjoyed with an ice-cold Coke Light. Okay that’s a shameless plug since I handle the Coke account but when you’re scarfing down one maki after another…it’s comforting to know that your drink has Great Taste and absolutely No Calories. Yeah Baby. We’re in a Japanese fusion restaurant after all.



Visit the original Omakase branch in Libis, Unit 207 Intrepid Plaza Building, E. Rodriguez Avenue, just a few meters away from Eastwood. Or you can also try the Alabang (Casa Susana Bldg Madrigal Avenue) and Tomas Morato (Scout Rallos QC) branches.