Every sushi lover has their favorite local spot when looking for some healthy comfort food, but when was the last time you spiced things up?
Dive deeper than a rainbow roll and let the fresh fish do all the talking with a special omakase experience. Japanese for "I'll leave it up to you," these tasting menu meals let the chef set the course on an up-scale taste adventure. Settle down at a table or right at the bar and be pleasantly surprised with each new dish of single-serve sashimi. It's a traditional and delectable way to try the best catches of the day.
Ready to become a sushi expert? Try one of these top sushi spots in Boston.
See also: The 10 Best Sushi Omakase Menus in NYC, According to Foodie Magician
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2372 Massachusetts Ave. / Website
The North Cambridge gem has only been open since late 2019, but it’s already a city favorite. Run by Chef Gary Lei, who previously worked at Uni, Umami Omakase offers an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere with a menu of luxury ingredients from foie gras to wagyu. Patrons can splurge on an 18-course meal with langoustine and caviar—add the sake pairing to complete the experience. Want to take the high-end experience home and surprise your sweetheart with a delicious feast? Umami Omakase has plenty of refined takeout options, including a mini omakase with nine nigiri, a chef’s-choice maki roll and appetizers, or a seasonal bento box of sashimi and specials.
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1105 Massachusetts Ave. / Website
Cafe Sushi’s well-deserved popularity contributes to the everyday hustle and bustle of Harvard Square, where sushi fans queue to discover the legendary omakase. Led by Chef Seizi Imura who inherited the restaurant from his parents, this omakase features about 18 pieces with toppings like hickory-smoked caramelized onions and bourbon-soaked cherries. If you’d rather play it safe, you can still order à la carte, securing some tasty, signature sashimi, nigiri and maki.
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9 East St. / Website
Boston sushi aficionados love to gather in the Leader District where they can treat themselves to O Ya’s luxurious omakase. Owners Tim and Nancy Cushman put together an impressive menu, featuring scallop sashimi with burgundy truffle, house-smoked wagyu nigiri, and the now-famous “legs & eggs” nigiri with Maine lobster legs, white sturgeon caviar and tomalley aioli. Savor 20 incredible courses, then end your banquet with a unique chocolate and foie gras creation. An à la carte menu is also available. The salmon sashimi with ponzu and scallion oil rivals any Japanese food you’ve tried before.
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370 Commonwealth Ave. / Website
Remember Umami Omakase’s chef Gary Lei? The sushi maestro used to work at Uni, a chic izakaya run by talented chefs Ken Oringer and Tony Messina. Dine on luxurious and innovative dishes, including the house-made ricotta gnudi with shio koji, miso butter and parmesan cheese. You must try the original tai sashimi with sea bream charcoal lemonade, ginger crema and haskap berry. We also highly recommend the sakura masu sashimi with cherry blossom trout, cherry blossom creme fraiche, rhubarb and cocoa tahini crumble. There’s also plenty of options to satisfy your sweet tooth. Do indulge in a butter mochi cake with sea buckthorn, mango and kokuto-almond crumble.
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1166 Washington St. #110 / Website
The Southie landmark boasts a nine-course omakase that features appetizing bites of poached lobster, steak tartare with crispy rice, and tempura. The specialty maki are to die for. Most tempting are the vegetarian truffle with avocado, yam tempura, tonburi, cucumber and truffle; and the crispy mango with tempura flakes, mango, cucumber, spicy mayo, tuna, sudachi and honey glaze.
See also: The 8 Best Cocktail Bars in Boston
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1128 Cambridge St. / Website
Chef Chris Chung learned and refined his sushi-making skills at Uni and the late Aka Bistro, but it’s Moni Nonmi that gave him the chance to reveal more of his talent. In the comfortable izakaya, Chung proposes a refreshing $100 omakase experience and bottles of sake to pair with each tasty bite. If you’ve got the appetite for more goodness, Momi Nonmi’s cooked and rice dishes are also worth trying.
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524 Massachusetts Ave. / Website
Reformed music kids band together again at the Mad Monkfish, where the menu includes catchy music references. From Gaga’s Monster rolls to Hotel California rolls, there’s truly something for everyone. At the Mad Monkfish, silence is not the golden rule, because live jazz accompanies the high-end sushi experience. If your friend has something against sushi — hey, we’ve all got flaws — they’ll be excited to know there's has a large variety of Asian fusion cuisine including noodle soup, poke bowls and traditional Thai curry, among others.
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118 Dorchester St. / Website
This vibrant Asian fusion restaurant has much to offer. Try inventive dishes like the scallion pancakes and Kung Pao Brussels sprouts, as well as fun cocktails like the delicious Baby Got Back mix of Ketel One oranje, lemon and agave; or the seductive Boomerang with bourbon, mezcal, lime, grilled pineapple and ginger beer. Let’s not lose sight of what you’ll be coming in for: sushi. There’s plenty to explore in that department, including the volcano with avocado, jalapeno, togarashi, red tobiko, and spicy aioli, and the Bangkok dreamin’ with chicken katsu, crispy rice noodle and Thai basil sauce.
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737 Huntington Ave. / Website
Laughing Monk Cafe is an authentic and welcoming Mission Hill spot where you’ll find a diverse offering of divine sushi and amazing Thai classics. Sushi chef Nick Korboon’s rolls are made with brown rice — a surprisingly-enticing choice. Try a variety in the 10-course omakase or à la carte menu. Curious to find out what you’re in for? Picture creations like the fire dragon with shrimp tempura, tuna, jalapeno, black tobiko, hot sauce and wasabi; or the caterpillar with BBQ eel, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, sesame and teriyaki sauce.
Photography by: JupiterImages
