Can’t travel just yet? You can still enjoy the finest Japanese cuisine on your doorstep with the best omakase sushi restaurants in Hong Kong.
We know you’re all gearing up to travel to Japan, but there are some of us who prefer to wait it out a little… So while you look forward to your next holiday, why not check out some of the finest Japanese cuisine in town? That’s right, we’re talking about the best omakase restaurants in Hong Kong.
Some terms and tips before we dig in…
Not sure what omakase is? Omakase (お任せ), literally meaning “I’ll leave it to you” in Japanese, is a menu-less experience that allows the chef to take complete control. As you watch them prepare each course behind the sushi counter, you’ll see that elements of craftsmanship, interaction, presentation, seasonality, and surprise all come into play. Another term you’ll often encounter in omakase restaurants is Edomae (江戶前). Edomae is, essentially, a technique for preserving seafood and is one of most revered culinary traditions in Japan. Edomae chefs are experts in preparing seafood and always strive to bring out the subtleties of each ingredient.
Some basics for first-timers at omakase restaurants in Hong Kong:
- Be on time – punctuality is very important in Japanese society
- You’re advised to use your hands (instead of chopsticks) to pick up the sushi when it’s placed in front of you
- Try to look into reserving your table as early as possible. Due to the intimacy of omakase, the restaurants usually only have around a dozen seats, so they’re notoriously hard to book!
Our top picks for omakase in Hong Kong
1. Sushi Hare
Sushi Hare may be the most exclusive establishment on this list – apparently, you need someone who’s already “in the know” to bring you here… 😉 While the bespoke service provided by Chef Motoharu Inazuki (AKA Moto-san) and his team is one of the highlights of the experience at Sushi Hare, the food is, of course, nothing to scoff at either. Some of the most popular items here include surf clam; chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) with crab; the various sakana (savoury side dishes to go with sake); and sakuramochi (sweet, pink rice ball filled with red bean paste); among others – but again, these are only available depending on the season.
Price: from $980 for lunch; from $1,980 for dinner
How to book: by invitation only
Sushi Hare, G/F, 29 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 3008 4606
2. Sushi Shion
Omakase in Hong Kong isn’t exactly known for being affordable, but if you’re in search of a good lunch in Central – with even better value for money – Shion is the place to be. Led by Chef Adachi and assisted by Chef Sugano, Shion uses carefully selected seasonal ingredients, with popular items being the slow-cooked octopus; sea bream roe; kohada sushi; and more.
Price: from $680 for lunch; from $1,480 for dinner
How to book: reserve online. Bookings open at 11am on the first of each month, two months in advance
Sushi Shion, Shop B, UG/F, Winway Building, 50 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2311 0007
3. Sushi Itsu
Sushi Itsu’s omakase menus won’t leave you disappointed. The namesake menu Itsu is, of course, a must-try. You’ll get 25 items over three courses: sashimi, otsumami, and sushi, all accompanied by soup and dessert. While specific items rotate seasonally, popular past items include Hokkaido-style Black Plum Shellfish and a lavish Okinawan Lobster Sashimi. On the other hand, the Hime menu offers a beginner-friendly omakase experience with three appetisers, sashimi, and sushi, followed by a handroll course, plus soup and dessert.
Price: from $1,380 for the Hime menu; from $1,580 for the Itsu menu
How to book: Reserve online or call the restaurant
Sushi Itsu, 27/F, L’Hart, 487-489 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 5548 0561
4. Suzuno
Located in the laid-back locale of Happy Valley, Suzuno is a lesser known spot for omakase in Hong Kong. That being said, its offerings are truly out of this world! Crafted with the freshest ingredients, Suzuno’s lunch and dinner menus offer five-course and seven-course indulgence respectively. While exact items rotate seasonally, you can expect delectable creations like Largehead Hairtail Roll, Burdock Blotched Snakehead Fish Broth, and Premium Toro Three Ways.
Price: from $680 for lunch; from $1,880 for dinner
How to book: Reserve online or through Whatsapp
Suzuno, G/F, 163 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, p. 9438 1533 (Whatsapp)
5. Kuno
If you’re hunting down relatively affordable omakase in Hong Kong, look no further than Kuno. Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, this restaurant offers a range of mouth-watering and Instagrammable menu items. Your omakase lunch experience starts with the Omakase Flower menu, which features 12 types of sushi plus a type of roll. On the other hand, for dinner, your choices range from a 15-item menu to the six-course Omakase Moon menu.
Price: from $388 for lunch; from $980 for dinner
How to book: Reserve a table online
Kuno, 2/F, Kam Lung Commercial Centre, 2 Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2955 5288
6. Sushi Shikon
Awarded three Michelin stars every year since 2014, Sushi Shikon is one of the most celebrated omakase restaurants in Hong Kong. It’s founded by Chef Masahiro Yoshitake, owner of the three-Michelin-starred Sushi Yoshitake in Ginza, Tokyo. In order to achieve and ensure the same standard as Sushi Yoshitake, Sushi Shikon’s executive chef, Yoshiharu Kakinuma, works closely with Chef Yoshitake. Needless to say, they have succeeded – Sushi Shikon is widely acclaimed for its authentic Edomae sushi. The restaurant menus vary seasonally and each course is made with premium ingredients, flown in fresh (and daily) from Japan. In addition to appetisers, soup, and dessert, lunch at Sushi Shikon features eight pieces of sushi, while dinner includes 10.
Price: from $2,250 for lunch; from $4,000 for dinner
How to book: reserve online or call the restaurant
Sushi Shikon, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2643 6800
7. Sushi Saito
Hailing from Tokyo, Michelin-starred Sushi Saito is founded by famous sushi master Takashi Saito and led by Chef Masashi Kubota. From fish-ageing to rice-cooking, Chef Kubota crafts Edomae sushi with utmost care and precision, using the freshest seafood hand-picked by Chef Saito every morning at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market (and transported to Hong Kong on the same day). Finally, the serenity of the restaurant, along with views of the skyline, only add to the incredible omakase experience at Sushi Saito.
Price: from $1,780 for lunch; from $3,480 for dinner
How to book: call the restaurant. Bookings are open between 10am and 2pm on the first day of each month, three months in advance
Sushi Saito, Shop A, 45/F, Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2527 0811
[This article was originally published in October 2022 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
