The Japanese tradition of omakase, an extravagant multicourse meal that loosely translated means “I trust you,” traces its history to the way sushi was originally served.
“A sushi chef’s job was always to find a variety of seasonal ingredients, and customers would then defer to the chef’s creations,” says Trevor Corson, author of The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice.
In recent years, omakase has become an even more decadent (and pricey) experience that can span well over two hours. But it has kept to its original tradition, in which the chef creates a menu suited to his or her creativity—and to the foods that are in season—and interacts with customers during the lengthy meal to create a warm, interactive experience.
So, where are the best places around the globe to experience omakase outside of Japan? Here are seven to consider.