Omakase and Echoes of Friendship

One of my friends from work was moving to another place, so for lunch, we decided to hit up this Japanese spot near our office that does omakase—where the chef surprises you with their selection. 🍣

Who would’ve thought a place like this existed so close to work? The building is new, and I often passed it on my way somewhere else. Apart from a convenience store on the first floor, the rest of the spaces seemed to be waiting for tenants. And there it was on the second floor—a hidden gem serving omakase!

You wouldn’t just stumble upon this place thinking, ‘Oh, an omakase spot—let’s try it!’ Especially since it didn’t even have a proper sign. We climbed the stairs past an out-of-service elevator to reach this mysterious Japanese restaurant. It was as if we had discovered a secret hideaway, like the hidden statues of Easter Island. 🗿

Inside, there was a U-shaped counter where you could sit and watch the chefs work their magic. It was the only seating option, and it was already packed. Once we sat down, that was it—‘fully booked’!

How did everyone else know about this place? And how did my friend manage to score a reservation? My curiosity had to wait because my hunger took priority. 🍽️

Every time the chef placed a sushi dish before us, he’d announce its name, but it was hard to hear him through his mask. Luckily, my friend sitting close to him echoed the details for us. I was grateful, though it wasn’t necessary. Still, without realizing it, we treated him like he was part of the restaurant staff, relying on him to relay the chef’s words. As the chef spoke softly, our friend would strain to listen, then loudly share what he heard. His echoing was like the cry of an underpaid worker, while the chef’s voice was as faint as the buzz of a mosquito. Yet somehow, their strange duet worked, like Sherlock Holmes with his trusty Watson. 🕵️‍♂️

After about eight plates, another dish arrived. The chef mumbled something, and my friend furrowed his brow, straining to catch the words. And then, he declared to us loudly!

Tuna thigh

Do tuna have thighs?
Today was my first time tasting it.