New York’s Omakase King of Value 🌟

After my favorite Koyo closed, I’ve been on a quest to find another omakase in New York that balances budget and quality. 🌺 Omakase in New York is usually very polarizing. Either it’s a $500-$600 Michelin-starred experience that requires booking a month in advance, or it sacrifices quality for a lower price. Sushi Akira, newly opened on the Upper East Side, perfectly fills this gap—a $200 per person price tag with top-notch ingredients, offering a very accessible omakase experience. 🍣 The sake appetizers are super generous, with five courses in total. The whisky jelly is a standout—super refreshing, paired with the richness of pistachio cream, creating a delightful contrast. The abalone dish is beautifully plated in a Zen style, with a non-fishy sauce that’s perfect for mixing into rice. 🍙 🎢 For the sashimi, they have all the essentials: fatty fish, white fish, and shellfish. My friend loved the sweet shrimp and snow crab the most. But the real surprise for me was the saba (mackerel). 🍃 It’s a fish that could easily go wrong, and to be honest, at this price point, I was bracing for a fishy disappointment. But it was anything but! 🌸 The charcoal-grilled skin was slightly crispy, bringing out the natural oiliness without any of the industrial sourness from over-marination. 🐟 #NewYork #Omakase #SushiLovers 🌇