How Many Courses an Omakase Has and How Long It Takes

Most sushi omakase in Hong Kong runs 12 to 20 courses. Lunch usually takes about an hour to 90 minutes; dinner takes about two hours. The exact number depends on price, season and how many small cooked dishes the chef serves before the nigiri.

At a glance. Casual counter: 8–12 pieces in 40–60 minutes. Mid-range lunch: 12–15 courses in 60–90 minutes. Full dinner: 15–20+ courses in about 2 hours. Many counters seat in fixed sittings, so arrive on time.

What counts as a course

A "course" can be a single piece of nigiri, a small cooked plate or a bowl of soup. A 17-course menu might include three appetisers, eleven nigiri, a roll, soup and dessert. So compare menus by what they contain, not only by the number.

Typical sequence

The meal usually follows a light-to-rich order. It opens with small appetisers or sashimi, moves through white fish and shellfish, then lean tuna, fatty tuna and richer pieces such as uni or ikura, before ending with a roll, tamago, miso soup and dessert. See Edomae style omakase explained.

Real examples in Hong Kong

Gonpachi in Tsim Sha Tsui has listed a 20-course dinner omakase at HKD 1,380, and Sushi Nyoi in Causeway Bay a 17-course menu reported at HKD 1,480. Sushi Sadayama in Sheung Wan runs fixed sittings from noon to 1:30pm and 7pm to 8:30pm — a 90-minute window. Compact counters such as Uogashi Nihonichi at Central Market serve a short sequence you can finish in under an hour.

Short on time? Book lunch. It is usually shorter, cheaper and uses the same chef and fish. See lunch versus dinner omakase prices.

Why the pace is fixed

At most counters, everyone is served each piece at the same time. Rice is kept at body temperature and fish is sliced to order, so the chef works to a rhythm. Eat each piece within a minute of it being placed. If you are slow, the whole counter waits.

Can I ask for more?

Yes. Most chefs offer extra pieces at the end, charged individually. Ask for a favourite, such as another piece of chutoro, once the set sequence finishes rather than mid-meal.

Plan your evening: arrive 10 minutes early · allow 30 minutes beyond the stated end for extras and the bill · do not book a show or a flight straight after dinner.

Late arrival can cost courses. At a fixed sitting, the chef may not restart for one diner. Some counters treat a late arrival as a no-show under their cancellation terms. See how to book a sushi restaurant.

Common questions

How many pieces of sushi are in an omakase?

Usually 8 to 15 pieces of nigiri, plus appetisers, soup and dessert.

How long is dinner omakase?

About two hours.

Will I be full?

Most diners are. Ask for extras if not.

Where else can I look?

See what is omakase and omakase etiquette.

Compiled by our editorial team from restaurant information, current venue listings, diner reviews and published menus, retrieved September 2026. Reviews are individual opinions. Prices exclude the 10% service charge unless stated and change without notice. No restaurant paid for inclusion.