Brad took me to omakase for my fortieth birthday. It was my first one, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. We went to TAIKUN Omakase, a tiny dining room tucked inside the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, with only about eight seats at the counter. We loved it so much that we have been back a second time, and it is still the only omakase we have ever done. It just feels so comfortable that we keep coming back.
What Omakase Actually Is
Omakase means “I leave it up to you.” In other words, you don’t order. The chef chooses and sequences every course based on the best ingredients that day.
Before my first omakase, I thought you were stuck with whatever they gave you. It wasn’t like that at TAIKUN. Brad doesn’t like uni, and they had no problem swapping in a different piece for him. They were very accommodating.
It was also nice to sit down and not have to order anything. At a regular sushi restaurant, I stick to my usual, non-adventurous favorites: a shrimp tempura roll, a baked crab hand roll, spicy tuna on crispy rice. Here, I never felt like I was missing out, and I tried dishes I never would have ordered on my own. The seared Wagyu surprised me the most. It was delicious.
What I didn’t expect was how fresh and high quality the fish would be. In fact, Brad didn’t even like sushi before this dinner. Because the fish was so good, he loved it.
Our 16-Course Dinner at TAIKUN
The evening is a 16-course omakase, and our host for the night was Adrian, who made a first-timer feel completely at ease. The menu changes with the seasons, but this is what our dinner included:
- Two seasonal selections of sashimi
- Mochi with Hokkaido uni and Kaluga caviar
- Abalone
- A selection of six seasonal nigiri
- Akami, chu-toro, and otoro with Kaluga caviar
- Hokkaido uni
- Miyazaki A5 Wagyu
- A hand roll
- Dessert
Brad doesn’t like uni, so the chef gave him an extra piece of the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu instead. In fact, that Wagyu was our favorite piece of the evening. If you have an ingredient you don’t eat, tell them ahead of time; they took care of Brad without any fuss.
What TAIKUN Omakase Costs
The 16-course omakase was about $286.70 per person when we went, before tax, gratuity, and drinks. If you add drinks, they will run you about $22 to $26 each. Fair warning: you will get suckered into ordering sake. That’s because everything is so good that you won’t want to miss out on anything, and the drinks add up quickly. I don’t remember the name of the sake I had, but I asked Adrian to recommend one. He picked his favorite and told us it reminded him of a love story. I had no idea what to expect, went with it, and loved it. In short, this is absolutely a special-occasion spot.
Tips Before You Book TAIKUN Omakase
- Reserve far in advance. With only about eight seats, it fills up. So book about a month ahead, especially for a birthday or anniversary.
- Choose your seating time. When I last checked, there were two seatings, at 5:30 and 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
- Also, dress up. Their listing asks for formal attire.
- Dietary needs: they cannot accommodate vegan or vegetarian guests, and you should share any allergies or dislikes when you book.
- Make a night of it. TAIKUN is on the main floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, right next to Kahani, so you can arrive early for a drink with an ocean view. We stayed at the hotel, so we never had to think about parking.
Omakase Etiquette for First-Timers
A few things I learned that helped me relax and enjoy my first omakase:
- Eat each nigiri right away. The chef places it at the temperature and moment they intend, so don’t let it sit while you take photos.
- Hands or chopsticks are both fine for nigiri.
- Go easy on the soy sauce. Many pieces are already seasoned, so taste first.
- Ask questions between courses. The chef and host are happy to talk about the fish and where it comes from.
- Finally, skip strong perfume or cologne. It competes with the delicate aromas at the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TAIKUN good for a first omakase?
Yes. It was my first, and the small room and our host made it feel comfortable instead of stuffy. The chef didn’t speak English, so he mostly kept to himself. However, Adrian was easy to talk to and had lots of stories about the fish, the dishes and even the sake, so there was never an awkward silence.
How long does dinner take?
About two hours from start to finish.
Is it a good choice if I have never had raw fish?
Yes, because it is really, really good. Fair warning, though: it might ruin sushi for you. After this, other sushi places just won’t taste as fresh.
Can I bring kids?
I wouldn’t. It is a special-occasion spot and a perfect date night.
Can they work around ingredients I don’t like?
In our experience, yes. Brad doesn’t eat uni, and the chef swapped in an extra piece of A5 Wagyu. Tell them ahead of time. They cannot accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets.
Is it worth the price?
For a special occasion, absolutely. We had such a positive experience the first time that we went back. The second visit was almost the same, just with a different chef, and we would go back again.
The Bottom Line on TAIKUN Omakase
My first omakase at TAIKUN changed how I think about what a meal can be. Book far ahead, tell them what you don’t eat, save room for the A5 Wagyu, and budget for the sake, because you will want it.
