The second we stepped inside Chef Saran Kannasute’s Arlington, VA restaurant, we understood why people have been driving out of their way to eat the “best” sushi they’ve ever had.

At Yume Sushi, fresh fish is flown in daily. Which means each morning, Chef Kannasute refines the restaurant’s menu.

But that’s not the only thing that makes this sushi restaurant extra special. On top of having the freshest ingredients on hand, several times a week, Chef Kannasute hosts a traditional Japanese Omakase.

An Omakase or chef’s tasting is a common Japanese practice where diners allow a chef complete creative freedom in curating their dishes. Translated in English the word Omakase means, “I shall leave it up to you”.

A Unique Omakase Dining Experience

Chef Kannasute is obsessed with texture. When we sat down at his restaurant to enjoy the 7-course dining experience, it’s all he talked about. Truffle oil is used in almost every dish to hold the texture of the fish explains the chef.

The experience is highly personal and feels super exclusive as guests at the chef’s tasting watch as their dishes are made by hand.

Before servers place the small plates in front of each guest, the chef takes his time to explain the ingredients he chose and his thought process behind each dish.

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That night we enjoyed a specially selected menu. Here’s what was included:

Striped Bonito Tataki

Uni Pasta

Toro with Caviar

Toro Tower

Wagyu Beef with Foie Gras

Tats of Japan

Bird Nest Honey Ginger Ice Cream

When I dig into the first dish– a seared tuna called Striped Bonito Takaki– I understand why he’s focused on texture. The tuna is perfectly cooked and has a consistency closer to meat than fish.

I ask Chef Kannasute  if he’s having fun. “Believe it or not, I knew from a very young age that this is what I wanted to do,” he says.

I’ll take that as a yes.

Yume Sushi’s 2-hour offerings of Omakase-style dining is currently available every night except Monday. There is a maximum capacity of 8 diners per seating. A reservation is required.