The omakase sushi dining experience is definitely a thing in New York City. Roughly translated to “chef’s choice,” omakase dining has exploded in popularity in the last ten years, and many restaurants offer this type of sushi tasting menu. Typically 8-12 seatings around a counter, prices range from around $100 up to almost a thousand dollars per person (plus drinks, tip and tax).

We discovered Mojo Omakase, located in the heart of Chelsea, in October 2022 and had a terrific experience. We’ve now dined there three times – basically every time we are in New York – and have found the menu to be of very high quality but quite affordable.

15 Course Omakase $90

We arrived at our appointed time and were promptly seated at Mojo’s spacious counter. The waiter brought water and took our drink order right away. There is a small selection of sakes, beers and wines; we selected Orion draft beers, which were delicious and served ice cold.

The first course was sea urchin (uni), crab and tofu skin. Creamy and indulgent, it was a nice combo of flavors – the sweetness of crab and buttery uni. A great mouthful to start.

uni, crab and tofu skin at Mojo Omakase
Uni, crab and tofu skin

Next came the Spanish mackerel with ponzu sauce and radish. The mackerel was oily and tender, and tasted smoky from a light torch.

Spanish mackerel at Mojo Omakase
Spanish mackerel with ponzu sauce and radish

We used to avoid fatty tuna because sometimes it is stringy, but this one was succulent. Seared fatty tuna with pepper and sweet soy-based sauce.

Seared lean tuna at Mojo Omakase
Seared lean tuna

Next came a rapid succession of nigiri, lightly brushed with soy sauce. Amberjack (hamachi), also known as yellowtail; madai (red snapper) nigiri – fresh, mild, firm, and delicate; spot prawn (botan ebi); house marinated tuna; fatty tuna (otoro); and horse mackerel.

Madai nigiri at Mojo Omakase
Madai nigiri

Then came the creamy Hokkaido uni. Silky and briny, it melted in my mouth with a burst of flavor.

Hokkaido uni at Mojo Omakase
Hokkaido uni

The next course was really special. Seared salmon is already our favorite nigiri, but it was then topped with fois gras to give it a creamy new dimension. They call it ‘Salmonlicious,’ and it is!

Seared salmon and fois gras nigiri
Seared salmon and fois gras nigiri

I lied. Unagi (freshwater eel) is my favorite, so it made me so happy when it hit my plate. Warm, tender and sweet with the eel sauce, it was an amazing mouthful.

The last course was ikura, salmon roe, and it was delicious.

ikura - salmon roe at Mojo Omakase
Ikura (salmon roe) at Mojo Omakase

Once the last course is complete, you have the option to order additional sushi, to reprise your favorite bites or add something you haven’t yet tried. We ordered more unagi and seared salmon, then we were full!

We declined dessert, then were presented with a succulent chunk of melon. It was the perfect end to an amazing meal!

Conclusion: Our Favorite New York Omakase

After three visits, Mojo Omakase still holds up. The selection changes according to the preference of the chef, based on what is fresh or seasonal, but it’s always good. Most importantly, it is an excellent value: the best New York Omakase for under $100.

Mojo | Omakase

Dinner Only | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM（Mon-Sun)
177 9th Ave
New York，NY 10011
646-255-9050
Reservations (Resy) for parties of 1-8 can be made up to 2 weeks in advance. For larger groups, kindly contact the restaurant directly.

Monica Soberman has traveled to over ninety countries while working remotely. She is the owner and author of Digital Roamads Life, a blog for travelers and digital nomads that covers destinations, travel hacks and remote work. Motivated primarily by food, she has taken more than sixty food tours in thirty countries. She is currently full-time nomadic with her husband Mark while running her e-commerce business, The Better Backyard, a luxury backyard store.