Makomae is Diamond Bar’s hidden gem, serving high-quality sushi and Japanese dishes without breaking the bank. Whether you’re craving omakase, à la carte, or a cooked meal, this restaurant has it all. It’s highly recommended that you call ahead to make a reservation to avoid any wait. You know this is a legit restaurant when they’re strictly open during lunch and dinner, with a break in the afternoon.
This is the Makomae omakase experience.
The Omakase Experience
Makomae’s omakase experience is structured where the sushi chef will serve you different nigiri dishes until you signal you’re full. You can advise them of your preferences, including what you like and want to avoid. You’d find some unique cuts of fish, and the chef can get creative by serving you a work of art of a nigiri. The best part of the omakase experience is that you’re not confined to a fixed set of 10 pieces, 8 pieces, or whatever is predefined on the menu. If you have a big appetite, they’ll keep serving you (at a la carte prices).
The Makomae Selection
During the omakase experience at Makomae, the sushi chef served the more exotic pieces. I didn’t know which cuts of fish were used in most of the nigiri, aside from jellyfish, amaebi, Japanese uni, toro, crab, and sea snail. My favorite is always the uni, hands down, followed by amaebi (sweet shrimp). The sea snail nigiri tripped me out a bit, but it’s actually not that bad after I overcome a mental hurdle. After all, it’s still considered a shellfish. The point of an omakase is to try out unique selections.
The food was excellent. The restaurant can get pretty busy, so expect a full house. It’s hard to find a quality sushi restaurant out in this area, so definitely make this your next visit, whether it’s for lunch or dinner service.
Makomae Japanese Cuisine
868 N Diamond Bar Blvd
Diamond Bar, CA 91765