Vancouver, B.C., August 20, 2026 – Minami (1118 Mainland Street), Yaletown’s destination for contemporary Japanese cuisine, is introducing its first-ever Minami Omakase, an intimate chef's tasting experience debuting on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Led by Sushi Chef Tomoya Hirasawa, the curated omakase features more than 16 courses and is limited to just 16 seats, with a single seating at 6:30 p.m. in Minami's private back dining room.
“At Minami, we’ve had tasting menus before, but this is the first time we are presenting an omakase, something we’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” says Noriaki Okubo, president, Aburi Restaurants Canada. “Chef Tomoya Hirasawa has the talent and embodies the discipline and ningenmi that define our restaurants. We are proud to share his artistry through this intimate new omakase experience with our guests.”
Presented over two and a half hours, the omakase unfolds course by course at Hirasawa’s discretion, guided by the day's finest seasonal and local ingredients, special Japanese ingredients, and his more than a decade of experience in Japanese cuisine. The Minami Omakase is $200++ per person, with an optional sake pairing available. Reservations can now be made via OpenTable.
Menu highlights may include: steamed snow crab, fresh premium sashimi, and an extended nigiri progression featuring kinmedai, chutoro, otoro, Ossetra caviar, A5 Iwate wagyu, and more.
Born in Chiba, Japan, Hirasawa brings more than 10 years of experience in Japanese cuisine to Minami. He began his career at a small izakaya in Japan specializing in fresh, local seafood, where he developed a deep passion for sushi and a lasting appreciation for the fundamentals of hospitality – cleanliness, organization, professionalism, and care for one's tools. Honing his craft across a range of Japanese restaurants, including Vancouver’s award-winning Tetsu Sushi Bar, he grew from sushi chef into leadership roles.
For Hirasawa, excellent sushi is the balance between the quality of the ingredients, the technique, and the attention behind every detail. For him, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing guests enjoy and appreciate what he creates.
“Sushi looks simple, but every detail matters, from the temperature of the rice to the knife work and presentation,” adds Hirasawa. “With our new Minami Omakase, I want to share the balance of ingredient quality, technique, and care behind every course, and create something that makes our guests genuinely happy."
The Minami Omakase officially debuts on September 24, 2026. Guests can make reservations on OpenTable. For more information about Minami, please visit www.minamirestaurant.com.