Tracy Ann Lim

A wide-angle, eye-level shot of a pristine, modern omakase sushi counter. The interior features light-toned wood (likely hinoki) and warm, recessed spotlighting. The L-shaped counter is set with minimalist place settings: white rectangular plates, small dark sauce dishes, and neatly folded white napkins. In the foreground, traditional woven baskets and wooden prep blocks sit ready for the chef. The background shows clean, beige walls and a traditional white noren curtain hanging in a doorway, creating a serene and orderly atmosphere.

Omakase Guides

Mastering Omakase Etiquette: The Essential Guide to Sushi Dining Protocols

I still remember my very first time sitting at a high-end sushi counter in Singapore. My palms were sweating. I stared at the beautiful wooden counter, terrified I would do something completely wrong. Would I insult the sushi chef? Was…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 31, 2026

Three patrons seated at a narrow, light-wood sushi counter in an intimate Japanese restaurant. On the left, a woman with a sleek black bob wears a dark ribbed sweater; in the center, a man is dressed in a charcoal grey hoodie; and on the right, a person wears a sharp, grey patterned blazer. They are all focused forward on their meals, which are served on small rectangular ceramic plates. Behind the counter, a professional sushi chef in a white uniform, blue apron, and traditional hachimaki headband is meticulously slicing fish with a long knife. The background features a warm, traditional aesthetic with a bamboo screen wall, several bottles of sake, and stacks of small ceramic dishes, all bathed in soft, inviting light that emphasizes the quiet, concentrated atmosphere of the meal.

At the Counter

No One Looked Around After the First Bite

The dining room was filled with the quiet rustle of anticipation. I watched the couple to my left taking in the precise angles of the cypress counter. The man on my right adjusted his ceramic teacup and studied the grain…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 29, 2026

A close-up, eye-level photograph captures a single piece of kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) nigiri resting in the center of an open, upturned palm. The sushi features a thick, translucent slice of pale pink fish with its signature vibrant reddish-orange skin still attached, which has been delicately scored and lightly torched or glazed to a glistening sheen. This succulent cut is draped over a small, compact mound of seasoned white rice, showcasing the contrast between the pearly grains and the textured, colorful fish. In the soft-focus background, a light-colored stone serving board and a warm wooden counter suggest an intimate, high-end omakase setting, with the focused lighting emphasizing the fresh, fatty texture of the premium fish.

At the Counter

We All Sat Straighter Without Being Told

The wooden door slid shut behind the last guest and the hum of the city vanished. Inside the room there was only the low murmur of strangers settling into their seats. We leaned over the cypress counter and poured green…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 26, 2026

A wide shot of an empty, minimalist Kappo restaurant interior featuring a long, light-colored wooden counter. The counter is set with individual wooden trays, ceramic sake carafes, and cups. In the background, an open kitchen with clean wooden cabinetry and organized shelves of ceramic bowls and plates awaits the chef.

Omakase Guides

A Complete Guide to Kappo Japanese Dining Style Omakase in Singapore

My first experience with a high-end Japanese counter in Singapore was a classic case of mistaken identity. I had booked what I thought was a traditional sushi omakase for an anniversary. But as the meal unfolded, I was served a…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 20, 2026

An over-the-shoulder, first-person perspective shot shows a person’s hands holding a steaming dark ceramic bowl of miso soup at a Japanese sushi counter. The soup contains visible green onions and pieces of clams or tofu. In the background, a sushi chef in a white uniform is meticulously preparing food on a wooden cutting board, with sharp knives and containers of fresh seafood nearby. The setting is a traditional, warmly lit omakase-style restaurant with a clean, light-colored wooden counter stretching across the frame. Visible steam rises from the bowl, creating a sense of warmth and immediacy.

At the Counter

The Steam Fogged My Glasses for a Second

The chef reached across the cypress counter and set a small ceramic bowl in front of me. Its lid was painted with faded gold leaves. I leaned in as I lifted the cover. A sudden rush of heat rose from…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 16, 2026

A close-up shot of a chef’s hands skillfully slicing a fresh sea bass on a wooden cutting board. The chef uses a long, slender Japanese-style knife to make a precise cut through the translucent, pearly-white flesh. Several neatly portioned pieces of sea bass, some showing the delicate skin, are arranged in the soft-focus foreground.

At the Counter

The Quiet Wasn’t Awkward

The sliding wooden door clicked shut behind me and the street noise vanished. I took my seat at the corner of the cypress counter. For the first ten minutes I felt a familiar urge to speak. I wanted to whisper…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 9, 2026

Top-down view of two pieces of tuna nigiri on a circular ceramic plate, garnished with wasabi, ginger, and parsley.

Omakase Occasions

Michelin Omakase Singapore: Exquisite Venues to Elevate Your Celebrations

Celebrating a milestone in Singapore often means seeking out the extraordinary. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of dining at nearly every michelin starred restaurant in the city, from the hushed counters of fine dining institutions to…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 6, 2026

Minimalist hinoki wood sushi counter. In the foreground, an empty ceramic plate with a small soy sauce smudge sits between a pair of wooden chopsticks and a face-down smartphone. The background shows the blurred, motion-filled hands of a sushi chef, capturing a quiet, authentic moment of an omakase experience.

At the Counter

I Forgot to Take a Photo of the Best Piece

It happened during the transition from the cooked dishes to the nigiri. The chef had just wiped down his board, a ritualistic clearing of the stage that signals the main act is about to begin. I had my phone ready,…

Tracy Ann Lim
March 2, 2026

Interior of a Japanese restaurant featuring a long black sushi counter with brown stools and several small wooden tables.

Omakase Occasions

Tanjong Pagar Japanese Food: A Memorable Anniversary Evening at Kuro Maguro

This year, while planning our anniversary, I found myself going back and forth between going all out on a formal omakase or keeping things relaxed but still meaningful. I wanted premium ingredients, somewhere we could dress up a little, linger…

Tracy Ann Lim
February 26, 2026

A chef's hand placing a piece of Sayori (Japanese halfbeak) nigiri sushi, featuring a knot of silver-skinned fish over seasoned rice, onto a square black plate.

Behind the Counter

The First Time I Didn’t Ask What Was Coming Next

I used to be a student of the menu. Whether it was a leather bound tome or a single sheet of paper, my mind would race ahead, charting the course of the meal. I would anticipate the arrival of each…

Tracy Ann Lim
February 25, 2026