Tracy Ann Lim

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

This close-up image shows a chef’s hands meticulously assembling a dish on a light-colored wooden counter. The chef, wearing a white uniform, uses a thin black tool to precisely place a garnish onto a translucent, golden-colored jelly resting on a large, vibrant green lotus leaf. The leaf is cradled in a textured, golden glass bowl, and several other identical bowls are lined up on the counter, suggesting a sequence of courses being prepared for multiple guests. In the background, the chef holds a small blue bowl filled with purple flower petals, adding a touch of natural elegance to the high-end culinary presentation.

Omakase Occasions

What Makes Michelin Omakase in Singapore Ideal for Special Celebrations?

There’s something quietly profound about marking life’s meaningful moments at the omakase counter. Over the past five years, I’ve found myself drawn to nearly every michelin starred restaurant in the city, settling into the hushed rhythms of fine dining institutions…

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

An interior view of the bustling restaurant, capturing diners seated at both the high-backed leather chairs of the sushi bar and wooden dining tables. The high ceiling and minimalist grey walls are accented by a massive black Japanese calligraphy character and warm overhead spotlights, creating a lively urban dining atmosphere.

Omakase Occasions

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

This year, as our anniversary approached, I found myself drawn to the quiet contemplation that meaningful celebrations require. The choice between formality and intimacy felt particularly important. I sought that delicate balance where premium ingredients could speak softly, where we…

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

A sleek white smartphone with a triple-lens camera system lying face down on a light-colored wooden table.

At the Counter

I Stopped Checking My Phone Without Realizing

It usually starts as a habit. The phone goes on the table, face down but close enough to reach without thinking. I check it while waiting for water, during a pause in conversation, or just because my hand moves before…

Tracy Ann Lim
February 16, 2026

Exterior view of the historic Lau Pa Sat (Telok Ayer Market) in Singapore at night with the clock tower and surrounding skyscrapers.

Best Omakase Lists

Top 5 Telok Ayer Japanese Food: Omakase Counters Worth Sitting For

Telok Ayer has always drawn me back, time and again, for its authentic omakase experience. Located near Telok Ayer Bay along the historic coastal road, this area has gained prominence as a vibrant hub blending rich history with modern dining.…

Tracy Ann Lim
February 14, 2026

Japanese sushi restaurant signboard “Sushi Kimura” framed on wood, highlighted by overhead light.

Omakase Guides

Before You Book an Eight-Seat Omakase Counter: Understanding the Sushi Kimura Menu

The decision to dine at an eight-seat omakase counter is a commitment to a specific kind of experience. It moves beyond a typical restaurant meal into something more akin to a quiet performance, where timing, trust, and mutual respect are…

Tracy Ann Lim
February 7, 2026

A skilled sushi chef in a white traditional uniform meticulously preparing nigiri behind a light-colored wooden counter in a dimly lit, minimalist Japanese restaurant. In the foreground, a single piece of tuna nigiri topped with a small garnish sits on a rustic, rectangular stone plate alongside a mound of pickled ginger, positioned directly in front of the viewer's seat. The background reveals the organized workspace of the chef, featuring various small wooden containers for ingredients, a bottle of sake, and soft, warm backlighting that highlights the clean lines of the wooden interior, creating an intimate and focused atmosphere typical of an omakase dining experience.

Omakase Guides

What Is Omakase in Japanese Cuisine?

The question what is omakase is often asked quietly, sometimes hesitantly, by diners encountering the word for the first time. It may appear on a menu with little explanation, or be spoken by a host as though it needs no…

Tracy Ann Lim
January 31, 2026