A 30-year-old local office worker recently visited a cafe in Seoul’s Gangnam District that offers “coffee omakase,” where the barista recommends the coffee.

For US$22.59 per couple, customers can enjoy three cups of coffee and take out an Americano.

“I had to visit early in the morning because making a reservation was difficult,” said the office worker. “It’s definitely more affordable than opting for an omakase course at a restaurant. It was a truly unique experience.”

In recent months, an increasing number of South Koreans have been exploring different omakase courses for desserts and beverages.

These courses are relatively cheaper than those offered at restaurants, easily accessible, and popular for providing customers with the opportunity to sample various tailored course menus that suit their individual tastes.

Omakase is a Japanese dining style where customers trust the chef to create and serve them a meal that showcases the chef’s expertise and creativity.

“A lot of young Koreans have been visiting a pop-up store that offers dessert omakase,” said an official at Lotte Department Store.

“The desserts are beautifully plated, and the Generation MZ (a Korean term referring to those aged between late 10s and 30s) enjoys capturing photos of them and sharing them on social media.”

Omakase is gaining popularity among the Generation MZ, who were born between the early 1980s and early 2000s and are known for their willingness to spend on themselves.

According to a survey conducted by Embrain Trend Monitor among 1,000 consumers, 72.7 per cent of respondents believed that trying out fine dining, omakase, and other high-end restaurants can broaden their personal experiences.

This story was originally published by H. M. Kang, via Korea Bizwire.