Chef Roi Sofer Revitalizes Tel Aviv’s Onmi Japanese Restaurant After 27 Years
Onmi, a longstanding Japanese restaurant in Tel Aviv, has undergone a significant revival under the guidance of acclaimed chef Roi Sofer, known for his previous work at Banz and Carmela Superno. After nearly a decade away, a recent visit to Onmi revealed a refreshed menu and dining experience that honors the restaurant’s 27-year legacy while introducing exciting new flavors and presentations.
The restaurant retains beloved staples like the legendary agedashi tofu, alongside new, refined dishes and value-driven business lunch options. A special discounted menu featuring smaller portions and drinks will be available for 27 shekels throughout the anniversary month, celebrating Onmi’s enduring presence.
Highlights include the saké tataki, featuring lightly charred salmon with a perfectly balanced miso mustard sauce, and the Wasabi Combo, which showcases Israeli wasabi in various textures and flavors paired with hamachi tartare and sushi rice. The centerpiece is the omakase box, a beautifully crafted wooden container with nine compartments, each holding two exquisite dishes that vary daily based on fresh ingredients and the chef’s inspiration. Priced between 380 and 420 shekels for two, the omakase offers a rich yet balanced tasting journey.
The omakase includes delicacies such as silky tuna sashimi, nigiri with orange zest, warm eel with sesame, salmon roe gunkan, and tamari balls with seared salmon belly. The second half features beef tartare temaki with Japanese mustard, shrimp tempura temaki with egg yolk sauce, and a crisp seaweed and ginger salad. Each bite delivers a complex interplay of textures, temperatures, and bold yet harmonious flavors.
This culinary renaissance has rekindled the author’s affection for Onmi, describing the experience as a joyful reunion with a beloved taste of Japan, elevated by Sofer’s precise execution and powerful, balanced sauces. Onmi is located at HaArba'a 18, Tel Aviv, inviting diners to rediscover its refined Japanese cuisine.
