Noah Omakase opens, bringing new fine-dining experience to CNMI

Betting that challenging times can also create opportunities, veteran chef Noah Jeong has opened Noah Omakase, introducing what the restaurant describes as the first dedicated omakase restaurant in the Marianas and adding another fine-dining option to Saipan as the CNMI continues its recovery from Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi.

The intimate 10-seat, reservations-only fine-dining Japanese restaurant offers a 23-course omakase experience that combines traditional Japanese techniques with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Jeong, who has more than 20 years of experience in luxury hotels, said opening his own restaurant had long been a personal dream and that he wanted to introduce a style of dining not previously available on Saipan.

Jeong said the island's economic challenges did not deter him from investing in the CNMI. Instead, he viewed the post-typhoon recovery as an opportunity to offer residents and visitors a distinctive dining experience while contributing to Saipan's tourism and restaurant industries.

He explained that unlike traditional restaurants with fixed menus, omakase allows the chef to tailor each course according to the freshest ingredients available that day. He said he visits local fish markets daily and has identified more than 40 species of fish available in CNMI waters, enabling him to regularly change the menu while incorporating locally sourced seafood into the dining experience.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in luxury hotels, Jeong said he hopes Noah Omakase will introduce a new dining culture to Saipan while showcasing Japanese hospitality through personalized service and carefully prepared seasonal dishes. He also expressed hope that the restaurant would become a place where people celebrate milestones, create memories, and enjoy a unique culinary experience as the community continues recovering from the recent typhoons.

To mark its opening, the restaurant is offering a limited-time grand opening promotion of $107 for its omakase course, with the special expected to remain available for approximately one month.

Jeong said the current promotional pricing is intended to give more people an opportunity to experience authentic omakase. He said comparable high-end omakase restaurants in Korea, Japan, and the United States typically charge more than $200 per person for a similar dining experience, making Noah Omakase's grand opening price an exceptional value for guests in the CNMI.

Looking ahead, Jeong said he hopes Noah Omakase will become a destination dining experience that encourages more travelers to visit the CNMI. He said the restaurant plans to continue expanding its menu by incorporating a wider variety of locally sourced ingredients from Saipan, with seasonal offerings allowing returning guests to enjoy a different culinary journey with each visit.

Among those dining in the first few days of the restaurant’s opening was longtime CNMI resident Miho Evangelista, who said the meal ranked among the best Japanese dining experiences she has had and that she would recommend Noah Omakase to friends visiting from Japan. Another guest, Rie Matsuo, likewise praised the meal, saying it compared favorably with fine-dining experiences she had enjoyed in Japan.

The current 23-course grand opening menu features Ika Matsumae, Lobster Salad, Abalone, Natto Salad with Pacific Saury, Rice Paper Mulhoe, Tuna Inari Roll, Octopus Yawaraka-ni, Tuna Tortilla Pizza, Ikura Chawanmushi, Fish with Chives or Seared Yellowtail, Tuna Warayaki, Cream Croquette, Cabbage Soup, Tuna Sushi, White Fish Sushi, Salmon Sushi, Squid Sushi with Seaweed Jelly, Shrimp Sushi with Soboro, Ark Shell Sushi, Salmon Roe and Monkfish Liver Rice Bowl, Gizzard Shad Bo-sushi, Eel Roll with Clear Soup, and homemade ice cream with sea salt and chocolate gelatin for dessert.

Noah Omakase is located adjacent to the U.S. Post Office at the former Chicken & Beer restaurant in Susupe. For reservations, call (670) 483-3155.