A Reason for Being 

When is the next one coming? What will be served? Who will be there? These questions are the talk of town among Columbia foodies and their social circles these days in anticipation of a fascinating new phenomenon and pop-up eatery known as Ikigai Omakase.  

The Japanese translation of ikigai is “reason for being or purpose,” and to creator Sean Sanchez, this was the perfect name for his creation — and the perfect time to make it come to life. 

Sanchez moved to Columbia from the state of California in the fall of 2016. He was getting tired of working for Chipotle when he answered a Craigslist ad and began working at Sake Japanese Bistro and Bar. Working at Sake for three years as kitchen manager whet his appetite for working with and creating sushi dishes but his work there reached a standstill with no room for progression. After a slight reprieve at the Barred Owl Butcher & Table — interrupted by the pandemic — he found himself back at Sake working with the sushi chef once more.   

Sanchez had a strong yearning to do more with sushi.  

“It scratches my brain with the way it has to be the exact same each time,” he said. When Sake’s head chef moved to the Uchiko sushi restaurant in Austin, Texas, Sanchez was invited to spend time there.  

“There was talent and passion there that you can feel when you walk in and I said to myself, ‘This is what I want and want to be,’” he explained.  

During that time at Uchiko, Sanchez began imagining the possibilities for an opportunity like that in Columbia and wondered why no one else was creating sushi dishes the way it was done at Uchiko. Sanchez said he was pleasantly surprised that the first pop-up event was so successful.   

But why have pop-up events and not a brick-and-mortar restaurant? His goal was to be a bit more elusive, and something more than a regular pop-up with the same menu all the time — something that stirs up anticipation for the next one or wondering if you should get tickets for the next one because you don’t want to miss out, and who knows when the next pop-up will happen?  

The process and planning of Ikigai Omakase pop-ups is an in-depth undertaking. Sanchez begins the roughly three-month process by thinking of a menu, deciding on the number of courses and what they will be, what fish is in season, and the flavor profiles to feature.  

“I want it just so that each bite compliments the one before and prepares for the next,” he said, explaining his from-concept-to-reality thinking. There’s about a one-month planning process where Sanchez works with suppliers, decides on a date, and reworks the menu a bit. Then about a month or so from the date, he posts about the pop-up event on Facebook. The menu is not included in the post as it is a chef tasting, which is designed to add more surprise and buzz for the event.  

There are no physical tickets as reservations are all made through direct messages and Venmo. Once a person or group has messaged and paid through the Venmo link, their spot is held. If the pop-up is sold out, interested parties are placed on a list to be contacted first for the next one, and given the opportunity to snag reservations first.  

Sanchez currently works at Irene’s BBQ and hosts there.  

“Honestly, without them I don’t believe I’d have the opportunities or be as exposed,” he said, expressing gratitude to the establishment.  

At the pop-up events, guests arrive, mingle, and find their spots marked with name cards on the tables. The meal is served family-style, allowing guests to connect with each other and the event’s atmosphere. There are also accommodation for allergies and menu substitutions.   

It is a social setting where people can get out of their comfort zones as well and create a sense of community. Sanchez described it as “helping people engage with someone they may not normally talk to, enjoy food together, and have a connection even if it is only over the food they are experiencing together.”   

Sanchez may one day own and operate his own restaurant, but for now, he says, “My whole goal with this is more of a passion project. Bringing something to Columbia that Columbia doesn’t have.”  

When is the next pop-up? It’s coming on April 21 when Sanchez hosts a celebration event at Irene’s to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Ikigai Omakase. Connect with Sanchez on Instagram at @ikigai_omakase and watch for event notifications.   

Photos by Charles Bruce III