While Houston is mostly thought synonymously with Tex-Mex and Barbecue, the city brings the heat in all manners, customs, and styles of cuisine. When craving sushi, check out the list of our 10 favorites Houston restaurants below.
1. Uchi Montrose
“Uchi” in Japanese translates to “house” – which is very appropriate for the cozy warm atmosphere inside the award-winning restaurant’s location on Westheimer. Fitted with gorgeous wooden fixtures, sleek contemporary furniture, and ornamental touches, its ambiance is second only to its top-tier menu.
2. Uchiko Post Oak
Directly translating as “child of Uchi”, Uchiko is a concept from Uchi founder Chef Tyson Cole started back in 2010. Whereas Uchi was a way for Cole to convey, culinarily, his take on modern Japanese food, Uchiko takes its flavors to an even higher level.
3. Hando The Heights
Fitted with only 22 counter seats, this Heights’ sushi bar specializes in crisp nori temaki hand rolls. Additionally, the restaurant features a 4,000-square-foot, alleyway-style bar with a long list of Japanese beers and specialty cocktails.
4. Osaka Montrose
For anyone that loves happy, complimentary surprises, Osaka is for you. More often than not, the good people over at Osaka in Montrose will provide a complimentary appetizer, dessert, and/or roll. Plus, whatever sushi you’re jonesing for, you can find at Osaka.
5. AKA Sushi River Oaks
AKA Sushi House provides a sleek atmosphere in River Oaks in which to enjoy izakaya style sushi. Here patrons can enjoy dishes both exotic and traditional. While more affordable and accessible than some of the higher-end sushi restaurants in Houston, their Happy (from 3 – 7 pm during the week) is extra affordable at $5 – $6.50 cocktails and $3.75 – $9.25 sushi rolls.
6. MF Sushi Museum District
Housed in a stunning restaurant in the Museum District, Chris Kinjo’s MF Sushi offers an impeccable atmosphere to enjoy sushi, sashimi, as well as the recommended omakase tasting menu.
7. Hidden Omakase The Galleria
Curated by Chef Niki Vongthong, Hidden Omakase is an intimate dining experience on West Alabama that seats only 14 a night. The highly-coveted dinner features an assortment of dazzling dishes, both visually and taste-wise. It’s priced at $175 and is a must for self-described foodies. Be sure to book in advance.
8. Kokoro Downtown
Spearheaded by a team of past Uchi sushi chefs, Patrick Pham and Daniel, Kokoro inside Bravery Chef Hall offers highlight reel sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and makimono. Don’t sleep on their Wagyu Toast, a tostada-esque creation piled with A5 Wagyu, Kinoko Duxelles, chimichurri, quail egg, and caviar.
9. Nobu Houston The Galleria
Nobu is a recently opened luxe sushi restaurant in the Galleria. Owned by chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor, Robert De Niro, the high-end restaurant attracts superstars and sushi aficionados alike. Its menu is extensive and comprises over everything from maki, sashimi, signature tacos, and tempura.
10. Kata Robata Montrose
Located in Upper Kirby, Kata Robata is the award-winning restaurant of Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi. As widely known Horiuchi flies in fish from Japan multiple times throughout the week – giving the restaurant’s assortment of raw fish the edge over its contemporaries. Patrons can also find traditional dishes with southern twists, such as the Longhorn Roll made with fried shrimp, freshwater eel, avocado, spicy mayo, three kinds of tobiko, unagi sauce and Texas Wagyu Katsu Sando – Texas wagyu, Japanese style milk bread, tonkatsu sauce.
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