The beat meal we've had in Austin, if I could give more than 5 stars I would. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Atmosphere is amazing, food is amazing, and Axel is the absolute best - solid recommendations, knew the menu inside and out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Best experience in the city. Gonna be a go to spot whenever im in town​ read more

I really liked my visit to Kemuri Tatsu-ya! I came here for a work dinner so we tried a bunch of things and shared -- the misoyaki butterfish and the fried chicken (chicken karage) were absolutely standouts, I LOVED! We also had the BBQ eel which was delicious (a bit pricey for 3-4 small pieces for $18, but it is cooked SO well).We had the charred edamame which does have beef in it (take note vegetarians -- there aren't a lot of veggie only dishes on the menu), and the taiyaki cornbread (excellent flavor and texture). We did get the hippie bone marrow (it's eggplant!) and the Kinoko mushroom for our vegetarian friend and she really liked both it even though she's not big into mushrooms (the kinoko has a strong umami flavor, it's quite meat-like actually). We got the hot pocketz too which are brisket based; they were very cheesy (smoked gouda) -- good flavor but the brisket isn't strong. My coworkers also tried one of their specials which is essentially a Japanese "famed dish" -- it's squid marinated in it's own guts. I tried the tiniest piece and it was one of the most abhorrent things I've had -- it was SO salty and kind of sour. I like fried squid but this was nothing like that; def would not recommend but if you like to try weird things, go for it. We also got several drinks -- the Match painkiller and Puff puff pass (serves 2 people) are both absolutely delightful! Very fruity/tiki-like. Someone else got the grapefruit sour which is basically Shochu in a glass that comes with a fresh half of grapefruit and a juicer you can prep yourself! Overall -- I like Kemuri a lot. The food is a little high for the portion sizes, but it's a solid place to go with friends/coworkers and share things so you can try a lot. Because things come out like it courses, you can easily get full without overeating. And the drinks are great! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a more casual place inside, but you could still have a nice/fun date night here.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Other than the bland brisket the food was delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Physically uncomfortable experience. I expect heat in summer in a covered patio, but we didn't have a fan or AC blower, unlike the other half of the patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Halfway through our evening meal I couldn't wait to get out of there. Service was mixed. Friendly staff, but only once did someone clear a plate, so the table remained a cluttered mess of dishes. I'm not inspired to go back. read more

We came here for a date night, and really enjoyed the food and vibe! We ordered the edamame, hot pockets (MUST TRY!) , chicken skewers, and hamachi collar (smoked yellowtail). The hot pockets are basically are cheese & brisket "sandwiches" but with tofu skin instead of bread. They were amazing, definitely a must try. The hamachi collar was interesting, not sure if I would order again. Our server was friendly, but food took a while to come out so be prepared to wait. 4.5/5 read more

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This place is definitely unique in trying to integrate Japanese and Texan flavors. We love both and thought this would be a flavor slam dunk. The food was fine. The descriptions made our mouths water but the food was just fine. Here's what we ordered: Charred Edamame $8.00 - this was good. They were smokey, salty and oily from the tallow. Worth trying! Gls - Eternal Spring Eternal Spring$17.00 - sake. It was ok. Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio$19.00 - it was ok. We all like bluefin but you couldn't really tell what it was. I wouldn't get this again. Texas Wagyu Tataki$15.00 - I thought this was too acidic/vinegary and I didn't enjoy it. Tsukune$13.00 - chicken meatballs. They were fine. Heavier herb flavor. On the fence but I'd probably get these again. Ton Maki$9.00 - this was pork belly wrapped in green onions. It was a sum of its parts. You tasted leafy green onions and some pork. I wouldn't bet this again. Wagyu Short Rib$15.00 - I don't remember this one. I think we liked it. Tori Hatsu$6.00 - chicken heart skewer. It was gamey but that's what it's supposed to. My kid wanted to try it so we got it. Not going to give an opinion on this one. Misoyaki Butterfish$15.00 - I enjoyed this. It was silky yet had a good mouth feel and a slight sweetness. I'd get this again. Guaca Poke$18.00 - this was enjoyed by everyone. Get it. Takoyaki$15.00 - it was like regular takoyaki with chili on it. Chili overpowered it. If you're trying to find items that are filling in this small plates menu this is one of them. Hot Pocketz$12.00 - cheese, bread, brisket. This is what you get for a picky kid at the table. I thought it was just ok. Brisket Tsukemen$17.00 - great concept but it was a lot of broth and not a lot to dip into it. The flavor was good. I'd probably get this again. Brisket$16.00 - best bite of the night. It was the silkiest, fattiest, melt in your mouth brisket I can remember having. Slap a bun on it (they didn't have any) and you've got a solid meal. Get this. Hippie Bone Marrow (Eggplant)$12.00 - cool concept but it was just soft eggplant. It was fine. I'd probably get it again if I was hungry and needed a dish. Overall it was a decent experience. I wouldn't complain about going again if someone suggested it. Glad we tried it. The service was great and all of the servers were friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]One thing to note is that it's community table style. Long picnic tables so be prepared to sit with people you don't know in the patio. They do have a big inside as well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]A sexy, moody, eclectic spot that has the most unique Japanese - BBQ fusion dishes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's expensive - though high quality izakaya spots usually are. We stopped here for an early dinner. We ordered: -Taiyaki Cornbread ($8) -Brisket Dipping Ramen ($17) - RICH, fatty, salty delicious, dipping broth with perfect chewy noodles. -Negima ($10 each) - Chicken thigh skewers -Wagyu Skewer ($14) -Butterfish Skewer ($15, special!) Everything was tasty! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is surprisingly large - the place extends into two rooms in the back as well as a small outdoor patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff are super nice :) read more

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Absolutely loved this spot. The menu is split into starters, skewers, larger bites, and BBQ, so we decided to get one thing from each section--and everything was genuinely 10/10. We started with the cornbread, then had the wagyu skewer, the brisket hot pocket, and the brisket BBQ. Every single dish was flavorful, well-executed, and something I'd come back for. The brisket especially was amazing. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibes were also so cute. It was this fun Western Japanese BBQ joint that makes the whole experience feel unique and cozy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter, Yoshi, was awesome too--super helpful and gave us great recommendations. Such a great dinner spot, and we will definitely go back. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Was super busy for a Tuesday night![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I dined with a group of 8, so we had the "choose for us" option where they brought out many different options. The beef skewers were pretty good, and the brisket pot pockets were bomb. Probably my favorite thing out of everything we tried! The ribs and chicken wings were good. The ceviche, chicken skewers, and cornbread were just ok. Not bad but not amazing. The brisket wasn't anything revolutionary. All the food was really salty too. I liked the fusion idea a lot! I'd say this is definitely a at least try once kind of spot. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The staff were nice and the outdoor seating was nice and cozy and warm even though it was pouring rain.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Kemuri Tatsu-ya - Chicken meatball Skewers - Izakaya Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Loved this spot! Walked in around 7 and was sat at the bar My husband and I tried a couple different options I tried the matcha cocktail / DELICIOUS LOVE IT Food we tried - Cornbread 10/10 Chicken thigh skewer 8/10 Guaca poke 9/10 Hot pockets 10/10!!!!! The best thing we tried Ribs 7/10 pretty good but strong rub flavor Service was great at the bar still super helpful and able to see the kitchen [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is super cool / love the decor!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Can't wait to go back and try a couple different things but def get the cornbread and the hot pockets read more

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We had a reservation right at 4pm and our service was flawless!! Our wait staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and our waters were never empty! The pork belly burnt ends, the hot pockets and deviled eggs were genuinely some of the best bites of food we have had in the city, and the pricing for the quality is unbeatable! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibes were great, the playlist was solid and the presentation was knockout on every dish.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The only thing I probably wouldn't get again was the matcha painkiller drink, it was fine, just nothing to write home about! read more

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Honestly, I'm shocked this place only has a 4 star on yelp because it may be one of my new favorite spots in Austin. The server was super attentive and friendly. We had so many questions since it was our first time and she was so patient with us. Most of the bites are on the smaller size so we ordered a selection to try: bbq boat, a few different skewers, hot pocketz, chicken Kara-age, and the sashimi of the day. Honestly we loved everything but the hot pocketz, chicken Kara-age and the brisket on the bbq boat were our favorites. The vibes were also on point here! It's a very fun, casual spot where you can come for drinks, snacks, or a full dinner. This spot received a big gourmand from Michelin and it is very well deserved! read more

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Honestly, expected more from all the good reviews. The food was mediocre at best with the price. I expected more with their meat, but their fish was good. They also told us that a few things on their menu were sold out due to them changing menus. We got today's sashimi ($20) which was fresh yellowtail and good. Hotate skewer ($11) which was good. Deviled Ajitama ($9) which was not as good. Brisket ($15) which was mediocre. Blistered Shishitos ($13) which was mediocre. And Texas Wagyu Tataki ($15) which was also mediocre. I also got a Grapefruit Sour ($16) which you had to make the drink yourself. Not a big fan of that with the price. The servers are really nice but it felt like they didn't visit our table that often considering how small the portions are. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance of the restaurant is a very date night vibe which is nice[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], but I don't think I will come back. read more

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My husband and I dined here for our anniversary. We reserved a spot at the "chef's table" where we got to sit across from the kitchen (bar style) and watch the food being prepared. It was overall a really fun experience and the server was great. There were some dishes we liked more than others but in general everything was unique and tasty. I would just say be careful because though you want to try everything on the menu, the cost adds up quickly. The plates are small so it takes a lot to feel full. Also, they ran out of their popular dishes quickly so I'd order your must-haves first! Our favorites were: Cornbread, Tsukuba meatball, wagyu shortrib skewer, brisket, Scallops, butterfish Least favorites: texas wagyu, guac-poke (good but not especially special for the price), banana pudding (we were told this was nothing like a typical banana pudding, but we found it to be pretty basic!), deviled eggs read more

This place is outstanding! The food is very delicious, please try the jellyfish it's amazing! And the Honky Tonk ramen was delicious during the winter storm. I also tried the milky tea and it tasted like my childhood, when you put cereal in milk and then the milk tastes aromatic and sweet. The service was good also, we had to reschedule due to the snow storm but they were very kind in accommodating my reservation for the next day. The ambience in this place is dark and rustic, not a poshy place but the food is way worth it read more

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Loved it! The staff, SO friendly! First thing they asked was if I had been here before, explained the whole menu, and then gave suggestions. I love when this is given unprompted. [[HIGHLIGHT]]90s music playing, LOVE IT![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Aesthetically pleasing with decor and dishes![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Japanese Texas BBQ. read more

Kemuri Tatsu-ya - Kara-Classic Karaage Chicken - Izakaya Near Me - Austin, Texas

My mind was blown. After so many of my friends recommending this restaurant to me, I finally secured a reservation which was way easier than I thought. Parking is a bit tricky, they have a really small lot like less than 10 cars, and you're left to find neighborhood street parking (which is at least free) The ordered the Shukaku Moon cocktail which was fabulous. We did family style and I suggest you do it so you can try everything! Our stand outs were the pork belly, scallops, cornbread, waygu, and chicken. But seriously I don't think you can go wrong with anything on this menu. read more

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Cozy fusion izakaya east of downtown. Food was pretty good, some bold flavor combos that meld Texan with Japanese food that mostly works if you don't mind trying new things, but expensive for what it is. Server was helpful and came by often to make sure we were good or if we wanted more food or water. Located essentially in a neighborhood, so very limited parking and most of it along the street in front of people's houses. Highly recommend placing a reservation ahead of time as the wait can get very long. Went on a Wednesday evening around 7:00pm and the wait would have been around 40 mins without a reservation. Seating space was also a bit crowded. My chair was scooted up against the table and the person behind me could barely squeeze out of their chair to get out. There is a mix of tables with chairs and more picnic style seating. It is an izakaya, so expect more of a lively vibe, small bites, and probably not where to go if looking for a filling meal without breaking the bank. Food came out one by one, so ended up there maybe 2 hours. Did enjoy the food, though do expect fusion flavors. Some combos were good, others were more interesting. Not bad, just different. Would probably rate this more of a 3.5/5, mostly for the price ($7 for a pickle plate?), but also for read more

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Service was exceptional, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was cozy , warm vibe and plenty of seating options. We had a reservation and went on a Tuesday night for dinner. The place was completely packed. My partner and I ended up ordering almost half the menu. The prices are reasonable and the portion sizes are smaller, which I actually appreciated because it allowed us to try a variety of dishes. Everything we ordered was yummmm, with no disappointments at all. I will definitely be visiting again. read more

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Austin needs more places like this! I can see why it's a popular spot and hard to get walk-ins without reservations. Parking: barely a dozen spots available, mostly street parking which isn't that tough in a largely residential neighborhood. Ambiance: izakaya but cleaner lol...doesn't have the smokiness or stuffiness due to a very large space if you're trying to compare to a true Japanese or even one in nyc hole-in-the-wall. Even the bathroom area is relatively clean! Menu has a lot of options to satisfy the young and old, and ofc a beverage menu to keep spirits high. Tables are kinda tight together but still enough breathing room for everyone. It's a surprisingly large space once you get inside. Food wise: i suppose it's 5 stars for Austin standards, but probably mid 3-4max if you're coming from LA/NYC. Prices are NYC level so I think more of a special occasion spot rather than let's hangout here every few weeks. I found the bone marrow dish to be too salty, but the sashimi cuts were awesome! The bbq boat is a good sampler to try a bit of the popular items, chicken was perfectly done with no pink and crispy skin. The char is great, even on the edamame appetizer. Some might say it can have more heat, but that's subjective. read more

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One of the best restaurant i have been to recently! This was part of the 2024 Michelin bib gourmand restaurants and it shows why. The place was packed even on a random Tuesday night at 9 pm. So don't forget to make reservations. The menu consists of small shareable items. There is no 1 main or entree items. I loved this concept so we could try everything. My favorite was the ribs. The meat was so tender and well cooked. The hot pockets were so good that it melts in your mouth. Guac with tuna was also so good. My least favorite was the corn bread. We definitely ordered too much food for 2 people. They had matcha based mocktail which was a delightful addition. Must try if you are in Austin. read more

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It reminds me of a restaurant down a small side street in Tokyo. The wine was amazing. Our waitress Kathy was fantastic and made great suggestions. The food was absolutely amazing. read more

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Food overall was good. Two yakitori are super burnt and dry. The bottle we ordered are tasty. Service was fine overall. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good place to hang out w friends and family.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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The experience at Kemuri tatsuya was overall pretty good. The ambiance of the restaurant gives off the Austin vibe. As you settle in, you can definitely appreciate the detail that went in to making the environment unique. The food was great. We had multiple appetizers. We went through a few of the recommendations from our server as well a few that caught our eye off the menu. The cornbread, ribs, and BBQ boat were the agreed upon best by the table. The Hi Ball missed the mark however Hannya-Chan was on point. A thing to look out for. Know what you want when you order and order it all at once. We ordered drinks and apps, then the main courses with some additional apps. Nothing arrived at the table together and it felt at times that we had to remind our server what we had ordered and when it might arrive. Conversely, we watched a larger table get seated, order, and receive their food (which included things we had ordered) while we waited it out. We were told it had to do with how busy they were and the order in which the dish became available. Overall I would recommend just don't go starving like we did. read more

Kemuri Tatsu-ya - Izakaya Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Firt time being here and its a cool spot. Parking is little though. The service was great and food delicious. I do like the vibes of this place and the decor is different but I like it. I had the brisket dipped Ramen and the kids had brisket and ribs. First place all 3 of the girls like. The corn bread was amazing. I didn't get a pic of it. Everyone was so hungry it went quick. I will definitely come back to this place. Very chill spot. I would recommend this place for sure. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance of this place is unique, misleadingly large space on the inside- we were walked to the back in a more half-outdoors sort of space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was exciting to try an izakaya--themed place with the concept sounding unique.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] However, maybe we ordered the wrong dishes but nothing really hit, especially for the high price point. The brisket was and looked dry and was in need of some sort of sauce, the hot pocketz which came highly recommended were nothing special with the gouda overpowering everything else, and the brisket just adding to the oiliness with no reprieve. The eel was not bad but four thin slices. Finally, did not enjoy the sesame sauce paired for the cornbread. The drinks were okay- matcha painkiller and a more refreshing light drink with lemongrass and hibiscus, but for sure not the best. Overall, kind of a disappointing experience. Might return to try the skewers, but that's about it. read more

Atmosphere: this is a izakaya theme restaurant, so it is a hybrid bar/restaurant vibe. Moody darkness vibes. When we initially entered (for a date night) I thought it was a bit loud but once we were settled into a booth, the noise was never an issue! I loved the decor here, it's a unique Texas-meets-Tokyo theme (think deer heads and Japanese signs) Service: our waiter was very attentive without being overbearing and gave great recommendations! We enjoyed our time with him! Food: Surprisingly amazing. We ordered a lot (see picture of menu that I am posting, circling everything we ate and its rating) You must orders are: Hotate skewers, blistered shishito peppers, banana pudding dessert read more

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My sister and I were visiting Austin and this restaurant popped up as one of the options for the Chase Sapphire Reserve exclusive tables (new benefit coming in with a $150 dining credit every half year) and it seemed really intriguing! Izakaya + texas BBQ concept? Sign me up! I made a reservation without a problem for 6:15PM - due to some unforeseen traffic, we were about 15 minutes late but were seated without delay. It was a little noisy at first but died down as the evening progressed. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable and gave us some nice recommendations. We ordered: Taiyaki Cornbread- both of us thought it was ok. Charred Edamame- both of our favorite dish of the night... so much so that we ordered a 2nd one! The smoked beef tallow and the charred element gave these an addictive taste. Couldn't stop eating! Avocado & lotus salad- good but I thought it was a little underwhelming. Skewers: we ordered the hotate (scallops) and the kinoko mushroom. I think my only comment is that there were other ingredients that we couldn't identify, and the menu didn't reference it (at least, not that we thought it did). The hotate, for example, lists scallops, corn and wakame, but I remember biting into a white-ish food that had a texture that did not match any of the listed items. I would recommend asking for more details if you have any food allergies. Brisket dipping tsukemen- this was a wonderful surprise. I could definitely see both the Texas BBQ and japanese tsukemen elements, and it was delicious. Definitely on the heavier side, but enjoyable. It was perfect for sharing. Fish collar- it was hamachi(?) that night - also grilled very nicely and we enjoyed it. I did try a few items from the Osusume menu and the Chinmi menu- most of the items I initially asked for (ankimo, Misoyaki Gindara Skewer) were out, so I went for some other items - the jellyfish and the takowasa. Jellyfish was ok - if you're Chinese and you've had any from the local Asian grocery store, it tasted about the same. Takowasa (raw marinated octopus, quail egg, wasabi) unfortunately suffered ingredient imbalance because all I could taste was the wasabi. Drinks-wise, I ordered a sake flight ($30) that I hadn't seen from the menu, and also tried the grapefruit sour. The grapefruit sour was fun for a moment but not necessarily worth the price ($16). Overall, we still had a great time and it was a highlight of our trip - I am still thinking about that charred edamame!! There were definitely some stronger dishes overall, and some weaker ones (although people who have never tried jellyfish should give it a try!! I'm just not personally impressed). I think that for anyone visiting and looking to use their $150 dining credit, this is a solid choice. read more

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One of my favorite Japan trip memories is meals with old and new friends in the local Izakaya near my hotel - [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance was dark, woodsy, great music and a warm greeting[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] - Kemuri checks all these memory boxes and has a deliciously creative menu to match. The service is always excellent and sometimes I'll pop in for just a drink and the addictive fish shaped cornbread - a great local spot! read more

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When looking for a last minute place, this was it! We had just returned from Houston and decided to stop by a cool spot that was on our radar. It didn't disappoint. We didn't make any reservations as we had only walked in but the ambiance was very low lit but cool nonetheless. Our server was friendly and we were able to place an order without any pressure whatsoever. We ordered the following: Wagyu Short Rib Skewer - Probably my favorite! It was nice and tender! Oh, very flavorful! Karaage Chicken - Nice and crispy! Moist, too! Smoked Wings - They were good but spicy! Nice kick to them! Taiyaki Cornbread! Super fun, fluffy and flavorful! Also, I need to mention that their sesame butter was soo good! I'll definitely visit this place again when I fly back to Austin. We were in town as we are from LA. read more

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We were able to make reservations the night before, but it seems like day of, it's hard to get a table without a reservation based off of some walk ins we saw try to come in. This is a super vibey spot, with attentive and friendly servers, and a lot of interesting fusion small plates! If you don't like fusion or barbecue, then I'm unsure if you would like this spot, but I loved it! We got Matcha painreliever - so delicious! Basically a virgin piña colada with match, you really can't go wrong. Puff puff pass - kind of strong tbh but on the sweeter side as far as alcoholic drinks go. Would def recommend at least two people sharing this one. But the cup it comes in is so cute! Bluefin tuna carpaccio - one of my favorites of the night! The tuna felt fresh and I loved it with the radish. The karashi was a little too much though. There was just a lot of sauce for the thin slices of tuna. Taiyaki cornbread - Really solid cornbread that comes with a delicious sesame butter! I wish the outside was crispier, like how a cornbread crust can get, but it was still solid. I think what made this dish special besides the shape, was just how light the butter was, and the sweetness of the honey that really tied everything together. Hot pocketz - also one of my favorites of the night! The tofu skin isn't really discernable, it's more just a vehicle for the brisket and cheese. And boy does it deliver! The smoked gouda is so rich, and the brisket is pretty tender. And the crispy cheese outside gives it such a nice crunch which really adds to the texture. Smoked chashu burnt ends - pretty tender and really satisfying to bite into! It's the perfect size to just sink your teeth into and I really liked the slight sweetness. The dollops of mustard also helped cut through the richness, but it was kind of too concentrated. It was like a bite of wasabi with each bite. BBQ Eel - also also one of my favorites of the night! But that might just be because I like real. I think the difference between expensive eel and cheap eel isn't that different tastewise. But these pieces were definitely bigger and meatier than your typical stuff. But it was so soft and flavorful. Brisket dipping ramen - this was decent. But for the price I had expected a way bigger bowl. And this is a good way to try the brisket if you don't want to order it alone. It was pretty tender, but the brisket chunks in the broth were more soft. I know for dipping noodles, the broth is supposed to be concentrated but it was just too salty for me. Like the first few bites were good but it became a little too much. But the noodles themselves were actually so good, I loved the texture of them. They were so bouncy and chewy! Banana pudding - not your typical banana pudding! The matcha, to be honest, didn't add much, but there was a layer of dulce de leche or something in the middle that really elevated the dish. It gave off very banana toffee vibes and it was delicious! I also love that they gave a lot of wafer crumble on top so the texture is very varied. read more

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Interesting concept combining Texas BBQ and Japanese food... but still not working for me. The taiyaki cornbread was delicious but my friends and I were not a fan of the dipping ramen. Service was super friendly. The restaurant is very loud and we could barely hear each other across the table. read more

Kemuri Tatsu-ya - Tsukemen Brisket Dipping Ramen - Izakaya Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Very very cool and delicious restaurant concept! BBQ meets Japanese cuisine. The menu is so unique with so many fun dishes and drinks to try. Inside is dark but inviting and feels like a step into somewhere else not in Austin. When you walk in you are welcomed by all of the workers in a coordinated greeting. Our waiter was so incredible, he was helpful and made our experience more interactive especially with the BBQ boat presentation. For drinks, I really enjoyed the Kai Kura Kura and the Matcha pain killer. My friend got the grapefruit sour and you do have to squeeze your own grapefruit for juice but it kind of adds to the experience. For appetizers, we tried the bluefin tuna carpaccio, the taiyaki cornbread and the hot pocketz. The carpaccio was cut super thin and very fresh. The cornbread was amazing with the butter (wish it came with more than two pieces) and the hot pocketz were cheesy, spicy goodness. I shared the BBQ boat with two others and we opted for the bento box add on. Highly recommend the add on, it's $10, and it allows you to make basically BBQ hand rolls with guac or bbq sushi tacos? Crazy combo that turned out to be absolutely delicious. Our boat came with brisket, pork belly and ribs. All meats were fantastic, with the pork belly and brisket being my favorite. For dessert, you MUST order the banana pudding if that is your thing. Even if it's not, it was sooo good!! Definitely recommend this place for a great, unique meal. Perfect to bring out of towners or just a group of friends. Only wish they had a happy hour! read more

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This place was phenomenal. From the vibes to the food, the atmosphere was unmatched. The service was top notch as well, I felt as though it was very attentive despite the restaurant being absolutely packed. Highly recommend making reservations otherwise there will be a substantial wait here. But the wait is worth it for bites you will be thinking about for years to come. Everything on the menu is designed to share which is perfect because you will absolutely want to have a nibble of everything. My favorites were the hot pockets and the ribs but everything we tried was out of this world. I can see why this one was on the michilin gourmand list because it has everything you want in a date night: spunky, unique and delicious. Will absolutely be back! read more

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My friend made us a reservation at 10:30 pm on a Sunday after we left a SXSW concert, and it was a good thing that she did since there were still so many people here late at night since it was a busy weekend for Austin. I was able to score a free parking spot right in front of the restaurant and while we were waiting for a quick minute for our table to be set, Rhett and Link from the Good Mythical Morning show was on their way out! I was able to get a selfie with them! I knew this was going to be a great spot since it looked they had a great time here. There were multiple staff members that came up to our table to help us and they were all so friendly and gave us a rundown of the menu, and made sure we were comfortable and in good hands. My friend and I ordered brisket hot pocketz and a brisket dipping ramen to share. [[HIGHLIGHT]]While we waited for our food, we went to wash our hands and were amazed to the attention to detail of the decor in the restroom! There was a display case of figures and played thunder sounds and flashed like lightening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our hot pocketz came out promptly and were deliciously cheesy. The only notes that we had were that we wish the tofu skin was crispy. Our brisket dipping ramen came soon after and it was so creamy and rich. The brisket was so tender and deliciously fatty. The food and service were so amazing, that I will definitely have to bring more people to dine with me next time since my friend said she wanted to try the barbecue boat that serves multiple people. read more

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Avoid blue fin tuna cappaccio, it was a bit of a let down because the meat was not juice and didn't feel fresh (having strong fishy smell). Other than that, every else was either good or amazing! I especially love the hippie bone marrow, which is not bone marrow and it's actually vegan, but the creative use of eggplant makes it does feel like I'm eating bone marrow! The fish collar and bbq eel are also amazing. The fish collar was fresh and the meat was both tender and juicy! The wagyu short rib is also a must try as it's very tender after 48 hrs sous vide. read more

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What a twist on Japanese cuisine! This place surprised me quite a bit. A small plates asian fusion that had my friend and I going "oh wow, that's good. Okay that's really good" Dishes: Cornbread taiyaki - corn bread taiyaki, a combination that I never heard of again. Served with sesame butter. We killed this in seconds. I mean if you like corn bread and taiyaki what else is there to say? They go well with each other! Brisket - juicy but is a bit expensive for the amount served Hotpocket - brisket, smoked gouda. Tofu skin. Crispy, and well done Chili cheese takoyaki - I was pretty skeptical of this one. Takoyaki and chili cheese? That's a combination ive never heard of before. Hot and fresh takoyaki (ocotpus) dipped in chili cheese? Yeah that actually works pretty well with each other Chicken karaage - crispy chicken While overall the meal was a little more pricey, I think the quality of the food definitely reflected their worth! read more

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This place has such a fun concept and menu. I ate here on a Wednesday night and was able to get a table for two easily. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Firstly, the decorations are great. It is the perfect mix of Texas and Japan.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They also serve their drinks in fun glasses. I tried the Matcha Pain Killer cocktail. It was good but slightly too sweet for my liking. For food, we tried a wide variety of dishes. For appetizers, we ordered the mozuku shooters, blistered shishitos, bluefin tuna carpaccio, and beef tartare. The shooters were the surprising standout. They were very refreshing and flavorful. I also enjoyed the beef tartare. The seaweed chips that came with it were light and airy. For skewers, we ordered the negima, kinoko mushrooms, and the cod special. The cod was probably my favorite. The mushroom was the most unique. It really mimicked the taste and texture of meat. I wasn't too impressed by the negima skewers. We also ordered the hot pockets and the BBQ eel. I would skip the hot pockets despite their popularity. The cheese totally overpowered the brisket. The eel was solid but nothing special. For dessert, we got the banana pudding, which had a miso caramel and matcha. It was the perfect end to our meal. I loved the umami taste of the caramel. Overall, it was a fun meal and I appreciated the creativity. read more

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unique features snd crazy delicious flavors. The karage, edaname, guac, bread pudding and basically everything was awesome. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Grest ambiance inside too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Coolest designed sushi bar around! And the food was absolutely fantastic too. I was in town for business, and one of my local colleagues suggested we come here. Such a great fusion of Texas! Barbecue and Japanese sushi. I would have never guessed this would have worked and worked so well. The smoked edamame was off the charts. We asked the server for his recommendations and he brought us a couple of local favorites. I'm not going to be any help in naming the food, so you'll have to look at my pictures and show them to the server if you'd like to order them. All I can say is everything was delicious. The interior design was wonderful and very well thought out. If you have the opportunity to use the restroom, it will not disappoint. Think 1950s Godzilla movies as a decorating theme. And somewhere in there they threw in a few Japanese action figures. Head on over, order some food, and be prepared to be delighted. read more

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In a city full of barbecue restaurants, this one certainly stands out. It's an unassuming building on an unassuming block, but the inside blends intense Japanese and Texas kitsch. And the fusion comes through in terms of the composition of the menu and of many of the individual dishes. We got the BBQ Boat, a mix of outstanding meats with just an edge of Japanese flavor; the daily sashimi which was as expected but maybe a bit expensive; Taiyaki cornbread, featuring delicious butter; and maybe the best edamame I've ever had. The cocktails were creative and delicious, and several are served in special cups which adds to it. The caveat on OpenTable is accurate: they definitely go for maximum utilization, even if that means having to wait outside 10 minutes for your reservation. read more