I came with two other friends for dinner on a Sunday around 6:30. When we came in, there was only 1 other table occupied but shortly after a line grew at the counter. You order at the counter, the cashier gives you a number, and you take that and pick out any table you want. I ordered the seafood spicy miso udon soup. Clearly the miso part didn't register in my head as I was expecting a thick broth, but it was a thin broth (that's my bad entirely). Overall I'd say the udon was alright - nothing mind blowing but not bad either. It was a good portion of noodles as well as seafood/vegetables that I think would satisfy you for a meal. It seems like the spice comes from some sort of chili oil(?); I just wish it had been spicier, I feel that the main flavor I was tasting was just salt. The restaurant is definitely super aesthetic, and I can't speak on how the dessert is, which I think they're also popular for, but in general, I'd say the food is average and a bit pricey (my noodles were just under $20 I think). read more

I am all for the onigiri! The spicy tofu and ume shiso were prepared differently and were a perfect combination to try for the first time. Both were delicious but the former is quite spicy and the latter quite pickled. They are filling due to all the rice and I could certainly eat nothing more. The place is done up in an adorable way with beautiful wallpaper and fun yellow chairs. The service was tad bit lacking but according to the new normal, it would be considered good. read more

Delicious, food presentation and great portions! We had the katsu chicken and ice cream of course. Must try flaivor: black sesame. Delish!

I am very impressed with this place. The ambiance, service, and sweets are 10/10. Easy. Super cute on the inside, extremely clean and well taken care of. The outdoor patio is phenomenal as well. Great seats, closed in for your pups, and also misters. And shady to boot! The sweets are great. Ice cream flavors are on point, though I would prefer a bit more taro flavor in the ice cream. Black sesame was good but could be better imo, it was a bit too soft and not icy enough (which I think comes better with that flavor). As for the eats, I highly recommend the onigiri. For $4, don't expect it to come with sushi grade fish. Nonetheless, was very good. The rice is out of this world. I also got the chicken katsu plate which wasn't anything spectacular but filled me up. I'll probably get the karage plate next time. The pickled veggies on the side are superb. Shockingly spicy and deliciously crunchy. Last but not least, service. Extremely nice and attentive staff. read more

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This is solely a review on their ice cream. Their Asian influenced ice cream flavors are fairly typical with a few offerings that put a slight twist on things. They don't try to reinvent the wheel, but they satisfy with the majority of what they offer. They offer reasonable prices for the portions you receive. The white chocolate Thai tea and black sesame are what I ultimately decided upon. Both are exactly as they are advertised. They had a potent flavor that wasn't screaming in my mouth but stayed consistent with each bite. The miso caramel had barely any flavor compared to the other two, so don't bother with it. My only complaint is they leave the ice cream freezers are super cold, so the ice cream doesn't have as consistent scoop in it's texture but rather block shavings from the cashier chipping away to serve the ice cream. read more

This place has really grown on me. The onigiri are expensive but honestly so much better than any other in the area. The flavor and portion sizes are worth the high price tag. My husband is completely obsessed with the spicy miso udon soup. He orders it every time we stop by. If you haven't given this place a try - please do! It won't disappoint. read more

Sugar Pine - Spicy tuna onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

My group of 5 came around 9 after dinner to get ice cream. I appreciated the employee offering us samples and patiently getting them for us. These scoops were massive and I easily could have shared them. I also tried the black sesame and the miso caramel flavors which were quite delicious. The ambiance is nice here too and is a good place to come to hang with friends or even study alone. I would come back here for sure to try some of the other flavors. It is a bit on the pricier side, but the uniqueness of the flavors is something you won't find at many other ice cream shops! read more

Sugar Pine - 2 scoop taro root and coffee porter chocolate chip - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Amazing quality. I enjoyed everything about my dining experience at Sugar Pine. The presentation and taste of every dish was 10/10. The ambiance is welcoming and the service was friendly and quick. I am ready to go back for another affogato! read more

Sugar Pine - Pickle Veggie Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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On a winning streak with take out this week. This was one of those times where on the menu it all sounded amazing and you hope like heck that it's not just good looks and no substance. Warmed up the miso soup to start off with. It was creamy, tangy and had a nice body on it with a good ratio of wakame and tofu stirred through it. Moved onto the onigiri. Both the spicy tofu and avocado were good. Nice texture on the rice, flavour additions. Those pine nut cookies and chocolate cake were fantastic. Nice mouthfeel on both, not too sweet and perfect to finish off the meal. Bang for buck here is outstanding. The amount of food was perfect for lunch and dinner with some added summer berries and granola in between. read more

Sugar Pine - Miso soup, Onigiri - Spicy Tofu, Onigiri - Avocado, Pine Nut Cookie and Chocolate Temptation - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Service was good but food was not Went here on Saturday right at open (noon) for lunch. Fries came out first and were nice and crispy and seasoned with a little spiciness which paired well with the sauce (creamy, little bit of lemon?) The rest of the meal was really disappointing though. Half the chicken was super tough and we literally couldn't bite through it. The pieces we could eat were under salted and the curry also had no flavor. The miso soup was somewhat bitter too. Seaweed salad, pickled veggies, pine nuts cookie -- pretty standard. The biggest let down was the ice cream though. I've been craving black sesame ice cream for a while now, and I heard this was one of the few places in Austin that had it. As you can see the picture, our "1 scoop" was pretty empty and cost a whole $4. The flavor itself wasn't horrible, but was somewhat grainy and intense as if it was just cold ground-up sesame. The white chocolate Thai tea was pretty strong, not bad. Mainly just disappointed with the amount we got relative to the cup. read more

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So far everything I've tried at this place was delicious! It's a beautiful location with its own parking lot--which is a perk for me who hates searching for parking or dealing with places with tiny lots. I ordered 5 onigiris and soba noodles. My friends ordered fish and chips, taro & matcha ice cream, and a lemon strawberry pastry. The soba was so refreshing and perfect for a summer day. I'm so glad that they have an ume shiso onigiri which is the salty plum riceball. I definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

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Came here for dinner and dessert. The interior is trendy and clean and bright, which I appreciated a lot. Staff is friendly and polite. I loved all the plants everywhere!!! We ordered the katsu pork plate, soba, and one onigiri. Katsu was fried well and the pickles were amazing, but other than those things, I'd have to say everything else was just good. Everything was tasty, but not mind blowing. So, just good :) The dessert, however, stole the show. A sugar pine nut cookie came with the katsu plate (a nice surprise) and it was SO good. They sell them in their dessert case as well, and I'm going to buy some the next time I go. Their baker is amazing. I'm motivated to try and make my own now; that's how much I love those cookies. They are sturdy, but they have so much give to them like..a macaron. It's probably almond flour giving them the amazing unconventional cookie texture. Got taro ice cream in a matcha cone with strawberry chips, toasted almonds, and candied orange peel and WOW. I loved it. I don't typically like ice cream, but omg their house made toppings are freaking amazing! I recommend all the ones I got and the sesame granola. Taro was a great flavor! read more

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I've been wanting to try this place because of their Asian flavored ice creams. The miso caramel sounded really interesting to me but unfortunately they were out at the time I went. I got the white chocolate Thai tea and I thought it was really good. I could distinctly taste both the white chocolate and Thai tea flavors. Ice cream was creamy and sweet. However, one scoop of ice cream is $4 which is a bit pricier than other shops. They have an outdoor/patio seating area which is perfect for the covid times if you don't mind hearing the sound of cars on the highway. read more

Sugar Pine - White chocolate Thai tea - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Beautiful pork katsu set plate tasted as good as it looked. The katsu was crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. The miso soup was superior to what I've been served at pricey Japanese restaurants. Pickled vegetables and seaweed salad were the perfect accompaniments. And the little pine nut cookie was divine. What a lovely surprise to find this charming space on the 183 frontage road. Good food at a good price read more

Sugar Pine - Pork katsu set plate - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

The place is soooo cute and very delicious as well! We got the karaage chicken, spicy tuna onigiri and pork katsu. They were all A++! We also got coconut and taro ice cream and it was creamy and delicious. Cappuccino also not pictured! read more

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Such a cute little place! love the aesthetic and the vibe of this restaurant! Presentation of food was 10/10 but its a little pricey. They do have a happy hour though :) read more

Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Holy moly!!! スゲエ！Sugar Pine exceeded all expectations. Wasn't entirely sure what to expect since the name didn't suggest Japanese cuisine. We saw other reviews and images and they certainly did not mislead. The restaurant was beautiful in terms of appearance, the staff was great (upbeat and helpful with suggestions) and finally the food...the food was amazing. I don't know if I can call it traditional in it's entirety, but it wasn't like a typical fusion. It's traditional with a touch customization in terms of flavor. Presentation of the dishes were on point with colorful plates and food arranged in appealing patterns. Sugar Pine, while providing a Japanese menu, they are proud supporters of local breweries AND coffee. My suggestion, satisfy your foreign craving while supporting local businesses here at Sugar Pine. Note: I wasn't paid, compensated or blackmailed for this review. Just my honest opinion :) read more

Sugar Pine - The main course, pork katsu. - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Snacking in austin at its finest. They look great, tastes delicious and they accommodated my Doggo so mad props to the team here. I chose the ume and shiso onigiri along with the spicy tuna onigiri. Actual spice with the spicy tuna that gave it the extra flavor it needed and the crunch from the tempura flakes were a nice touch. Ume shiso was on the saltier side than I wanted but I overall enjoyed it and can't wait to try more when I come back. The salt and pepper tofu was tasty and pretty standard. Overall impressions are a little on the pricier side, but the dishes look immaculate, flavor is on point, and the staff is quite wonderful. read more

This is a cute little hole in the wall that was recommended to me by one of my friends. On the outside it doesn't really look like much but the food was amazing it came out pretty quickly the price wasn't that bad and everything tasted so deliciously authentic. The presentation was amazing with heart shaped carrots and dinosaur shaped carrots. This place is definitely a must go for Japanese food read more

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Writing this review is already making me want to go back! I had their Chicken Katsu plate for lunch and it came with the most wonderful sides that satisfied the need for all types of textures. All of them were well seasoned and balanced along with the Katsu. The chewy cookie was amazing! I wanted even more but the toasted coconut ice cream sounded tempting. When I say this is my favorite ice cream now on the earth, I'm not kidding. I'm planning my next trip to Austin around this place and can't wait to visit again! They are all so sweet there as well! read more

Sugar Pine - Katsu, Rice, Miso Soup, Gyoza, Seaweed Salad - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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What a chill place. Feels clean. Music was at a comfortable level. Healthy plants in the dining area. I had the steak set dish. I thought it was very fresh. A very clean presentation. I will definitely be back. read more

For me this is Japanese comfort food at its best. I absolutely love sugarpine!! There was a time I was coming once a week it's so good. Their onigiri's are so good and love their plates and appetizers. read more

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Great ice cream and even better onigiri . Great place for a midday snack. The staff is friendly as well! read more

Sugar Pine - Spicy salmon ponyo - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

I got so full eating the delicious onigiri, chicken karaage set dish, sake, and lemonade but I still managed to make room for the most perfect scoop of taro ice cream. There is always room in my tummy and heart for Sugar Pine! Also hiiii, everyone working behind the bar was so friendly and beautiful! Just a lovely experience, I can't wait to return! read more

I think fate brought me here as I was on my way home and took a wrong turn and somehow remembered that this place was in the area and stopped by to get some onigiri or I just really wanted onigiri. It was a happy mistake. I picked up some spicy tuna, kimchi pork, and salmon onigiri and enjoyed them. I also really liked the matcha limeade! Would love to come back and try an entree! read more

Love the Homey feeling on top of the delicious food. The salmon onigiri is my easy go to for something I know I will love.

I love Asian-flavor ice cream and decided to check this place out. Here are some of my thoughts. Design/setting: - Very pretty interior design. Bright and clean - Many tables. They are perfectly spaced out - Friendly and fast service - Easy parking Ice cream: - Taro Root: I really like it, though it tastes like your typical taro ice cream in 99 Ranch. - Black sesame: earthy and subtly sweet. Highly recommend if you prefer a more natural taste. - White chocolate Thai tea: very creamy but also very sweet. You can definitely taste the Thai tea which is great. - Miso caramel: My absolute favorite. It was such a unique and tasty combo. read more

Sugar Pine - Cute interior in the back - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Honestly had high expectations for this place but I wouldn't ever go back. The food was bland, the portions were small and the onigiri crumpled into a million pieces after the first bite so you have to use a fork to eat it. Their food is great for pictures but not for taste. I had the katsu curry, the katsu was great but I've made better curry from the boxes they sell at h mart. It was bland and expensive. $18 is crazy for that dish, even if it comes with soup and a tiny cookie. I asked how much just the katsu curry would be and it was $13 but that doesn't come with rice. I asked how much a side of rice was and it was $3! For rice... there are much better places in Austin for curry and onigiri and for much much less $$$. The staff were very nice and friendly and the ambiance was really nice too but stay away if you want good food. read more

Sugar Pine - Salmon onigiri for $5.25! - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is such a cute place to catch up with a friend whether you want to snack, get dessert, or grab a meal! I got the tuna, grilled salmon, and kimchi pork onigiri. I think my favorite was the grilled salmon. They also have fun Asian-inspired ice cream flavors! I liked the matcha and miso-caramel. read more

Sugar Pine - Tuna Onigiri, Grilled Salmon Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I was really excited to try this place when I saw they had Asian inspired ice-cream flavors and vegetarian onigiri options. Unfortunately, it fell flat in a lot of different factors. We got an order of the noodles which was pretty disappointing in flavor for my husband as well as a bowl of the vegetable soup noodles that had good flavor in the broth but overall was not one of the better bowls of noodle soup that I've had. We came back another time and tried the black sesame ice cream and was also so disappointed in the texture and flavor. Not creamy at all, unfortunately, actually pretty icey and did not have the deep black sesame flavor I was looking for. The only redeeming factor for us was the kimchi onigiri which was well presented and had really good flavor, but definitely was not worth the cost for us. Overall, vibes of the inside and back patio are very nice and a good place to chill with friends or go for a date, but the food did not cut it for me. I was so disappointed! read more

We ordered a tasting of most categories aside from the noodles. Everything was pretty good, but slightly under salted and/or under sauced. The bill was $95 for three with one beverage. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but did not feel the value for money was worth it. read more

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We finally stopped in Sugar Pine today for an after-school treat and we loved it! My kiddos enjoyed the icecream while I tried the spicy tofu onigiri (which was AMAZING!) This place is super cute and the service is fast and friendly. Happy Hour from 3-6! We'll be back! read more

Loved my pork katsu. The meal was delicious. The seaweed salad was great. A little of everything gave me a satisfying meal. If you're on the fence about this place don't be. The beers on tap are good and I've never had to wait for a table read more

Sugar Pine - Pork katsu - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

A hidden gem alongside Research Boulevard! While the outside may look unassuming, behind those walls is a cute spot with tasty food! I tried the Matcha Limeade, Chicken Karaage, and Avocado Onigiri. Matcha Limeade was refreshing; maybe a little too sweet for my personal taste but I couldn't stop drinking it! Chicken Karaage was juicy and crunchy without feeling too heavy. It also comes with the ranch-esque dipping sauce, which was interesting. The Avocado Onigiri was simpler but it was larger than I expected and had plenty of avocado. For the price, I was satisfied with the portion size and food quality. They do have a small outdoor patio, which is nice and has walls around it so you don't feel like you're right next to the road. The interior is cute - clean, lots of natural light due to the big windows, and there's a good amount of tables/chairs. They have a parking lot right in front of the building, so no trouble there. Definitely would come back again! read more

Sugar Pine - Matcha limeade and avocado onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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My family and I sampled several dishes (Katsu chicken curry, spicy udon miso and chicken Yalu soba, spicy tuna onigiri)enjoyed every bit. The portions are not small so come hungry. We could not leave without having dessert (matcha, taro, and watermelon ice cream). On top of the great food. The staff was very polite and responsive. Can't wait for my next visit. read more

My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience here! The vibe was nice and cozy , while the food was to die for!!!! We both got one two Onigiri a piece and they were HUGE! They tasted amazing and fresh to say the least. On the other hand , we indulged ourselves with sake and ramune as beverages. To top it all off, we both one scoop of sorbet! The lady who served our sorbet made the price well worth it. The only thing I will say is that the drinks were a little bit pricey with the sake being sold for about $10 give or take and that was the tiny juice box one. The bigger bottles were much more expensive. read more

Sugar Pine - Green Matcha Tea Sorbet ( 1 scoop) and Taro Sorbet (1scoop) - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place is SO great! They have lots of delicious vegan options, many of which I've never even heard of before. Ume shiso onigiri? Yum! I love the spicy tofu and kimchi tofu onigiri too. Those miiiight be favorite if I had to pick. And, the salt and peper tofu is a must-have. read more

The food is super tasty always and the matcha drinks are very good. The service is great and the inside is chill and there are pretty plants. read more

Wanted to put in an update that this is a great option for take-out during COVID-19 :) You can order online or give them a call and pick it up contact-free! read more

Everything in the menu sounded soooo good! Didn't have enough room to try it all. They have ice cream too. I had their taro ice cream and I had their spam musubi and salmon nigiri. The miso soup was fresh. We did not dine in but had ordered ahead of time. The order was ready in no time. Everything tasted fresh. Austin is def ahead of the game when it comes to more options such as these type of restaurants with unique menu items for being in Texas. Can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu and dine in. Our order also came with these sugar cookies with pine nuts on top, hence the name of the place? read more