TL;DR: In summary, 1.) Book an "omakase" in advance for a date night. 2.) EAT. MOAR. NIGIRI. 3.) Whenever it's available again, eat at the bar. Uchi will forever remain a part of my memory as it is the first omakase I've ever tried in HTX. Since then, as a couple we've continued coming here and enjoying a grand night out, blessed with the situation that we had almost no clue what we'd be fed--we just knew we were gonna eat GOOD. With omakase their's always one or two dishes you can say "meh" to, but in the grand scheme of things, Uchi always delivers quite a show and always knocks it out of the park with their tongue flipping pieces of nigiri. Tonight was different and I understand that changes will need to be made due to the pandemic. I mostly miss being able to eat at the bar... There's always something special about being able to see what goes on behind the bar, and anyone else that knows their way around their kitchen can easily appreciate such things--even in silence. The Pandemic: We couldn't let one of our favorite spots fizzle out, so before the year ended we wanted to continue supporting Uchi and also redeemed the gift card given out to folks who ordered takeout months ago. Prior to modifications, Uchi was strictly take out only for the first few months following March. Today, tall makeshift plexiglass barriers constructed with wood sit in between booths. Again, no bar seating. The entire bar is plexied to the teeth, as well. Look & Feel: The restaurant is quite beautiful using classic architectural elements curiously with a hint of a popular modern/contemporary accents... black Industrial piping with lots of wood. I can't help but stare at the liquid chalk board in the back, and by chance, we always get reservations on the left side away from it, so I'll find my eyes wander towards that direction while waiting on the next dish or if conversation runs dry. Food: Their sushi is top notch and their selection is impressive, even in comparison to other high end joints. An experience like this brought me back to a time I tried a Michelin star in New York, but this time each piece has an amazing spin or accent. You know you've stepped into the right restaurant when they don't leave you a bottle of soy sauce at the table. With the omakase you will be met with palette cleansers between dishes and there will be a devised menu in which flavors should build onto each other. For Uchi, I can give a bow to their food. It's nothing short of amazing, but why I can't give it 5-stars is due to some items being inconsistent in quality and sometimes a rather predictable theme for the omakase (fruits and tangerines with everything), and in comparison to other joints, the price tag can be considered quite hefty. But c'mon dude. I don't care if they're advertising grade 20 wagyu--I probably wouldn't get it again. That hot rock wagyu was a bust, but I admit the novelty factor was a 10-out-of-10; but ponzu sauce for beef...? I guess they were going for something like a 'tataki,' and 4 itsy bitsy pieces that cant fit on a ball of rice...? The cuts felt extremely underwhelming; the wagyu barely had any fat lines and even though we tried very hard to maintain the tenderness & texture while trying to get a good sear, it just didn't deliver. Service: With the omakase, Uchi aims to please and takes in consideration your critique. If you particularly don't like something, the guys will try to bring you something that will make you happy. Recommendations: 1.) Tom Kha Gai soup - trust me, I was surprised, too. Who would've thought you'd find the BEST bowl in Houston at a sushi restaurant? Not me. On our second trip back we had to request for it with the omakase and the team accommodated us. That's pretty freakin' cool. 2.) Nigiri sushi - there's just too many to name. I will say they probably have some of the best tuna (of any cut). One of the best bang for buck pieces there is the blue fin akami. If you're there for social hour, always get that AND the chef's choice. It sits at $4/pc but the I'm sure the fish rotates based on how much they have in stock or how the chef feels on that particular day, and today they were serving loup de mer--and good God, I had to get another couple pieces after trying it; ontop they accent the fish with a bit of olive oil, a few flakes of kosher salt, and something green (maybe some kind of dill puree?). I'm always a fan of amberjacks if the restaurant has them. Their vegetarian option, eggplant nigiri, I remember was fantastic, but not so amazing this time around. 3.) Omakase - really, this should be at the top. It's the ultimate foodies' date. Just let the staff take care of you as the chef will often make dishes outside the menu and ask for your honest opinion, so even if you are a regular, you'll still get hit with occasional surprises! Been there three times now for birthdays and anniversaries and they usually kill it. Of course, my favorite part is the nigiri. read more

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Reservation is a-must if you do not want to wait especially on the weekends. This is one of the best sushi place in town. Located in Montrose, limited parking on the streets. It's best to do the complimentary valet parking. The ambience here can range from classy to trendy. The staff is always friendly with excellent service. They are very welcoming and knowledgeable of the menu. You can select from the menu or do the omakase which the chef's selections for the night. It's spontaneous not knowing what you're going to get each time. I would recommend sitting by the bar, you get to see the chef in action. The Uchi chefs are very talented with the way they cut the sashimi or garnishing each dish. You can ask the hostess to sit you by the bar. One thing that is a must-try here is the fried milk. It's their specialty dessert. I love every bit of it and it was the perfect way to end dinner. read more

Uchi Houston - Yellowtail with pears - Sushi Bars Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Very limited patio seating, but they do offer in door dining as well. Menu was a bit overwhelming with the amount of selections. They do offer a vegetarian and a social hour menu as well. Food was fun and have a southwest take on sushi. Service was phenomenal and was very helpful at getting us through the menu. Guiding us through their menu. had a good variety and the foie gras was terrific. Maybe it's bc I forgot how good foie gras is since they banned it in CA. One other piece that was excellent is the tannin bune (uni w/smoked roe) those are two best pieces. Fish was cut and processed well, rice was season well, but a bit dry. Vegetarian sushi was interesting with eggplant, avocado, tomato cut perfectly in size. It wasn't forced and made into an odd shape piece. Knife skills read more

If I could marry an edifice...me and this restaurant would be engaged. I've been spoiled beyond repair Uchi...from the service to the caliber of food. There is no comparison. The ambiance is intoxicating and rich. I would rate each item I order, but why? There is nothing bad on this menu and SIX stars is what you deserve. Every roll and cut of fish sublime. Before I die. The day I hit hospice...I'm ordering softshell crab maki and hama chili. Before I MEET THE LORD OR THE LATTER....I will dine here on my last day. It's in my advanced directive. I frequent this spot about 3 times a month and if I found a man this consistently wonderful I'd have 14 kids and never divorce. Enjoy MUAH! read more

This is by far the best restaurant I've been to in Houston! So good I had to go twice during my short trip. Everything here is fresh and phenomenal and the happy hour menu offers a great way to introduce people to these outstanding dishes in a less expensive price point. Coming from NY I can say that this is a standout spot that reminds me of many of the places in the big Apple....except we would be paying double or triple the price. The staff here is warm, kind and funny...wish I remembered their names but I would request the same two servers over and over if I could. They even brought us out a dish on the house as we were celebrating an engagement. I wish I could make friends with someone here so I can get a reservation whenever I wanted. I'd book a flight instantly just to eat here and fly back! read more

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So I go to sushi places from time to time, but I have to admit, that I have never been to Uchi in Houston. It's the most upscale sushi place I have ever been to. I sat at their wine bar as I decided to dine alone. The venue is low lit and personable. The light only shines bright on where they present the dishes. It's all about presentation and flavor here. When you order sake, they present it to you in a wooden box because the wood helps extract the true potential of the sake flavor. The food is often laid to rest on wooden boards. The bartender was so thorough and offered excellent company with her ability to engage in open dialogue. They have several different menus you can choose from with an array of flavors. Pictured is: Hirame-flounder Hama Chili-yellowtail, ponzu, Thai chili, ginger Spicy sake maki- salmon, aka Kosho, avocado Tomato nigiri-pineapple, candied jalapeño Fried Milk Blueberry upside down cake #htx #visithouston #houston #thingstoeatinhouston #foodie #houstonfoodies #houstonfoodie #montrosehouston @montrosecenter @visit_houston @houston @stufftodoinhouston read more

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Love love love. This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Houston. The service is excellent every time. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I live close by and I'm a regular here. The ambiance is super nice. It's my go to date night spot as well. The Walu walu is my fav when in season, I always get the sake toro and yellowfin chuturo read more

Uchi Houston - Sushi Bars Near Me - Houston, Texas

The best place ever. Best service and so great to go. I won't go back unless they get the foie bras

The food is Superb ! Everything clean and tasty , always feels good to go over there . The staff are very nice and welcoming. And the fried milk desert is LEGENDARY. Just one thing - thy could use little bit more options for vegetarians on their menu. But overall I love it . read more

We gave Esteban full control of our dinner, he went to great lengths to make a memorable experience... including making sure we had a special "roll" to make us feel right at home. read more

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Uchi is awesome. We love to go for happy hour and just order the entire happy hour menu. It's like our own personal omakase. This particular night we went with a party of 8. We had an awesome time and enjoyed the food. If there was a negative, it is that Uchi doesn't split checks. Weird, not the end of the world, but odd. Still recommend checking it out. Just note that they do not split checks. read more

Taste and the presentation is incredible good. I will definitely come back more often. read more

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Absolute 5 star dining experience. Brought my stepdad here for his birthday and we had the omakase. Needless to say he was pleased! We called before and got the pricing for the various tasting menus. On our day, 10 course omakase for 2 was $304. Worth every single penny. Each course was more surprising and delightful than the last. It's hard to understand how a chef can create one BITE of food that unfolds in your mouth over time. My sister doesn't really even eat sushi and she loved 5 of the 10 courses! The ambiance is accepting and less stuffy than other fine dining experiences I've had. Really can't say enough good things about Uchi, just try it already! read more

The best spot for sushi in Houston! Consistently excellent service and exceptional food. The wait staff has a lot of personality which makes for a fun experience. These restaurants have a special place in my heart. read more

Many many thanks to providing great tasting food and friendly joyful service on my birthday today! I really appreciate Uchi for making this evening an outstanding experience for us. We enjoyed all of the food here and will be back for more as it has definitely lifted my tastebuds with all these great combinations that I really appreciate. All the descriptions really synchronized with the actual taste! Excellent job! Will definitely love to visit again :) read more

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Excellent service and food is beyond amazing. We are vegetarians and they have always taken care of our likes and dislikes. This has been our anniversary place. We like to get vegetarian sampler which is nice too. read more

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Althoug I must start by saying I do not eat sushi or any raw proteins. I will say that my sushi fanatic husband said this is the real deal. I was recommended this place by my friends and of course I had to take my husband. The service is phenomenal. The food presentations are on point, the ambiance is cozy, warm, and inviting. Great drinks, fresh food, and very clean. WHAT WAS ORDERED: My husband had the chefs tasting, which he enjoyed thoroughly. It was a variety of dishes, definitely tons of food. I had some edamame and the hot rock, very cool and good wagyu beef. The salami maki chicken is also very tasty. My favorite part was dessert! The fried milk was amazing and the yuzu key lime was good too. read more

Took us a few weeks to get a reservation but this place was worth it. It's definitely on the pricier side and a "special occasion" kind of place for us, but worth a shot atleast once. As a vegetarian, I have a lot of FOMO when it comes to sushi. But this place has an extensive vegetarian and vegan friendly menu that I appreciate so much. Desserts were fantastic too. Portion sizes are small so be prepared to spend some money. Our bill for two people was about $200 including tip (no alcohol/drinks). read more

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Best food, drink program, and service in the city. My go-to local's spot for an amazing sake list and immaculate vibes. read more

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the food from here is beautiful looking & tastes phenomenal! all tasted really fresh & flavorful. each morsel of food was amazing! is a great experience. service was great. the dessert is crazy delicious too. the ambiance inside is nice w good lighting and design. only complaint is that we waited more than 15 mins past the reservation time. read more

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I've been to Uchi happy hour in Dallas and loved it! I was excited to try this location and it didn't disappoint! Made reservations beforehand. Ordered the spicy crunchy tuna, oyster gunkan, shrimp skewers, chef's vegetarian roll, and nasu nigiri. Got the hot sake too. Our favorites were the nasu nigiri and the shrimp skewers, the sushi rolls were good but not outstanding. Loved the hot sake, perfect for a cold day, was smooth too. Only complaint is that we felt a bit rushed. The waiter kept asking we we wanted anything else and brought our check out very quickly. read more

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This has to be one of the best sushi restaurants in Houston. Everytime we come here we leave feeling good. Almost every dish and sashimi is amazing. On this occasion we called last minute and they were able to seat us in an hour and 15 minutes at the sushi bar. This was also our first time being seated there. Its a fun atmosphere to be seated in front of the chefs and see all if the activity behind the sushi bar. So I went with a friend who is vegetarian but will try the fish if it tastes good. He ate everything I ordered and said he would come back to eat all of the same items again. Also for drinks we got some kara kuri's made extra spicy. Amazing sake cocktail. Then we finished off the meal with the fried milk. Can never go wrong with that dessert. I've included pictures of some of the entrees we ordered. I can go back to Uchi weekly if my bank account could handle it. read more

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Visiting from Ca. Uchi is amazing top notch sushi! I got the omakase. The courses were creative and delicious. Top quality sushi with fresh bold flavors. I did a happy food dance a couple of times. The vibe in the restaurant is cool and I really liked the music. It's definitely a scene. I can't wait to come back next time I am in town. read more

I love Uchi! The food is always made to perfection. Fish is always fresh by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Houston. I'm a sushi lover!! I come here often during happy hour next time I come over take photos. I always seta reservation. The service is great. The ambience is what you would expect a sushi restaurant to be. Upbeat, kind of dim, The mood is welcoming, like I said one of my favorite places in Houston. read more

Ripoff report! I know I know the place is cool and sushi is in vogue. So all the beautiful people are in uchi. I know a little about sushi having been stationed in Japan and then marrying a Japanese woman. I wager I have eaten more sushi than most people. I use to enjoy Uchi but the portions have gotten so small, it's not really like eating a full meal anymore and as for the flavor it's ok but for instance I was not impressed with the otoro and at $25.00 per half inch piece I need to be impressed. I spent 170.00 for myself at dinner then literally left and went and had dinner. Crazy read more

First time at Uchi. Definitely not the last time. For the most part, the dishes came out one by one - giving us time to appreciate each one, albeit the small portion sizes. Exquisite presentation made each dish special. read more

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I could go on and on all day long about how much I LOOOOOOOVE UCHI. this is my go-to spot for sushi. I've come across NO other place has a vegetarian/vegan sushi menu. and let me tell you, it does not disappoint & your tastebuds will go wildddddd. one time my friend and I went here 3 days in a row and ordered basically the whole veg menu every time. Kinoko mushrooms on point every time. Japanese pumpkin tempura, veg shag roll, shishito peppers, and veggie mushi. Omg. Mouth watering. There's a reason why Uchi has been here for so long and will continue to be here. Service, ambience, food, quality, etc all on point! Shoutout to my fav server Huan! He always takes care of us, and if I could give him 10 stars I would. Ask for him when you dine in he is read more

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Food was fine, sure, but WAY overpriced, so DON'T show up hungry. They only serve TINY portions, so it's tough to get a full meal's amount of food without taking a second mortgage. Sure the food's good, sure, but they don't serve anything that will fill you up, so it's a money PIT. And they act like fish flown in from Japan is like mind blowingly good. Spoiler alert - it tastes a lot like the fish you get locally (for 1/4 the price). This restaurant is all about the hype - no substance. But that's not all... the worst part was the staff. Rude and unprofessional. At $150+/person, you'd expect, like, a normal bordering on professional (maybe even professional?) wait staff; NOPE. Weee got a middle schooler. Our waiter wanted us to order something and like scoffed when we ordered something else. He was then cold towards us the rest of the night. He'd like plop our food down and we'd all say thank you and he'd literally walk away without acknowledging us. What. Tf? It was like we had to suck up to our waiter to get just politeness. I was, honestly, speechless. Overall a 0/5 experience, wouldn't recommend for $50/person, much less $150/person. Save your money and go to a regular sushi restaurant. (Hando, Handy, Bravery Chef Hall, and Aka are ALL better choices if you want sushi). read more

Uchi is a vegetarian's holy grail!! Not a huge brussel sprouts girl but theirs are out of the world. I will be ordering these every time I go. Veggie Yokai was a great unique refreshing take for my palette. Nasu Nigiri, Chef's Vegetarian Roll, and Pitchfork in that order with the eggplant being my favorite. Celebrated my friend's birthday and every time a waiter(ess) came by they wished her- so sweet and inviting! The Jasmine Cream dessert was a yummy and magical way to end the night. Perfect place to come to celebrate special occasions with family and friends. read more

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Highlights to a great happy hour experience with both service and many bites of love. It began with the seared fous gras, which was devine... then I evolved to the wagyu tartare and cleaned the bowl... it ended with the friend oysters and the piece de resistance was the eggplant nasu. I left with a happy belly. read more

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Food is definitely good but Houston has some sushi restaurants where you can get better tasting food at a fraction of the price. The mushroom beef and egg yolk dish was extremely delicious as was the amberjack appetizer but was not as impressed with the remainder of the chefs selections. Service was great, food good but not with the premium price. I don't need to pay to be seen at the 'in' sushi restaurant. My experience at the Austin location was far superior. read more

This is a high end restaurant, but I went during their social hour. The food is so good it is worth the cost. Everything is so beautifully crafted. read more

Everything about our experience was amazing! Our waiter brought us our things to try, and it was all so delicious. Even topped the night off with fried milk dessert....to die for! read more

Dynamite! Loved the concept, food was fantastic and servers were amazing! My first time here and my mind is blown. The attention to detail is what sets this place apart from other sushi restaurants. The restaurant looks small but very homey, loved the warmth of dim lights. We ordered lots of food from appetizers to sushi rolls, everything was amazing! I loved the simplistic approach to the edamame and shishito peppers, they were charred to perfection, doused in lemon juice. Omg, it was soo good. The desserts were out of this world, wish i could have some now lol. Overall, i have nothing negative to say about this restaurant. Truly blown away from the experience. Hats of to the chef and servers. read more

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I had an amazing experience at Uchi sushi. The service was impeccable. The food was outstanding, and I cannot wait to return. My friend and I tried the Hamachi Crudo, the spicy tuna roll, and the yellowtail roll, as well as the brussels sprouts. All of the above were outstanding, and had immense flavor. The service from our waiter. Neff was phenomenal, and he went above and beyond to make us feel at home at Uchi . I can't wait to come back this place is amazing and delicious! read more

I went to Uchi one early evening to enjoy their happy hour with my friend. I was able to reserve a seating at the sushi bar the day of. They do offer complimentary parking, but I was lucky to find street parking right next to the restaurant. Uchi definitely delivered on service. While sitting at the bar, we were designated to a sushi chef who attended to our food orders, while we also had a waitress who focused on our drink orders. Upon completing each dish, our plates were taken away in a timely matter. Our glasses of water were constantly refilled with a communal container devoted to your party. To top it off, our sushi chef gave us a free pumpkin tempura dish, which was golden brown and perfectly crisp! As for our dinner/happy hour, we had each of the makimono rolls except the avocado maki (which in my opinion should be replaced by a different item). Usually I would leave a more detailed review on each roll, but I think each roll was simply well made and delicious. No additional soy sauce needed! And this is what differentiates your average maki rolls to your elevated maki rolls. We also had the sake karashi crudo, which was delicious! Make sure to eat each piece with the pickled daikon layered on the bottom. Lastly, I treated myself with sake (ryujin kakushi - The smooth drinking texture is both rich and dry yet light and sweet with playful swirls of mango, pineapple and even honey.), which was recommended by my waitress. The description I have included is spot on. The taste was very fruity and the drink was very smooth. If you're not a sake lover, this is definitely a must-try as it may change your views. I also tried a few of their nigiris, including the akami, chutoro, otoro, and the santa barbara uni. All very delicate, fresh, and DELICIOUS. Overall, I would give this place a 5/5, especially if you want to treat yourself with high end sushi. read more

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I've been back to Uchi a few more times since my last review and have found they've made some favorable changes! The fried milk has grown in size again, the ham and egg roll is delicious again, and their new items are really good! Some of new and old favorites include: Ushio (Fried Oxtail): super tender and fried perfectly. Pairs so well with the pickled onions and fried mint. Sambal sauce is also so good! Hokkaido Uni Bluefin chutoro: they now have otoro and chutoro and it didn't disappoint Morel nabe with foie Machi Cure Hama chili Salmon Belly Nasu (Japanese eggplant) Unagi Dayboat Scallop Ham and Eggs Roll Zero Sen roll Although they've become busier in the last couple of months, their service is always great. I used to be able to come and get in line at 4:45 without a reservation, but the last two times I tried it was a fail, so I would definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time. But overall, this place has redeemed itself and earned #1 on my list again read more

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I have been to Uchi twice: Once for Omakase and once for the Sake Social Happy Hour. Uchi Omakase: On the menu, there is a Chef's Tasting option of 10 courses and a Signature Tasting option of 6 courses with prices marked as market pricing. I asked the chef beforehand how much they would be for that night, which the Chef replied $125 per person on the Signature Tasting, and I don't recall the other pricing. We chose two Signature Tastings and had an amazing night of wonderful food. The dishes included, but were not limited to, sashimi, nigiri, 36 hour sous vide beef nigiri, tiny fried crabs, brussell sprouts, desserts. The chef really does give you their best wares and it was one of the better nights of sushi I have had here in Texas. Favorites of the night were: gyutoro, flounder muscle, shima aji, uni, and the baby crabs just because they looked cool. *See footnote at bottom. Sake Social Happy Hour: Came back a second time to try their cheaper fare. Not nearly as much nigiri/sashimi, but we were able to try their creations with sushi. We ordered everything on the happy hour (except the yuca frites) and were happy with the consistency of quality of food from the omakase to the happy hour. The waitress was very keen on our needs and everything was cleaned up very quickly during these COVID-19 times. For dishes, we enjoyed the Murder Point Oysters ($2 per) immensely, followed by the Tempura Walu Walu ($6), Walu Walu ($8), and Hama Chili ($6). Wasn't too keen on the pork belly ($8) but I did appreciate the presentation and creativity on the dish. We also ordered the gyutoro ($10/piece), Scallop ($5.50/piece), Salmon Toro ($4.50/piece), and Amberjack ($8/piece) off the regular menu because it was just that good from last time. *Footnote pertaining to Uchi Omakase: We misunderstood how Uchi Omakase works. Their omakase isn't the traditional omakase with a set price on a set number of dishes. It is all a-la-carte pricing based on whatever the chef gives you. That being said, unless you tell the chef to stop, he will keep dishing out food (unsure why it even says 10 courses on the menu). We were quite surprised at the bill when we were expecting $250 on the bill but saw a number closer to double. I called back a few days later, as they were busy that night, and mentioned that I thought the menu and chef were ambiguous on the pricing, and the manager was very understanding. Despite COVID-19 concerns just starting up back then (was around March), the manager listened and we came to an agreement that we were both happy with. She was very fair in her decision. With her handling of the situation, and the quality of the food, Uchi will now be a staple on our eating out list. read more

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If I could give Uchi 10 stars for service I would. Service was great. I haven't been to Uchi in ages, turns out I wasn't missing anything. Food was fine. Nothing you can't get at 100 different restaurants across Houston these days. I remember Uchi treating its patrons like they were at a culinary museum and the servers being the museum tour guides. It is now just a restaurant that doesn't even have a liquor license. Plates like the hot rock were dropped off with no instructions, which was fine. We know our way around a hot rock enough to explain to our friends how to use it. Even though the rock wasn't hot after a minute or two. No pictures taken aside from the group pic. Very underwhelming experience. We will save our money and go to other Asian fusion restaurants across the city. Unfortunately Uchi is no longer what it was in the glory days.. read more

Although the sushi was exquisite, I wouldn't come here unless it were a very special occasion. Even sake social (happy hour) will leave a huge hole in your wallet, and you'll have to order a lot of items off the menu to satisfy your appetite if you come hungry because the sushi typically comes with only 3-4 per dish. We probably ordered the entire menu on accident lol. I did looove the ambience inside though. My favorites were the pork belly (not pictured), walu walu, flounder, and fried milk (thank you to the waiter for this recommendation--I had high expectations based on his hype, and they were actually delivered). This was our first time at Uchi after living in Houston for eight years. So glad we tried it before moving away because the entire dining experience was certainly worth it. The staff were very friendly and generous to celebrate our graduation and even gave us a complimentary item. Make sure to cross this one off the bucket list!!! read more

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