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    Uchiko Houston

    4.4 (327 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars, Japanese, Asian Fusion
    Open 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Uchiko Houston

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    Miso Salmon
    Ogechi O.

    Happy Hour at Uchiko was indeed happy!! The salmon was perfectly seared--crispy on the outside, buttery and tender inside--paired with fresh herbs and a savory miso broth that tied everything together beautifully. Initially the dish came out cold, and our waitress immediately rectified it. The karaage-style bites were crispy, juicy, and addictive. Even the sides were delish. The greens on the salad were fresh and the Brussels were perfectly charred and tossed in a delicious chilli sauce. The and that dessert was bright, smooth, and the perfect sweet finish without being overpowering. Flavor, presentation, and vibe were all on point. Our waitress was amazing. The happy hour menu is such a great way to experience high-end Japanese cuisine without going all in on price.

    Emma D.

    Came for dinner on a Thursday night. Complimentary Valet parking available- was reasonably quick. We had a private room/group- service was excellent. We had multiple course and everything was absolutely delicious. Highlights are definitely the hamachi, anything with steak, and the nigiri. The flavor profiles on the nigiri were so different and flavorful, the chef came in and talked to us briefly about some of the dishes. Really just an awesome experience and would definitely recommend and come back here.

    Janet Y.

    First the ambiance-- loved the moody lighting and chic furnishings. Vibes were great for a nice dinner out with my college roommates. Then the service- every single person who works here was so kind. Our server was probably the best I've had in a long time. She was just awesome!!! We came for the food and every morsel delivered. I thought how different can sushi be- but every dish was unique. Lovvvved Uchiko!!! Wish I lived closer to one!!!

    Mailynn V.

    This place has an awesome lunch menu/happy hour. The service was pretty good and you get complimentary valet and you can make reservations. However, if you make reservations everyone has to be present before you are allowed to be seated. You can wait at the bar until your guests arrive. I liked that they had multiple types of seating and even patio seating. There's bar seating and a sushi bar seating, boothe seating and table seating. My favorite drink was the lychee martini. It has a yuzu flavor so it's a hint of lychee and kinda like a slush of a drink. I enjoyed it. The espresso martini was ok it wasn't the best I don't think they use fresh espresso for their drink. I tried the waygo sando although it was good I feel like it was overpowered by the Beni shoga. I also tried the 3 different fats of the tuna nigiri and my favorite one was the medium fatty (chutoro). It's the only one I felt melted in my Mouth.. the hamachi chili was okay It was more of a citrusy flavor and the mandarin is ok in the sauce but not eaten together with the fish. The hot rock wasn't as flavorful as I thought it would be but it cooked really well on the rock and didn't even burn my tongue after heating it up.

    Wagyu Short Rib
    Gennie S.

    When you walk in with a party of 11 last minute, you hope for organized chaos at best. What we experienced was polished precision. Jason, our server, was simply outstanding. He handled our large table with ease -- pacing courses thoughtfully, guiding selections, and ensuring every guest (including several vegetarians) felt seen and catered to. Nothing felt rushed, nothing forgotten. For a group our size, that level of seamless service is rare. The food was Exceptional - simply stated... The nigiri was some of the freshest we've had -- clean, delicate, and beautifully balanced. You can taste the quality immediately. Knowing that much of the fish is flown in daily from Japan makes sense after that first bite. The texture, the purity, the subtle seasoning of the rice -- it's that elevated sushi experience that reminds you why Uchiko stands apart. And then... dessert. Do not skip it. The dessert course was a true finale -- creative, indulgent, and perfectly executed. Each plate was as visually stunning as it was delicious, striking that balance between refined and comforting. It felt celebratory -- the kind of ending that has the entire table passing forks around for "just one more bite." Cocktails were beautifully composed (mine arrived crowned with a dehydrated citrus wheel that felt effortlessly chic), and the overall atmosphere carried that signature Uchiko vibe: upscale, energetic, but still warm. Large group dining can easily go sideways. Here, it felt intentional, curated, and special. Jason elevated the entire evening -- and Uchiko delivered at every level.

    Bluefin tuna otoro?
    Deborah N.

    Where do I start??? Have you ever walked in to a consistently slammed restaurant full of happy patrons in a failing economy and they are thriving? That's Uchiko! Every time I come here, they are packed!!! Bustling, and despite having their walk-ins surpass their reservations, and being understaffed, they sure don't show the struggle! They are always hustling while offering incredible, amazing, friendly service and all with a smile! Very communicative if they are running behind and always makes sure that the patron is happy. Replacing plates with new ones when they're dirty, taking empty dishes, offering new beer glasses with a replenished beer orders, and more! They are on top of it and even when they're not, they are quick to own up to it and apologize or find some way of giving complimentary dishes on the house. Most importantly, their service is five stars and they truly go above and beyond for their patrons. This is why I continue to come back. I LOVE that they offer a complimentary palate cleanser before you start your meal! I love coming here and splurging on sashimi, nigiri, small bites, oysters, rolls, and desserts. Here are my favorites here: (in no particular order) - edamame - spicy crunchy tuna roll (makimono) - Hama chili - Kurodai (black bream) - hamachi nigiri - hot rock , if you want to splurge, try the A-5 Wagyu - milk and cereal dessert to finish off the evening This place is one of my favorite places for happy hour too!! A great place for any occasion honestly! I absolutely love this place!

    Hama Chili
    Erika Z.

    Came with a friend for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. We made a reservation for 11:30, and when we had arrived it was a bit empty, but by 12-12:30ish it had definitely gotten quite crowded so would recommend a reservation if you're planning on coming during more peak times. I went with the lunch prix fixe menu and chose the hama chili as my starter and the karaage for my main. Both were really yummy. My friend had chosen the salmon for her main, and if you're looking for quantity, I'd go with the karaage. They also had happy hour during lunch so for drinks I tried the nashi g&t and the suburashi (they were out of the lychee martini unfortunately). Both drinks were good as someone who generally prefers sweeter cocktails. If you prefer sweeter I'd go with the suburashi, but the g&t wasn't as alcohol forward as I thought it might be either. There's valet out front or you can park on the roof of the attached parking garage.

    Eint P.

    Went to Uchiko for their $25 lunch special and it's such a solid deal. We went on a Friday around 12:30 PM, and the experience was great overall. Parking in the garage was easy and efficient and we were seated only after a slight wait even though the place was packed! The lunch special includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, which is hard to beat especially at this quality. For the appetizer, we got the Hama Chili, which is obviously one of their best dishes ever and never disappoints. BTW, this dish is about $23 on their regular menu so just for this alone is worth it! For our mains, we shared the karate bowl and the burger, and finished with sorbet for dessert. Everything was delicious and well-portioned. Bonus points for the $5 cocktails, which made it an even better lunch outing. The only downside was that the fries and burger were a little on the salty side, which is the only reason I'm not giving a full five stars. Still, an excellent lunch deal with great flavors and value and I'd absolutely come back.

    David N.

    I came for their soft opening years ago and even though we've been back many times to Uchi it wasn't until recently that we went back for my Wife's birthday. Ever since moving to the suburbs we don't get to have as many in town date nights anymore so when we do we want them to be special. Uchiko delivered! Their sushi is always fresh and delicious and they have some new inventions that are really mind blowing. On this trip we stuck to some classics uni, engawa (my absolute favorite! Yellowtail, and hot rock. We added some new additions the quail and tiger cry. The tiger cry was a unique addition with it being crunchy and light. For dessert we got the classic fried milk and added in the mochi churros. Wow! The mochi churros might have overtaken the fried milk! The service was always spot on as each dish comes out with a great explanation. Thank you making my wife's birthday another great experience!

    Hand roll veg
    Shaili B.

    I've had Uchiko on my list for years, ever single I fell in love with Uchi! Me and my husband made a reservation for Sunday evening. We made the reservation for 6pm at the Sushi bar so we could use the happy hour menu ( we thought happy hour was for those who sit at the sushi bar is all day based on their website). When we arrived we got seated at the bar and I checked out the veggie and happy hour menu. I ordered the: Gem lettuce- mini lettuces with tangy yet crunchy bits, it was different and good, but didn't really feel like it went with the theme, had no Asian flare kinoko uzusukuri - delicious! coming from a person who dislikes mushrooms, I knew I would like this dish because Uchi does such a well job of seasoning- no matter what I get it's delicious! The sauce the mushrooms were lying in were tangy yet smooth! Shishto peppers- another delicious dish! Felt tangy yet Smokey at the same time, not spicy. Veggie hand roll- the hand roll was filled with tempura fried veggies i believe. I don't like tempura normally because I feel like it's too oily for me so I did not enjoy this as much. Tempura veggies- thinly sliced veggies fried in tempura batter, I did think their batter was less soggy and more crispy which was a good change but also felt like once you ate a few it became too much. Tiger cry maki- my favorite!! absolutely delicious and so unique. The maki roll written down made me question if it would be good but they did not disappoint me! Even though it was more of a lettuce rice paper roll- the sauce it was laying it was smokey yet flavored so well. Before our meal they handed us both a pallet cleaner which was a banana pudding sorbet- absolutely delightful and at the end of our meal our waiter provided us with the cucumber chili dish and also was delicious and crispy. We learned at the very end of our meal that happy hour is all day at the cocktail bar not the sushi bar which made so much more sense why that area was empty and ours wasn't. Heads up for anyone else confused! However our waiter did give us happy hour prices and honored happy hour which was incredible. Uchiko and Uchi never disappoint! I highly recommend both of the for anyone that loves Japanese cuisine and Asian flavors- no matter what dish you get- you know you are getting something that has true uniqueness and care put into it. Even if you're a vegetarian or vegan they are able to accommodate.

    Sake Sashimi
    Zanarah K.

    Rezys were full for a Friday we sat outside on the patio - make a rezy for a Friday night! Service was great, water was filled through out the whole meal. If I am being honest this place is not known for their rolls. But their raw sushi is great and super fresh The kaarage is basically sweet and sour chicken. More on the sour side. The lychee martins were not your average lychee since it didn't have a lychee in it. Service was great. Food was good. Sushi was fairly priced for the environment. I heard they have a good lunch menu. Must come back to that. Valet parking and separate sex bathroom.

    Samantha M.

    Great date night spot. The lighting was ambient and low, but it was a bit loud. Our server was really nice and knowledgeable. We started the night with cocktails and edamame. Then ordered a roll with spicy salmon instead of spicy tuna. We had tuna and salmon nigiri and for dessert the s'mores and deconstructed milk and cereal. The fish was fresh, the desserts were delicious. Will definitely be back!

    Robert B.

    Minus half a star. But very close to perfect. Stopped by for the tasting menu with the Mrs for our anniversary. Setup a reservation weeks in advance to secure our time. Service was prompt and friendly gave us an area to wait for our while our table was being prepared. Now be warned there is a wait even with a RSVP. We waited a half hour before our table was available. Once seated we were in a place that was less desirable (for me it was less desirable because the lighting was poor). This seemed to be set for a more "intimate" experience with your partner. The menu was well designed with a tuna forward presentation I believe 4-5 of the dishes had a tuna option. I do wish they provided a list and description of the options being provided. Sadly it's a lot of nuance to each item so it's easy to forget and the location is fairly loud so you can mishear what is being served. Overall a very nice experience and recommend if you have some extra bucks to spend on a fancy dinner.

    Palate cleanser from the happy hour tasting menu

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    Still love uchiko's happy hour! The best deal. There is a good variety of fish available for happy hour.

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    Ask the Community - Uchiko Houston

    What is the parking situation like at Uchiko..?

    Free valet parking

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    Aiko - Mochi Dessert

    Aiko

    4.5(338 reviews)
    5.2 miSixth Ward
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    Loved the food here! The fish is super fresh and high quality and even the non-sushi menu items had…read moregreat flavors and were well executed. I got the pan daiquiri as my drink to start and my friend got the herbed lavender lemonade. For food we shared the hamachi crudo, the chutoro nigri, the kanpachi nigiri, the A5 tartare, the kani handroll, The kinoko yasaimono, and the hot scallop dish to share. The pan daiquiri was SO good. The smokiness from the mezcal hits you first and then the sweet and creamy after taste takes over. It was so well mixed and I would highly recommend trying this if you are a mezcal lover like me. (9/10) The herbed lavender lemonade was too tangy and sweet for my liking. The lavender flavor get lost in the drink. It tasted like a typical lemonade, nothing special. (5/10) The hamachi crudo was so fresh and I really enjoyed the sweet and tangy broth. I'm not sure I would call it tom kha broth but it tasted good regardless and paired well with the tomatoes. (7.5/10) The chutoro nigiri was SO buttery and melt in your mouth delicious. I would definitely get this again. (8.8/10) The kanpachi nigiri was fresh and I enjoyed the sauce paired with it. It was my first time trying amberjack and I liked it. (7/10) The A5 tartare was super unique and well seasoned. There was plenty of tartare compared to the amount of milk bread you are given to eat it with. The uni, caviar, pate and waygu all mixed together was a decadent combination full of flavor. My only note was the contrast in temperatures that I did not love, the tartare came cold while the milk bread was warm. Overall, a very luxurious and tasty dish. (8/10) The kani handroll surpassed my expectations. Typically I don't go for crab first, but I did enjoy the flavors paired with the crab and the hand roll was well filled. (7.8/10) The kinoko roll (king trumpet mushroom roll) really surprised me. I was weary about getting this roll because I normally don't opt for vegan options, but this king mushroom was so well prepared and the sauce was so delicious that dare I say that I enjoyed this more than some of the fish/meat sushi rolls I've had in the past. (8/10) The hot scallop dish was one of the best bites of the night. The scallop was perfectly charred and cooked and the creamy polenta base with the umami salmon roe, with the fried red cabbage to add texture was amazing. I would definitely order this again. (9/10) Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Aiko and the food surpassed my expectations. I loved everything I tried and do want to come back to try more. The service was quick and helpful with the menu. Parking can be a bit tricky, but there are some free street parking spots around the plaza. The ambiance is definitely upscale and classy. It's a great place for a date! My only complaint was that I made a reservation for 2 at least a week in advance and upon arrival, though they had plenty of open tables, we were seated at the opposite end of a table that was already occupied. We were close enough to hear their entire conversation throughout dinner, and I just thought it was an odd experience because that had never happened to me before. Though it did not hinder me from enjoying the food I would have preferred to be seated at our own table.

    I thought Aiko delivered a really memorable meal. Overall I'm giving this place 5 stars -- the…read morequality of the fish and the execution were excellent -- though personally I did find the progression of courses a little rich toward the end. For context, Aiko is part of the same group as Doko (their sushi omakase concept) and Handies Douzo (their handroll-focused restaurant), and you can definitely see the overlap in technique and flavor profiles across the restaurants. We went for the Valentine's omakase menu. The meal started with the Oyster Duo. One had a yuzu granita and aguachile that was bright and refreshing, while the other had a roasted onion soubise with smoked trout roe that leaned richer and more savory. Nice contrast between the two. One of my favorite early dishes was the chilled zaru soba. The buckwheat noodles had a great chewy texture and the mentsuyu broth was light and refreshing with mirin, mushroom, and seaweed notes. It was a really nice palate reset. The smoked ocean trout sashimi (masu) was another standout. It had garlic aioli on top with oil and black pepper, and the tomato added a crunchy brightness that balanced the richness of the fish. It's a simple combination but worked surprisingly well. The temaki course was excellent. The snow crab handroll had this creamy mayo texture with chili and crunchy shallots, and you can tell they roast the seaweed sheets right before serving because the nori had an incredible crunch -- honestly some of the best texture I've had in a handroll. It reminded me a lot of the style they do at Handies. For the hirame crudo with pomegranate and shiso, the flavor was good but a bit more subtle. I think the pistachio really helps that dish; without enough of it the flavors felt a little muted. I know pomegranate and pistachio is a common flavor pairing for middle eastern cuisines. My partner has a tree nut allergy so they removed it for both of us. The wagyu fat rice was very indulgent. The first thing you taste is the wagyu fat, but the fried shallots and other crunchy elements help balance it out. The sauce reminded me a lot of something you'd get at Doko -- rich but very satisfying. Adding fried rice in between fish courses was an interesting choice from the chef, but I think Aiko aims to be more western fusion than a traditional Japanese omakase. The tuna trio was fantastic. The chutoro with negidare (garlic, sesame oil, scallion) was probably my favorite bite of the night -- super flavorful and perfectly balanced. The foie gras course leaned sweet and savory, almost like an eel sauce flavor with some crunch on top. Delicious, but by this point in the progression I was definitely feeling the richness of the meal. Dessert was a milk tea tiramisu that I thought was really interesting. The mascarpone layer had a tartness to it -- almost like there might be a little sour cream mixed in -- and one layer had a subtle salty note that balanced the sweetness. Overall, the food quality was excellent and the fish was clearly very fresh. My only minor critique is that the progression of courses skewed a bit rich for my personal preference, especially in the second half of the meal. That said, every dish was thoughtfully executed and there were some truly standout bites. If you enjoy creative omakase with some richer flavor profiles, Aiko is definitely worth trying.

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    Aiko
    Aiko - Cucumber tomato salad

    Cucumber tomato salad

    Aiko - Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

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    Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

    Himari

    Himari

    4.3(117 reviews)
    5.4 miOak Forest/Garden Oaks
    $$

    How damn cute! They go over the top with their to go/delivery packaging…read more Sushi is good and travels well. The edamame was a great surprise - not your typical boiled and salt. It was that but also charred on a grill that added a little plus plus. We'll order from them again.

    There's seating outdoors, inside at the sushi bar, tables, and more seating upstairs. I noticed…read morethat they used machines to give proportionate amount of rice for the nigiri and rolls. This is nice to have consistent amounts of rice for each dish. I do wonder if this would make service slow or not because it did take awhile to get our food. There were a lot of to go orders and the way they package the items looked top tier. I did see they had a reasonable price for omakase for 2 ($95). This alone I think is worth trying this place out. However, I was not hungry enough for their omakase. I don't know if the machine played a roll in it but the seaweed was a bit soft and got stuck onto the dish. This made the quality of the rolls disappointing. The fish tasted fresh but I think the flavors and ingredients overpowered the fish. I would have liked ingredients that would elevate the fish and make it stand out as the highlight of the rolls. However, I thought they did a good job with presentation in each dish. I tried the rainbow row and that was a bit hard to eat because the seaweed got stuck onto the wooden board. I also thought the menu didn't reflect all of the ingredients that were inside of the rolls. They list the main stuff but not everything else. For example, I noticed that there was asparagus inside of the rainbow row but it isn't listed. For that reason I'd give it 3 stars. I wouldn't order this again. The next item I tried was the yuzu kissed and this was my favorite out of everything I've tried. I do think that it was missing something that would balance out the citrusy flavor but nevertheless it was still tasty as long as you don't douse the fish in the sauce, 5 stars. I also tried the Wagyu pitchfork and I think something that would've made this taste better would be a sauce maybe like an eel sauce. This would also get 3 stars for me. The spicy tuna roll was 3 stars for me and it was more so of the texture of the tuna. The tuna felt like it was stuffed in the roll and was like a soggy texture. Some of the tuna fell out as I was eating it and it also made the seaweed wrap around it a bit moist. I think if you go here you definitely should get the sashimi that way you could actually taste the quality of the fish. I tried the medium tuna and fatty and these were actually what I would expect from a place like this. The quality was there but the other items didn't hit the mark for me. The other item I tried was the Japanese scallop and the scallop was tasty and had that smooth buttery texture. The seaweed again kind of ruined the scallop for me. It felt like the scallop was shoved into the roll and was all soft and squishy when I picked it up.

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    Himari - Chef Eber recommended

    Chef Eber recommended

    Himari - Salmon roll

    Salmon roll

    Himari - Lychee martini

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    Lychee martini

    Katami - Osaka Decadent roll

    Katami

    4.6(304 reviews)
    4.0 miMontrose
    $$$

    This is my third time at Katami and I enjoy it just as much as the first and second time! My…read moreboyfriend and I were here for our anniversary date night this time and we had a blast. The chill ambience, the delicious food and the laughs were top tier. We had Alex (I think, I'm bad at remembering names but he had Japanese whiskey pins on his apron) as our waiter and he was attentive and so knowledgeable! He gave us great drink recs and was descriptive with the flavor profile for the nigiri choices that we were unfamiliar with. For food, we ordered plenty of appetizers, some of the daily nigiri and our usual go-to's nigiri + some random ones. Apps: toro tartar (amazing flavor profile), goma tofu (good and nutty in flavor), tomato somen salad (refreshing and nice) Daily: squid (a fave for me), purple uni (we both love this), Sakura sake (yes), rockfish (bf got this and really liked it), a tiger prawn app (it was ok) Nigiri from regular menu: totoro, chutoro, scallop, hamachi, barracuda, shiitake mushroom, clam, and mackerel. Roll: the southern smoke roll (so good). We should've tried more rolls. Dessert: my bf noted a dairy intolerance so the chef made us a light and sweet non-dairy dessert out of coconut milk and fruits to celebrate! It was very thoughtful of them. Also got the apple caramel bread pudding (the only cooked fruit dessert I eat b/c I'm a cooked fruit hater) I didn't get pictures of everything since I got distracted w/ eating, but it was a memorable night! I highly recommend coming here for a high quality dinner with friends or a date. Katami is easily a favorite on my sushi restaurant list!

    At Katami, the flavors arrive like fragments of memory before they become a whole sentence. This is…read morethe strange pleasure (and occasional frustration) of fine dining when you cook enough yourself to recognize the building blocks. You spend half the meal trying to identify each note before the dish moves past analysis and settles into feeling. The shrimp toast came first, and it read almost plainly at first bite: cultured tang from crème fraîche, sweet fruit, the faint richness of butter soaking into impossibly thin milk bread. A small herb scattered on top sharpened everything just enough. Then the caviar arrived not as luxury punctuation but as structure, binding the sourness and sweetness into something quieter and more deliberate. At home, these flavors would sit beside one another. Here, they dissolved into each other. Several dishes moved unmistakably toward Vietnamese flavors without ever becoming literal reproductions. The branzino tempura carried the familiar push and pull of nước mắm and sugar, maybe shrimp paste somewhere underneath, though softened into something more restrained. A brown sauce alongside it tasted almost startlingly recognizable: peanut butter, grainy sugar, the kind of sweet-savory depth that recalls satay sauce made in a home kitchen. The flavors are not hidden exactly, but compressed. In home cooking, especially in Southeast Asian food, flavor often announces itself clearly: fish sauce is fish sauce, herbs remain bright and separate, sugar lands directly on the palate. At Katami, those same references are blurred at the edges. Sometimes the dishes communicated more through texture than taste. The rockfish, paired with yuzu kosho, had a peppery structure that lingered longer than the citrus itself. The sakura salmon tasted like a spring time promenade, cherry blossom petals scattering in the bright, breezy sky. Overall, I recommend this sushi spot for a contemporary perspective on fine dining sushi. I was surprised to see other cuisines blended in compared to restaurants that are distinctly Japanese. Katami focuses on a story with each individual course, instead of all the plates flowing together. Each dish has a start and finish, it felt like reading a book compiled of mini poems!

    Photos
    Katami - Fresh flowers.

    Fresh flowers.

    Katami - Foie Scallop

    Foie Scallop

    Katami - Roasted cabbage

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    Roasted cabbage

    Handies Douzo

    Handies Douzo

    4.6(504 reviews)
    4.6 miThe Heights
    $$

    Been to both the Heights and Montrose locations regularly and Handies is easily my favorite go-to…read morehandroll spot in the city. The selection is great across the board, I genuinely enjoy every hand roll I've had, and you really can't go wrong with any of the sets. The crudo is always a hit too. What I love most is how approachable it is - from the vibe inside to even the food itself. It works just as well for a quick but really good meal as it does for stopping in to grab a hand roll or two between errands or before heading somewhere else. Consistently high quality without feeling overly serious or complicated. Service is always on top of it, the experience is efficient without feeling rushed, and it's one of those spots that stays in regular rotation no matter how many new places pop up around the city.

    Handies Douzo is easily one of the first places I will recommend when in Houston. Their handrolls…read moreare unmatched, and the crudos are just as good. It's a great spot to enjoy high-quality sushi without the price tag of an upscale restaurant. The staff are always warm and welcoming, and the all-bar seating creates a lively, interactive dining experience. I usually order a 3-handroll set, add a hamachi handroll at the end, and share the chutoro sashimi. The chutoro just melts in your mouth, and each handroll is thoughtfully balanced with great flavor combinations. It's always a reliable place to go to and can serve as a quick bite when I'm indecisive on where to eat. That being said, it gets pretty busy during dinner time, so I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time.

    Photos
    Handies Douzo - Inside vibe

    Inside vibe

    Handies Douzo - Salmon handroll

    Salmon handroll

    Handies Douzo - Bgb Sake

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    Bgb Sake

    Tins

    Tins

    4.9(51 reviews)
    3.7 miThe Heights

    We went to TINS on Friday for my birthday. We love going to an Omakase, but this is more. This is…read morean experience. Chef Sky puts all of his passion into this 14 course adventure. Each bite is elevated and delicious. We wanted to eat slow and enjoy each bite, but each was better than the last and so hard to eat slow! We were anticipating each piece! We loved the addition of laksa and his Malaysian influence. It was so hard to pick a favorite. The sake FLOWS! It's truly unlimited. We had so much fun. The interior is vibe in itself. If you go for the 8 o'clock seating, they do karaoke after and I can only imagine how fun that it since Chef Sky is so fun. He shared so much knowledge and was just so much fun to talk to as well. We finished our meal and stayed another 40 minutes talk to Chef and enjoying the sake. It really is more than just sushi. You will not find wasabi and soy sauce anywhere. Each of the sauces elevates each bite you take and compliments it so well. Here's what we enjoyed: 1.Madai (jalapeño dressing ) 2.Hickory smoke sichimi salmon ( crunchy garlic and sweet & sour sauce ) 3.Scallop with sesame oil , truffle salt , fried garlic , ponzu and mint leaf ) 4.Malaysian curry laksa 5.Tuna (Spain ) mango salsa make with tom yum sauce 6.Kanpachi (Hawaii ) truffle oil , Himalayan salt & lemon zest 7.King salmon (New Zealand ) seared with yuzu miso and Malaysian crunchy fried anchovy 8. Santa Barbara uni shooter 9. Founder (repulic of Korea) homemade pepper sauce 10. Seared escolar with pork floss 11. Toro with creamy cilantro lime sauce with kizami wasabi 12 . Hamachi with Malaysian style sweet garlic sauce 13. Unagi with old granny spice and yuzu salt 14. mango crepes cake

    Tins is an omakase and reservation only restaurant that serves innovative and fun appetizers and…read moresushi. Chef Sky is the main guy and he was the only one working the night we visited. Sake flows freely here and is generously refilled and included with the meal price. We had an amazing time just chatting with Chef Sky and the only other couple that was dining during our reservation (only 4 total during our seating). The service from the one man team is seamless and Chef Sky made us all feel welcome and served as a catalyst for conversation and time just disappeared until diners from the next seating started flowing in. We had a wonderful time getting to know him and getting to talk all things food with him, from the struggles of opening a restaurant to where he enjoys eating on his days off. While Tins offers a very nice and high end meal, Chef Sky creates an environment where guests can relax and hang out for the duration of their reservation, so do not expect white linen, posh fine dining here. The list of courses we received in order were: 1. Japanese Sea Bream (Madai) with Jalapeno Sauce 2. Hickory Smoked Sichimi Salmon 3. Scallop (Hotate) with Truffle Sauce 4. Laksa (Curry noodle soup) 5. Lean Bluefin Tuna (Akami) with Mango Salsa 6. Amberjack (Kanpachi) with Truffle Oil 7. Seared New Zealand King Salmon 8. Santa Barbara Uni and Ikura Shooter 9. Korean Flounder (Hirame) with Pepper Sauce 10. Seared Escolar with Pork Floss 11. Fatty Bluefin Tuna (Toro) with Creamy Cilantro Sauce and Kizami Wasabi 12. Yellowtail (Hamachi) with Garlic Soy Sauce 13. Broiled Eel (Unagi) with Lao Gan Ma 14. Matcha Red Bean Cake Tins playfully stands for "This is not sushi" and Chef Sky explains that his omakase course is not traditional sushi and is not served with wasabi and ginger. I enjoyed every course with courses 2, 5, 6, and 10 being particular highlights. That being said, I am unsure if I would return for the food alone as I found some of the toppings to overpower the fish and rice and I am more of a fan of traditional edomae style sushi. The fish that Chef Sky sources in undoubtably high quality. The tuna, amberjack, and yellowtail were some of the best I have had in Houston. The rice is well cooked and well seasoned too. To my own taste, it is a bit of a shame that high quality and masterfully prepared ingredients are masked by creamy cilantro sauce or mango salsa. Chef Sky is an honest guy, creative mind, excellent conversationalist, and great story teller. Taking part in his omakase course, diners get a glimpse into his story. We sampled dishes inspired by where he grew up, where he learned to cook, where he opened his first restaurant, and where he is now. We had a great time and may return to hang out with Chef Sky in the future and look forward to where his creativity takes his "not sushi" omakase course.

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    Tins
    Tins - Unlimited sake

    Unlimited sake

    Tins - Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

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    Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

    Kata Robata - Texas Wagyu Katsu Sando

    Kata Robata

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    2.6 miUpper Kirby
    $$$

    came back to kata robata this time right when they opened @around 5pm…read more and it was decently packed the quality is 10/10 as always This time we ordered the Texas Wagyu Sando to try out. If you like buttery flavor (more fat) cut of meat, then this is for you. Other must-orders are king salmon and chopped scallop nigiris. We also had otoro, sea bream and butterfish sashimi. You also can't go wrong with their ramen selections. We tried ordering oxtail ramen (their special of the day) but it was out so we opted for Nagasaki (seafood) ramen again. Plenty of parking spaces, no valet. Definitely perfect for fancy date nights, business meetings, family dinners and special occasions.

    Kata Robata was an amazing experience from start to finish! We decided to try several of the daily…read morespecials along with a few menu favorites, and everything was absolutely delicious. From the specials menu, we started with the spicy garlic coconut milk mussels made with fresh Prince Edward Island/British Columbia mussels in a rich spicy garlic coconut cream sauce, topped with green onions and served with toasted ciabatta bread. The broth was incredible and packed with flavor. As an appetizer, we ordered the Texas Wagyu Hot Stone Bowl -- the only rice item on the menu at the time -- made with rice, egg, kimchi sauce, tawan mushrooms, sesame, and green onion. It was prepared tableside for us, which made the experience even more fun and interactive. We also tried the Spicy Soy Ramen with braised ground pork, chili oil, soy milk broth, soft boiled egg, wakame, green onion, and micro cilantro. The flavors were rich, comforting, and had the perfect amount of spice. The Nagasaki Champon Ramen was another standout with clams, shrimp, cabbage, pork, onion, ginger, and micro cilantro in a flavorful broth that tasted fresh and authentic. The restrooms were very Japanese-inspired and beautifully maintained, adding to the atmosphere of the restaurant. Gabby was an amazing waitress -- attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire dining experience even better. Then there was dessert: Green Tea soufflé and chocolate milk bread pudding! I hope i get a picture of it!!! Service is GREAT! Drinks are filled. Needs are met- and exceeded!!!0 Parking is self parking, but it was worth it. We will definitely be back again to try many more items on the menu! Come early if you want to hear your partner it gets LOUD!

    Photos
    Kata Robata - Back dining space

    Back dining space

    Kata Robata - Lunch nigiri.

    Lunch nigiri.

    Kata Robata - Okinawa Sun - strong AF

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    Okinawa Sun - strong AF

    Ume Sushi

    Ume Sushi

    4.6(219 reviews)
    4.9 miThe Heights

    Really good sushi. We went on a Sunday night and it was pretty empty. Maybe one or two other…read morediners. The good news it was quiet. The bad news is that things come out too fast, other than the cocktails we ordered first, which showed up after the first course did. I find that a bit irritating. I guess maybe their bar/drinks person went home. But still, a great place in the Heights area. Great fresh sushi, imaginative cocktails and pleasant staff. Will go back when we are in the area

    We decided to sit at the bar on a Saturday night. This may be where we went wrong. The bartenders…read morewere so busy making drinks that at times we had to flag them down to get things. Probably wouldn't recommend sitting at the bar. Food: -Spicy Edamame (4/5): Flavor is a literal different so took a minute for us to get into it, spice sneaks up on you (at first it's kind of sweet). - MF Box (5/5): My personal favorite. The taste and texture are perfect. Very light but flavorful. -Tokyo Roll (5/5): Very good as well. -Hamachi Serrano (3/5): Okay. Not my favorite but wanted to try it out. Texture wasn't for me and could of had a little more flavor. -Baked Lobster Tempura (4/5): Good appetizer option. Sauce was very good, but just a lot. -Shisito (3/5): very few in the portion, average. Drinks: -Spicy Margarita (2/5): Not on the menu just ordered it. Tasted pretty watery. -Oishii (5/5): Wanted to try this drink which is made with Japense Whisky. I would describe it as a piña colada cousin. Was very good, could of been a bit bigger (haha). Worth a try if you like sweet drinks. Overall definitely recommend this place for sushi lovers or those trying to be adventurous. Staff was very nice. Valet parking available. Will definitely be back.

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    Ume Sushi
    Ume Sushi - A5 wagyu beef toban yaki

    A5 wagyu beef toban yaki

    Ume Sushi - Ume Symphony Cocktail

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    Ume Symphony Cocktail

    Uchiko Houston - sushi - Updated June 2026

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