50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Houston

“I was so busy eating this magnificent food that I forgot to take pics!!! This establishment is a must!! If you are a foodie you must go there asap! The combination of the foods and flavors have that undeniable "WOW" factor!!! I apologize for not taking pics because the presentation is fabulous too of course!!“

“Absolutely amazing experience at Katami. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and every one of the dozen options we ordered was perfection, beautiful interior as well. Highly recommend“

“my first time here and it was so good! cozy atmosphere, service was phenomenal and the food was amazing!“

“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!“

“I was totally blown away. My husband is a sushi lover so we travel all over the world trying the best sushi restaurants and that includes Michelin stars restaurants and I will say that MF Sushi is definitely on my top 5 in the world that I had tried. We had an amazing meal. Everything was perfect. Watching Chef Chris was a pleasure. Thank you for the experience.“

“This restaurant was absolutely awesome… From the hostess to the wait staff, and the food was amazing!“

“Exceptional artistry combines with fresh ingredients. Creative, clever combos bring out subtle flavors by fantastically down to earth warmhearted chef staff. Brava!“

“Best omakase I ever had , came here for the first time and first experience with omakase, omg food so delicious, especially when Chef Billy using special charcoal to sear the Toro and wagyu beef , the smell of charcoal making me drooling until he handle the Toto to me, omg it melted into my mouth ,,, especially Chef Billy , his smile is the bomb , feel so lucky to have hot handsome chef serve me food in front of me ,,, he always very funny , all the staffs are so friendly, I love all the dishes, the hairy crab is fantastic, I would recommend this place 💯 I can’t wait to come back“

“Korkoro is located within a Chef’s hall. We went in looking for good sushi, and we definitely found it there! We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the chef’s professionally carry out their craft. The fish source is listed on the wall, so you know exactly what you are getting. The service was friendly and prompt. The yakitori was done to perfection, the sushi was yummy/fresh and the salad was spot on. We ordered a few rolls, sashimi, chicken wing yakitori, shiitake mushroom yakitori, shishito peppers and cucumber salad. The cool thing is that you can order from other locations within the chef hall and eat together, regardless of your choice. The vibe was modern, and chill. We got craft beers from the bar. I’d recommend this location for anyone looking for good sushi. We would return when back in Houston.“

“I travel for work and spend a lot of time in Houston, which I call Sooshton, for how many wonderful sushi spots there are. I’ve been wined and dined in the best of them. There has not been an experience I’ve had that rivals the experience I had tonight at Norigami. The dishes, prepared by the chef right in front of you, are top notch, above and beyond expectations. The service is equally as phenomenal. These folks made me feel like a rockstar, heard every word I said on my preferences, and made recommendations that NEVER ONCE missed. Every cent you spend, you fully taste, and experience. I’ve not been to a restaurant where I’ve felt more relaxed, at home, and confident in what I ordered. Every morsel, every sip, every moment, was thoroughly enjoyed thanks to the unbeatable staff here. I hope anyone who sees this review takes the chance to go sit in and experience what I had experienced tonight. Highest recommendations to this wonderful establishment. I can’t wait to come back!“

“5 Stars! (Only because I couldn’t rate them 10 stars) Soto is a sushi lover's dream. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is welcoming and stylish, perfect for a relaxing meal. The service is top-notch. Anthony was attentive, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. The sushi was the real star, with fresh, high-quality fish that practically melts in your mouth. The Ora King Salmon was standout, and the Fire Salmon was perfect. Drinks, including their selection of whisky and wine, paired well with our meal. Overall, Soto delivers a memorable dining experience. If you’re in the Houston Area, don’t miss out. Special thanks to our waiter Anthony, the GM Mariela, and of course the master chef behind it all Moto Soto.“

“TEN out of 10!!! Definitely recommend!“

“So good!! Our waitress Alina was AMAZING!! We’ll be going back soon for sure!!“

“This place is absolutely amazing. The food is spectacular, the atmosphere is lively, and the service is fantastic. If you haven't been here yet you're missing out.“

“Best sushi restaurant in Houston. Large selection of raw and cooked rolls, all delicious and plated beautifully. Great drinks and appetizers as well. Service is fast, friendly, and accurate. Ambience is relaxed; the restaurant is very clean with an aesthetic Japanese vulpine theme. Incredible quality and value. You can really see how much they care in everything there.“

“The food was delicious and the experience was creative and fun. Our server was Chris. He was a great server. We were overwhelmed with the menu at first and he talked us through the entire experience. The place was clean and the vibe was great. It did appear to be a local hot spot in opinion of an outsider from GA.“

“wow what a delightful surprise! huge menu options will need to come back regularly! had spicy chicken miso ramen...great flavor with a delicious assortment of yummies at no extra charge, large flavored chicken slices, seasoned eye, bamboo, dumplings and corn. I usually pay extra from that. and at $12.95 such a bargain!!!!! friendly staff and nice atmosphere.“

“I was recommended to go to Haii Kei by Rosie from the C. Baldwin Hotel after I told her I was looking for a really good steak, and she was absolutely right. From the moment we walked in, the place had a great vibe. The atmosphere was beautiful, modern but relaxed, and the energy in the room just felt right.

The drinks were on point, especially the Ube Espresso Martini… it was phenomenal. For dinner, I had the Wangyu Steak and the Thai Shrimp, and both were outstanding. We finished it off with the Ube Cheesecake (picture below), which was the perfect ending.

But what really blew me away was the service. Our server, Monsarrat, was incredible. We even told her at the table how good of a job she was doing. The attention to detail, timing, and genuine conversation made the whole night feel special.

Between the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service, this was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. I’ll definitely be back.“

“I've been looking for a Japanese restaurant with a cozy feel that is also not overpriced, and this place is it. They have a great list of appetizers and hot food, with a vibe of a smaller Japanese restaurant vibe that I love. All the food was prepared perfectly, and the wait staff was very kind. Definitely will be back!“

“The food was delicious and the experience was creative and fun. Our server was Chris. He was a great server. We were overwhelmed with the menu at first and he talked us through the entire experience. The place was clean and the vibe was great. It did appear to be a local hot spot in opinion of an outsider from GA.“

“Incredibly kind staff and the food was great!! Generous serving sizes as well.“

“I love this place! the Food, the Meat, its all so delicious!“

“delicious ramen, friendly staff and authentic setting“

“I was pleasantly surprised to find that the food was really good and stands on its own, independently of it being served within an all-you-can eat context. That's not something i can say about other all-you-eat offerings in general. Also the one complimentary beer with the dinner was also a nice surprise.“

“Food is amazing AND they held onto my wallet which I left behind with all my cards and cash!!“

“When we have a meal so perfect that we want to give praise to the establishment, especially when I get treated by my sugar mommy, just to spoil ourselves and celebrate life sometimes. Full disclosure, the generous manager Jessie sent out 2 of her favorite dishes, but I would have reported our wonderful lunch here anyways. Whenever Vanessa has a craving for anything, I simply get that need fulfilled. She wanted some good quality sushi this weekend, so we settled for Soma Sushi among a few options we had in mind. Hoping to see the talented and super nice Chef Omi Higa, we opted for the seating at the Sushi Bar. My choice is easy, the usual Chirashi Sushi, 8 kinds of premium Sashimi over a bed of Sushi Rice with deliciously Pickled Vegetables. Vanessa has a more refined and discrete taste, so she ordered Japanese Uni Sea Urchin, Salmon, O-Toro Fatty Tuna, Tobiko Flying Fish Roe, Spider Handroll, and the trusty old California Roll. The fish is top-notch, naturally flavorful, fresh, and has that faint fatty seafood fragrance that I love; I cannot ask for better quality. I can elaborate with more empty words, but when the ingredients are premium quality and served with well-seasoned and temperate Sushi Rice, there should be as little extra interference as possible. All the Nigiri and Sashimi we had are at max enjoyment level for us. Chef Omi Higa, even though was shopping for his ingredients away from the restaurant, went out of his way to notify the manager Jessie, and she gracefully introduced herself and said hi to us. As we were slowly enjoying our food, and I mean, I really take my time taking deliberate bites, Jessie sent out her favorite dish for us to try. The Madai Tiradito is composed of Sea Bream Sashimi, Orange, Yuzu, Olive Oil, Black Sea Salt, Yuzu Tobiko, Kaiware, Red Onion, Wasabi Yuzu, Serrano, Micro Rainbow Mix, all beautifully plated as shown. Can you imagine the dance of flavors and textures waltzing in your taste palate? Peter or Pedro from Guatamala who took great care of us behind the Sushi Bar, prepared this extraordinary dish for us too. We get to know each other and talk about food and travel, which makes our dining experience so much more hospitable. Just when we were finally attempting the finish all our food, a second surprise arrived. Jessie promised it's the last one because she has to let us try their best seller of the house, Japanese Wagyu Shumai. Don't you just love the sound of that? Premium Wagyu Beef stuffed in a Shumai Dumpling, topped with Truffle Ponzu and Garlic Crunch, can you understand now why this is the top-selling item? We all know the quality and taste of food are always impeccable at Soma Sushi, in addition, the people, management and staffs all handily contribute to elevating an otherwise already perfect lunch. We just hope to can make it here more often.“

“Our first time here & it was GREAT. We were amazed how good the sushi made & set up …so many flavor in one bite . The Ramon broth was delightful! Yum! Will most definitely be back! PS . The staff was nice & made sure we were well taking off of. 5 Kudos! KAWA SUSHI .“

“The people here are super nice very professional about atmosphere. Everything is done very fresh was very happy with our service.“

“I had the Shoyu truffle ramen and it was probably the best ramen I've ever had in the US. I was born and raised in Japan, and this reminded me of being back home. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing as well. I am definitely going to be back again soon.“

“This is my favorite sushi place. The portions are great, especially for sashimi and nigiri. They have a ton of options and their prices are also amazing. Sometimes on busy nights there's a bit of a wait but I've never decided the wait wasn't worth it.“

“Sushi rolls are awesome 😎“

“100 % recomendada La comida 🍲 súper rika“

“Great place ... best sushi that I have had . The staff was so nice !“

“IWA YA is one of my go-to Japanese spots in Houston’s Chinatown. It’s a popular place, especially on weekends and during lunch, so you’ll usually see a steady crowd and sometimes a line — but it moves quickly.

When you order, you simply give them the table or booth number you plan to sit at, and they’ll bring the food to you. We tried a sushi roll and a bento box (around $11), which came with grilled fish, salad, fried tofu, and shrimp tempura — a great value for what you get.

One of the best parts of eating here is the self-serve extras: unlimited corn soup, miso soup, hot water, and red bean dessert. You just grab a bowl or cup and help yourself. It’s a small touch that adds a lot to the overall experience.

Service is always friendly and fast, and the restaurant has plenty of seating. Parking is easy too, thanks to the large shared lot outside.

If you’re in Houston’s Chinatown and want solid Japanese food at a reasonable price, Iwaya is definitely worth a visit.“

“one of my fave japanese resto😉😉“

“My sister and I did the Omakase, and amazing is a massive understatement. This was hands down the best sushi I have ever had, and I will happily pronounce that I believe this is the best sushi resturant in the city of Houston. Angela, our waitress was so wonderful, and an aboslute joy the entire evening. Chef Andy's presentation and flavors for each dish were beyond immaculate. I cannot recommend Sasaki enough, and if you're wanting the best Omakase experience in the city, this is the spot to go.“

“this place is crazy good. every dish is super fresh and everything is uber tasty. great food reasonably priced with top notch atmosphere.“

“Tasted fresh, clean, and great. Had the complimentary soup (yes), chicken fried rice (definite), and a few sushi rolls … this is not my go-to Japanese restaurant in the Copperfield area.“

“I'll start by saying I've never been a huge fan of sushi, but it was my date's birthday, and they love sushi. This place came recommended by a friend, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely.

There's plenty of parking, which can be an issue at some places.

It's a small place and the decor very much reminds me of places I've been in Japan--wood tones and traditional decor, without going over-the-top. We were greeted warmly by the waitress and seated comfortably. I found the pricing reasonable, and the service was nicely paced.

I was a bit amazed at how much I enjoyed the sushi here, as that rarely happens. In fact, I've found myself wanting to go back for more!

I'll be back soon!“

“Food was delicious and the service was amazing! Definitely recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“old school good sushi😎“

“To say that I had an exceptional experience here is an understatement. So much so that I went back and had two more such exceptional experiences. The happy hour alone is worth the trip with multiple great food and drink offerings at a fantastic price point along with an out of sight traditional menu with hand rolls that will knock your socks off. I’m so glad there is such a place in the heights and I will be coming back again and again as a new obsessed regular. OH AND THEY HAVE LIVE JAZZ ON WEDNESDAYS! What?! Just go. You won’t be disappointed.“

“Fabulous meal and perfect recommendations from our server.“

“Amazing food and experience! Shout out to Tony for showing us the ropes!“

“Phenomenal experience, presentation and food!!“

“Absolutely love this place. The food is great. The patio is a fantastic atmosphere for doing dinner with our young kids. They have a blast with the cat statue and cherry blossom tree out front. The service is always on point. Big shout out to Bella who took care of us on our most recent visit. She was excellent (very personable and attentive.) Will definitely request her if she's available on our next visit.“

“Amazing tonkotsu!! Definetly going again. Has good prices too.“

“One of the most popular shopping center in Houston, especially on Bellaire Blvd. in SW Houston. Many restaurants and retail stores.“

“Really good food and drinks. Good atmosphere.“

“delicioso 😋 toda la comida y super atención 👌 😉 lo recomiendo muchísimo más de 5💥💫💯“