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!“

“The service was fabulous - from my entrance until I left. I met with a colleague and we both had the prix fixe lunch and a couple of martinis. Everything was delicious. I particularly liked the hamachi maki and she enjoyed the hama chili. I can't wait to try dinner at this restaurant.“

“My first visit to MF Sushi was in 2015, and my latest visit 11 years later was just as impressive as the first. We sat at the sushi bar to change up the pace and catch the head sushi chef working his art. Truly amazing.

This is a place you come to for the quality of the fish. We had 2 orders of the avocado balls with spicy tuna, so good. Chutoro and ocean trout sashimi, it was so tender and the taste so uniquely fresh. We tried the chef’s deluxe nigiri, none of the cuts disappointed. The hamachi appetizer was also very good. Our last dish was the lobster Osaka box, my favorite roll in the whole wide world! Still as satisfying as the first time I had it.

It’s a sushi restaurant with style and atmosphere, a great date night spot. 100% recommended, over and over again.“

“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“

“Intimate & definitely a hidden gem of Houston. Our server Mia was kind, attentive and provided a lot of great recommendations, each and every one hitttt. The food itself was phenomenal!! We loved all of the nigiri, rolls & sides. The atmosphere was cozy, cute and inviting. I could not recommend this place enough!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“The omakase dinner was amazing! I started feeling full towards the end so the chef cut back on the rice and was checking in with how I was feeling. Every course was delicious and prepared with care. The service was great from the staff too. This restaurant is located in a strip mall, but the quality is top tier. I would definitely return.“

“Great ambience, mixed drinks, sushi creations. Service was superb.“

“Kevin provided phenomenal service during our visit to Sushi Masa. From the moment we sat down, he was attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely welcomed. He consistently checked in to make sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. Our drinks stayed full, our table was cleared promptly, and he was happy to answer questions and make recommendations. Kevin’s professionalism and positive attitude truly enhanced our dining experience. If you’re dining at Sushi Masa, I highly recommend asking for Kevin. you’ll be in great hands.“

“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.“

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

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

“Great food and atmosphere and great prices!“

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

“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 .“

“This place is a total bargain—it’s basically restaurant-quality food at a food court price point.
We started with the Hiyayakko and Hokkigai Sunomono. For the cooked dishes, the Ika Teriyaki, Beef Negimaki, Curry Tonkatsu Don, and Hamachi Kama were all solid. The Sukiyaki Nabemono is a great hot option.
The sushi—Amaebi, Inari, Japanese Scallops was fresh and well-prepared, and the Skydiver Maki and Futo Roll is super filling. Hard to beat this value“

“Sushi rolls are awesome 😎“

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

“My wife and I went there for dinner. I'd seen some reviews and videos about the place. It was around 8:30 pm, so we decided to have a late dinner. We ordered some crab stick, scallops, Iwa Ya roll, gyoza, and dragon roll. All for about $30. They have free iced tea, red bean dessert, and free soup. It was perfect for two people. If you haven't visited this place and you're in Chinatown in Houston, try it if you're in the mood for sushi.“

“one of my fave japanese resto😉😉“

“Went to this restaurant on a last minute decision after the most recent Con at the nrg stadium. And I have to say, this place did not disappoint! Some of the best ramen I’ve ever had and trust me… I’ve had many! It’s a bit pricey but (I can finally say) it’s so worth it!!!“

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

“100 % recomendada La comida 🍲 súper rika“

“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.“

“Fukuoka is our go-to Japanese restaurant. The sushi and sashimi are always incredibly fresh, the food is delicious, and the presentation is beautiful. The owner and staff are very kind, and the sushi bar service is always great. Also the green tea is amazing!

The prices are also very fair for the quality, excellent value. It’s authentic, consistent, and truly one of the best Japanese spots around. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

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

“Phenomenal experience, presentation and food!!“

“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💥💫💯“

“My wife and I went to Mamasan Sushi for lunch and it was AMAZING. The menu was really unique, prices were standard, and the vibe was great. Our waitress was a joy and made the whole experience even better.

We started with the spicy garlic edamame, seriously, to die for. Then came the sushi, wow. We got the Volcano and Fantasy rolls, plus the Spicy Volcano special (didn’t even realize it was a special until it came out literally on fire). It was baked and hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had.

What really surprised me was how different everything tasted. So many sushi places start to feel the same, but this one stood out. Familiar flavors, but with something extra, just special. We left full, happy, and already talking about when we’ll come back.“

“Koi is an absolute gem! From the moment we sat down, the vibe was welcoming, stylish, and full of energy. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor—every bite was a hit.

What truly made the experience super spectacular was our amazing servers, Van and Hannah. They were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made us feel taken care of without ever being overbearing. Their recommendations were spot-on and their service elevated the entire night.

If you’re looking for top-tier sushi with outstanding service, Koi is the place. We’ll definitely be back—ask for Van and Hannah if you want a perfect dining experience!“