50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Houston

“This sushi joint is next level. It’s so good!!! 10 out of 10. Don’t expect large portions, they’re expensive and small. But the presentation and flavors are phenomenal. I came while visiting MDA and will most certainly be coming back !! And Virginia was the best waitress ever“

“When we arrived we were promptly greeted and seated. It did take our server to get to us a good 10 minutes before talking and telling us what the concept and food recommendations were. The setting of the restaurant is clean, and airy due to the sun room setting on one side of the restaurant. To start us off, we did some drinks that were good but did not find any favourites. The two cold starters were: Hamachi Yuzu: 2/5 because the yuzu yoghurt was overpowering and the kombu powder left a sandy grit texture on the teeth that made it almost annoying to eat. Could barely taste the hamachi. Madai Carpaccio: 1/5 because the crunchy togarashi and black sesame soy sauce enveloped the Madai and the saucy component was too strong to complement the fish. Oyster with caviar was fresh and briny. Very tasty. 5/5. Would recommend avoiding the cold starters besides the oysters and moving straight to the nigiri and hot components of the menu. From the nigiri portion, we ordered: Hotate, salmon, gizzard shad, akami, amaebi and madai. Fresh, fatty, flavoursome cuts of delicious fish. Definitely recommend, 5/5. Also, tried the Olive A5 wagyu nigiri with black truffle and it was unctuous and absolute yum! From their hot portion, we got the baby back ribs, iberico shumai, and lobster with sake miso. The baby back ribs were falling off the bone, tender and seasoned to perfection. The shumai was good with a pipette of ponzu sauce. The lobster was rich, not overcooked and the panko with the miso sake lent it a Mac and cheese-esque quality to it. Would definitely get these again. For dessert go the Japanese melon which was sweet and juicy and had none of the chemical aftertaste that is found in the fruits here in the states. The green tea kakigori was airy and light. Usually not a fan of red bean ice cream or desserts but this one came with a really nice red bean ice cream. Would have liked the portion to be more to balance out the shaved ice. Overall it was a great time! Price wise it was affordable for the amount of food we ordered.“

“Came here last minute to meet up with some friends.Asked my waiter for recommendations and ordered every single one he said, glad I did. Every dish he recommended was just ? ?(chefs kiss). If I remember correctly I had the Unagi , ocean picante roll (mos def recommend) , salmon & watermelon ceviche , and the Texas wagyu bowl. The fish was tender and so good plus the wagyu beef so soft.First time here and definitely not my last.“

“You are greeted by a gracious host who showed us to our table, we were enamored by the atmosphere and presence of the restaurant.We placed our order starting with an order of the spicy edamames which are a MOST, some exquisite yellowtail and scallop nigiris, with the cherry blossom roll and top it all an silky sake with a hint of white peach to make this the perfect and my go to sushi place next time the craving overcomes me.The mochi that melt in your mouth is guilty pleasure you won’t regret yo be tempted by.“

“This is an amazing sushi place that starts with great sushi. Next the service is worth the visit. Lastly the decor is sharp and minimalist. The music is enough to enjoy without having to talk loudly.It's been a challenge to find the balance, but they are getting it right“

“Truly perfection, I'm in the hospitality industry, and I can tell you, I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant that was simply perfect where everything from quality of food, presentation, the service, the cleanliness, the ambience in the restaurant, and the overall hospitality. The quality of the fish and rice served at Handies is a 10 out of 10! I'm sure most of these pictures speak for themselves, truly culinary perfection. Not sure there is a better hand roll and sashimi experience anywhere. If you haven't been you have to give this place a try.“

“While I have brand loyalty to a certain hospitality group in Houston, and the market is saturated, I am pleased to have found another go-to spot for high-quality omakase. Hidden can be found through a non-descript door of the center that houses Burger Chan and Conservatory. Hidden is familial and customers are seated in a U-shape counter. The chefs and hosts are engaging and super friendly. Hidden is BYOB with a corking fee. We had an 18-course omakase. Dishes range from oyster, nigiri, crudo, handroll, cooked items, apps, and a dessert. It was difficult for me to decide what my favorites were... they were delicious in their own unique way. While one reviewer disapproved of the toppings such as truffle butter and chili garlic, I found them to be pleasing and didn't feel like the fish was overpowered by them. The fish were buttery, fresh and flavorful. Worth a visit.“

“One of the very best Omakasa experiences we have ever had. My wife and I went for our anniversary but as twist we brought our young daughters so they could experience what we love. The staff and chef were amazing and so accommodating! The quality of the food and ingredients alone was worth the experience, however the staff put this place over the top!This will be a frequent place we visit when we come to Houston!“

“Great place for Peruvian food and date nightI definitely recommend the Lomo saltado and the ceviche also their drink I forget the name was super good. It's their top recommended drinkI tried the Lomo with mac n cheese to try something different but I prefer the original as I thought the mac n cheese was a bit too heavy“

“Everything was so good! Do try to get a reservation though. They were super nice to squeeze us in before a reservation came in. I got the 4 set rolls and it came with the BGB sake, negitoro, spicy tuna, and avocado. My favorites from the set was BGB sake, super tasty, and the spicy tuna which had crunchy crips in it. The best spicy tuna hand roll I ever had. I also tried their notorious BGB which had a side that taste like fish sauce to me and hotate which is scallop crudo with refreshing citrus. Both are delicious and are a must try! Their bluefin Akami sashimi was fresh too. I didn’t like negitoro sashimi as much but that is just a preference. All of their drinks are solid too.“

“We went to Roka to celebrate a new job! It's one of the date night/special occasion spots in our rotation. The ambiance and decor is nice, service is great, but the food really steals the show. Top tier! Everything I've had is phenomenal!! The crispy fried squid, Robata grilled octopus, and sweet corn you MUST try. All AMAZING. The cheesecake desert is insane, completely delicious. To be honest though everything we have had there is good. The prime ribeye, the sushi rolls, the pork belly, the wagyu beef dumplings, and the yuzu miso black cod, yellowtail are all amazing and in rotation. Also If you enjoy a cocktail they have this Margarito with Tajin that is solid! I'm picky so not easy to please. Roka is top tier.“

“Despite having tried multiple AYCE sushi restaurants around the West Houston area, I was very surprised to have seen Sumo Sushi come up as one I hadn't been to. Over the years, many AYCE sushi places within the $20 range for lunch have appeared, and Sumo sushi is yet another one to have entered the market.Despite this, Sumo Sushi is doing something to set itself from the crowd. I went for their lunch price (which they also have on Saturdays) and enjoyed a wide selection of their appetizers, nigiri, and specialty rolls. One of the issues I noticed with some AYCE is the lack of fish quality and overbearing rice vinegar taste. None of these issues were present for Sumo Sushi. What's more, their deep fried appetizers tasted evenly cooked. This rang true when I tried their shrimp tempura roll, a roll I avoid commonly since the tempura battery is undercooked at some AYCE sushi restaurants. Our server, Tiffany, was also amazingly attentive, and ensured we never went a long duration without being able to order more.Overall, for $20, Sumo Sushi excels in providing excellent quality and value. They offer everything I feel competitors lack and don't seem to be plagued with common issues that come with a $20 AYCE. Of all of the AYCE I've been to (Taizzi, Sushi Masa, Sushi Ichi, J&J kitchen, Mikoto, Sushi 9, Sushi Haya) this is now my go-to AYCE sushi place.“

“Went on a Wednesday for all day Happy Hour with some friends. Had beer, wine and the omakase - this is an excellent spot, the service was impeccable even at the bar.Drinks were kept flowing, the sushi and the oysters on the omakase were to DIE for. I live in the area so super nice to have a great sushi place nearby.Highly recommend taking advantage of the HH here. Can’t wait to come back!“

“Such a cool sushi bar. Absolutely everything we ordered immediately became a new favorite, and the foie gras nigiri was on par with Uchi's offering. Super friendly staff, fun funky atmosphere, and great location. Totally fantastic, we'll be back soon!“

“This place is a gem! It is small yet super homey. Reminds me of small homey Japanese restaurants/bars we used to go to growing up in Taiwan. Service is great and the people chat with their customers about random stuff like a friend would. I see them doing that we several customers each time I'm here and thought that is the neatest thing a restaurant could offer in this time in age. Will keep coming here!“

“The food here is absolutely delightful and flavorful. The ambiance is incredible, perfect for a date. The service is punctual and the staff takes pride in describing the meal. Every aspect of the dining experience is described with precision. The kitchen is constantly working on masterpiece after masterpiece. Overall, the experience is delightful and the desserts are killer. Not one staff seemed out of place and constantly kept the momentum of the restaurant moving.“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Koi. It was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the staff, and the ambiance was both elegant and inviting. The hand roll selection was exceptional, with each dish beautifully presented.“

“The food was good I went for sushi but didn’t even end up getting it I got full off appetizers the crab puffs was good and the Buffalo chicken empanadas I think they were idk but they stole the show the crab rice was regular tho kinda dry for my liking, the wings were all types of shapes and spicy they were crispy but that’s bout it wasn’t all that and still had feathers on them idk wassup with that but overall was good. Oh yeah the salmon was average came on top of fried edamame they were good but wasn’t enough sauce on the fish“

“Came in for lunch on a Friday and was seated very quickly. I love the atmosphere in here, great for a first date or something intimate. The wagyu gyoza is delicious, we ordered assorted sashimi and split a roll and everything was super fresh. If you are looking for a unique, quality sushi roll or dish this is a great spot. Pricing is on the higher side but I do feel like it matches the quality, balance of meal, and level of experience from the chef.“

“Very intimate dining experience to say the least! It actually took some time to even find this hidden gem. TINS completely exceeded my expectations from the ambiance to the amazing food. The omakase provides 14 courses with each bite better than the last! Each bite of fish was just so fresh and flavorful. The chefs really come up with the most unique and delicious sauces for each dish. The service is also impeccable. Overall, I had a fantastic time at this spot. The food was out of this world, and the drinks just kept coming. I can't wait to give them another try in the future!“

“Manny was our server for a surprise bday party of 12 guest! He was able to provide great service and very attentive to our needs especially with such a large group! Many of our friends were new to SOPO and they all loved it as much as we did! Will come back again soon!“

“Love how Neo pays attention to the smallest details to ensure a fine dining experience. The staff were attentive and respectful, Chef was knowledgeable and talented, and food was incredible. We went on 3/4/24 for the Sushi Omakase and our favorites were Masu, Madai Crudo, Maitake, and the Maguro Handroll. Highly recommend!“

“It's absolutely amazing. I forgot how fried rice is supposed to be. The food is sooo good here, very flavory. The ladies and gentlemen that work here are so nice and polite. The prices? It's totally affordable. I found my new favorite place right here.“

“My first time here, not only were we sat at a great section (seating is everything to me/it’s a vibe) but I had Keanon which made the entire experience freaking PHENOMENAL!!!!! I’m so picky with cocktails so I always order a dirty martini to be safe (trust me, restaurants do mess that up) but the cocktails were so good, well shaken. Keanon was so intuitive and checked in periodically without being overbearing where we felt like it’s a low key hint that I leave. Love Keanon and will request/visit soon!!Food isn’t great but atmosphere and service is everything. That’s my struggle when choosing a date -night restaurant. Atmosphere was great, drinks were awesome, food is mediocreService and atmosphere here is 10. Food…go to your nearest fav spot after leaving this place.“

“I use to visit this restaurant before covid. Back in the area I was surprised to see it still operating...thankful as this place is awesome great food and quick service if you get there early. Local like most places in this area serves excellent sushi. “

“Food is always excellent & we always have a good time. My daughter put me on to hot pot & it's my go to now whenever I want to treat myself. The food at the buffet is always fresh & there is always plenty to select from. The cuts of meat are high quality & taste great. The only negatives I have is feeling pressured by wait staff to get more meat while myself & my party are still working on what we have. Again, pressure by waitstaff to flip the table asap when I am still eating or digesting.“

“This is my second time here and it was even better than the first time. The service is shockingly fast and very friendly. The quality and quantity of the rolls and sashimi could very well be the best in town. And wow the prices are so affordable, this place is unbeatable! Well maybe the ambiance isn’t bougie enough for fancy folks but if you actually want the best sushi in town give Matsu a shot.“

“I had been telling my husband about how bad I wanted to cry this place and when he said he had a place in mind for dinner I had no idea! Sabrina was amazing! Our first experience was definitely a great one and I cannot wait to return. Sabrina set be up with this DELICIOUS sauce that was chefs kiss ?. For being the price that it is and all that you can choose from is such a steal. The sake was so great, the vibe, the environment, the choices you can add to your broth and it’s all you can eat! They definitely have our services and we’ll be back soonWheelchair accessibility: Very accommodating“

“I'm a vegetarian and even I enjoyed the all you can eat experience. They have a couple veggie rolls but also have vegetarian fried rice, miso soup, tempura, and a couple different tofu dishes to select from. Service was excellent and food was delicious for AYCE“

“This place is great. Phenomenal service. They gave us a complimentary appetizer. All the rolls tasted super fresh. The lobster Luna roll was so good. You cannot go wrong with anything you order. They also have a complimentary ice cream at the end ! Will be coming back everyone was so attentive!“

“I’m writing this review a little late. I went in In December with my sister and her friends and tried their broth noodles. We each loved our own choice of soup. I got the ‘kakuni’ it has a salty taste to it which I like when paired with the noodles. My sister got the ‘Niku niku’ this has a flavorful broth. It reminded me a lot of the Vietnamese pho.When I came back with my friends after January I got the ‘mentako cream’ (I think I spelled that wrong) with katsu. I liked the cold noodles, but the noodles weren’t very filling (I could have just been really hungry). The broths were more filling and are still my favorite.“

“My favorite sushi place In houston. We used to love UCHI but after trying out this place, MF is my #1!! Everything is so fresh and tasty. We love the appetizers, sushi, and rolls. The service is always top notch. If I’m celebrating, they make me feel special. We’ve never had a bad experience here!“

“The food was absolutely amazing! My boyfriend and I got the all you can eat menu. We got the second tier. Let me just say it was worth every penny. The fact that you can roast marshmallows for smores is such a brilliant idea. We will definitely be back again soon. My only critique was that the server didn't notify us that we had 20 minutes left for the last call for food. Other than that, amazing experience.“

“The service was awesome, and our server Chae was very attentive and super friendly. She really made me feel special on my birthday!The sushi was good and there were plenty of different options on the menu.Overall, very pleased with my experience dining here!“

“Cleaned our plates and really enjoyed the appetizers, we loved the following:GYOSO, MIXED FRIED RICE, and theTHE CRUNCHY ROLL.We also had the MILLENNIUM ROLL and the MASTER ROLL, I kinda liked those but they weren't meant for my taste.Inside is clean and well kept, I really like the "tex-mex shushi" aspect to it. If has a familiar environment because of the "mex" part.Some small downsides,I wish they gave extra mini plates for our dishes.We did have to ask for our finished dishes to be removed from the table and for refills, would've been nice for that to be done when our server came to the table.Other than that service was friendly and I would recommend to check this place this out.Parking: Small-ish parking lotWheelchair accessibility: Ramp leads to the door“

“I go here very often. Because I like to eat Japanese food, especially sashimi, I really like salmon. There is a buffet here. and single dishes I really like mochi ice cream. You must come and try it once. You can like it here as much as I do. Open your mind and come try eating here.“

“The new AYCE menu is a sweet deal and offers super high beef while costing a fair amount of money. Without the AYCE option, it ends up costing too much to feel full here. I like the location being away from main Chinatown area as it has become too crowded and stressful on Bellaire. Would return to Shabu Squared as I was very pleased with the quality and service!“

“They only have one vegetarian roll on the menu, but you can ask the chef for another roll and they’ll make it on the spot for you! It was so delicious, and the vibes are really nice especially more so as you step into the hidden bar where you’ll see why they calm it Norigami if you look up.“

“We had the assorted sashimi plate which comes with 32 (?) pieces, da bomb roll, and potato and corn and crab croquettes, also some temakis. It’s definitely worth the wait time, and they are mostly busy. We went on a Monday evening and had to wait ~15 mins but it went by faster than that. All good, fish is fresh for the most part and prices are so fair. Will be back again :)“

“Iwa Ya on Bellaire Blvd hit the spot for lunch today! The atmosphere was inviting, and the service was quick and friendly. We dove into their delicious spider roll, savoring the fresh ingredients and perfect texture. The katsudon was another winner, with its crispy pork cutlet and flavorful sauce. Even the miso and corn chowder soup impressed, offering a warm and comforting start to the meal. And to top it off, the prices were reasonable! Highly recommend Iwa Ya for a satisfying and enjoyable lunch experience.“

“Very chill vibes. Mood lighting, music isn’t too loud nor too electronic. Nice date night spot. I took advantage of their 3-6pm HH, $5 apps and $7 cocktails. Recommend their curry croquets and calamari. Also got a hand roll set. I like the price point of this place, high quality but affordable enough to go on a more casual stint rather than limited to special occasions. Service very attentive and friendly, I came by myself and felt taken care of. There’s a separate parking lot just on the lot over if the main lot is full.“

“Bowls were good. I got the Beef Sukiyaki and my aunt got the Garlic Shrimp Bowl. We also got three appetizers: the fried pork gyoza, cheese corn, and the garlic edamame. The only one that was good is the fried pork gyoza. I don’t recommend the other two.Our waitress was great though. Very nice and informative.“

“The Spicy Ramen had really great flavor. The pork Katsu was very tasty and went well the the ramen and curry sauce. The chicken katsu with white rice was amazing. The service was very friendly and the wait was minimal. I highly recommend this place.“

“I am obsessed with their Curry Ramen & Seafood Fried Rice. I’ve been here (dine in or takeout) 4 times in two months. The sushi is also pretty tasty! This is my favorite for Ramen bc they have so many options and I prefer a ramen with shrimp. The servers are nice and atmosphere is pleasant, although sometimes I can smell (what I assume is) the fumes from the nail salon near the restaurant, so takeout is my preference.“

“Our favorite sushi place in Meyerland! We go here so often that the staff know what we’re gonna order lol. Nemo roll is amazing. We also usually share a sushi/sashimi bento box substituting extra tempura instead of rice. The cocktails we’ve had are really good, especially the lychee. Also the tiger eye roll, New Orleans roll, and jalapeño roll.“

“I came around 9PM and when we walked in we were immediately sat down and our waitress, Sophia was really kind and understanding about everything I enjoyed her service! I had the spicy garnet ramen and I liked how the broth tasted, the takoyaki was REALLY good but if you don’t like fish/sushi I wouldn’t recommend it. I also really liked the music they were playing. (Beabadoobee, jungkook, ichiko aoba etc.) Overall the experience was great and I would come again.Dietary restrictions: My brother asked about anything that didn’t have shrimp and our waitress helped him out!“

“This is honestly one of my top ramen places that I've tried in Houston. I had heard that the ramen here is very authentic, so I had to try it out for myself. I came here on a week night for dinner, and unfortunately, they were a bit understaffed. There appeared to be only one server for all of the tables, so it did take a while for him to take our order. I'm writing this review a few months later from when I tried this restaurant, so I hope that has changed now. He was very friendly though. I tried the tonkotsu gachi ramen. It was VERY delicious and flavorful. It didn't feel overly heavy like some other ramen places that I've tried. I can say that this does taste pretty authentic. I like the location of this place too because I live around here, and it's easy access for people around the medical center to go to. I hope this place stays here for a while! I would absolutely come back.“

“Seriously great sushi. For lunch time, the buffet price is awesome! Even at dinner the crew makes your rolls in ~5min, maybe approaching 10min at the busiest times. The waiters we've had were all very nice too. They have quite a few hot/cold/cooked/raw sushi rolls. And if you're like me and have small wife/kids who can't appreciate a full "meal and a half" they're more than welcome to order their chicken tenders or single roll without dropping the full price of the buffet. Please all!“

“We keep coming back for more! Sushi is fresh and the combination of ingredients used for the rolls is amazing. We ordered the yellowtail appetizer, clear lake roll and the komeya roll. We’re not afraid to try new rolls every time we come visit because we know we won’t be disappointed.“

“Really want to give this a 1 star so the preppy wealth people don't ruin this gem, but God daa-mmn (two syllables) this place is effing fantastic. Please don't go and make this place popular and ruin it for me. Stay away! I love this place and don't want to have to wait for a table in the future.STAY... AWAY...Please, I need all the sushi and miso for me.DON'T GO.(sorry Hokkaido for the mixed review, you are SO GOOD and I am SO SELFISH)To my priest, John Patrick, "forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I used the Lord's name in vain, cursed, and told lies on the Internet... But, in a small defense, Jesus Christ himself never had sushi and miso soup like what is happening in this place."To my mother: "this post is completely out of character." And, "Yes ma'am."To the people who work at Hokkaido, ::applause:: "you effing geniuses! You did it!"To Google, "can we add a golden sixth star that can be used once per account? Please? They earned it."“