50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Houston

“Katami is Japanese for Keepsake. What a sentimental word, and what an emotion invoking meal that was. I believe this was the best sushi I’ve had to date in my life.

The flavors were so subtle but perfectly complemented their counterparts. I was blown away by the Hokkaido Buri Yellowtail and loved the Hamachi Yuzu. Not only was the food phenomenal, the service was tip top and the restaurant elegantly designed. Lighting was perfect. Sound was balanced. You’re in for a special treat when you go to Katami.“

“Excellent dinner and even better service!!“

“The moment we entered the restaurant, we were immediately struck by its beauty. The décor was simple but elegant, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We were greeted by the friendly and attentive staff, who showed us to our table. The food was simply outstanding. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, and the sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. We also tried some of the other dishes on the menu, and they were all equally impressive. We left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied, both physically and emotionally. We had had one of the best meals of our lives, and we were both giggling like two little teenagers. This restaurant truly exemplifies what a sushi dining experience is all about.“

“Awesome experience, highly recommend“

“Food was super good and the staff was friendly!“

“Simply put: perfect.

Fantastic concept, lovely place, superb attention on every detail. I really hope they are Michelin awarded by the end of this year!
Be aware of:
- You need to reserve, this is an experience, not a restaurant.
- No kids.
- Tell them about allergies beforehand.
- No rush place
- Be open to any food experience. Ingredients are carefully selected to give you a proper experience.
- Although they allow BYOB, there is no need. They pair the evening with the proper sake and bubbles.

Wonderful job, Neo team!“

“By far the best japanese food i’ve had in houston!
We went at 1pm on a saturday and were seated rapidly in the sunroom, i will say because of the windows it gets a little chilly
our server was very attentive and good at explaining any questions we had
our food was also high quality and came out incredibly fast, i esp liked that the server that brought our food would state the name of the dish and say the key ingredients
my bf and i ordered
- miso lobster mac n cheese
- side of shrimp tempura and sticky rice
- longhorn roll (comes w eight rolls)
- green tea soufflé cheesecake w/ red bean ice cream
we were so stuffed afterwards!!
the mac and cheese was very rich and the lobster def raised it to a gourmet level
the shrimp came w a sauce that added so much flavor paired with the sticky rice, it was so savory
the longhorn roll is definitely my new favorite roll and was my favorite thing here, the sauce and avo flavors added so much dimension and the eggs added a crunch, it goes without saying but the fried shrimp was perfect
lastly i loved the cheesecake! it was a bit warm and it paired perfectly with the red bean ice cream which was sweet but i couldn’t really look past tasting the beans themselves as their bean consistency threw me off (this was my first time trying them)
overall i had high expectations and im ecstatic to say they were met above and beyond!! all the food was 11/10 and soo worth the price! i will definitely be back

$- we payed 77 for two people + tip :)“

“Always a phenomenal experience, from the sushi to the bar program❤️“

“This is a great sushi spot in a kind of random location, and way better than you'd expect to wander into at a food market. We shared a set, an additional plate of the chef's nigiri and a crudo. My favorite was probably the crudo but everything was great. You can tell the love that they put into the food and the finesse of how everything is paired and portioned to work in harmony. I also also learned a lot from one of the chefs who spoke to us about his favorite cuts of fish and why (he was a little talkative, but we weren't bothered by his eagerness to talk).“

“Excellent service. Friendly and efficient. The Sashimi was very good. We ordered the Chef's choice and added the Japanese Mackerel. Wonderful. The tempura appetizer was not very good but it was a poor choice on our part as tempura in the US is never very good. Too heavy. Very enjoyable evening.“

“If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, Uchiko Houston is it! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Our server, Eric, was nothing short of amazing—his menu recommendations and attention to detail made our night even more special. He introduced us to the new spiced cake dessert, and it was absolutely phenomenal (we ate it too quickly to snap a photo!). We can't wait to come back. Uchiko never disappoints!“

“Indoor dinning was amazing. The food was excellent!!! Waitstaff top tier!“

“Exceptional Experience at Ciel!

Ciel exceeded all our expectations! The atmosphere was vibrant, the music set was perfect, and the steaks were simply amazing. Our server, Hailey, provided remarkable service—attentive and friendly.

Special thanks to the management for arranging the perfect table.

Hostess were welcoming as well.“

“Amazing experience. The food is awesome and the service is top notch“

“Ishin Udon is a true gem in Houston! From the moment we walked in, the warm wooden furniture and cozy ambiance set a welcoming and comfortable vibe, perfect for an udon spot.

The food was incredible! The curry beef udon was flavorful, rich, and perfectly satisfying. The tan tan udon had a fantastic balance of spice and creaminess that left us wanting more. We also tried the chicken karaage, which was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside—a perfect side dish to pair with the noodles.

Prices were very reasonable, especially given the quality, and the service was impressively quick, making the whole experience seamless. We can’t wait to come back for another bowl of udon!“

“Super trendy and stylish restaurant with outstanding sushi! Each hand roll is made fresh when you are ready for the next roll so the seaweed will stay fresh and crispy. Each bite is flavored perfectly so can forgo the soy sauce and wasabi. Look for the hidden bar with thousands of origami cranes hanging above, such an eye-catching statement piece! We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner there!“

“Awesome food and staff. They are always so kind and helpful. Love the atmosphere and location“

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

“The restaurant was pretty empty, which was so surprising! This is definitely a hidden gem! The food and the drinks were amazing ? The enoki butter was surprisingly a soup dish but it was packed with so much flavor. All of the fish cuts were generous and extremely fresh. The cherry on top is the cost for the quality. I will definitely be returning.“

“Best sushi (omakase) I’ve had in Houston! While I haven’t been everywhere, I’ve been to a lot of places like Uchi and Kata Robata, and TINS beats them out.

This is a small, no frills omakase hidden gem. It’s run by two friends (Chef Sky and Matt) and they buy there sushi per reservation so it’s fresh!

Location-wise, it’s in a two store shopping center on Durham and I-10. Nothing special. When you walk in, it first looks like a 10-top cocktail bar with a lounge area in the back. The lighting is low and the decor is simple. Again, no frills, but the magic is the food and drink.

For the food, Everything Sky served was a hit. We had toro, amberjack, salmon, uni, eel, yellow tail, oyster, and flounder. Probably more, but it all seemed to run together with the conversation and drinks. Some pieces were simple and some more extravagant. Nothing, however, felt over complicated or gimmicky. One piece was a flame roasted king salmon that I swear melted in my mouth. Another piece was a light and fresh amber jack with lemon zest and truffle. Again, the highlight was how the sushi was the focus with how fresh it tasted. Sky didn’t try to mask the sushi with other ingredients.

Also, as a side note, Sky and Matt told us they host private parties with advance reservations and have karaoke available.

Definitely coming back!“

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

“Went for our anniversary and the experience was incredible. Our waiter was kind, genuine, and knowledgeable about the menu. The manager came out multiple times to make sure our dinner was perfect. And the food… all of it was incredible. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I have ever had.“

“Amazing food with excellent staff/service!“

“Kira is a certified hit! I did the 7 course chef's tasting and every course was delicious. The lobster hand roll was hands down my favorite, the shitake mushroom hand roll was my least favorite (it wasn't bad , it just wasn't as good as the other rolls). The dessert was also really delicious. I definitely reccomend checking Kira out if you like high end sushi.“

“1st came to this Post Hall. I was thinking to eat the south american food there, but East aide King took my wallet first.
Good portion for chicken katsu bowl! Price is abit on high end (could be lower abit) but well worth for the portion.
It was a quick serving.
I will be back for sure.“

“Whew. Feels like I haven't written a new review in forever since Yelp ate my Aiko one. So sorry about that!

Anyway, Miyagi is a place that I liked better than most, yet can't help but feel lukewarm about due to the bigger context. It is by far the best sushi in Houston in terms of value for money (Aiko still edges in raw taste), but only because the state of sushi in Houston is truly horrendous. It confidently clears a bar that was pretty low to clear.

Other reviewers have mentioned all the inconveniences you have to go through to get a coveted lunch at Sushi Miyagi already - which I can attest to. I won't repeat the list here, but it reminds me of the time I waited in line for some Din Tai Fung in Seattle: The whole thing was built up as if you were going to experience something very special, yet it just ended up being a decent neighborhood place. My followers will know that my standard for sushi is Kyoten Next Door in Chicago in terms of taste and Koto in Fort Wayne in terms of value. Miyagi is almost as revered as the former while almost as packed as the latter, but doesn't come nearly close on either front.

That being said, if you were to try to average Kyoten and Koto, you'd probably get something close to Miyagi. The fish is cut thick and plenty fresh, the price is understandable but otherwise not too cheap nor expensive. I particularly liked the sake (mackerel). It is a very fresh and slightly fatty sake that doesn't have any of the usual sour taste nor tough texture. My friend liked the squid and how clean, not-slimy it is as well.

The hiyayakko is exactly what it is and what it is is a mistake (I don't know what kind of kami urged me to order cold tofu at the time).

The Hambagu (sometimes called "Salisbury steak" - a word I have never heard outside the circle of nerds and insufferable food snobs), my main dish, is best summed up as a "xíu mại on rice but fast food". For context, xíu mại is a large Vietnamese meatball, not too different from the kind you have with spaghetti, can be found in bánh mì, and is often eaten with tomato sauce. Replace the tomato sauce with ketchup and Kewpie mayo and there you have it.

The kinuta maki was exciting and peculiar (I had the yellowtail filling), but not overall too impressive. I don't think the vinegary dressing on the daikon nor its innately bland flavor mix very well with the fish, and can understand why this dish is not very popular elsewhere in the States.

TL;DR A good way to end my sushi journey in Houston "with a bang", but I don't think I'll seek out any more sushi in this city again.

P.S. The next review won't be about sushi I promise!“

“The restaurant's small size comes off as intimate not constrained. The staff was super kind and that set a great mood in the whole place. They expertly care for your experience. I'm truly impressed. The sushi is the best. We'll come back for sure.“

“Love coming here! Great service, amazing food, and I love their drinks!“

“Had a great bowl of ramen today! The noodles were crunchy and the egg was perfectly cooked! The soup-base is rich and I like it spicy!“

“Excellent services, we came there for several times for a family dinner and couple birthday parties. The waiters and chefs were very considerate people. They paid attention to the details. The food was top of the line. I normally don’t eat raw sushi but raw sushi there were perfect. Nice presentation! The drink (lychee) was great. Beautiful and cozy decoration. my husband is a picky eater but he loves there too. Highly recommended.“

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

“Genuinely some of the best sushi I've had in Houston! It's all you can eat with smaller portions which solves my biggest compliment everywhere else I go. Everything I tried I loved!

Also Diego was Badass, we were here on a busy Tuesday night and he was soloing the floor the bar as well as hosting. Man is a machine, kept everything topped off and with a smile!“

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

“The food was really amazing!!! I can’t wait to go try more! The service was good and the restaurant very clean and festive.“

“A nice variety of dishes! The fried rice is excellent!
We went as a family of 14 people and received a very warm welcome.
Consider taking a small jacket.

Kid-friendliness: It’s kid-friendly!

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

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

“A wonderful addition to local dining options! A must stop on your next outing!“

“This is great sushi restaurant with superb service.
The vibes, the team is friendly and welcoming and even comped a starter. We did not ask for this but think it was due to one of our items taking longer than expected. This was a fantastic place to celebrate my birthday.“

“Inexpensive yet very fresh and generous cuts of sashimi - absolutely unbeatable for value and quality. Lunch menu is by far the best value @ $8.99/entree! Ownership has changed but everything else remains the same. Always crowded... Allow extra time to queue in line!“

“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 .“

“awesome sushi and food! love the uni!“

“The food was good. I had lamb chops and a side of asparagus. Jaelyn was our server. She was off the chain. She was very attentive. Made sure everything was good for us. She even brought out a birthday surprise for me. Thanks Jaelyn“

“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.“

“Osaka provides consistently high quality food and excellent service.“

“Nice addition to the options in Houston. Went on a weekday during opening hours as a solo diner, no wait and prompt service. Similarly to Kura, it’s a conveyor belt system but it’s to order so definitely much fresher. Nice selection of nigiri, some options for some more filling options and some appetizers.

Quality of the sushi was great but as others have mentioned, it is pricey (especially since the plates are usually single pieces). Spent $40 for around 7 plates and tip. Overall nice place to visit at least once to try it out, but there are plenty of other options for more bang for your buck.“

“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.“

“A+ all around - fantastic food, cool atmosphere/design, and warm service. Enjoyed happy hour on the patio with the sunset. Food and drinks were very enjoyable - candidly, I was a bit skeptical going in just given the scene-y location - but they knocked it out. Fish was super fresh, and small details like fresh grated wasabi and the steamed to order edamame sealed the deal. Fantastic!“

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

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

“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.“