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“

“I have visited Uchiko and its sister locations many times over the years. For the most part, the food and service have been excellent. Yesterday, we had a reservation at Uchiko to celebrate my sister’s birthday. I felt somewhat disappointed by the service because we seemed rushed; our plates and chopsticks were removed before our final dish arrived. We were asked to order dessert and given spoons while still waiting for our nigiri. Jack, the manager, checked on tables and was attentive, understanding, and very apologetic when he reached us. The server returned, apologized, and provided another round of two different nigiris on the house, while the manager offered free drinks and a gift card for my sister. Exceptional service like this encourages customers to return. I recognize how hectic a busy night can be, but the staff’s apology and quick recovery turned a negative experience into a positive one. I will not name the server because she made amends and I can understand the chaos on a Saturday night. I appreciate Jack for handling the situation well and caring for us. We will certainly return. Thank you again!“

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

“Had a wonderful meal here. The Wagyu stuffed shishito's are a must order. The meat was so tender and the peppers added flavor. I had the salmon nigiri and it was some of the best salmon sushi I have ever had. My friend had the chefs choice nigiri and every fish was spectacular. I highly recommend this restaurant. They brought two glasses of champagne complimentary to help us celebrate a birthday. Very thoughtful. .“

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

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Very Authentic Sushi and Yakitori experience in the heart of Houston. Perfect for couples or solo trips. Sake and excellent wines by the glass are served 10 feet away at Soho . This place is very good and if you have been to Japan or want to experience a truly special food experience you will visit Kokoro. Ive been for both Dinner and Lunch in 24 hours and still can't get enough.“

“Came on a Saturday and was pleasantly surprised to see a happy hour menu. We tried several drinks and found them all to be well balanced and very tasty. The true start of the show is, of course, the sushi. The sashimi platter was beautifully presented, and all of the fish was fresh. It was some of the best tasting and most tender sashimi I've had. The spicy chopped scallop nigiri was also excellent. Service was friendly and prompt.“

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

“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!“

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

“No frills, but this place is consistently tasty, they have great service, and you'll never find a better value than their happy hour for sushi. I'm never disappointed, I always leave satisfied. I've been coming here for so long and they are a familiar favorite.“

“Houston Location: We arrived at our reservation and waited 10 minutes for the hostess. Once seated, we were uninstructed on how to order. Sushi chefs explained the process. Our waiter arrived 10 minutes after, taking our drink order. The app arrived before the waters, followed by the drinks after we ordered and received the sushi. The manager noticed us looking for our waiter but was often in the corner on his phone or socializing with the hostess. The sushi chefs were also on their phones while making the sushi, which was unhealthy. Despite the germy seasoning, the food was amazing.“

“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.“

“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 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.“

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

“Fabulous meal and perfect recommendations from our server.“

“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 .“

“Don’t judge this place by the front door!

From the moment you walk through the door, you’re greeted with a warm welcome. The restaurant is super clean, smells clean, and has a really nice ambiance with great music playing in the background.

The staff was friendly and attentive, and the food was excellent. The sushi was fresh and delicious, and there was plenty to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a drink, the specialty cocktails are worth trying, they feature sake or Japanese beer and are a fun complement to the meal.
You can sit comfortably at a table or grab a front-row seat at the sushi bar and watch the action.

Great atmosphere, great food, and great service. We’ll definitely be back!“

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

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

“Really good food and drinks. Good atmosphere.“

“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.“

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

“Sushi rolls are awesome 😎“

“First time here, the staff are incredibly professional and helpful. My server was Eliyah and she was wonderful! She always came to check on me and also was very kind and friendly. She is amazing at her job!!!

The place is nice and well decorated. The food is okay lol. I had like the Texas roll it was ok, not to my taste but to each their own. The other rolls such as the spicy salmon and tuna rolls were much smaller compared to the other rolls which was a disappointment. The sashimi is also small and didn’t really melt in the mouth. I’ve had better lol. The virgin lychee cocktail was bussin. Eliyah made that for me!

Waiting for food was a little tedious. There’s either the robot or a server bringing it .“

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

“What an absolute gem. This place encapsulates everything I love about Houston. The menu is extensive and yet everything is executed so quickly and perfectly. Quirky interesting dishes that are done just the way they were on my trip to Tokyo. Loved the ramen, the skewers, the tempura, and so many little bites. The prices are shockingly reasonable -- you can try so many dishes, especially if you're there with friends and order for the table, plus drinks and dessert, and come out with a bill that would barely cover an entree anywhere else. And the decor is fun, just like an authentic hole-in-the-wall yakitori in Japan. I can't get enough of this place.“

“Sat on the patio with Logan. We came to have a drink for happy hour and he educated us on their happy hour specials. I had the lychee martini and it was delicious! Then we ordered soooooo many happy hour appetizers and omg the spicy tuna over crispy rice is AMAZING and better than Nobu. Logan was funny and charming, it was a beautiful day. We will definitely be back.“

“Whether you live/work locally or you're just passing through, you can NOT pass up Mamasan Sushi! Hands down the best sushi we've ever had and we've had some amazing sushi.“

“one of my fave japanese resto😉😉“

“Rarely do I find a place that exceeds 5 stars in every category, but this rare gem has become one of them. The food is immaculate. Fresh, beautifully presented, flavors building upon each other in each bite. The husband, Sky & wife, Wing (I hope I spelled that right) are so welcoming, funny, and only make this experience better. Sky is an extremely talented chef and has the added perk of being hilarious. Wing makes sure you are well taken care of and makes you feel like family. I couldn’t recommend this place enough. It is worth every dollar spent and every mile driven. This is an intimate experience with great beer and sake included! I’m already planning on coming back.“

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

“I can not say enough great things about this place. It was recommended to me over 5 years ago and just recently I decided to give it a try - it is absolutely delicious. Everything is so fresh, ran by a small yet outstanding staff. I eat sushi multiple times a week, this place exceeds all of them by far! The place is small, but mighty! If you havent done so, give it a try, they are only open Tues- Sat 12pm - 3 pm“

“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.“

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

“Great food and atmosphere and great prices!“

“My first time here & I absolutely loved it! The ambiance, the food, the customer service. Everything was top tier. I loved our server, he recommended amazing appetizers and entrees. I’m happy with our visit and will come back!“

“I had an amazing experience at I Wa Ya Japanese Restaurant, and Ahzee made it even more memorable! From the moment we walked in, Ahzee was incredibly welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind. The service was outstanding — always checking in at the right moments and making sure everything was perfect without ever feeling rushed. Ahzee’s positive attitude and excellent customer service truly stood out and made us feel valued as guests. The food was fantastic, but the exceptional hospitality is what will bring me back. Thank you, Ahzee, for making our dining experience such a great one. Highly recommend!“

“Third visit and still highly recommended. They are back to a full menu (temporarily only served the ramen).

Fried chicken was great. Fried octopus appetizer was also appreciated with different condiment powder choices for dipping.

Potato salad also excellent and a favorite of partner.

Tried and very much liked the spicy fries as well.

Ramen portions are abundant so either come very hungry or be prepared to take some home

Lovely, understated decor.
Excellent service.

Still have no idea why this place isn’t full every night. Have never had an issue getting a table with no wait whenever I have gone and the food would definitely deserve a stronger following.“

“old school good sushi😎“

“Haven’t been here in a while but i decided to come after work. Even though it was busy food came out fresh and in a timely manner. Apparently the wifi was out, however the server with the tattoos still managed to put in my order manually and helped explain the menu to everyone.

Must tries are the white O, chicken karaage and tuna crudo! I recommend this place for fresh and quick sushi. For only 29.99 this is dirt cheap ayce sushi. Need to sell alcohol to make it perfect.“

“I’ve been coming here since they opened, and they never disappoint! The staff is always so friendly and welcoming, and the food is SO GOOD! Everything is fresh, with a great variety of sushi and hibachi options. Great food and great service, what more could you ask for?! Definitely one of my favorite spots!“

“Phenomenal experience, presentation and food!!“