麻豆APP

Assorted Japanese food including sushi and sashimi ByWalshh –

Best Japanese Restaurants in Houston

Although Houston鈥檚 restaurant scene isn’t big on Asian cuisine, Japanese cuisine has curious started climbing the ranks of the city鈥檚 culinary landscape. With a surge of Japanese restaurants popping up around the city, its become the next big thing.

Moreover, more people have opted to indulge in the new raw fish craving with the sushi culture across the country. Below is a list of the best Japanese Restaurants in Houston to help you find the best spots.

1. Roka Akor 

This restaurant sits on the Houston River Oak District just along with the Loop Boarding Upper Kirby. Roka Akor serves up pure Japanese spirits married with contemporary methods into its cooking. Its interior is mainly made up of wood elements giving the place a natural and earthy vibe.

Moreover, the setting complements any occasion or event held in the restaurant as it has beautiful neutral tones that work with everything. Furthermore, they have an open kitchen and counter seat where one can freely communicate with the chefs as they cook. Their menu consists of perfectly grilled meat selections, fresh sushi, and hand roll among others. If you’re up for a luxurious treat you can try out their majestic wagyu beef sourced from the treasured cattle from Japan.

2. Yokushi Robata

Yokushi Robata specializes in yakitori (Japanese grilled chicken) merging the Tokyo food experience in Houston. Tokyo-style cooking. The restaurant employs native methods to prepare any meal they produce. 

Furthermore, Yokushi Robata uses the Robata grill that uses infrared technology which in turn cooks the meat perfectly. This reason has made Yokushi a big hit with meat lovers all over Huston with them gaining a lot of attention.

3. Oishii

A plate of four makizushi and five nigirizushi, with a small glass of light beer –

Situated in Houston Texas close to the Greenway Plaza Oishi is a family-operated restaurant serving original Japanese specialties like sushi and sashimi. The sushi and sashimi they serve are made from the freshest ingredients selected by the chef. They have implemented strict sanitary and highly hygienic methods in preparing their signature raw delicacies.

For their cooked meals like teriyaki, tempura, and noodles the essence lies in the batter, sauce, and broth. Slow cooking of the sauce to let the flavor seep in is necessary. The batter should be composed of a perfect blending of spices and ingredients. And the broth is considered the deal-breaker for the noodles.

4. Nobu

One of the more pricey restaurants on the list, Nobu was opened by the highly praised chef Nobu. He incorporates Peruvian, and South African methods together with traditional Japanese cuisine. Nobu鈥檚 menu is known to be very seasonal, fresh, and reflective of the chef鈥檚 immense knowledge.

The menu offers Edamame, Yellowtail Jalapeno, Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing and Black Cod with Miso among others.

5. Benihana

A conveyor belt sushi restaurant By Visitor7 –

The restaurant was opened in 1964 at West 56th Street with a fusion of Chef Hiroaki鈥檚 expertise and his father鈥檚 unique way of doing business.  Benihana is credited for opening the first Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant in the area in Huston.

Their menu offers original Japanese cuisines with the diner witnessing the whole process. Furthermore, their skilled chefs are serious with their knife work mesmerized not only the diners but also a well-known food critics.

6. Izakaya-Wa

Translates to a welcome greeting in Japanese, Izakaya-Wa in Houston is operated by a Japanese owner. Izakaya is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves bite-sized meals and is set in a relaxing environment.

The restaurant is frequented by customers after their long day at work mostly in the evenings. They offer to enjoy the delectable Japanese meal options. They can choose from their menu of starters, skewers, sushi, noodles, local craft beers, wine, and Japanese sake.

7 Genji Restaurant and Bar

Sushi on the go By DannyBen –

If you鈥檙e hard-pressed to find an authentic Japanese spot to complement your karaoke skills, then Genji is the place to be. Extremally popular among Houston natives and tourists.

Genji’s menu offers yakitori, ramen, tea gyoza, sushi rolls, teriyaki, tempura, omurice, and udon with several mix-ins. They also offer serenades to local restaurant patrons fueled by low-cost sakes, beers, and cocktails.

8. Kuu

Roughly translated to 鈥渢he art of eating鈥�, Kuu restaurant embodies its meaning with artsy. Highly acclaimed Chef Addison Lee of Nobu combines rich textures and flavor palettes in pairings like uni-crusted King crab made with uni custard and key lime.

Other popular dishes of his are the crispy duck with a wasabi beet reduction. They have a well-priced menu and are set in a beautiful wood-paneled serene setting. Kuu has proven itself to be a Japanese cuisine treasure in Houston. 

9. Miyako

Miyako has become so good it had to open another restaurant, Huston. This Japotherestaurant serves sushi and other Japanese cuisine such, as ramen, teriyaki pork or c can, etc. The restaurant setting is set up to be cozy in a family-friendly, warm space.

The menu features bento boxes which are the ideal lunch options starring Chilean miso sea bass or Miyako beef roll. Other items on the e-menu that you should try out are the chicken teriyaki dinner, rock sugar salmon, fiery noodle or rice bowls, and pan-fried gyoza bites. 

10. Shun Japanese Kitchen

Sushi restaurant By Mikel L –

SHUN, known as the peak of seasonal food in Huston, opened by Chef Naoki a “2nd Generation Japanese- American” has become a hit. Chef Naoki uses Japanese techniques and flavors inspired by Houston using seasonal ingredients. Shun Japanese Kitchen opened its doors to Huston in 2018 and has been bringing in a crowd sever since.

Honoring his father, Chef Naoki credits his father who owns Nippon Restaurant for teaching him everything he knows. Some of the top sellers on the menu range from Anko wings, pozole duck ramen, and a 40-day-aged pork chop with miso and sweet potato puree. There is beautiful colorful Japanese art all over the restaurant together with comfortable seating. 

There you have it, the best Japanese restaurants in Huston, highly recommend to check out.