Food was creative, fresh and delicious by Chef Billy Kin. Each dish's presentation was top notch. Chef and sous chef were both attentive, personable and engaging, both were carrying conversations while working through the menu with no interruptions. Restaurant decor is comfortable and intentional; the chef stated pieces were handcrafted by him. read more

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We went to 5Kinokawa for the omakase and it was unlike any sushi experience I've had. The space is tiny and tucked away behind a hidden door (seriously, no sign--felt like a secret club). Inside, it's cozy and full of personal touches from Chef Billy, including Interstellar props and tools he used to help build the space. The meal was 13 courses, and everything was super fresh--especially the otoro and the uni pasta, which I'm still thinking about. The mocktail I had was really refreshing and beautifully presented. Chef Billy is a total character. He had the whole room laughing and made the experience super interactive. Definitely not your traditional quiet sushi night, but that's what made it so memorable. read more

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This was my first omakase experience, and if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be hilarious. I know that's not the typical way to describe an omakase dinner, but this one completely defied expectations. We had 15 courses in total. I consider myself an adventurous eater, but I'm not the biggest fan of foie gras--and it was prominent in many dishes. That said, I still loved 13 out of the 15 dishes! The meal started with a fried shrimp shell, which I loved (though I wanted/needed more). Another standout was the scallop with caviar--absolutely delicious. I will keep my other favorite a surprise so as not to ruin it for those who haven't gone What really set this experience apart was Chef Billy. He's nonstop with the jokes, so if you try to have side conversations with the people around you, you'll miss something. He sneaks in bits of Japanese culture and culinary lessons, while using humor to keep you engaged the whole time. His staff was friendly and let him take the spotlight. The restaurant itself is hidden, with no signage outside, so keep an eye out. The space has a workshop vibe, which I actually liked--it reflects Chef Billy's passion and creativity since he built most of it himself. So, the choice is yours: do you want a traditional omakase experience with an upscale ambience and a chef who presents and teaches while you indulge? Or do you want this--where you'll be laughing your pants off the entire time? At $150+ (before tax, tip, and drinks), it's definitely a splurge, so decide how you want to spend it! (Note... you're going to want a burger after both options so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) read more

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My only experience with 5Kinokawa is ordering an omakase box for pickup to-go. Up until that point, I've only been to one other spot in Rice Village. The box I picked up included 12 pieces which was a fantastic experience, melding flavor profiles and textures new to my palette. To get a box, you have to reserve one on their website and pay in advance. The cost was 75.00. I also had an issue with my order date, meaning that my work needed me to pick up a shift, and the restaurant moved my box reservation with zero issues. Everything I've read, the in-person experience is an incredible one. It's almost like a show. The variety is fantastic and I would love to have the full experience someday. read more

5Kinokawa - The omakase lineup - Japanese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Walking in was a cross-section of wood shop and a law library until I started noticing the references to "Interstellar". Wasn't sure if my date took me here to dine or couples carpentry. Very cool spin on the concept. Joon helped take the edge off with some very stout Japanese-styled old fashioneds while laying on some dry humor. The room filled nicely and it was time to begin. The comedian of the hour was Chef Billy. Why not William or Bill? Maybe because Billy sounds more approachable, who knows. As a gal who came from humble beginnings, this was a journey for my palate I was ready to embark. Of the many courses I savored, my favorite was the buri. It was so fatty that the second bite almost became sinful. I truly appreciate his culinary candor and will stumble back in when time allows. Thank you for such a treat for my celebration for another year around the sun... read more

5Kinokawa - Japanese Near Me - Houston, Texas

We took our son out for his 35th birthday to 5Kinokawa. We are all big fans of Japanese cuisine, especially Nigiri. We also really love the Omakase experience. One thing I can say about 5Kinokawa and Chef Billy is that this was the most unique Omakase I have ever experienced. Somewhere between a great meal, a Japanese food tutorial, and a comedy club experience. Chef Billy really is a showman, both in the food preparation, and in his delivery. Much of the humor was not PG-13 rated, but it was subtle enough that it wasn't really that raunchy. Anyway, I didn't know if I would enjoy the schtick, but I did. I absolutely enjoyed the education we got on Japanese cuisine. Chef Billy started the night asking if we were adventurous eaters. I definitely am, but my wife not so much. We probably should have let Billy know her aversion to Foie and Uni as the meal was pretty forward on those two ingredients. It also seems that Chef Billy's menus most often contain a dish with fish milt. I'll let you look that up if you want to. I wouldn't have known the fish milt was in the dish that it was in, but can say the best thing about that particular dish was the savory broth, and not the milt, even though it wasn't offensive at all, just not my favorite texturally. Highlights of the meal (other than the performance) were the fried prawn shell as an opener (had no idea I would like that), the Spot Prawn itself, the tuna wrapped in Mustard Greens, the Wagyu and Tuna Nigiri and the Uni Risotto. For me, there were no misses. The counter where you are served is very interesting and the entire space is comfortable and bright. 16 courses for $150 is a steal these days for an Omakase experience. If there was anything I would change is to add more Nigiri to the meal. But that is a personal preference as I could do a straight Nigiri Omakase. Also, it was interesting that for the 6 PM seating on a Saturday night, we purchased the last bottle of their premium Sake. Maybe that is hard to come by, but they likely could have sold several more to other patrons. We live in Montgomery, so I wouldn't know when we would return. When we do, we will definitely let the Chef know my wife's aversions so maybe she enjoys the meal more. read more

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We tried 5Kinokawa, and it did not disappoint. We managed to snag the 6:00 pm seating on Resy (they offer two seatings, 6:00 or 8:30 pm) and had to put down a $50 deposit per person to secure the spot. They do this because they have 14 seats in house, and they want to make sure you're serious about going. Leading up to our visit, the restaurant texted us a helpful reminder about parking - they have a free private lot behind the building, plus free street parking nearby. We arrived and noticed there's no flashy signage out front. The building looks almost empty from the outside. It took us a minute, but we found the unmarked hidden door that leads inside the restaurant. Once inside, we were greeted by Jun (the host) with a friendly welcome, and we immediately noticed how intimate and unique the space is. The décor is a quirky mix of personal touches: I spotted some Interstellar-inspired props (apparently Chef Billy Kin's favorite movie) and a bunch of woodworking tools on display. Later we learned the chef basically built the restaurant himself, which explains the tools-as-decor vibe. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed - only a handful of seats around the sushi counter. We kicked off the evening with drinks. I ordered their "5 Kino Old Fashioned" ($18), and it was very boozy. It's made with Suntory Toki whisky, a Luxardo cherry, bitters, and a big rock ice infused with a smoky wood-chip aroma. Every sip was smooth and had a nice hint of smoke/sweetness from the ice. My wife went for one of their creative mocktails ($11). The omakase itself was a 13-course adventure. Each dish came out one by one from Chef Billy, and it was clear the ingredients were top-notch (he flies in a lot of seafood from Japan). We enjoyed everything from delicate pieces of nigiri sushi to a couple of surprising hot dishes. The otoro nigiri (fatty tuna) was a standout. Then, there was an unexpected twist mid-meal: an uni pasta course! By the end of the ~2 hour meal, we were happily full, but not uncomfortably stuffed - the pacing and portion sizes were just right. One thing to note: this is not your typical quiet, zen omakase experience. Chef Billy Kin is high-energy and downright a troll. Throughout the evening he was cracking jokes, chatting with everyone at the counter, and keeping the mood lively. It felt more like a dinner party with a show than a chill, sushi ceremony. His passion for food really shines through and his friendly, jokey style makes the meal super memorable. If you're an omakase purist looking for a meditative sushi shrine, this isn't that. read more

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Wonderful, enjoyable experience last night! Chef Billy's service was well recieved even his jokes! The food and drinks, fresh, refreshing and tasty!! I will definitely visit again. It was just an overall great evening read more

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Upon first walking in, I wasn't sure what I got my friend and I into. It was obvious that the hostess was new, but that was no big deal. The idea of it being almost like a speakeasy with a door that blended into the wall was delightful and if Chef Billy is to be believed, I love that he did a chunk of the wood working...however having the woodworking tools in there was a bit odd. The intimate setting, and all of us sitting at the bar top was wonderful, though. I liked the pacing of all of the courses as well as the explanation of what Chef Billy was doing, as well as the opportunity to ask questions as we went. Several of the courses were things I've had, while several were not. I appreciated that right off the bat he asked if people were adventurous, that he made mention of his journals that he uses to keep track of the various dinners, that you can make requests, and that if you've been before, he tries to make sure you get something new. I really like that he mentioned that they don't go the route of "hey, for $X, you can have this" but more of a "would all of you like to try this" and it's just part of the experience. It was, additionally, very educational and informative. Overall, while it's not one that I'd actively seek out again, I definitely think it's one people should absolutely go to. read more

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I slept on this review for a whole week because I was pretty upset that the birthday dinner my boyfriend and I planned for his mother was a disappointment. First, we ordered three Omakase Togo Pre Order which was $75, our total came out to be $243.56, so it wasn't cheap. The packaging was entirely inadequate. The menu explicitly stated the Omakase would be delivered in a wooden box, which was a major factor in my decision to order. Instead, it arrived in a cheap, generic container with no elegance or presentation-completely undermining the experience they advertised. Even more concerning, the sushi was delivered without dry ice or any effective cooling method. This is a serious oversight, especially for raw fish. By the time of the pickup, several pieces were warm to the touch and clearly compromised in quality and safety. This level of negligence is not only disappointing-it borders on irresponsible for a business claiming to offer high-end Japanese cuisine. 5Kinokawa missed the mark on quality, presentation, and basic food handling standards. For the price point and the promises made, this experience was nothing short of a letdown. I will not be ordering again and strongly caution others who order Omakase Togo Pre Order. (Hopefully you'll get the full experience of what is promised) Unfortunately, this felt careless and far below the level of professionalism I anticipated. Maybe the dine-in experience would have been different. read more

5Kinokawa - Japanese Near Me - Houston, Texas

My review of 5Kinokawa is more of a 3.5 star rating. But since Yelp doesn't do 1/2 stars, I'm giving 5Kinokawa 4 stars. I cannot punish the restaurant on the fact that I'm not an adventurous eater. I can try things that give me the ick, acknowledge that it was well-made, and then never want to eat it again. The other part of my rating has to do with Chef Billy having an interesting sense of humor. He'll say things and crack jokes that might get him cancelled on in the internet. But hey, that's comedy sometimes. Even if it's bad comedy. It's important to note that this is not a sushi-focused omakase menu (which is what we're used to and were expecting). It's more of an exotic seafood lineup. We got deep fried prawn shells, baby crab salad (see my photo), fish sperm, octopus carpaccio, seared scallops with foie gras ... you get the gist. We're not mad about it, because we got to try lots of new and interesting dishes. I just wasn't mentally ready for it. Chef Billy's a nice guy. But I don't think he quite understands that not every customer wants to engage with the chef. Some people are catching up with old friends, others may be on a date (Side note: I'm pretty sure the couple sitting next to us was having an affair. They did not fare well when Chef Billy started asking them about how they met). Rather than making it awkward when the crowd is not laughing at your jokes, maybe feel out their vibe and scale it back if they're not as engaging. He and Joon (the bartender and server) also asked if anyone was celebrating a special occasion. We told them it was my birthday and guess what the bonus was? The same dessert everyone else got, BUT with a slice of lime and a candle in it. I appreciate the gesture. But there's no point in even asking if I'm not getting an extra course or my own unique dessert. One thing I will give them is this omakase experience was extremely unique, from the dishes to the gimmicks. I mean, I've never gotten to pet the dead hairy crab that I'm about to eat or watch the chef cook my wagyu with a spaceship-shaped torch. Come open-minded and in a chatty mood, you'll do just fine. read more

All of these 5-star reviews are from people who have never had sushi outside of Houston. As someone who has been to dozens of omakase restaurants across NYC, Japan, and LA, this restaurant is mediocre at best. - rice is cold and flavorless. Good sushi rice is slightly warm and vinegared -- this rice was cold and lacked enough vinegar and sugar, which made it taste like supermarket sushi rice. I've had more flavorful rice at HEB sushi. - nigiri is boring. No brush of soy, no squeeze of citrus, and no wasabi. Just some sliced fish over lifeless rice, with sometimes a pinch of salt. The fish itself is fresh, but cut unevenly and without much care, so has a chew in the mouth. -cooked dishes are mid. We were served a monkish liver dish, which was served too warm and needed a bright flavor to balance the fatty liver. Our chanwanmushi was completely undercooked -- the egg was still mostly liquid, with the outer edges cooked. There was a crab "risotto" which was dry and undercooked. A strange dish altogether. Overall, 1-star for the freshness of the fish and 1-star for chef's daughter Elizabeth for being a hustler. If you've had fast-fancy sushi in NYC like "sushi by bou", then 5kinokawa is the temu version. read more

What an experience! The food was delicious. The sushi chef it incredibly engaging and fun, while knowledgeable and talented. I could go on and on, but you will not be disappointed. Waiting for my baby to start bottle feeding so I can take my wife since the only thing she really craved during pregnancy was sushi. read more

This was a very interesting dining experience...entertainment, socialization, and good food! Reservations are required and you put down $50 upfront. It's $150 per person total for the meal. We showed up about 10-15 minute early for our 8:30 pm seating and were able to get a rundown of the drinks menu. I had the seafoam drink, which had gin ($16) and my friend had the old fashioned ($39). If I could do it over, I would have done the old fashioned myself...everyone was ordering that one and it was delicious and strong whereas the seafoam was a little more delicate. As far as it goes with the food...we had 17 courses, 16 savory and one dessert. My favorite was the wagyu nigiri...and really the nigiri in general. I also was surprised by how much I liked the uni pasta, as uni wasn't my favorite at Nobu. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious! The courses themselves are set and they do not offer substitutions, so it requires an open palate (allergies would be a different story). I say this because I went into the meal requesting an omission of octopus and foie gras, but that was not something they were able to accommodate. I sort of expected that though, so I wasn't bothered. Chef Billy has a dry sense of humor that is super entertaining. The whole meal is very lively and just a really different experience from what you have anywhere else in town (that I know of). Our servers were super sweet, kind, and attentive. I would recommend it for a date night or dinner where you want to treat yourself, as it lasts about two hours total. read more

5Kinokawa - Seafoam drink - Japanese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Unique omakase experience - worth it!! There aren't many omakase spots in Houston and 5Kinokawa definitely set the bar high. Chef Billy is very entertaining and the entire staff is welcoming. Each course is creative and thoughtfully plated. The cocktail offerings were fantastic. I didn't ask for anything specific and let the bar tender do what he thought was best. Highly recommend doing that if you aren't picky about your drinks. read more

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I came here with my best friend to celebrate her birthday, and we had such a phenomenal time. Chef Billy is absolutely entertaining and hilarious. Everything we had was so delicious and amazing quality. It is well-worth your money coming here. This was my first counter omakase experience in Houston, and I was very impressed. The service was also great as well. I would recommend this place to all of my friends! read more

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We had a very good omakase dinner at 5Kinokawa. Each course was very unique and fresh--I won't go into too many details here on each of the courses because I think they change the menu frequently. I'll note that they actually ran out of wine while we were there--we got the last bottle, and we were the first sitting of the evening (so no wine for the later course!). And the wine we got was pretty expensive (4X retail price). But, to be fair, it is sushi, so wine may not be their thing. The chef seemed a little awkward and wanted our attention (I'm frankly getting uncomfortable even writing this), but that's just my opinion. Overall, our group had a great time. read more

I had a fantastic experience last night. New favorite Omakase in town, out quite a few I've tried over the years. It was fun, with a unique setting, good atmosphere and every one of the dishes were exceptional. Thanks Billy and his cool staff for creative awesome experiences. read more

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Great food but the company is even better. I wish I could say it even more elegantly but as great as the food and presentation is, the topping of it all is the staff and Chef Billy himself. Easily would I return in a heartbeat and invite friends/family if given the chance. Atmosphere: 5Kinokawa is a gem of a restaurant that exudes a warm, inviting and intimate atmosphere. The decor is is actually all done by Chef Billy himself, since he does woodwork on the side, so you'll get this homely type of vibe with a hint of artistry flare. Food: As said above the food and presentation are top tier! Every dish is prepared with precision and an impeccable attention to detail. Chef Billy's expertise in Japanese cuisine is evident in every bite. The sushi and sashimi are outstanding, and the hot dishes are flavorful and well-balanced. The presentation of each dish is also beautiful, which adds to the overall dining experience. I really love omakase's but this one stood out for it's impromptu type flare and going with the feelings of what the crowd maybe wanted that day. Stand out is the nigiri seared with fresh charred wood. Service: The service at 5Kinokawa is top-notch! From the moment you step in, the staff greets you with a warm welcome and makes you feel at home. The servers are knowledgeable about the menu and the ingredients, and Chef Billy himself takes the time to explain the dishes and make recommendations. The level of attentiveness and care is unmatched. The staff is always available, but never intrusive, which adds to the comfortable and intimate ambiance of the restaurant. Overall, 5Kinokawa is a must-visit restaurant in Houston! Chef Billy's expertise, coupled with the exceptional food and service, make for a memorable dining experience that's hard to forget. Five stars all around! read more

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Chef Billy was very entertaining and funny. The food here was overall very good. I'm not usually a fan of the kaiseki portions though - the ankimo, the prawn tempura and raw prawn, and the scallop with foie gras courses were quite good/delicious. I thought the chawanmushi could've used another ingredient to balance out the soft egg and caviar texture. The sushi nigiri pieces were spot on except they had too much rice on them - the engawa fish is more bland and very thin, so it should've gotten half the rice. The dessert was ok. The drinks were fantastic. No menu was given so take notes or lots of pix if you want to remember what you ate. read more

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I made reservations for a party of two to celebrate my daughter's birthday. She wanted to try omakase and I obliged. There's nothing like food experiences to bring people together! The chef and staff were very kind, considerate and funny! The chef had a great sense of humor and worked the crowd LOL well. Everyone had a great time. The food was delicious and I didn't need to say this - this should be the default for omakase restaurants. This was a very small place with some eclectic furnishings but it made it unique and different - a place that you can remember! We were a bit challenged with it location as it wasn't very obvious. The sign is in Japanese!!! ‍‍‍ There was adequate parking for the guests along the street and behind the restaurant. Thank you! We both enjoyed our experience and will be back on another special occasion. read more

Chef Billy back at delighting us with delicious sushi, omakase style. Since he opened (last fall/winter) he keeps wowing with his unique wood carving skills, and sushi bites. From deliciously binchotan touched toro, foie gras chawanmushi to exquisitely thinly sliced octopus - kinokawa is a wonderful place to go for dates, anniversaries, or weekly sushi cravings. From service to food, everything is impeccable and executed with care. Reservations are needed to secure seating at Kinokawa and prices start at $150 pp, with a $20 corkage fee for byob/liquor. Their sister restaurant (in the same vicinity), Tesseract, provides takeout omakase for $75 plus tax. The deal is extremely generous as you can see in my pictures. Recently, chef Ally has been providing the desserts at their sit down omakase so be sure to taste her beautiful mochi cake creations. read more

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My first time Omakase, I love it so much, the food is amazing, the food is so fresh , fish and wagu beef melt in my mouth,.... The service from chef Billy Is phenomenal, he is so fun and sweet , he answers all my questions, not just eating finest food and learn so much in 1 and 30 mins sitting with him, make me feel that I have my own personal chef cook for me( 2hr but I'm running late read more

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Sometimes you find a real gem - Just a WOW five star experience last night at the new 5kinokawa - the best sushi we have ever had and we've had a lot! No menu available - just this amazing chef and sous chef working in front of you to meticulously slice, season, and assemble every bite. If you've seen the foodie documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, I think this experience is similar. Highly recommend to all of Houston our minds were blown! And the chef is warm and funny - chatted us up the whole time and the two and a half hours really flew by! $150 per person and yes we weren't full by any means! But wow! read more

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Broke out of my shell, and started trying and or following all the chefs that were opening new concepts! I've had a few omakase experiences, this one had to be one of the bests. Chef Billiy and team have been amazing, the humor and education that they provide is like sprinkles on a cupcake! From attentiveness to service, I couldn't complain!! The layers of flavors were simple, yet complex. There's wasn't a dish I didn't enjoy, one of my favorite sushi restaurants even had one or two dishes I questioned...not here. Ask about the frequent flyer program They currently have a selection of whiskey and a few sakes, more to come! They charge $15/cork you pop, if you wanna bring your own and reservations are made through Resy. 5kinokawa is opened from Thursday - Sunday. Arrive early enough to find parking! We made one for Sunday, second seating. Happy eating read more

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I read all of the reviews and had to try. Wow, if you are into having food experiences, and learning the background of a dish, come to this place. My first omakase dinner, and will be back. Chef Billy and his staff are wonderful, attentive, courteous, professional, and kind. They offered me Sake for my celebration. They just got there liquor license, but has been a BYOB. Food - it's a 10 course, and I don't remember the title of all 10. The Millet (sp), the octopus dish, sea urchin nigiri, the wagyu. But my favorite was the Uni Pasta and the Toro. Wow, I needed a whole bowl of both!! He rotates menu based on his shipment from Japan. I am ready to become a seasoned customer. FYI I dined as a party of 1- so don't worry if you don't have a group but want to go, there was plenty of groups there to be able to socialize with. It's a 14 table seating per service. read more

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Impeccable, from start to finish. One of the finest if not the finest dining experience we've ever had. Chef and team are dynamic, artful, and so in tune with each other it's like watching a live ballet performance. The plates are enthusiastic and powerful. And suddenly you're best pals with your fellow patrons...prancing in delight after one of the best meals of your life. Bravo to chef and team. We'll be back soon. read more

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I had the good fortune of being invited along to 5Kinokawa by a good friend who's plus one bailed last minute. I've been to multiple omakases here in Houston and abroad, as it seems to be the cool thing going on as of late. 5Kinokawa stood out amongst other Houston experiences with their excellent service. Tracy, Jaime, and Chef Billy (I'm missing someone, sorry!) were extremely personable and made the experience a really fun dinner. This would be the perfect first omakase for someone trying to figure things out, as everyone there jumped on questions, checked on how we liked each bite, explained cooking methods, walked through Japanese versus American regional fish types, how they flew their fish in from Japan and the West coast, etc. It was a formal meal, but it wasn't as austere as other omakase experiences I've had, which I really liked. There are only 14 seats, all bar top, so the setting is intimate, and we found ourselves chatting with our neighbors as much as we were chatting with the staff. Really fun atmosphere! The food changes constantly based on what's coming in fresh from Japan and California, so, I'll just dump all the photos I took to convey plating presentation, and let you know that everything was delicious. Surprisingly, some of my favorite dishes were the non-fish offerings, like their chawanmushi with foie gras, Chef Billy's famous Uni pasta, and their green tea cheesecake. That's not to say the fish wasn't excellent, because it was, but the dishes I expected to be the filler plates, ended up surprisingly being just as good. It is currently BYOB, which worked out perfectly for us because we had a bottle handy. You can bring wine or liquor, and they'll be happy to uncork and set up your glassware and drinks. They did offer a complimentary smoked old fashioned which was neat. It was one of those smoke pouring out of the rocks glass type cocktails, so fun for social media and tasty to boot. Pricing is $150/person which is not terrible in the world of Omakases. (Hidden Omakase $175+/person, NEO $225+/person, MF Sushi, Uchi, Kata Robata al $200-$350+/person.) I felt that you get your moneys worth with extremely fresh ingredients flown halfway across the world, and then artfully assembled, sometimes cooked, piece by piece customer by customer. If you haven't been to an Omakase ever, go here first. If you've been to a few, check this one out for a refreshing relaxed take, on a still delicious tasting menu. read more

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If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would! Everything was exceptional , my wife and I both left the restaurant looking at each other with the same looks on our face in agreement that what we just experienced was what might have been the best dining experience you never know was possible. We've eaten at the best restaurants around the globe, this one might have just been the best. From the obvious food which left me quite honestly speechless. Each dish was the better than the next. Chef Billy was the most entertaining person I have met in the culinary world. His engagement with us diners during each dish along with Sasha's custom made drinks made this dining experience one we will be back to enjoy with our friends and family. read more

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BYOB. 14 seats. $150/person. 10 course omakase. Reservations on RESY. Restaurant concept is still currently developing. Fairly new so it feels like a hidden secret. Located at the previous Golden Bagel Chef Billy is very charismatic; just a joy to watch. The intimate meal was beautiful & entertaining. Fun stories, lots of laughs, of course delicious food I don't want to give too much away because it is an experience to be had. Set aside a 2 - 2 1/2 hr time slot to go enjoy & treat yourself read more

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An amazing dinner. Kind of has a speakeasy feel. Their is no sign. The windows are frosted. We opted for the 6:00 PM seating. When we arrived there were a couple people standing outside and just before 6:00 the door opens and they show you in. They bring you in and take your wine / sake. They are currently BYOB but said they expect to have license by mid May. They take your wine and put in ice. They put sake in carafes with ice. While BYOB, you still get the full drink service. I think we might have scared them, we brought four bottles, but didn't know what the meal would entail so we wanted and were properly prepared. The food was amazing. They say 10 courses and I did lose count but it was more than 10. Every course was prepared perfectly. During the whole event you are talking and interacting with Chef Billy. As this is a pretty intimate chefs counter you interact a lot with the staff and the people sitting next you. You also learn about your food where it comes from and even the interesting process from boat / market in Japan to getting to the restaurant. The barracuda and egg custard were probably my favorite dishs of the evening. The foie and beef were also fantastic. Everything was next level. We wrapped up about 8:45. I can unequivocally say this was one of the best dinners I have had in Houston in the 15 years I have lived here. read more

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Great dad jokes and better food. Ambience is simple, effective, eclectic. Fantastic service- highly recommend. read more

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One of my favorite omakase experiences I've had in Houston! Chef Billy is truly a people's man, making the entire experience fun and interactive as he shows you the ingredients that he's meticulously prepped for that evening. So many creative and also simple traditional preparations and dishes make this a great place. I really felt like I got to know the chef from the way he talked about his courses, and also how much work he put into designing the restaurant itself, from hand making a lot of the features you see inside. Cocktails are also great and the workers there are all so fun and kind and make sure you get to be part of this entire omakase experience! Definitely will be going back for the great service and personality again! read more

Food/Drinks: 4/5 The food was delicious. It had excellent presentation. There were a total of 15 dishes. Although each dish was delicious, there appears to be lacking in theme. The number of cuts of fish were far fewer than what I had been expecting for an Omakase experience. The cadence of the dishes was a little bit strange. They did have a delicious classic high ball. I wish they had used better ice though. Service/Atmosphere/Prices: 4/5 Billy is a very charismatic an entertaining chef. This was an atypical on the Omakase experience as there were a lot of social interactions between the audience and the chef. There is almost a vibe of a performance bartender like experience. While this was very entertaining, at times it was distracting and definitely impacted the experience. The experience was impacted as different guests were eating at different paces, different dishes were being served at different times, and the support staff is not necessarily in sync with the chef. The atmosphere of the storefront is ridiculously homemade. As Billy has described numerous times, a lot of the things that he has there are his personal possessions, creations and design aesthetics. It is clear that Billy has spent a lot of time and energy into ensuring that the environment is tidy and welcoming. Definitely the best value for Omakase in the area based on our research. Overall Comments: 4/5 As expected. Will probably return in a few years to see how the experience has changed. To Billy, following through as instructed to let you know via Yelp :) and yes, the food was good. read more

This has to have been the most entertaining omakase I've ever been to. Anything that Chef Billy gives you, don't question it. Just put it in your mouth. I SAID DON'T QUESTION IT. The omakase will leave you satisfied but not overbearingly full. Everyone working here is really pleasant and will answer any questions you have! You can tell Chef Billy really put a lot of love into this place and all the food. BYOB for now and parking can get full fast! read more

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What a fun night!! Stop no further for a fun interactive omakase! There is only 12 seats per seating but it wasn't too hard to find a reservation for the weekend. We went for our wedding anniversary and we're blown away by the food and Chef Billy Kin and his team. They were all attentive and made omakase fun. We loved everything we ate including the spin on age dashi tofu (iykyk). We will be again for mini crab season! read more

Hidden gem in the Heights! First time at this location and the trendy zen decor is handmade by the chef himself. Not only was the Omakase presentation amazing but it tasted phenomenal. Chef Billy was very witty, entertaining and engaging with his audience. The toro was one for best I've ever had along with the array of seafood and meat dishes: from scallops, sweet shrimp, uni, foi gras, A5 wagu Drinks were packed with a punch and they do offer byob for a corking fee. Seating is limited so call for reservations as they only do 2 per day. Best for a Romantic dinner or with a group of friends (seats 14 people). Book your reservations soon! You won't regret it! read more

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Chef Billy is the head chef at 5kinokawa and makes the dinner experience very entertaining! The dinner runs around 3 hours and is 12-16 courses. I had many omakases and this is my favorite one! The otoro is the best I've ever had- it is very buttery like and melts in your mouth. The wagyu also is one of my favorites. The cocktails are very good but know that they are pricy- $20 to $60. If you are wanting to save some money, bring your own wine and pay the $20 corking fee. I would highly recommend for those in for a long social night read more

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I'd say this omakase experience wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but was nonetheless very fun. There are two main reason for my 3 stars, amongst many 5-star reviews on this page: too many similar flavor profiles, and a seemingly disorganized vibes/ambiance. I'm all for an untraditional omakase, but I wasn't very impressed by the courses served. For example, there was usage of lime on back-to-back dishes, which didn't allow for full appreciation of the flavors in each dish, given no palate cleansing item in between. There was also usage of salt flakes on all of the nigiri pieces, which was too overpowering and didn't allow the fish to shine. I also didn't think the order of the courses told as cohesive of a story as it potentially could have told. Additionally, I felt like there was a somewhat hectic undertone to the meal and wasn't as calming or peaceful as I anticipated a more traditional omakase to be. Dishes were not always placed in order of where each diner sat. And a few courses had presentation mistakes, where elements didn't stay in place as they were meant to, or the plating itself was very obviously not identical from one plate to the next for a specific dish. Given the price point, I was just expecting everything to be a little more polished. Also, the entire dinner ran about 2.5 hours, so definitely plan accordingly. Most of the courses are in the photos below, but I know I forgot to take a pic of the wagyu nigiri, so there may be others that are missing as well. read more

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I come here a couple times a year and hesitate to share what feels like a secret. You don't enter through a bookcase but this restaurant without a sign out front and no valet has a speakeasy vibe. Seating is limited to about 16 people and there are only two seatings on the nights they are open so make a reservation on Resy. I always do the first seating when there's parking in the lot behind the building. This is my second favorite omakase in Houston only because you leave hungry. Instead of filling your belly, the focus here is on the entertainment that Chef Billy Kin provides. He flies in delicacies fresh from Japan and tells stories as he prepares them. He remembers his regulars and is attended by a loyal staff. He is a master woodworker as evidenced by the machinery in the dining room. If it's important to you to support a chef who has made and remade sushi concepts in Houston and literally makes everything you see by hand, then it doesn't get any better than this. Word of caution... BYOB beer and liquor. The spirits they have available are VERY expensive. I was expecting a $300 bill for the food but drinks added another $300 on top of that. I'll have to save up before I visit again. If you visit often, the food doesn't change much but the stories do and it's always a delightful evening. Don't waste it by going with people who won't appreciate this unique and intimate experience. read more

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