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    Casa Kenji

    4.4 (35 reviews)

    Casa Kenji Photos

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    CASA KENJI ATMOSPHERE

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    Aria B.

    Visited Casa Kenji for a last minute dinner on date night an it was a nice little restaurant. We booked a reservation online and were able to check in early. Decor was on trend and a nice ambiance. Food was a 7/10 with some dishes not white being our speed. One of the dishes had Mexican Worn Salt and it was excellent. The server gave me some to go so now I have to figure out how to use it lol. I would visit again.

    Kabocha
    Leslie K.

    We had an early dinner res at 5:30, so we were able to find street parking and happy hour drink pricing - I believe it was $3 off my drink? Very cute restaurant. Our favs of the night were: spider roll (the dipping sauce was a pleasant surprise), kabocha tempura, and sushi from the fish market menu, wish I remembered which ones we chose, but our waitress was very knowledgeable and gave great explanations and suggestions. A-okay: hama chili roll, salmon sashimi Not for us: cabbage and trumpet mushrooms, they were too smoky for our personal preference, but the spicy Latin sauces were good.

    My items. Loved them all
    Morgan F.

    This is a great addition to the Houston Sushi scene. Unique flavors due to the Latin fusion aspect. A great lychee Martini. A beautiful patio for a perfect day. I got several different things especially on happy hour and will attach my receipt. Will be back.

    Mel N.

    They just opened a couple of weeks ago! Valet is like $8 without tip. The restaurant is small but clean inside. Our server was also very informative and friendly! The dishes we ordered we not bad but portion sizes were on the smaller side for what you pay and it adds up quick! Dessert was the star of the show but we left still hungry. Some of the fish was also sold out. Make a reservation if you can because the restaurant fills up pretty quickly!

    Thien T.

    Wow, what a great girls night restaurant for those who are sushi lovers! The restaurant was beautifully laid out and has plenty of seatings. Lighting was very romantic and it wasn't too loud. Still reservations are highly recommended. All the fish served was incredibly fresh and the Otoro melted in my mouth. Cocktails were delicious and unique. If you love yuzu, there's several with it that tasted amazing . The service was warm and attentive and explained everything thoroughly. The cooked items were good, nothing that stood but they all tasted wonderful. So if you are looking for a new sushi place that's fun and trendy this would be your next stop.

    Sweet potato
    Zara K.

    I was visiting my family and decided to come here for my anniversary. The ambiance and decor are amazing and inviting. The hostess was kind and accommodating and the staff was very friendly. We ordered a bunch of items, here's what I thought: * Crudo de Hamachi: 10/10 - super flavorful * Bluefin Ototo Binchotan: 10/10 - yummy and unique * Lubina: 10000/10 - absolutely amazing * Prawns: 5/10 - a bit messy and tricky to eat * Wagyu Tataki: 9/10 * Okoge: 7/10 * Japanese Sweet Potato: 8/10 * Chicken Karaage: 8/10 * Toffee Mochi: 9/10 One downside was that our drinks were forgotten and the waitress said they would be comped but they weren't. The food and atmosphere were still fantastic though. Highly recommend for a special occasion or just a treat yourself meal!

    Prawns
    Ananya S.

    This restaurant just opened December 9th so we're some of the first to experience... I will say that the quality is on point and on par with the best sushi places in Houston. And the price is on par too! Definitely on the high side. Just the two of us spent $300 - and we don't eat much and the hubby doesn't even drink. Since it's brand new of course we were fine with a few missteps. The staff was extremely courteous and enthusiastic about the food. Reminds me of the early days of Uchi. There was a little bit of confusion regarding what was available and what was out of stock. We began with the Lubina and also the Bluefin Otoro. Both delicious - very flavorful. The otoro was so fantastic that my husband had to order a second. Also ordered several assorted nigiri (including uni) which were fantastic quality-wise, but more of the traditional nigiri vs the crudos which had very bold and inventive flavors. Our hot dishes were the wagyu and the prawns. Lots of meat on the wagyu plate so we were pleasantly surprised. The mushrooms they paired with the steak were deeply flavored must have been marinated with care. The prawns were tasty as well but I will say that a different presentation - with the shells at least partially removed - would have been much better. We really had to fight through the dish to separate the meat from the shells. Would have been nice to have presented it like a lobster tail, with the option to eat the shells. Eating the shells was suggested by our waiter but honestly they were way too chewy. Maybe if they had been fried hard. Finally we ended with the chocolate mousse. Again a bit of a misstep - it was served completely frozen. Like rock hard. Needed a steak knife to cut through it. Tasted good but nothing different from your standard chocolate dessert paired with the usual vanilla ice cream. You could get something equivalent at The Cheesecake Factory honestly. Overall it was a good experience but for the price I'd recommend one of usual top-tier sushi spots - Kata Robata, Uchi, Uchiko, Neo, Doko, Katami, Hidden, Oheya, 5Kinokawa. The Houston food scene has too many options to come away with a less than perfect experience.

    Del M.

    It's hard not to compare Casa Kenji to heavyweights like Uchi and Uchiko, especially given the quality level and price point--but Casa Kenji holds its own in a very confident, distinctive way. We opted for Somakase, where the staff collaborates with you to design a multi-course experience, and it was absolutely the right choice. The service was top-notch--attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaged throughout the meal. The nigiri was fresh, elegant, and beautifully balanced, while the hot dishes stood out for their creativity and bold flavors. What really differentiates Casa Kenji from its peers is its fearlessness. Unlike some Japanese fine-dining restaurants that play it safe, Casa Kenji leans unapologetically into Latin fusion, creating unexpected combinations that work remarkably well. The result feels expressive, modern, and memorable rather than restrained or overly traditional. That said, we visited during their second week of opening, and while the restaurant is already impressive, there's clearly room to refine a few things. The biggest miss for us was the cocktail program. We tried several drinks--they were decent and perfectly drinkable, but not standout, especially considering this is not an inexpensive dining experience. At this level, the cocktails should feel as thoughtful and elevated as the food. The atmosphere is another area where Casa Kenji hasn't quite reached the level of places like Uchi. The space is pleasant, but it lacks the same sense of elegance or distinctiveness that makes those restaurants feel special from the moment you walk in. Overall, Casa Kenji is a very strong debut--bold, creative, and confident in its culinary vision. If they continue to refine the cocktail program and elevate the ambiance, this place has the potential to become a true destination. Even now, it's absolutely worth visiting, especially if you're looking for an omakase-style experience that pushes boundaries rather than playing it safe.

    Beets
    Shaina F.

    Such a great experience at Casa Kenji. My friend booked this place for her birthday, and I'm always a little worried about service when it comes to large groups--but Casa Kenji did an amazing job hosting our party. As soon as we arrived we were greeted and seated. Waiter filled everyone up with water and gave recommendations for drinks. They gave us a few moments for the rest of our party to arrive before placing orders. Waiter was patient, knowledgeable and gave really good recommendations to each and every one of us based on our preferences. The serving sizes are pretty small so you will have to order multiple items to get a full experience. I ordered the beets, prawns, and wagyu tataki. Beets were good but could have been cooked just a little longer to be perfect. They were paired with a smooth creamy yuzu aioli to help balance the earthiness of the beets. Next up was the prawns. Prawns were grilled perfectly. They had this nice robust tomato sauce that created a nice balance and not too heavy. The star of the show was the wagyu tataki. The wagyu was cooked to perfection, just the right amount of seasoning, paired with the most delicious seasonal mushrooms. Mushrooms were buttery and soft and really enhanced the Wagyu flavor. I did not try any specialty cocktails but my tequila and seltzer was made perfectly. Honorably mentions from the table were the chicken karaage, the sea bass, and the soft shell crab. I definitely will be back to explore more menu options.

    Dessert
    Lisa S.

    Food was good. Small portions. Decent price point. Did not like the smoky smell in the restaurant after lots were ordering the smoked appetizer

    Wagyu Tartare with Caviar
    Nhi N.

    Celebrated my bff's birthday here and the service was great! Very attentive!Food was fresh and delicious!

    Wagyu tataki and chicken karaage

    I got to try this place a few weeks after its opening for an early dinner and it reallly surprised us! We started with the highly recommended bluefin otoro binchotan, and it was as good as it looked! It was served tableside and the charcoal smelled amazing. Our favorite bites of the night was definitely the wagyu tataki and the seared ocean trout belly. The mushrooms on the tataki were so tasty and the wagyu was cooked perfectly. We also got the wagyu hot rock, but I think I'd just go with the tataki. We came for a birthday, and they gave us a free cheesecake like dessert with a torched meringue, but we also had to order the toffee mochi.... both desserts were incredibly good and such a nice ending to our dinner. We will definitely be back!

    Hamachi roll
    T M.

    My friend am I had dinner on their second day opening. Loved the decor and ambience. Food and cocktails were excellent. My favorite was the yuzu cocktail, delicious and it stood out. Service was fantastic.

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    5 days ago

    Amazing sushi and beautiful ambiance. Service was stellar. The menu is so interesting, we can't wait to go back to try more dishes.

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    4 months ago

    Best sushi place! Loved everything about this restaurant. Drinks are also amazing! I highly recommend coming here!

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    5 months ago

    Great food! Great service! And we love the atmosphere, intimate yet inviting. Definitely coming back

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    Aiko - Mochi Dessert

    Aiko

    4.5(337 reviews)
    1.4 miSixth Ward
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    Loved the food here! The fish is super fresh and high quality and even the non-sushi menu items had…read moregreat flavors and were well executed. I got the pan daiquiri as my drink to start and my friend got the herbed lavender lemonade. For food we shared the hamachi crudo, the chutoro nigri, the kanpachi nigiri, the A5 tartare, the kani handroll, The kinoko yasaimono, and the hot scallop dish to share. The pan daiquiri was SO good. The smokiness from the mezcal hits you first and then the sweet and creamy after taste takes over. It was so well mixed and I would highly recommend trying this if you are a mezcal lover like me. (9/10) The herbed lavender lemonade was too tangy and sweet for my liking. The lavender flavor get lost in the drink. It tasted like a typical lemonade, nothing special. (5/10) The hamachi crudo was so fresh and I really enjoyed the sweet and tangy broth. I'm not sure I would call it tom kha broth but it tasted good regardless and paired well with the tomatoes. (7.5/10) The chutoro nigiri was SO buttery and melt in your mouth delicious. I would definitely get this again. (8.8/10) The kanpachi nigiri was fresh and I enjoyed the sauce paired with it. It was my first time trying amberjack and I liked it. (7/10) The A5 tartare was super unique and well seasoned. There was plenty of tartare compared to the amount of milk bread you are given to eat it with. The uni, caviar, pate and waygu all mixed together was a decadent combination full of flavor. My only note was the contrast in temperatures that I did not love, the tartare came cold while the milk bread was warm. Overall, a very luxurious and tasty dish. (8/10) The kani handroll surpassed my expectations. Typically I don't go for crab first, but I did enjoy the flavors paired with the crab and the hand roll was well filled. (7.8/10) The kinoko roll (king trumpet mushroom roll) really surprised me. I was weary about getting this roll because I normally don't opt for vegan options, but this king mushroom was so well prepared and the sauce was so delicious that dare I say that I enjoyed this more than some of the fish/meat sushi rolls I've had in the past. (8/10) The hot scallop dish was one of the best bites of the night. The scallop was perfectly charred and cooked and the creamy polenta base with the umami salmon roe, with the fried red cabbage to add texture was amazing. I would definitely order this again. (9/10) Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Aiko and the food surpassed my expectations. I loved everything I tried and do want to come back to try more. The service was quick and helpful with the menu. Parking can be a bit tricky, but there are some free street parking spots around the plaza. The ambiance is definitely upscale and classy. It's a great place for a date! My only complaint was that I made a reservation for 2 at least a week in advance and upon arrival, though they had plenty of open tables, we were seated at the opposite end of a table that was already occupied. We were close enough to hear their entire conversation throughout dinner, and I just thought it was an odd experience because that had never happened to me before. Though it did not hinder me from enjoying the food I would have preferred to be seated at our own table.

    I thought Aiko delivered a really memorable meal. Overall I'm giving this place 5 stars -- the…read morequality of the fish and the execution were excellent -- though personally I did find the progression of courses a little rich toward the end. For context, Aiko is part of the same group as Doko (their sushi omakase concept) and Handies Douzo (their handroll-focused restaurant), and you can definitely see the overlap in technique and flavor profiles across the restaurants. We went for the Valentine's omakase menu. The meal started with the Oyster Duo. One had a yuzu granita and aguachile that was bright and refreshing, while the other had a roasted onion soubise with smoked trout roe that leaned richer and more savory. Nice contrast between the two. One of my favorite early dishes was the chilled zaru soba. The buckwheat noodles had a great chewy texture and the mentsuyu broth was light and refreshing with mirin, mushroom, and seaweed notes. It was a really nice palate reset. The smoked ocean trout sashimi (masu) was another standout. It had garlic aioli on top with oil and black pepper, and the tomato added a crunchy brightness that balanced the richness of the fish. It's a simple combination but worked surprisingly well. The temaki course was excellent. The snow crab handroll had this creamy mayo texture with chili and crunchy shallots, and you can tell they roast the seaweed sheets right before serving because the nori had an incredible crunch -- honestly some of the best texture I've had in a handroll. It reminded me a lot of the style they do at Handies. For the hirame crudo with pomegranate and shiso, the flavor was good but a bit more subtle. I think the pistachio really helps that dish; without enough of it the flavors felt a little muted. I know pomegranate and pistachio is a common flavor pairing for middle eastern cuisines. My partner has a tree nut allergy so they removed it for both of us. The wagyu fat rice was very indulgent. The first thing you taste is the wagyu fat, but the fried shallots and other crunchy elements help balance it out. The sauce reminded me a lot of something you'd get at Doko -- rich but very satisfying. Adding fried rice in between fish courses was an interesting choice from the chef, but I think Aiko aims to be more western fusion than a traditional Japanese omakase. The tuna trio was fantastic. The chutoro with negidare (garlic, sesame oil, scallion) was probably my favorite bite of the night -- super flavorful and perfectly balanced. The foie gras course leaned sweet and savory, almost like an eel sauce flavor with some crunch on top. Delicious, but by this point in the progression I was definitely feeling the richness of the meal. Dessert was a milk tea tiramisu that I thought was really interesting. The mascarpone layer had a tartness to it -- almost like there might be a little sour cream mixed in -- and one layer had a subtle salty note that balanced the sweetness. Overall, the food quality was excellent and the fish was clearly very fresh. My only minor critique is that the progression of courses skewed a bit rich for my personal preference, especially in the second half of the meal. That said, every dish was thoughtfully executed and there were some truly standout bites. If you enjoy creative omakase with some richer flavor profiles, Aiko is definitely worth trying.

    Photos
    Aiko
    Aiko - Cucumber tomato salad

    Cucumber tomato salad

    Aiko - Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

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    Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

    Himari

    Himari

    4.3(116 reviews)
    4.1 miOak Forest/Garden Oaks
    $$

    Arrived at Himari today and really did have a great experience! It is a small setting but it left a…read morebig impression! Sat at the bar and ordered hot saki and sparkling white wine as an added kick( both were great by the way), and then for starters we got a crispy tuna roll, which was very good, ( tuna on a bed of fried rice cake cut into rectangles , with chives and trimmings on top) order of the chicken karage , that was fried to perfection, spicy / juicy goodness and everything you want from fried chicken!, and lastly got the nigiri sampler with premium pieces of very fresh , melt in you mouth sushi! And all of this was available at happy hour prices because we got there before 5, except for the chicken karage and sparkling wine! Service was also STELLAR! I will be back for sure!!!

    There's seating outdoors, inside at the sushi bar, tables, and more seating upstairs. I noticed…read morethat they used machines to give proportionate amount of rice for the nigiri and rolls. This is nice to have consistent amounts of rice for each dish. I do wonder if this would make service slow or not because it did take awhile to get our food. There were a lot of to go orders and the way they package the items looked top tier. I did see they had a reasonable price for omakase for 2 ($95). This alone I think is worth trying this place out. However, I was not hungry enough for their omakase. I don't know if the machine played a roll in it but the seaweed was a bit soft and got stuck onto the dish. This made the quality of the rolls disappointing. The fish tasted fresh but I think the flavors and ingredients overpowered the fish. I would have liked ingredients that would elevate the fish and make it stand out as the highlight of the rolls. However, I thought they did a good job with presentation in each dish. I tried the rainbow row and that was a bit hard to eat because the seaweed got stuck onto the wooden board. I also thought the menu didn't reflect all of the ingredients that were inside of the rolls. They list the main stuff but not everything else. For example, I noticed that there was asparagus inside of the rainbow row but it isn't listed. For that reason I'd give it 3 stars. I wouldn't order this again. The next item I tried was the yuzu kissed and this was my favorite out of everything I've tried. I do think that it was missing something that would balance out the citrusy flavor but nevertheless it was still tasty as long as you don't douse the fish in the sauce, 5 stars. I also tried the Wagyu pitchfork and I think something that would've made this taste better would be a sauce maybe like an eel sauce. This would also get 3 stars for me. The spicy tuna roll was 3 stars for me and it was more so of the texture of the tuna. The tuna felt like it was stuffed in the roll and was like a soggy texture. Some of the tuna fell out as I was eating it and it also made the seaweed wrap around it a bit moist. I think if you go here you definitely should get the sashimi that way you could actually taste the quality of the fish. I tried the medium tuna and fatty and these were actually what I would expect from a place like this. The quality was there but the other items didn't hit the mark for me. The other item I tried was the Japanese scallop and the scallop was tasty and had that smooth buttery texture. The seaweed again kind of ruined the scallop for me. It felt like the scallop was shoved into the roll and was all soft and squishy when I picked it up.

    Photos
    Himari - Chef Eber recommended

    Chef Eber recommended

    Himari - Salmon roll

    Salmon roll

    Himari - Lychee martini

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    Lychee martini

    Katami - Osaka Decadent roll

    Katami

    4.6(303 reviews)
    0.3 miMontrose
    $$$

    At Katami, the flavors arrive like fragments of memory before they become a whole sentence. This is…read morethe strange pleasure (and occasional frustration) of fine dining when you cook enough yourself to recognize the building blocks. You spend half the meal trying to identify each note before the dish moves past analysis and settles into feeling. The shrimp toast came first, and it read almost plainly at first bite: cultured tang from crème fraîche, sweet fruit, the faint richness of butter soaking into impossibly thin milk bread. A small herb scattered on top sharpened everything just enough. Then the caviar arrived not as luxury punctuation but as structure, binding the sourness and sweetness into something quieter and more deliberate. At home, these flavors would sit beside one another. Here, they dissolved into each other. Several dishes moved unmistakably toward Vietnamese flavors without ever becoming literal reproductions. The branzino tempura carried the familiar push and pull of nước mắm and sugar, maybe shrimp paste somewhere underneath, though softened into something more restrained. A brown sauce alongside it tasted almost startlingly recognizable: peanut butter, grainy sugar, the kind of sweet-savory depth that recalls satay sauce made in a home kitchen. The flavors are not hidden exactly, but compressed. In home cooking, especially in Southeast Asian food, flavor often announces itself clearly: fish sauce is fish sauce, herbs remain bright and separate, sugar lands directly on the palate. At Katami, those same references are blurred at the edges. Sometimes the dishes communicated more through texture than taste. The rockfish, paired with yuzu kosho, had a peppery structure that lingered longer than the citrus itself. The sakura salmon tasted like a spring time promenade, cherry blossom petals scattering in the bright, breezy sky. Overall, I recommend this sushi spot for a contemporary perspective on fine dining sushi. I was surprised to see other cuisines blended in compared to restaurants that are distinctly Japanese. Katami focuses on a story with each individual course, instead of all the plates flowing together. Each dish has a start and finish, it felt like reading a book compiled of mini poems!

    The ambiance is nice, and our server was excellent--very knowledgeable about the menu and helpful…read morethroughout the meal. The fish quality is solid, which is expected given that this restaurant is priced higher than most sushi spots. That said, the dishes felt a bit one-dimensional. Everything was good, but nothing really stood out or felt memorable. It seemed like the menu played things too safe, and we never had a moment where we thought, "this is what makes this place special." One disappointing moment was with a food runner. My sister has a severe shellfish allergy, and when she called him back--just once--to double-check potential contamination, he rolled his eyes before responding. That reaction was pretty surprising and not appropriate, especially given the seriousness of food allergies. Overall, the sushi is decent and the fish quality is good, but it didn't leave a lasting impression.

    Photos
    Katami - Fresh flowers.

    Fresh flowers.

    Katami - Foie Scallop

    Foie Scallop

    Katami - Roasted cabbage

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    Roasted cabbage

    Handies Douzo

    Handies Douzo

    4.6(500 reviews)
    1.5 miThe Heights
    $$

    Been to both the Heights and Montrose locations regularly and Handies is easily my favorite go-to…read morehandroll spot in the city. The selection is great across the board, I genuinely enjoy every hand roll I've had, and you really can't go wrong with any of the sets. The crudo is always a hit too. What I love most is how approachable it is - from the vibe inside to even the food itself. It works just as well for a quick but really good meal as it does for stopping in to grab a hand roll or two between errands or before heading somewhere else. Consistently high quality without feeling overly serious or complicated. Service is always on top of it, the experience is efficient without feeling rushed, and it's one of those spots that stays in regular rotation no matter how many new places pop up around the city.

    Handies Douzo is easily one of the first places I will recommend when in Houston. Their handrolls…read moreare unmatched, and the crudos are just as good. It's a great spot to enjoy high-quality sushi without the price tag of an upscale restaurant. The staff are always warm and welcoming, and the all-bar seating creates a lively, interactive dining experience. I usually order a 3-handroll set, add a hamachi handroll at the end, and share the chutoro sashimi. The chutoro just melts in your mouth, and each handroll is thoughtfully balanced with great flavor combinations. It's always a reliable place to go to and can serve as a quick bite when I'm indecisive on where to eat. That being said, it gets pretty busy during dinner time, so I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time.

    Photos
    Handies Douzo - Inside vibe

    Inside vibe

    Handies Douzo - Salmon handroll

    Salmon handroll

    Handies Douzo - Bgb Sake

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    Bgb Sake

    Tins

    Tins

    4.9(51 reviews)
    1.5 miThe Heights

    We went to TINS on Friday for my birthday. We love going to an Omakase, but this is more. This is…read morean experience. Chef Sky puts all of his passion into this 14 course adventure. Each bite is elevated and delicious. We wanted to eat slow and enjoy each bite, but each was better than the last and so hard to eat slow! We were anticipating each piece! We loved the addition of laksa and his Malaysian influence. It was so hard to pick a favorite. The sake FLOWS! It's truly unlimited. We had so much fun. The interior is vibe in itself. If you go for the 8 o'clock seating, they do karaoke after and I can only imagine how fun that it since Chef Sky is so fun. He shared so much knowledge and was just so much fun to talk to as well. We finished our meal and stayed another 40 minutes talk to Chef and enjoying the sake. It really is more than just sushi. You will not find wasabi and soy sauce anywhere. Each of the sauces elevates each bite you take and compliments it so well. Here's what we enjoyed: 1.Madai (jalapeño dressing ) 2.Hickory smoke sichimi salmon ( crunchy garlic and sweet & sour sauce ) 3.Scallop with sesame oil , truffle salt , fried garlic , ponzu and mint leaf ) 4.Malaysian curry laksa 5.Tuna (Spain ) mango salsa make with tom yum sauce 6.Kanpachi (Hawaii ) truffle oil , Himalayan salt & lemon zest 7.King salmon (New Zealand ) seared with yuzu miso and Malaysian crunchy fried anchovy 8. Santa Barbara uni shooter 9. Founder (repulic of Korea) homemade pepper sauce 10. Seared escolar with pork floss 11. Toro with creamy cilantro lime sauce with kizami wasabi 12 . Hamachi with Malaysian style sweet garlic sauce 13. Unagi with old granny spice and yuzu salt 14. mango crepes cake

    Tins is, without a doubt, the best omakase like experience I've ever had. Every course flowed…read moreseamlessly into the next, each dish complementing the last in a way that felt intentional and artful. Honestly--hands down better than Uchi. The atmosphere was amazing. Chef Sky was welcoming, friendly, and incredibly entertaining. You can tell he loves what he does, and it makes the whole experience that much better. If you enjoy sake, do yourself a favor and catch a ride there and back. The bottomless sake is no joke and pairs perfectly with every dish! And whatever you do, don't miss karaoke after the 8pm seating. It was an absolute blast. By the end of the night, everyone--complete strangers when we walked in--felt like instant friends while singing our hearts out. I've definitely found my new favorite date night / family night / any-night spot. Cannot recommend Tins enough!

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    Tins
    Tins - Unlimited sake

    Unlimited sake

    Tins - Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

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    Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

    Kata Robata - Texas Wagyu Katsu Sando

    Kata Robata

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    2.2 miUpper Kirby
    $$$

    Nut allergy friendly - The lunch ramen is still safe! As is most of the menu I believe…read more Parking: Actually quite difficult in the small strip mall lot. Gets very busy during lunch and you might have to wait for someone to come out. Yep, they're all here for Kata. Time to Entree: 7 Minutes We arrived at 1PM on a Friday afternoon without a reservation and got quoted a 20 minute wait for 2 people. That ended up being around 9 minutes wait. Service for the lunch tonkatsu ramen was quick and efficient. The ramen is just as great as I remember. The pork tonkatsu is flame seared and has an excellent charred flavor, very different than normal tonkatsu pork but still melts in your mouth. The broth is flavorful and ginger-forward, but not too salty to where it's overpowering. Great portions of noodles that makes for a satisfying lunch. Kata's ramen still bats for the top 5 in Houston in my book. Always happy to make it back for their lunch when I've got the time.

    The food tasted good but nothing was new or exciting. The service was terrible... our waitress…read more(Karen?) was really slow.. also my friend waited almost 45 minutes for a glass of wine. She clearly forgot to ring it in and then brought us the check. We then asked for the glass of wine and she brought it with a revised check. We also never saw a manager during our visit. At the end, we were charged 20% gratuity for a group of 7... seemed strange. Not saying we wouldn't have tipped that but it didn't sit well knowing the service was so bad.

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    Kata Robata
    Kata Robata - Various nigiri.

    Various nigiri.

    Kata Robata - Okinawa Sun - strong AF

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    Okinawa Sun - strong AF

    Ume Sushi

    Ume Sushi

    4.6(219 reviews)
    1.6 miThe Heights

    I can't believe there isn't more buzz around this place--we were able to get an 8pm NYE reservation…read morefor 2 less than 48 hours in advance. Ume deserves to be considered among Houston's heavy-hitters of Sushi. Hands-down, their food is comparable to that of places like Uchi and Kata at a slightly lower (maybe?) price point. Ume's nigiri takes the cake as my favorite in the city. We were blown away with the quality of ingredients and unique flavor profile in every single piece of nigiri across the standard and deluxe offerings of the chef's choice plates, Wagyu, and specials. I also want to take a moment to recognize the outstanding experience provided by our server, Scott. Beyond demonstrating his thorough understanding of their menu and sushi, broadly, with exceptional recommendations and knowledgeable insights, he consistently went the extra mile to help make our dinner special.

    Really good sushi. We went on a Sunday night and it was pretty empty. Maybe one or two other…read morediners. The good news it was quiet. The bad news is that things come out too fast, other than the cocktails we ordered first, which showed up after the first course did. I find that a bit irritating. I guess maybe their bar/drinks person went home. But still, a great place in the Heights area. Great fresh sushi, imaginative cocktails and pleasant staff. Will go back when we are in the area

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    Ume Sushi
    Ume Sushi - A5 wagyu beef toban yaki

    A5 wagyu beef toban yaki

    Ume Sushi - Ume Symphony Cocktail

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    Ume Symphony Cocktail

    Casa Kenji - sushi - Updated May 2026

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