Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Oishii

    4.0 (1.8k reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Oishii Takeout or Delivery

    Oishii Photos

    Business Info

    OISHII ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Oishii

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Shayla P.

    We waited for our pickup order for over an hour and 30 minutes. We were told they recently replaced their staff, I'm not sure what happened but the new hires definitely need more training. I added an extra star because they added in edamame and gyoza as compensation.

    Ika sashimi, sea bass, scallops, salmon roe sashimi
    Cheryl G.

    My husband took me out for sushi on my birthday after some shopping. I always remember this little gem by Lakewood Church It had been years since the last time we were here since we live in Humble. We got here around 3:30 and were seated after the lunch crowd finished. Happy Hour started so it was perfect timing to have some Kirin Light beers with our sushi. I was impressed that the prices have remained the same over the years! The sashimi pieces are pretty decent and super cheap. I don't remember the last time I found sashimi for less than $2 a piece! Michael was our server and he was awesome! Overall, Great service all around. Oishii gets busy during lunch and usually has a bit of a wait if you don't get there right when they open. We haven't gone for dinner, but I'm sure it's the same.

    Sashimi Special
    Eric T.

    Oishii is a popular spot during lunch, happy hour, and during dinner. I would recommend coming in early and with a smaller group since the interior is also on the smaller side. The service is solid and the food comes out very quick, especially considering how busy it can get! While the sushi quality will not blow you away, the sheer value of what they offer certainly will. Their happy hour menu is an excellent deal, allowing you to select two items from the happy hour section for only $6. We also tried some of their nigiri and featured specials, one of the specials being a sashimi plate. I kid you not, I have never seen such thick slices of decent quality sashimi for such an affordable price in my life. The sashimi set even included two very rich, tender, and buttery pieces of bluefin tuna. Other items that I would recommend are the dynamite and spicy salmon rolls from the HH menu, HH tempura, and any special sushi or sashimi plate they currently have.

    Isabella M.

    EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY OF FISH, AMAIZING PRICES X QUANTITY, AAAAND OUTSTANDING SERVICE Mike is the ROCKSTAR of the crew. He is helpful and friendly and always down to party with your crew as well! Ask him for recs from sashimi to rolls to sake & expect a 100/10 meal. Favorite rolls definitely gotta be the June roll and the salmon one I have a pic of (that roll's name just vanished from my memory in thin air apparently...). Also, ask for their toro - 4 pieces of HEAVEN in your moooouuuutttthhhh.

    Cynthia E.

    Got to try the iconic Oishii this past weekend! It literally means "delicious " in Japanese so that was more motivation to try it! My partner and I tried to go a couple of times, but once it was super busy and another time, it was closed. From what I understand it's always pretty busy there. When we came, we had to wait about 30 minutes or so. The dining area is actually kind of small. My friend saw some clean tables, but maybe it was a staffing issue? The people that came after us only waited a few minutes so maybe it's hit or miss depending on when they get the tables ready. The prices are incredible. Very affordable sushi. They have sashimi, sushi rolls and individual pieces and a very extensive menu. I ended up getting two sushi pieces and a specialty maki roll. I also tried the soft shell crab hand roll as well with vegetable tempura. With the tempura, I always love the sweet potato, but sometimes it's not fully cooked and it has some crunch to it. That was the case this time. I like when the sweet potato is fully cooked and soft on the inside. There were onion rings, zucchini, and broccoli as well. The sushi was pretty good overall. I ended up getting the Todd roll which had red snapper in it. Unfortunately I couldn't really taste the red snapper because it was overwhelmed by the salmon and jalapeño on top. Probably wouldn't choose that sushi again, but overall it was still pretty good. Overall, a nice spot, but it took a while to get seated and parking can also be kind of crazy. Honestly, if I go back, it will most likely be for takeout since the prices are so great. Can definitely see myself coming back though!

    Spicy salmon, dynamite rolls
    Courtney W.

    Still the most affordable sushi HH in Houston. It gets pretty busy even on weekdays- came around 6:15 pm and had to wait about 40 minutes for a table (barely made it for HH!) Apps come quickly but sushi takes longer to come out. My favorite apps were the fries (so crispy!) and the agedashi tofu (also nice crispiness and the sauce is a great pairing). The sushi rolls that are available on the menu are also good! Just note that they're smaller (6 pieces). Rolls off the regular menu are also 6 pieces but they're pretty thick pieces. Lots of options so you're bound to find something that fits your taste! Very casual laid back vibe. Parking can be a challenge at peak times.

    Teriyaki salmon bento
    Lou C.

    I came to Oushii restaurant an hour before closing with my friends from my Toastmasters club. We wanted something quick and near the club. It was only 5 minutes from the meeting. I was glad they offer separate checks and no mandatory tips added. Because the tables can be easily arranged, everyone got to sit together. I was trying to figure out which dish to order, between Bento and Teriyaki menus. I ordered teriyaki salmon bento because it came with 6 pieces sushi. The volume of food worth of the price I paid. But not sure how the salmon steaks were soaked in light gravy. The broccoli had no flavor. I was able to finish without a doubt. The fish was tender and juicy. My friends were pointing something above my head as we were ordering. So, I pointed the camera with the selfie mode to see the menu. Ah, I'll order the specials next time

    Special #2- 10 pieces of nigiri and 2 rolls
    Lina L.

    This place seems to be super popular. We arrived around 6:15PM on Saturday and there was a line out the door. There weren't any parking spots available so while hubby drove around I went in and got on the waiting list. I was told it would be a 30 - 45 minute wait and they'd call me. We were finally able to grab a parking spot and in about 30 minutes I received a call stating there were 2 spots at the bar. It was kind of overwhelming to decide what to get as the menu is almost too extensive. They fortunately had a chalkboard with 3 specials and we decided to get them so we could try a bit of everything. Special #2: 2 pieces of sake, tuna, escolar, peppercorn tuna, yellowtail nigiri, 1 Stella roll, 1 skydiver roll, and 2 miso soups $28.95. Also chose Special #3: 3 pieces of sake, tuna, and escolar sashimi, and 2 pieces of peppercorn tuna, yellowtail and toro sashimi and a miso soup $19.99. I thought the prices were crazy cheap but I'd soon find out why. The miso soups and the salad came out quickly. I was hoping for that hot, rich umami taste but instead the miso soup was lukewarm and had a very strange artificial taste. It was weird. Salad with the ginger dressing was fine but hard to mess that up. #2 special looked impressive and it was a ton of food but I was very disappointed at first bite. The nigiri had a very high rice to fish ratio and the fish didn't seem too fresh. Both rolls were very Americanized and way too rich for me. Sashimi was okay. I think people love this place because of the cheap prices. They also seem to do a lot of takeout. One thing I noticed while sitting at the bar was that all 6 sushi chefs were non- Asian which is definitely a first for me and I was the only other Asian person dining there. Service was fine and the customers seemed to be enjoying their food. Really wanted to like this place but the food was very meh at best, and tasted more like AYCE sushi. If you are not looking for good quality but value, this restaurant is it.

    Bethany W.

    I really hate to say it since Oishii's been my family's go to sushi place for years now, but the quality went immediately downhill after they were sold to new ownership. The prices have stayed low, but the fish just isn't as good. The last time we ordered from Oishii, it felt like we were eating mediocre grocery store sushi. Extremely disappointing since I used to make a point of visiting every time I'm back in town. I'll miss you $1.25 salmon sashimi

    Neha S.

    We didn't make a reservation and although it was busy, we got seated within 5-10 minutes. The service was fast and efficient, and we got our food within 10 minutes of ordering even though it was packed inside. I liked how small and intimate the restaurant felt. I've been here once before years ago, and I remember it being pretty good back then too. We ordered 4 rolls and thought it may mot be enough food because there were only 6 pieces per sushi order for 2 people. Boy were we wrong. We struggled to finish because there was so much rice on each roll. The taste was great, and the quality of the seafood was great, but omg there was so much rice on each piece. I can usually eat 26-30 pieces of sushi for reference, and I was struggling to finish 14 here. Definitely saved us money from having to order more rolls but would have been nice if there was less rice per piece.

    Sasha G.

    I was on the hunt for a new sushi spot and I was impressed reading the reviews so I gave it a try. My friend and I arrived at 11:55am on Saturday and there was already a line outside. The parking lot is small, accommodates about 15 cars and it shares a space with other shops so you'll have to park elsewhere. We were seated at 12pm, and within 10 minutes the restaurant was full. The restaurant is small, holds about 10 spots at the bar and approximately 30 people and main sitting area. Staff was friendly and helpful with the menu but there were several times where we had to flag down someone for help. We also noticed that many patrons are repeat customers because we heard staff greeting them by name and asking how they've been. The prices are definitely affordable as other reviewers have written, big menu with lots of options, plus an additional menu for lunch specials, usually isn't offered on weekends so that was nice. The sushi tasted fresh and everything we ordered tasted delicious. Overall we enjoyed ourselves and will definitely be back.

    Menu
    bernie m.

    Had a craving for sushi and this place had really good reviews and was very close to where I was staying so decided to give it a try. To start with, they are extremely busy and parking is a nightmare. The inside is fairly small and not exactly the fanciest place. They had a specials board and we decided to go off of them. The pricing is very reasonable. As far as the sushi and sashimi goes, I've had much fresher and better. I feel like you get what you pay for. This is definitely price point sushi. Service was very fast and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It's a fine place if you're not too picky about the quality and you have time to wait.

    Jillian C.

    Sushi rice consistency was too hard and flavor was lacking. They put some kind of sriracha/hot sauce on some of their nigiri that ruined it. Staff was pleasant, but had to flag down a waiter to pay the bill.

    DG Roll

    See all

    14 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Noel P.
    700
    7
    0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 2
    Love this 7
    Oh no 2

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rachel H.
    220
    29
    2

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim N.
    391
    262
    2778

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 44

    Oishii Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Oishii

    What time does happy hour start?

    3:00 pm to 6:00 order one get one free on selected items

    Do you take reservations? If so, how far in advance?

    Hi! I've been at oishii for almost 5 years and try to help everyone to my best ability. Any reservations Can made made at anytime for any day. There's less hope in you obtaining your wanted time if request the day of. You could place the reservation… Read more

    Do y'all know if/when Oishii will be closed this December?

    Yes we close every year approximately half way through December for about 3 weeks

    Do they take Apple Pay?

    Yes

    Do they do delivery?

    No we do not

    Phones are never picked up. Will you guys ever pick up phones? Someone said phones are working for this location so why is it that we get a repetitive tone that results in the end of the call w no help?…

    They are really busy with dine in and especially take out orders. If it's a busy tone, that usually means they're on the phone with another customer. I usually try every few minutes and they pick up.

    Do your phones work? Tried called several times on different days and always get dial tones.

    Phone works, online menu / ordering does not

    Are happy hours still fine in only?

    Yes - they have always been and are still dine-in only.

    Are there tables for large groups, like 10 people?

    They'll push two tables and two booths together. Definitely would have to make a reservation. But yes I think they'll be able to work with you.

    Do they do to go orders?

    Yes, they do. You can make a call to order and pick it up there too.

    View All 11 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Sushi Bars 25,510 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Aiko - Mochi Dessert

    Aiko

    4.5(337 reviews)
    4.3 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

    See all

    Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

    Himari

    Himari

    4.3(116 reviews)
    5.9 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

    See all

    Lychee martini

    Katami - Osaka Decadent roll

    Katami

    4.6(302 reviews)
    3.0 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

    See all

    Roasted cabbage

    Handies Douzo

    Handies Douzo

    4.6(501 reviews)
    4.2 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

    See all

    Bgb Sake

    Tins

    Tins

    4.9(51 reviews)
    3.5 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!

    Photos
    Tins
    Tins - Unlimited sake

    Unlimited sake

    Tins - Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

    See all

    Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

    Kata Robata - Texas Wagyu Katsu Sando

    Kata Robata

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    1.0 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.

    Photos
    Kata Robata
    Kata Robata - Lunch nigiri.

    Lunch nigiri.

    Kata Robata - Okinawa Sun - strong AF

    See all

    Okinawa Sun - strong AF

    Ume Sushi

    Ume Sushi

    4.6(219 reviews)
    4.4 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

    Photos
    Ume Sushi
    Ume Sushi - A5 wagyu beef toban yaki

    A5 wagyu beef toban yaki

    Ume Sushi - Ume Symphony Cocktail

    See all

    Ume Symphony Cocktail

    Oishii - sushi - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...