What can I say, I love a good fried tofu (I'm not vegan) and Sugar Pine does it right! Simple and satisfying! Also, if you love pickles, their pickled veggies are delicious too! Maybe I can be a vegan i appreciate a place that doesn't rely on social media or influencers. Though the interior is definitely "instagrammable", counter style service, Asian flavored ice creams(taro, thai tea, miso...), unique dishes, snacks, and drinks (matcha limade). There's even a nice patio and private room for events. And there is PARKING! A place without parking these days will make me think twice about going. Just saying... read more

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A great experience. The food service is really nice for a go to the counter and order type restaurant. It was fast and everything looks so nice from the presentation of the food to the ambiance of the restaurants decor. The place is clean and set up nicely for a small business. I ordered the pork cutlet plate. I liked the amount of food that was served and thought the value was good. The pork was a little thin and therefore I felt overcooked just a bit. But the other dishes were excellent. There is also ample parking in front of the establishment. I even met a couple of customers that added to the experience. Thank you Sugar Pine! read more

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Sugar Pine has some of the best onigiri I've had in Austin (better than Asahi). The spicy tuna especially was an Austin-level spicy. They were beautifully presented and the spices they put on the outside were surprisingly tasty. We also really enjoyed the potstickers and shrimp tempura. The katsu set was solid overall, and I absolutely loved the pickled vegetables that came with it. They also sell the pickles up front as grab-and-go containers, which I was very tempted to take home. The karaage was probably the only thing I wouldn't order again, and the miso soup was unfortunately very plain and watery compared to everything else. A small touch I appreciated was the cookie that came with the set. It was simple but really nice. They were out of the ice cream flavors we originally came for (black sesame), which was disappointing, but we ended up trying the miso caramel flavor and it was surprisingly delicious. The waffle cone was a little old, chewy, and stale. One thing that really stood out was the service. The cashier had one of the most genuine, sincere smiles and was such a pleasure to order from. Overall, definitely worth visiting for the onigiri. I already want to come back to try the matcha and black sesame ice cream flavors next time. read more

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We love this spot - easy counter service and the food comes out quickly! Our favorites are the pork katsu and the salmon with the sets (miso/rice/cookie/veggies) It's a perfect total meal - salmon is cooked with some veggies in sauce - so good!! The meal feels balanced and the pork katsu is perfectly fried Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating as well - seems dog friendly!! They also make their own ice cream - we are def going to try an affogato here next time we come! I tried the matcha limeade as well and loved it - light and refreshing Staff was super helpful and friendly / cute interior space read more

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Dropped in for a Friday lunch date with a friend. Cute, casual spot off of 183 serving up Japanese dishes, fresh onigiri, coffee bar drinks, and house-made ice cream! Overall it was a little on the pricier side for a nicer lunch, but everything was tasty and service was really friendly and great! QUICK FACTS: - Parking? Yes, they have their own parking lot. - Reservations? No, this place is very casual! - Happy hour? Yes, 3-6pm they have some discounted items. FOOD RATINGS: - Chicken katsu set (4/5): Generous set with rice, miso soup, seaweed salad, pickled veggies, and even a cookie! Everything was tasty and made well. - Salmon onigiri (3.5/5): Personally I thought these were a little overpriced but they were a decent size. Soft and filled with filling. Fell apart pretty easily so messy to eat, but not bad. - Ice cream (5/5): So good! They let us sample flavors and we ended up getting the chocolate chip coffee one. Really good ending to the meal. You can order by the scoop or in a cone! read more

Sugar Pine - Chicken katsu curry set, salmon onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Picked up some chicken katsu, salmon onigiri, and a side of curry. I don't even like curry and haven't had it in years but was very surprised! Not overly spiced and had enoki mushrooms! Everything was very very good. I'll be back and I'll bring a friend! read more

Sugar Pine has been a favorite of mine for a while. I pretty much enjoy whatever I order. It's Japanese food, located on the service road off 183. You order at the counter, self-service water, and they bring the food to your table. They also have a surprisingly good drink selection for a counter-service spot, beer, sake, coffee, tea, and other options, plus happy hour! The menu has a lot going on in a good way. Tons of choices, and the sets are especially fun. They're kind of like a bento experience without the box, you get to try multiple items in one meal. They have noodles, rice dishes, and onigiri, the Japanese rice balls, which are always great. My absolute favorite part, though, is the ice cream. They have Japanese-inspired flavors you don't see everywhere. The black sesame is incredible, and you can get it in a regular cone, matcha cone or cup. Get the matcha cone. Where else are you going to do that? They also have matcha ice cream and a few other flavors, and you can even buy pints to take home. The space itself is small, maybe around a dozen tables, including one larger communal table that's usually reserved for groups. Bathrooms are clean. The only slightly odd thing is the chairs, they're these padded, fabric chairs that almost feel like they belong in a fancier or older dining room, while the rest of the restaurant feels more modern. Totally minor and kind of funny more than anything. One thing I'd avoid is the patio. There are outdoor tables, but they're right under 183, so it's noisy and not exactly relaxing. Inside seating is much better. Prices are a little high for counter service, but the portions are decent and the food quality has always been worth it for me. Sugar Pine is a place I'm always happy to recommend. read more

Sugar Pine - Karaage set, with an almond cookie that is just hidden behind the chicken dish - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I came back with a larger group to study and it was still as comfy as I remembered! I got the coconut matcha, black sesame latte, black sesame ice cream and karaage. All were delicious! The coconut matcha was solid but a little expensive for the amount IMO. The black sesame ice cream isn't nearly as good as the thai milk tea and the taro ice cream tasted fresh but not my favorite either. read more

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Went here on a Friday with a friend for lunch. There's parking out front and also on the side of the building so if you don't see initially just check around the corner. Service was great here and everyone was super friendly! I got the pickled veggie onigiri, salmon onigiri, salt and pepper tofu and a black sesame latte. Plus some black sesame icecream after. My favorite was the pickled veggies onigiri, I liked the salt and pepper tofu I just wish there was a little more flavoring in the batter. I'm not sure how but their ice-cream is extra cold which was great since it took longer to melt. Definitely felt like a cute little cafe with lots of-welcoming vibes and plants everywhere. Will definitely come back to try more of the menu, plus they have a rewards program now! read more

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WOW!! The food here is absolutely INCREDIBLE!! This is our 4th time going here and every time is better than the last! We LOVE the chicken teriyaki (the soft-boiled tea infused eggs are to die for)! The katsu is also amazing if you're in the mood for that as well. We love the chilled soba noodles, gyoza, and matcha limeade are spectacular!! The only thing I would say is that the onigiri are a bit rice-heavy, but the salmon is the best!! LOVE the thai tea ice cream and coffee!! The service is outstanding and ambiance is trendy yet comfy. 10/10 would recommend read more

Sugar Pine - Pork katsu meal - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

I have been coming here since last year. This is by far my favorite place, the only thing I regret is not finding this restaurant sooner ! Everyone here is so nice and friendly, obviously the food is great that I buy lunch here for the most part every day no joke ! The Spicy tuna onigiri is my go to to snack through out the day And all the other dishes are just amazing. Their ice cream (black sesame ice cream) is my go to, my daughter loves their food too that I have to order extras to take home. The owner noticed how much I order from his restaurant that he has shown me love through a gift card in my order :) Lovely people and amazing food, you will always leave with a smile read more

Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Ambiance: peaceful with some music in the background. Clean with self-serving water and utensil station after ordering. Parking lot available that shouldn't be hard to find a spot. Kid friendly with high chairs available. There's a nice little section in the back with sofa for more of a chill vibe with a bigger group of friends. Food: onigiri were good. Nice presentation, portions had good filling proportion. Curry katsu not so good. The katsu itself was good, not heavily breaded and didn't feel like drenched in oil but the curry sauce was a huge letdown. Not your typical Japanese style and honestly the premade Japanese instant curry mixes you can buy at Asahi or 99 tastes better than this. Pricing is fairly expensive, feel like this place is more for the younger crowd with money to spend. read more

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came just for the ice cream and they had such a good selection of flavors! it was super tough choosing them, but we went with taro and black sesame. I tried the thai tea and coconut as well and they were also tasty. black sesame had a strong flavor which I appreciated. I will say that their stuff is a little too sweet for asian desserts, which are typically less sweet imo. read more

Sugar Pine - black sesame and taro - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Love this place for a hearty lunch, happy hour, snack or dessert. They have something for every time of the day really, The employees are always helpful with menu recommendations, read more

Sugar Pine - Chicken Karaage - Tray - 4 portions - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This a good not so hidden gem. Very unique vibe and the food is very good. I really enjoyed the relaxed feel and loved the assortment of entrees I shared with my family. Staff was friendly and helpful. read more

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- Menu: 5/5 (drinks, small bites, full plates) - Drink adjustability: 4/5 (alt milks for $1 extra, adjustable sweetness) - Seating: 6 small tables, 2 large, 2 sofas, bar seats - Crowd: quite empty on a Thurs afternoon - Parking: huge lot :) - Features: lots of outlets/seating/free WiFi- study friendly! Self serve water (fresh), 2 stalls/restroom I'm always hunting for places to work, and this place is amazing. The surrounding area is a bit seedy but the cafe is cozy, with friendly servers and quick service. Tons of seating and outlets, doesn't seem to get too crowded. Great place for a working afternoon or to catch up with friends. I tried the hot matcha latte with soy milk, half sweet. She really did make it half sweet (don't recommend w matcha but she followed instructions!). I liked it a lot. Most people get food here which smelled incredible. Give this place a try! read more

Sugar Pine - Inside seating. Outlets along the wall - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Ambiance was very chill, JPop in the background. Service was kind and quick for lunch. Lots of options b/w icecream, coffee, sides, onigiris and dishes. Food was overall delicious and will try out more dishes in the future. read more

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I enjoyed all the dishes that were ordered here but the obvious one that this place is known for is their onigiri (rice balls). They are generously proportioned, the tuna/salmon filling are fresh and finished off with the right umami-filled toppings. The katsu chicken curry set was a perfectly balanced meal that included seaweed salad, miso soup, and the curry had a flavorful consistency which complemented the crunchy fried chicken. If you're looking for something light to cool you down, the cold soba noodles dipped into sauce is a fun chewy bite. This place is well-rounded from their main entrees to desserts (they have fun asian-inspired flavored ice creams such as black sesame or taro). Solid place for classic Japanese comfort food, great for lunch or a quick dinner! Not to mention the cashier was super patient and helpful when deciding what to order. The food came out quickly and not too crowded on a weekday afternoon, the place was also clean and tidy. read more

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Yum yum! An amazing place to either get your own set of food or share a bunch of smaller plates. Me and my friend shared the small kaarage and the tofu and each got an onigiri. The fried chicken was perfectly crispy and came with a yuzu sauce that was super unique and tasted delicious. The tofu was crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside and the sweet sauce that came with it was amazing too. We also shared the miso caramel and black sesame ice cream- they let you sample as much as you want! The onigiris were so yummy and I loved how they all look different on the outside depending on what filling you want. Inside there are lots of comfy chairs and tables and a great place to do work or chat with friends. Service is always great here as well, and I never worry about parking since they have a small lot! read more

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Really enjoyed my lunch here. The chicken teriyaki bowl had tons of flavor and was a really good portion. Maybe a bit more on the basic side but yummy nonetheless! A good option for a casual bite. Also they had lots of fun drink and dessert options to try, and the staff was friendly. The set up was order at the counter and the food gets served to you, which made for a more casual experience, and the food came quickly. read more

Sugar Pine - Chicken teriyaki bowl - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Was excited to try this place but a bit thrown off upon arrival. The area was a little sketchy but decided to give it a try anyways. The interior is clean and nicely decorated. You order at the counter. We got the shrimp tempura, pork katsu, and tofu set plate. The shrimp tempura had too much batter and cost $10 for 3 which is a bit steep. The katsu was good and I really like the flavor of my tofu but there was only 5 tofu pieces on the plate. The set cost $18 so I feel there could've been a few more pieces of tofu, it's not costly. The miso soup was overwhelmingly salty so I only had a few sips. I liked the pickled veggies on the side. Overall I found it a bit overpriced and the whole meal was too salty. read more

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Found this place on Yelp. It was raining and we were driving back to Kansas. Soup sounded yummy. The spicy miso udon broth was sooooo good. The chunks of ginger were lovely. I really liked it a lot. Only complaint was the shrimp had a weird taste to them. But I ate around it and it was delish! So no harm no foul. We got the spicy tuna and tofu kimchi Onigiri. Both were really good. My husband got the pork katsu. I kept stealing bites of it haha. It was good. I'd get it next time! Got a soy matcha latte as my little treat for after the meal. I really like when matcha isn't super sweet. So it was perfect. We will be back! read more

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This place is counter service, you order and get a number and they bring out your food to your table. There are a lot of options on the menu to pick from. I went with the spicy tuna onigiri and the vegetable miso udon noodle soup. The onigiri is good, I've had better in Austin. The udon soup was more soy flavor than I'd like but I liked the variety of vegetables given! I was so full I couldn't get ice cream but I will be back for it! read more

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We had a little time before catching our flight, so we stopped by this place to get some dessert and something light to eat. We chose the watermelon basil and black sesame for our ice cream flavors and added a matcha waffle cone. The flavors were so delightful, but the cone was a little stale. Our onigiris did take a while though. We got the kimchi chicken, ume shiso, and salmon. They were presented so nicely. One was triangular shaped and the other two were little balls. Overall, a great little cafe! read more

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I adore this place! It's my go to every time I am driving in from work trips back home. The location is spotless and inviting, and the service is quick and friendly. My favorite food here are definitely the onigiris - they are wrapped so cutely and are very flavorful. I also think the karaage here is out of this world! The for-here tea presentation is so nice with the clay pots that keep the tea piping hot during your visit. Can't recommend this place enough :) read more

Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Housemade ice cream in a housemade waffle cone. The white chocolate milk tea was great - doubled it up with a scoop of taro too. They need a location in South Austin badly - say off of S. Congress or S. 1st? read more

Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Took a new guest here. Just love of place! We haven't tried anything here we didn't love, from the entrees to the onigiri... from the drinks to the ice cream... do good! They have had great music playing every time we've been there. It's a bright, cheerful place, yet very casual. And the food is all elevated. You order at the counter, but the woman who took our order was very friendly. After, she let us taste some of their ice creams. We enjoyed each one we tried, but ordered a scoop of toasted coconut and a scoop of taro. I didn't expect to like taro root ice cream but it was extremely good. They have a room in the back you can back ahead to reserve for private parties. The prices are reasonable but not inexpensive, especially for an order-at-the-counter experience. But it's worth every penny. They focus on high quality ingredients, they will, and they know what they're doing in the kitchen? read more

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I've been wanting to come here for a while, and I'm glad to have finally come! This was a great spot for a nice dessert date-- I'm curious about what the food is gonna be like, and would want to try next time, although it does seem overall more like a dessert spot. Their Asian offerings ice-cream flavors were unique such as a miso caramel, and toasted coconut and black sesame, but some of them seemed a bit icy in texture in the freezer display. I shared a double-scoop with my date, and they gave good portions to the point where it was more than enough for us, as it was a bit sweet. I'd come back because I'm curious to try the food, and I think it could also be a great work/study spot in the future! But while I'm glad I tried the ice-cream, I might go somewhere else in the future for ice-cream in specific. read more

Sugar Pine - Toasted Coconut + Taro Root Ice-cream (~$6.50) - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place was really nice. The food wasn't over seasoned and fresh. The lemonade was nice and refreshing as well. read more

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Katsu pork (tonkatsu) Comes with miso soup and a chewy cookie, which I love! The tonkatsu itself is consistently breaded and yummy. Adding some kind of dressing on the veggies would be nice. The seats inside are super soft and comfy. There are a few parking spaces outside. read more

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A super cute, casual restaurant! Decorated really nicely inside and there's also a few tables in an outdoor section. I ordered the chicken katsu ($16.95) - tasted as expected and had a great crunch! The pickled veggies were a great addition and the tiny pine nut cookie was surprisingly delicious! However, the menu items are pretty pricey. read more

Sugar Pine - Katsu Pork Set - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is a total gem! Fair prices, easy to find location, parking directly in front of the building. The happy hour is $2 off starters and $2 off tap beer and wine. We took advantage ordering spicy edamame, sweet potato fries and karagge. So good. The sweet potato fries were some of the best I've ever had. Like they sliced the sweet potatoes in store. Not pictured is the karagge which was lights out good. Perfect fried texture with tender chicken. read more

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Sugar Pine packs the options is but doesn't fail in flavor. Upon waking in you see the ice cream options before ordering which can be tempting. We ordered and americano, matcha limeade, green tea and honey lemonade. In a hot Austin summer day they were refreshing and garnished to perfection. We ordered the avocado and steak onigiri. Both were packed with flavor but the avocado was the favorite. The small plates are $2 off during happy hour. We got chicken karate, chicken Goya, edamame and shrimp tempura. The fry on the karate and tempura were to perfection! The edamame fell short but everything else a 9/10!!! Additionally we had katsu-pork with all the fixings. Every items was eaten to the last bit. All in all the food was phenomenal and great location to central Austin. I recommend stopping by especially if you need some time to kill in afternoon traffic and the service is welcoming! read more

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I always pass by this place on the way to 99 Ranch, but never found the opportunity to dine here. My friend and I already had a heavy lunch, so we did not try their savory menu, instead opting for their ice cream. The offer a range of Japanese flavors, from the classic matcha to salted miso caramel. You can sample their selection and the staff were kind enough to walk us through the offerings, as well as answer any questions we had. They gave ample portions too, so I would recommend sharing a cup with a friend. While the flavors were potent, it was a bit on the sweeter side. I'm not a sweet person myself, so it was a bit hard to finish. I would just keep this in mind when going here. Still, I would come back and I definitely want to try their onigiri next time! read more

Sugar Pine - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

I love how cute this place is. My favorite here is their ice cream and coffee. My go-to is either their salted miso caramel ice cream or the affogato with with vanilla bean ice cream. The espresso shots here are great as well. I always come here specifically for the ice cream because I love all of the Asian ice cream flavors they have like Thai tea, taro, black sesame, etc and I can't find salted miso caramel anywhere else so I love that. It's small and cozy and they recently (to me) upgraded the furniture so it looks even nicer than before! I've had their honey lemonade too and it's super good, you can really taste the honey. Food wise, it feels a little pricey but I would be open to try their noodle dishes. I've had the chicken karaage 2 times before and I'm not a huge fan. Like the breading flavor is good but the chicken tastes like it needs to be marinated a bit more to get rid of the poultry taste to it. I think the aioli that comes with it is tasty though. There's free parking around the store and haven't had a problem with parking since people usually have a quick bite and go. read more

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My first time at Sugar Pine was on a date. We arrived and I was surprised I had never known about this place since it was so close to my house, it was precious! The interior decor was so vibrant and colorful. It was also my first time tasting onigiri and the staff there were so patient as I asked so many questions and for their recommendations. I also ordered their Kaarage the previous time I came here and it was juicy! Their ice cream is also creamy af, such a cute place to checkout! read more

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I LOVE their spicy miso udon seafood. Everything just goes so well together. It's not that spicy to me but has great flavoring with shrimps, calamari, and salmon inside. I love the sweet pumpkin, mushroom and bok choy that goes inside. Their ice cream, pine nut cookie, matcha limeade, spicy are really good too! You must try their match waffle cone. I can definitely taste the matcha in them. I also enjoyed their salt and pepper tofu and tuna onigri (cooked). Their chicken curry Katsu and regular Katsu are decent but I think the meat itself can be more flavorful especially for that price. The steak onigri barely had any meat inside. Otherwise, the service is always great! They also have wifi too for work and studying. read more

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I went for lunch on a weekday. The ambience is cool, chill, and modern. The staff was very friendly. I had udon noodles, matcha limeade, and black sesame ice cream. All of the food was tasty. read more

Visited on a weekday lunch to catch up with a friend and had very high expectations based on reviews. Food is ordered at the counter and they have a wide selection of food ranging from yakisoba, onigiri, fried chicken wings, to ice cream. Staff were friendly and courteous. It's more of a cafe than a restaurant so not really a great place for a romantic dinner or a large family gathering, but decor is very cute and there is a seating area for maybe a small group in the corner (though they do offer a private dining option on their website). Food itself was delicious - onigiri and yakisoba were flavorful, chicken karaage was crisp and tasty. Portions are modest. I would say overall taste is on point but pricing was maybe $1-2 more than I would expect especially for a cafe setting. read more

Sugar Pine - Spicy salmon onigiri, squid and shrimp yakisoba noodles, and karaage - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

My daughter was searching for a place that serves curry and stumbled upon Sugar Pine! What a find this was. It is a small establishment "under" 183 and worth the tiny parking lot; I suggest backing in if you can! The front dining room is clean and cozy, not cramped but cozy!! I just wanted to stay and read a book here. They have Frank Sinatra playing softly, and the lighting is warm and homey. You order at the counter, and luckily for us, we came during happy hour, where their small plates are $2 off. I wasn't sure what I wanted, and they helped explain all the options and recommended substitutions for my daughter. They were accommodating and didn't seem irritated at all by my questions. My daughter ordered the chicken and curry with double rice. She only had one tiny piece left that she graciously let me have. Now to the ice cream!!! People on YELP, get the ice cream! You will not get your typical vanilla or chocolate, and thank you for that! My daughter got the mango which, no joke, tasted like a cold mango. It was so refreshing, even if it was 50° outside. I ordered the taro and mixed it with the caramel; it was scrumptious!!! I bought a pint of the Taro to take home. These ice creams are made in-house and worth every calorie! If you are in the area or across town, you must head to Sugar Pine!! read more

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