This is a mixed review as I didn't think the service lived up to the price point. Went as a solo diner on a Friday night and was the first to arrive for the seating. Roland and I got along great for the initial meet and I was sat to enjoy the complimentary sake and sparkling water while the other people arrived. Once everyone was there, I was a bit sad to see that while I was the first one to arrive, I was last to be sat and was sat the furthest away from the chef section. Once at the bar, the nice touch they had was to have your name stamped onto the coaster and the individual menus printed for you to review as the omakase progressed. Roland and the chef gave a great intro about the restaurant and the history as well as announcing any celebrations for guests. Second level of service shortfall was there was no initial inquiry to having a pairing added onto the omakase before it started. Must have been around the 3 or 4 out of 20 courses that the question about adding on a paring occurred. Mind you this was also after my sake drink had been finished. When the first pairing arrived, Roland mentioned that the second would be quickly behind as we needed to do a bit of catch up with the courses of the omakase. Once again, the first glass was completed, sat for a few before the second one arrived. The pairing overall was a mess as the last glass was poured around the last course. The food was amazing. There were new items I've never had and at the end the ability to do a round two of your favorites. I love that option. Since was I towards the end of the viewing area, didn't see much in regards to chef interaction with the food. There was one instant where he left the chef's area to go into I believe a fridge to pull something needed. Upon finishing this, there was not a glove change which seemed out of place knowing others in the kitchen were accessing that same door handle. Kevin the bartender did a great job with the exception of attentiveness for the pairing timing/progression. The end of the mean, chef played an electric guitar (I believe electric) and that was a nice touch. He's really great at it! read more

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Hands down the best omakase experience I've ever had! From start to finish, Sushi Endo blew me away. The head chef was so kind and funny, and the other chef kept the energy lively the entire night. The experience is incredibly personal and thoughtful. They print your name on the menu, set your utensils depending on whether you're right- or left-handed, and guide you through each of the 12 courses with care and attention. Every bite was beautifully crafted and full of flavor. I also loved that they offer add-ons at the end, so if there's something you loved (or want to try for the first time), you can keep the experience going. I added the wagyu sushi with caviar, and it was absolutely divine -- rich, buttery, and unforgettable. Pro tip: Go here for your birthday! They greet you with a special birthday sake, and the head chef even brings out a guitar to sing "Happy Birthday" with everyone. It's such a fun, genuine, and memorable vibe. If you love sushi or omakase experiences, Sushi Endo is an absolute must in Austin. I'd give it 10 stars if I could! read more

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My dear friend took me be here for an omakase dinner as a birthday gift. It was a nice experience, the service and attention to detail was great. We were seated right in front of chef Endo's station so we got front and center view of the sushi master at work. He was very entertaining and fun to watch, very engaging. He even played the guitar for us during dessert. The rest of the staff was great also! I definitely recommend this experience! read more

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I came; I ate; I left content. I've had sushi in Austin at most 3 times, this being the third time. Sushi Endo offers a pretty unique omakase experience, it seems, with 2 seatings a night. When I went, it was a 20-course omakase; where you could add on additional items if you wished prior to the dessert course. It's located near UT campus, and it has a small lot for parking. The wooden exterior is unmistakably Endo. Hospitality: the staff there are quite welcoming and friendly; it's a pretty small crew. For the given seating, you are welcomed in for a small bit of lounging around (with a beverage), before they guide everyone to the sushi bar for dinner. I requested a non alcoholic drink, which they concocted. Once meal time commences, the sushi chef will converse with you as well as describe each dish, the ingredients (memorable standouts include something green, such as okra from H‑E‑B) and each fish, preparation information, where it is from, as well as how to eat it. I thoroughly enjoyed each piece, but I thought the smoked one was especially flavorful. After all the fishes have been consumed, the chef will perform using the electric guitar you'll have noticed sitting by the wall. All in all, pretty good vibes, lots of fun, and well-prepared nigiri! (The dessert was great, too!) read more

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4.5 stars All of the sushi pieces were melt in your mouth soft and delicious. My fave pieces were the fatty tuna and Wagyu. The cooked courses were pretty good as well. read more

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My sibling booked for my birthday at Sushi Endo for my birthday celebration. The cost was $185 per person for a 18-19 course for 2 hours. We liked majority of our bites and everything was super fresh. Chef Vincent was great and personable.some items that stood out to use was the smoked trout, stripejack, Wagyu with caviar (is a must, add the extra caviar because it makes the bite 1000X better) the Wagyu melts in your mouth, the black throat sea perch (very unique and first time trying it) is a must try. Inside the restaurant is dark and we booked our reservation at 6pm. Our dining experience did go over the 2 hour mark and there was another group waiting for 8pm reservation. 3 items before your omasake ends they ask if you would like to order any extra items. Take note the additional items cost extra which in my opinion from trying different sushi establishment was on the very higher end for 1 nigiri $$. I received a complimentary Sake for my birthday. Which was a very nice gesture. Their sushi was fresh and chef ordered seasonal fishes. High quality. Overall experience was great. Do I recommend this place, yes. Special occasion type of vibe to celebrate or to wow a date. read more

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My friends and I have been trying omakases across the city, and we found out that Sushi Endo is doing $99 omakase on weekdays for ~16 pieces of sushi! That's a pretty good deal. My overall thoughts are that it's not the best but service and vibes slightly make up for the taste. I also think timing was quite off because we're mostly waiting for the next pieces to be made but everyone has to be served their pieces and courses at the same time, which can be incredibly time consuming. I think it was like a 2+ hour meal. I'm going to be honest and say that I really only liked 2 pieces of sushi and found everything else to be quite fishy and strange. I've eaten a lot of sushi in my life, and I do think that if you're looking for a more traditional menu, this one is not going to be it. However, if you like trying new fish you rarely find at other spots, Sushi Endo is for you. I'm definitely the former, so the only pieces I loved were the unagi and the toro. I also ordered a green tea which tasted really weird and almost rancid. I ordered a margarita, which was also not the best. read more

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A perfect intro to an omakase experience that won't break the bank, you can get a 16-course omakase dinner for $99 (before tax/tip/add-ons) on a weeknight for a limited time! Omakases typically start around $150+ for comparison. This 10-seats per night omakase by Chef Endo was excellent. The service is slightly more casual, engaging, and the food is delicious. Expect around 11 pieces of nigiri along with some hot bites and a dessert sign-off. QUICK FACTS: - Parking? Yes, located in a small strip of businesses there is ample parking in a lot. - Reservations? Yes, recommended. While walk-ins are welcome, there's no guarantee you will get a spot. Since it's omakase, you can't join in too far into the experience. - Split checks? Yes, they will ask your preference on the bill at the end of your experience (split evenly, individual, group, etc.)! FINAL THOUGHTS: For $99 this was a "worth it" experience. You're welcome to add on any drinks (non-alcoholic available) as well as additional bites/repeat nigiri options toward the end for extra $. Chef Endo focuses on the simplicity of the fish - each bite is fresh and delicious but nothing over the top or extravagant. Majority of them I enjoyed, there were only 1-2 that were just okay to me. The hot dishes were tasty but nothing special. I was satisfied at the end of the meal - not full, but not hungry either. read more

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It's speakeasy, intimate, social, and Dinner Time Live. Chef Endo and team nailed the experience. Easily the most memorable dinner I've had in Austin! We had a 20 course for $150. They lean in on mostly japan-sourced seafood and simplicity in the composition of the serving honoring the classic. The front of the house is insanely great at providing personalized service. If someone asked me what would make the experience more than 5 stars.. I honestly couldn't tell you. You are seated at the bar with a true omakase (new menu everyday) experience. From the wait, drinks, chef performance, and first-name basis, Endo exceeded our special occasion experience. My husband had a really special birthday thanks to the team. Incomparable to Uchi or Roku because the experience and approach to food is so different between all. Tip: Come during weekdays for a lesser, more affordable service Service: 5/5 Food value: 5/5 Cost: $$$$ We will be back. read more

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Husband and I have never tried an omakase before and decided to enjoy one while in Austin . What a fun experience from check in to end of the event. Staff is engaging and very helpful. Chef is knowledgeable and very entertaining. What a wonderful surprise with chef playing guitar at the end. Ambiance was very intimate with roughly 10 people sitting at sushi bar. read more

Endo being smack in the middle of west campus makes for a really interesting setup. Luckily there is parking for their restaurant, but you're fighting with the 4 others shops in the strip for a spot! Service here was solid. When you walk in, everyone in your party is greeted by their name and given a warm welcome. Once seated at the bar, the chefs are welcoming as well. The head chef (Endo?) had a fun little party trick that he whipped out as well - when he's done making the omakase, he grabs his guitar and starts playing for the guest (a tad bit too loudly though...) They have a great selection of sake's and a pretty solid selection of Japanese whiskeys as well. Food was good. Not quite the same level as some of the other omakases around the city, but it was solid. They played with some interesting concepts so the items they give are pretty basic yet unique. read more

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TLDR - Go try the weekday specials price if there is any special day or celebration, but dont expect the best Omakase Endo Sushi in Austin offers an interesting experience, with a minimalist layout that feels a bit like a factory and jazz bar. This spot specializes in Omakase, a Japanese term that means "I'll leave it up to you." Essentially, you trust the chef to select and prepare each course, guiding you through a curated sushi journey. The idea is exciting, but here, the overall experience doesn't quite live up to the concept. Especially for several times when they try to upsell something to you. Service is exceptional the gentleman who greeted and helped with the drinks was amazing. Price doesn't fully justify what you get. The fish quality is decent, but I had higher expectations given the hype around the place. Also i honestly did not like that i feel that they were trying to charge extra fo some modifications. I went there i think the month they opened, so price was really high! There was no $99 special :) Still, if you're curious and want to see a new Omakase spot without dropping top-tier prices, it's worth a shot--but don't expect the best Omakase of your life. Also there is a significant distance between chef and where you are sitting. I would honestly if possible to adjust the difference also the height read more

Thank you Sushi Endo for a FUN and memorable experience on our wedding anniversary! My husband and I booked a reservation on a Wednesday to catch the $99 16-course omakase deal. It was very worth it! The lot is small with no sign - modern, wooden building on the outside. Inside, you're transported into an intimate speakeasy vibe with comfy couches, vinyls and the bar. They try to personalize your experience by remembering your names and seating you based on if you're right or left handed. Each dish was unique and fresh! Chef Endo also kept us entertained with stories and his charm. My favorites were the toro, tomago, akami, and shima. We skipped the extra bites, but other opted for the wagyu. It looked really good. After the meal and during dessert, Chef Endo played his guitar. It was awesome! Highly recommend for an intimate, but friendly omakase experience in Austin. read more

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Sushi Endo has been on my list but it wasn't until I read about the $99 Tues-Thurs omakase seatings that bumped it to the top of list of places to try. Reservations were tough to find when I looked but luckily we were able to snag one. The space is really beautiful, half omakase bench seating, half retro Japanese jazz bar - somewhat out of place located so close to UT sandwiched between a cafe and a book store. Parking is easy too with that building's own parking lot. With a great sake, whiskey, and cocktail menu, you can even come just for drinks without a dinner reservation. Our $99 omakase came with 15 savory bites and 1 dessert, with the option to add on luxurious extras like uni and wagyu. For comparison, the regular omakase is $150 and 20 courses. The $99 omakase did not feel scaled back at all, as we got amazing quality with thoughtful preparations. My highlights were the Akami, Aji and Chawanmushi. Also special was the freshly made hot Tamagoyaki that Chef Endo prepares right before serving. More commonly prepared in mornings to serve cold or room temperature, I had never had a freshly made one and I much preferred this. The layers were so delicate and the texture of some was similar to tofu skin. Not to be skipped is the uni, which you can and should add on. It was so good that we got another one. The Hokkaido uni was perfectly cold and had that perfect clean and fresh taste of the ocean that you want from a good uni. The entire staff is great - friendly and fun, easy to have a conversation with anyone. Chef Endo has a ton of charisma, which you can feel just from his energy alone but you viscerally feel it if he goes and puts on a cowboy hat and picks up his electric guitar to play for you. Even though our extras put us up over the $99, the weeknight omakase is a great value for the price and an easy monthly splurge for my wallet. I often think of omakase for celebratory annual events but at this price point and quality, I'm now happy to have it as a monthly self-care treat yourself moment - if I can snag a reservation. read more

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Came here for my husband's bday and was blown away by the quality, skill, entertainment value, and of course deliciousness of everything! Chef Endo was a master in his craft. Loved his no-frills approach to every dish. Unlike many omakase places here in the US where the dishes are more "creative" or sometimes fusion, Chef Endo's traditional simplicity allows me to taste the ingredients truly. Besides the food, I thought the entire experience was so special. When we walked in, we were greeted personally and was asked about our preferences. My husband was given a complimentary birthday sake while we waited for the remainder of guests to arrive and our seats arranged. At the end of the night, Chef Endo also surprised us with a performance on the guitar! Value wise, for 16 courses at $99, I thought that was quite a steal! It was a marvelous experience overall and we can't wait to be back. read more

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Sushi Endo delivers an immersive, chef-led omakase with exceptional rice and artisanal fish prep. While the price tag is high, they have a new lower cost option, and though not every course hits perfection. If you relish mindful, Edo-style sushi and don't mind paying a premium, it's definitely worth a reservation. Chef Endo even serenaded us after our meal on our second trip to this omakase! We first went not too long after they opened, and the experience more recently was very different. Many of the courses were lightly torched, and several were on the saltier end, but the quality of the seafood is outstanding. read more

Sushi Endo - Chef - Sushi Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

THE BIG: Located in the Drag area of Austin. This spot took the former daiboku ramen shop and now is a omakase restaurant. Southwestern meets bohemian vibes inside. Parking available in the lot outside. THE BLACK AND WHITE: When we saw the promotion for a $99 omakase, we had to jump on it. It's a pretty good value and the head chef (Chef Endo) was the apprentice of the one Michelin star DC sushi restaurant Sushi Nakazawa. While waiting, the space is big and has a speak easy vibe. We all sat at the chef's table and Chef Endo is very extroverted and can stir up a conversation with anyone. It was 16 courses, however only 12 pieces were nigiri. My favorite was the chutoro. While we were wrapping up, Chef Endo played some nice riffs on his guitar which was very unique and a great way to end the dinner. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall the damage done for 2 omakases and a chablis was around $280. Pretty good value and I'm curious to know when we'll get down to NYC value omakases. Only time will tell. read more

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This is the first Omakase I've done and it was indeed an experience! It's like a private concert but with sushi. The staff are all super nice and the nearest person can take care of any questions you may have. The atmosphere is very authentic Austin. Very loungy and relaxed from the get go. When you get started you are seated at the counter and the counter is the only way here. On the weekdays it's a 15 or 16 course whereas on the weekends it's a full 20 course Omakase. The drinks were perfect and their version of an old fashioned was stellar. It's up there for one of the best ones I've had and both funny enough are Austin establishments. When you are seated and begin your journey with your guide Chef Endo, you are being served one of best tasting combinations of simple flavors. You really don't need additional soy sauce. The seasoning is already presented in the grand presentation of the chef's dishes. The menu can change week to week based on the season and availability of whatever they can get, but nothing was bad. The uni which I didn't expect to enjoy was actually super tasty! The entire experience was great and I am glad to experience my first Omakase with Sushi Endo. read more

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Such a charming and intimate spot for an omakase experience! The staff was fantastic, especially the bartender, who crafted incredible off-menu drinks. The omakase itself was pretty solid--there were a few items I didn't love, but overall, the atmosphere was vibrant. The chef was not only personable but even played the guitar after our meal, which was a fun touch. Definitely recommend! read more

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We went here to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday and wow - a great experience! The service was great from the moment that you walked in. We were greeted right away and seated for cocktails as we waited for others to arrive. The bartender was great - and had mentioned that she had curated their drink menu herself. Chef Endo was awesome - and expanded each course of the Omakase. The interior is nice - and reminded me of a modern yet retro to Austin interior. There were guitars, music decor, and records on one wall. We enjoyed all of the courses - and added a few a la carte items which were great as well. Chef Endo ended dinner by playing one of the guitars - and even played happy birthday on the guitar to celebrate my gf's birthday Would recommend- and we will be back! read more

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I decided to try for my birthday dinner. We were the first to arrive and Kevin sat us down in one of the couch areas and took our drink order. Once everyone arrives, they seat you and I knew we would be on the end as my husband is left-handed. It does take away from the experience a bit being so far from the chef. He did come down a few times and talk to us but it was hard to hear what he was saying as he prepared each dish. Overall food was good. I found a few plates not to my taste but that is part of the experience trying things I would never order. There was a few birthdays in the group and when chef is done he does play the electric guitar for a few songs and of course the happy birthday song. We got the sake pairing to go with our meal and I was pleasantly surprised how good each one of them were. We also got the wagyu beef as well. $600 meal when it was all said and done. We had no issues parking. Overall, a nice birthday experience. I hope we can come back. read more

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So so so good, my favorite was the Anago and the Akami. The place is located inside of a strip mall so it can easily slip past you but definitely a completely different vibe once you walk in and absolutely worth it!! The chef even played rock and roll at the end! Amazing! Top tier service!! read more

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5/5 This is your sign to make a reservation NOW!! Lovely Valentine's experience with the Endo team. Chef Endo himself was charismatic, engaging and funny. Great at storytelling too :) The seating was cozy & since we were the second seating of the night, everyone was relaxed and having a good time. The sushi was excellent - straightforward, delicious and just plain good fish. You won't get your over the top, creative fusion flavors. What you WILL enjoy is a memorable omakase experience. The space itself is warm and inviting - felt a bit underutilized, but better than being cramped IMO. Drinks were reasonable and the staff was fantastic. $99 Tues-Thurs special - good food, good team, good vibes. Oh, and parking too. What more can you ask for. read more

Sushi Endo is truly one of a kind. We've been here at least five times, and every single visit has been an unforgettable experience. The omakase, Edo-style, is consistently outstanding--Chef Endo's precision, creativity, and dedication to fresh ingredients shine through in every course. What makes it even more special is the atmosphere Chef Endo creates. Not only does he deliver incredible sushi, but he also tops off the night by picking up his guitar and playing some seriously good tunes. It's part fine dining, part private concert, and entirely unique. We've loved it so much that we've booked out the entire place multiple times, and it never disappoints. Sushi Endo has set the bar high for omakase in Austin, and we're already looking forward to the next time we go back. read more

Sushi Endo was energetically the most engaging, welcoming dining experience I've had in Austin and by far the most so for an omakase. From the moment we entered, Chef Endo and his team were fun, thoughtful, and engaging, making sure we were comfortable and entertained. We were welcomed with complimentary glasses of sake in beautiful champagne flutes. The interior decor was modern and comfortable. The entrance seems unmarked but we could tell it was Endo from the Japanese style wood on the exterior of the property. Pours of drinks were generous. The team prefaces the visit with the explanation that Endo serves sushi traditionally, which helps frames the experience. The pieces are simply dressed but well done. The best bites for me were the toro, smoked trout, and crusted tuna. The tamago is made fresh. I found the dessert to be the best of the omakases we've had so far in Austin (otoko, craft, uroko). The chef made the tamago fresh in front of us, a wonderful bite. Chef Endo then begins shredding the electric guitar for a few songs at the end of the experience, adding to the night's high vibes. Our very non scientific review is that a couple of the pieces of unique fish which I will find on our menu and add later were a bit too "fishy" to our liking - maybe just my palette being used to hamachis, madais, and toros - and a couple of upsells during the experience such as uni and an additional piece of sushi that was presented a bit at the start like it was complimentary. Overall a wonderful experience and would recommend to others but felt it could have more value in course quantity compared to others. read more

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Absolutely fantastic. The ambiance, drinks, staff, and sushi were a delight to indulge in! We started off casually seated around the restaurant, where we could order drinks and make small talk with the parties. After everyone trickled in, we moved to the bar and began the gastronomical journey of Endo. Too many highlights to run through, but it's really something to experience for yourself. The evening began with homemade tofu; it was dense with sesame flavor, almost peanut-like. The dashi was ultra rich and perfectly balanced with the nuttiness, and the sharp cuts of wasabi woke me up with each little addition. The eggplant and shishito dish was a textural surprise-- goopy, delicate, perfectly salted, lots of fun. I ended up slurping up the dashi at the end, even if the bowl's design did not want me to. Chef's Tamagoyaki was one of the best I've ever had. I am rarely drawn to the eggs of an omakase, but this one was a true masterpiece. Out of the nigiri, I was blown away by the sardine. It was packed with flavors that shapeshifted in my mouth; I had no idea a sardine could taste so complex. The Cherry salmon was one of the richest pieces of salmon I'd ever eaten, and the skin of the golden eye snapper was heavenly. The otoro was definitely a wagyu of the sea, and the wagyu with caviar was otoro on land (truly elevated surf and turf lol). The crab and egg stew transported me to a wintery evening under the blankets in a cozy nook. Dessert provided a comforting yet refreshing conclusion to an eventful journey of a meal. I could not recommend the omakase enough. The chef and staff are extremely charming and make their jobs look easy. It is the perfect opportunity to unwind and watch skill unveil itself (and eat :D). read more

Sushi Endo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is probably the last omakase spot in Austin that I have to check off my list before I can pretty much say I've tried them all that still exist in 2024. Although this means there's so much to compare to, this still stands very tall above most of the others. TLDR? A great menu that finds different ways to still be unique without the pretentiousness of some other omakase places. The course on the weekends sit around a healthy 20 course selection with a thoughtful order of bites. Starting off with tofu, sashimi, and lightly fried seasonal veggies dusted with matcha salt, it leads you in nicely to the rest of the menu. A standout was the chawanmushi, an extremely common find in most omakase offerings, but heavier on the dashi to give it a more brown appearance and topped with Japanese okra to combat the texture. I found it very delicious!!! The fish is, as expected, delicious! It seems a lot of it is brushed with soy sauce or a soy sauce mix. I typically don't love too much of a soy sauce flavor, but it was much better balanced than some other places and didn't detract from the fish's flavor. I especially loved the Japanese barracuda and the sea robin. I also enjoyed that they didn't overload with the dessert. It was light and refreshing, and the yokan was a great addition. I also enjoyed the cocktails and sake, but I would say to skip on most if not all of the non alcoholic drinks since the tea was pretty lackluster. Stick with water if anything. As for the service, it was AMAZING! Totally conversational but informative. As some of my favorite omakase spots might have mind blowing bites, they sometimes have a haughty air and the vibe is much more serious. You don't really get that if Chef Endo is busting out the electric guitar and offering his vinyls to listen to after your meal. Would I come back? Absolutely! It's great to have this place as a top spot for omakase. P.S. Chef Vincent was awesome as well. read more

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$99 for a weekday omakase? Sign me up! What a fantastic deal. The fish is fresh and varied. The ambiance is great. Literally, no notes. I'd be surprised if Sushi Endo doesn't end up getting recognized in some form or fashion in the next round of Michelin reviews. read more

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I had a very disappointing experience at Sushi Endo last night. I traveled from Dallas to Austin specifically for this restaurant, because I was expecting to be served by Chef Endo himself. As someone who has traveled to Japan three times and Hawaii three times, and who has extensive experience with authentic Japanese omakase, my expectations were based on genuine familiarity with high-quality sushi, not hype. However, upon arrival, we were never informed in advance that Chef Endo would be absent. Instead, the meal was handled by his sous chef, without any explanation, apology, or compensation. This alone felt highly unprofessional and disrespectful to guests who booked specifically for the head chef. Unfortunately, the execution confirmed that this substitution mattered: The tempura was excessively salty, to the point where it felt as if salt had been accidentally poured in -- completely unbalanced and unpleasant. Several pieces of nigiri rice were undercooked, with a hard center that should never appear in proper sushi rice. One of the kitchen staff was wearing a bracelet while preparing food. This raises serious hygiene concerns -- is this acceptable in a sushi bar? The substitute chef spoke far too much, disrupting the pacing of the meal. Sushi portions are small by nature, yet after finishing each piece, we had to wait an unusually long time for the next one while he chatted and showed off to other guests. A 16-course omakase took over three hours, which is simply unreasonable. The service was inattentive -- water was not refilled unless we asked, which should never happen at this price point. The dessert was shockingly careless. For a meal costing around $100 per person, using what tasted like store-bought whipped cream was unacceptable. The final donut dessert felt lazy -- shouldn't this be paired with something like Hokkaido milk ice cream at the very least? Overall, this was one of the worst omakase experiences I've had in recent memory, especially considering the price and reputation. If the head chef is absent, guests deserve to be informed ahead of time -- and the food and service should still meet the standard that the restaurant claims to represent. This experience fell far short of that standard. read more

Staff was so welcoming , friendly and nice ! Inside had a chill lounge and where you can talk and drink with others . Then you are presented your seats with names and man the quality of the fish was astonishing! Definitely coming back for the $99 omakse deal! read more

Sushi Endo - Menu for $99 Omakse - Sushi Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Good luck finding better sushi in Austin. We were a party of 10, the service and the food was off the chart awesome. read more

Sushi Endo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

Sushi Endo's omakase offers a unique dining experience with a fun Speakeasy vibe to the restaurant & lounge. From Chef Endo himself to the expert wine / cocktail pairings, every detail was handled with precision. The host was welcoming and engaging. He kept us entertained the whole dinner service contributing to the lively and happy atmosphere. The wine pairings were enjoyable, albeit a tad pricey. Note: they give out personalized coasters which we missed out on because our reservation was under one persons name. It was a lovely touch. The menu rotates and you can take home the menu for the night so you'll remember the tasty bites you had. Overall we had a fun time! read more

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From the exterior the wood slats distinguish this restaurant from the other storefronts located on this small strip just off N. Lamar. Doors open in and showcase a comfortable couch sections in the space where you can enjoy a drink and listen to the music from a stereo system on the back side wall of the space. A long bar dominates the back of the restaurant moving from libations to 10 seats in front of the chefs. (That old fashioned is one tasty drink). Service was fantastic - attentive, courteous and informative and above all appreciative of the patronage. The Chef has impressive background (read about it on his website) and those skills are evident in his food. Chef Endo curates a seasonal menu of qualify fish sourced primarily from Japan (for our meal). All prepared with a nod towards centuries old Japanese techniques. There is a focus on the neta and enhancing those flavors versus more modern fusion style sushi (for which powerful flavors adorn the neta often overwhelming the delicate flavors of the fish). The shari is made with a Hokkaido rice - which gives it more firmness and chew versus some of the more common sushi rice used these days. The meal is itself is a 20 course omakase style and you won't leave hungry (although if you're itching for a little bit more there are a few options available as extra pieces) Our meal consisted of: * Goma tofu - house made sesame tofu which had a creamy soft texture and delicate flavors. This was in a broth with some fresh wasabi, tomato and edible flower * Tempura - a corn fritter and a chicken stuffed shitake cap with a matcha salt dip * Hirame - flounder with a little shisho and edible flowers, served with fresh wasabi and a sugar/soy cured square of kombu * Nasu - Japanese eggplant with Japanese mountain yam puree, garnished with thin bonito flakes and micro greens. (substitution for one guest was an agedashi tofu and shishito pepper) * Akami - lean tuna (East coast) * Zuke Akami - so cured tuna (East Coast) - torched * Sawara - Japanese mackerel cured with a brush of soy * Shima Aji - striped jack * Kinmedai - golden eye snapper - torched to bring out the umami of the fish oil from the fat * Hotate - fresh scallop from Hokkaido - simply prepared with such sweetness * Madai - sea bream with a brush of soy - very delicate flavors * Umi Masu - Tasmanian ocean trout smoked with applewood in a traditional Japanese earthen bowl. Never have had Umi Masu smoked but enjoyed this far more than regular Umi Masu - there's more depth of flavors in this preparation * Botan Ebi - torched with a miso glaze * Chawanmushi - silky steamed egg with dashi, shredded crab, Ikura and delightful * Toro - medium fatty tuna (East coast) * Wagyu - Japanese wagyu (a dollop of caviar is available as a supplement) * Temaki - a toro handroll * Uni - Hokkaido (this was an add-on supplement) * Akadashi - a red miso soup which included the botan ebi head from an earlier piece of nigiri to give the soup a bit more flavor * Dessert - dessert was a mix of match green tea jello, a round of mochi, pineapple cubes, a ball of red bean and a syrup made from matcha Wine and sake pairings are also available for your meal. read more

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It pains me to write this review given the quality service we received at Endo, but the quality of the food we received that evening was unfortunately not up to snuff for a $200+ pp omakase in Austin. Endo and his staff were friendly and attentive, but about half the dishes from the omakase were disappointing. Most of the actual sushi bites used very subpar, dry and crumbling rice. Considering the amount of omakase's available in Austin, this is almost an elementary mistake that's painful to take at this price point. The conversion of the old ramen spot here was done well, but some of the exposed kitchen equipment is also a dampner on the ambiance. Endo and his team seem to be hard at work at trying to make this a go-to spot in Austin and given how new they are I'm rooting for them to make that a reality. read more

The service was fantastic. The flavor and ingredients were exceptional. The chef was friendly. Melt in your mouth bites. Would recommend for sure. (We have been to Japan and are regulars at Otoko). Very high quality! read more

Sushi Endo - Dessert course - Sushi Bars Near Me - Austin, Texas

What a great experience curated by Chef Endo. The wife, and I came here for the special during the week. Chef Endo and team really go the extra mile to make it a special experience for you and your guests. The service was excellent, the selection of fish was amazing, and Chef Endo even played a little guitar solo to cap off the night. Overall, the experience was great, and the food was solid. Do yourself a favor and give Sushi Endo a try, you won't regret it. read more

It's very difficult to write this review, and it took me a long time to get to it. Similarly to some other reviews, I think lists are the way to go for me: ****Things I loved**** 1. The space - really well done. Dark and mysterious. 2. The Service - fantastic. Speaking to the chefs, the care given to each plate, all was wonderful. It felt like a hang out with (very talented) friends 3. Some bites - Some of the bites were very well done, I LOVED some of the seared pieces, the beef, and everything with a good heft of salt. The tempura portion came with a beautiful salt to dip in, one of my faves 4. The concept - It was definitely unique! They seat you in a little lounge area first, get you drinks (or sparkling water in my case) as you wait for the seats to be ready 5. The layout - Everything is one giant bar. Each section kind of has a section leader, someone to talk with you and explain each dish. I really loved it, it felt very special, like you were in a unique place ****Things I loved less **** 1. Flavor - I think everything needed more salt. I will confess, I am a full salt-obsessed person, but truly it would've made the flavors pop. Things fell a little flat. I'm not sure if it was the fish quality or the salt level, but something just didn't hit 2. Textures - This may very well be my western palate, but some of the textures of dishes were super hard for me to handle. There was an eggplant dish here that was a little slippery and cold, definitely not one of my favorites. However, I'm going to stress that this is probably just because it was a new texture for me, not something I could really understand from my experience. 3. Cost -This is obviously a controversial one, because an omakase demands high cost - from the difficulty of sourcing the ingredients, to the immense cooking, slicing, preparation prowess needed to execute flawlessly. However, in this city, I believe you could do better for the same amount of money. I might chalk this up to relative newness, and I sincerely hope this changes - but this was my experience ****To the Chefs**** Please keep going! I wish all the best for you. Truly, it was a great night with friends, and a delight talking to you all. read more

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Hats off to the chef! Such a memorable dining experience. As soon as you walk in, you'll notice how spacious the restaurant is and how welcoming the staff is. Everyone was so professional and hospitable. There were many couches to choose from as you wait to get seated at the 10 seat counter top. Chef Endo is so personable; even in a large, bright room, the dining experience itself felt so intimate. The placeware was beautiful and you get a coaster with your name etched on it. Upon being seated, you immediately dive into your 20 course omakase. The flavors become more bold and complex with each dish, really complementing the previous dish in a crescendo. Standouts included the otsokuri, bluefin tuna, steelhead trout (I don't normally like smokey flavors, but it was so subtle and went well with the fish), chawanmushi (the combination of the steamed egg with savory crab, salty roe, and crunchy okra was heaven), toro, wagyu (I don't normally like meat as a nigiri, but this was so tender and flavorful). The finisher was chokoreto and it tied the meal in a perfect bow. Its level of sweetness and creaminess was unnmatched. Highly recommend Chef Endo's take on edomae style sushi. Will definitely be back! read more

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Chef Endo's the real deal and so is his omakase. His personality and charisma brings this place together. From the fresh seafood flown in a couple times a week (mostly direct from Japan), the tamagoyaki he makes right in front of you, to him happily sneaking off at the end of the meal to grab his electric guitar to play you the blues. Also as many have already mentioned, T-Th the omakase is just $99! It's half swanky lounge and half bar seating for the experience. Just what the heck with this place?! TLDR: I visited a couple weeks ago and I've already made reservations for my next seating. read more

A fabulous experience! The team was great from the time we arrived u til we left. Cod was on point and for the Tuesday $99 tasting it was a great deal all around. Highly recommend. A great vibe, great food and a gem in the austin sushi scene. read more