After visiting NYC recently and having a truly authentic Japanese underground izakaya experience, I was craving something similar in Houston. I noticed I had bookmarked Toukei Izakaya, so I thought I would give it a try!
Where:
In the shopping center with Mein, Sweet Memes, Morii - It can be difficult to find and apple maps seems to send you to the incorrect center.
Parking:
Lot out front - it can get pretty full, fyi.
Ambiance: 4/5
It feels like an art-pop, designed for hipster millennials, cool-dank vibes place. It doesn't feel warm or authentically japanese, but it is a thoughtfully curated space for night vibing. I went for an early dinner and it was quiet with only few people, but I would love to see this place loud and packed late at night. The vibes did feel similar to the Tran brother's other concepts in the same complex (Tiger Den, Mein, Night Market).
Service: 2.5/5
Pretty slow and inattentive overall, but quick to bring out food. The phone service was impossible.
Food: 3.5/5
The menu is japanese-inspired, so it was missing many of my standard izakaya faves. That being said, I honestly liked everything we got and it's a 3.5 in part due to the over-sweetness in a lot of dishes. I felt like so many things had sugar in it that had no need for it and it took away from the experience. Yet, the okonomiyaki was perfect; took me back to being young at my Japanese friend's homes with their mom cooking for us. Also, the miso cod was heavenly.
I will be back again and I anticipate/hope that I will be even more impressed by the food, because what I have tried so far makes me excited to explore more of the menu.
Bar:
If you like Japanese whisky, this place is worth a visit.
*** ?? What is an Izakaya ??: I noticed a lot of reviewers using words like "tapas" and "appetizers" to describe the plates here. So, I wanted to add some context about what makes Izakayas unique and the dishes/experience worthy of their own understanding. When I think of an izakaya, I think of a place people come to unwind and drink alcohol over several hours - somewhere small, intimate, affordable, and warm. People usually come to an izakaya with one or more people after a long workday, but birthday celebrations, promotion celebrations, and other are not uncommon. At the end of the day, the food at an izakaya is there to enhance and compliment the drinking! So, the menu isn't "tapas" or "appetizers"; it's snacky drinking food (and it is meant to be shared)! There are no courses for appetizers and entrees like in western cuisine - you start with beer, choose a bottle of sake for the table, then order the plates that sound good...and you can keep ordering and ordering until you are satisfied!
TL;DR: Izakayas serve lighter dishes to enjoy with your beer/sake/whisky, at an affordable price point, in a casual environment. *** read more