Cancel

Open app

Search

UMA Japanese Restaurant

4.6 (84 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

Order UMA Japanese Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

UMA Japanese Restaurant Photos

Business Info

UMA JAPANESE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

You might also consider

More like UMA Japanese Restaurant

Recommended Reviews - UMA Japanese Restaurant

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

california roll
Patricia C.

greatttt service the waiter was really nice and the food was SOOOO good i ate all the plates considering im pretty picky with most foods. the atmosphere was SO pretty. very calm and they had like the BEST mochi ice cream I've tried. amazing sushi overall and calm relaxing atmosphere in general.

Miso soup
Laura W.

Really enjoyed it here. I ordered three rolls which were all fresh and delicious. Spent $24 which I felt was reasonable. Atmosphere was calm with light jazzy piano music in the background and clean, no weird smells.

Outside
David P.

Nut allergy friendly: No issues with sushi, though I almost never have issues with Japanese food. Time-to-Food: 24 Minutes for the Maki Roll Combo I came for lunch and had no issues getting a table for four around noon on a Thursday. Each meal was accompanied by a pleasant miso soup as a starter. Unfortunately, I think the entrees all fell a bit flat for us. All of my colleagues that ordered ramen thought they were okay. I ordered the Maki Roll Combo for lunch with the Eel Cucumber, Salmon Avocado, and Boston (shrimp, avocado, and cucumber) roll, and some of my colleagues ordered a special roll. Overall, I would say that the rolls are very small, and on the rice-heavier side. The specials are more sauce-heavy. There wasn't much fish at all and I was still hungry after eating the 3-Maki Roll combo. I'd say the eel was the best of them. We had minor service issues, where one of my party asked a question about the lunch special (it was mentioned that the Sashimi Lunch was non-substitutable) and the staff interpreted that as an order. They did not charge us for this, thankfully. One of my party reported food poisoning after coming here, but I could not say if it was related. Overall, it is relatively expensive for rolls that are not that special. I'd consider returning if I had a sushi itch and I was in the area.

Kaison Don
Candy C.

Staff is welcoming and friendly. Good for family dining or a date night. Located in a strip center so there is shared parking. We started with Shrimp & vegetable tempura, sweet potato tempura, spicy edamame, and Takoyaki all yummy appetizers. For my entree I selected the Kaison Don (Hokkaido seafood on rice)... so delicious. We finished the meal with mochi ice cream and banana tempura.

Chicken Katsu
Katie O.

Our second visit, and it was delicious! We will definitely be back. Service is fast, food has great portions, the sushi fresh and staff very friendly. The tables are well spread out and you are not on top of other customers.

Inside
Jillian G.

Wow! I saw the reviews, but almost couldn't believe such great sushi was tucked away here. Look for the Grand Opening Banner, and don't be afraid to walk in. The interior is lovely, and the staff is very friendly. Of course, the sushi is amazing! I tried the Yummy Roll, and really enjoyed the fresh taste. The presentation was beautiful, and the combination was delicious. I will definitely be back!

Shrimp fried rice
Rachel B.

Located in a strip center on the corner of barker cypress and I 10, is this newish sushi place. The decor is open and appealing, with the proverbial pan flute playing and it's quiet. We went for lunch on a Sunday and thankfully they have specials the whole week; we got the sushi and sashimi lunch specials which were good sized and came with a miso soup for around $. 16. We also ordered the calamari salad which was tasty and the shrimp fried rice. It was okay and had a bunch of veggies in it like string beans and corn but was presented well. Our sushi was good and when we looked at the sushi bar, everything looked fresh, clean and covered. My daughter said the sashimi was to die for too. Waitress was nice too. Please check them out and keep them open!!

Sashimi bibimbap

I went here for the first time on recommendation of a family member and we're not disappointed. The sushi was fresh and the portions were very generous. The service was also amazing and the restaurant itself was very clean and spacious. We will definitely come back!

Uma! Amazing Sushi Experience!
Isabella B.

Uma! Presentation 10/10, Quality 11/10, taste Sushi lovers unite! Such amazing quality for a good price! I've had Omakase in the biggest cities and my experience at Uma .. in a strip mall .... compares well done Chef Tony!

Hamachi Kama
Ron O.

Decent Japanese food near I-10 just past Highway 6. Wide ranging menu including lots of sushi, tempura, teriyaki, ramen, udon, donburi (rice bowl combos) and more. Currently also offering Happy Hour specials M-Th from 5:30 pm to close & all day weekends. What we tried... * HH Tempura Veggie -- Nice & crisp, good variety of veggie (8 pieces) at just $4.50 * HH Tempura Shrimp -- Nice & crisp, fresh tasty shrimp (3 pieces) at just $5 * HH Spicy Miso Ramen -- Good broth flavor, nice slice of juicy roast pork, par boiled eggs, and an egg noodle. This is a salty dish though, and the noodles were a little softer and clumpier than I like. * Hamachi Kama (grilled Yellowtail collar/cheek) -- It was decent, with good flavor, but somehow not as juicy and soft as I've had at other restaurants where we typically order this. * Chicken Karaage (fried chicken bites) -- Just average to me, but decent for the price. * Agedashi Tofu -- Tofu pieces with a light deep fried batter and dipping sauce on the side. This was well done. * Sashimi Deluxe Combination -- Nice & fresh variety of raw fish. * Garlic Edamame -- Nice garlicky flavor, but the edamame was a tad overcooked to me. Service was very friendly, but they might be a bit understaffed during this "soft opening" which led to some items being missed out late to come out (like soy sauce dishes for the sushi, miso soup with the bento box, etc). Ambiance is nice with high ceilings and tasteful Asian decor. Great value for decent food.

See all

Photo of Todd B.
206
6
0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
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 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 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

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1
Photo of D Y.
2
27
0

1 month ago

Very slow service! From waiting to get seated, water, getting orders, even waiting to pay bill. It's unreal! No smile no greeting!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

29 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Liz M.
37
19
1

4 months ago

Quick and friendly service. The atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. The food was fine- nothing to get crazy about but it was good

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Tom M.
346
14
0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Incredible customer service. The food is also amazing we absolutely love it and will continue to order from here!

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

11 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

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of D R.
0
3
0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Sir G.
4
230
708

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Todd G.
108
19
32

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Amazing food nice cozy restaurant staff makes you feel like you're at home I highly recommend one of my favorite spots of all time!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jackie L.
59
180
27

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mina M.
14
63
27

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

UMA Japanese Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - UMA Japanese Restaurant

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Sushi Bars 13,381 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

4.5(401 reviews)
19.6 mi•Downtown, Fourth Ward
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Speaks Spanish

Part of the duckstache hospitality group (which I can't not support because I love Handies duozo…read moreand you can find me at Handies every week) The nigiri and the chicken fat rice was great, just how I expected. However the maki here is pretty average, not what I expected of this group. Very casual location in a little food hall like area. Next to a fried chicken place and a pho place. Horrible parking nearby tbh since it's downtown Overall considering the experience, the food, the location, the parking, the price, I likely won't return

Used to love this place, my downtown staple for sushi. I can't recommend this place less…read more On their website and on Google it says they close at nine, understanding this and knowing I would have to order and eat fast, I showed up at 8:30 for a quick dinner downtown. Upon arrival, I was told that I could not sit at the sushi bar and eat. If I wanted to order I had to go sit in the common area of this dining hall. After this discussion, I said fine and asked for a menu. They then told me I had to get up and order at the register and view the menu glued to the counter. They took the order of a couple who sat down maybe 2 minutes before me in front of me. I will never come back to this place. They seem to be the last man standing in this dining hall, and with this kind of customer service, they won't last much longer. It's a shame because I love the food and I am a regular at handies and aiko as well. Won't be back to any of them.

Photos
Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori - Front stall pic

Front stall pic

Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori - Wagyu toast

Wagyu toast

Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori - Wagyu Toast

See all

Wagyu Toast

Aiko - Mochi Dessert

Aiko

4.5(358 reviews)
18.6 mi•Sixth Ward
Locally owned & operated
Free parking

Went to Aiko for dinner during Restaurant Week, and this was easily one of the best meals I've ever…read morehad. For $55, you get four courses, with the option to add dessert for another $10. The vibe was moody and lightly lit, and the restaurant was busy with people celebrating. I ordered the sunomono, maguro crudo, salmon and king crab hand roll, and signature nigiri. The hand rolls were probably the best thing I've ever had, I even ordered an additional spicy tuna hand roll because I wasn't ready for them to be over. My sister even ordered another flight of nigiri because it was so phenomenal. To finish, I ordered the ube sponge cake, which was the perfect little treat to end the night. Seriously, I'll be dreaming about this meal. If I'm back in Houston, I'll definitely be coming back!

Finally got a chance to try Aiko! They also offered $25 HRW 3-meal course w/ $6 add-on for a small…read moredessert bite for lunch. Service was excellent. Love the decor; super chic. There were lots of rubber ducks scattered everywhere lol. Ordered a carajillo and the drink tasted GREAT! On the other hand... I sipped from each of my friends' ube espresso martini (did not taste the same between both drinks, bartender might have poured too much alcohol; couldn't appreciate any ube flavor). Not a fan of that drink (2.5 stars or less). HRW order - 1st: sunomono (cucumber) - 2nd: hotate crudo (delicious scallops!!) - 3rd: spicy tuna & sake handrolls - dessert add-on: matcha mochi (ok, can skip this) Other foods ordered: - karaage: chicken was well made, lots of flavor - sashimi (3pc): saketoro, madai, & hotate - unagi nigiri: eel was really good - spicy scallop handroll Even if you don't need to use the restroom, you should still check out the bathroom. The walkway was a pretty bamboo forest haha. Aside from the ube espresso martini, everything else was delicious and good! I recommend Aiko and would dine here again.

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(128 reviews)
16.1 mi•Oak Forest/Garden Oaks
•$$

GENERALIZED REVIEW:…read more Came here with a friend from theatre after a full run--he had this place recommended to him by another theatre friend, so we're just passing on the word. The plaza was a bit confusing to navigate, and I'm pretty sure if the place weren't full of Asian parents and their kids, it would've felt like the shadiest place ever because you have to enter from the back. Otherwise, the plaza had a lot of great-looking stores overall. My first go-to: I've loved drinking Kirin Light ever since I discovered it in Chicago. The flavor is literally so light, with a slight acidity that brightens up my meal. The sake here was frankly also delicious. I didn't order it, but my friend did, and they had it warmed. The flavor was soothing and subtle, almost like tea. It was exceptionally easy to drink, and the ocean-themed ceramicware was a beautiful touch. We ordered two rolls: the Shaggy Dog and the Truffalufagus (a fun tongue-twister). I personally chose the Truffalufagus (which is not fun to spell) because it seemed like the most unique dish on the menu, and I enjoyed it very much. What I liked most about it was that it was subtle yet impactful. I also loved the textures--from the internal crunch paired with the fresh jalapeño to the softness of the fish. I'm glad I gave this roll a shot, and I would be excited to try it again anytime. The Shaggy Dog was great, but it appealed less to my flavor profile. It was a little too rich and creamy for me. I recommended this place to my BF as a potential future date spot--I personally think he would like it... if he weren't the type to enjoy AYCE sushi so much. If they had more unique rolls, I would definitely come back just for those. I was tempted to order the Surf and Turf for this round, but I didn't want to seem like a glutton, hahaha.

Visited Himari for HRW. Fantastic Food and impeccable service. Joanna, their general manager, was…read moreexceptional checking on us and making everything exceeded our expectations which it definitely did. Mabuhay Joanna! Looking forward to bring our other family members to try out Himari!

Photos
Himari - Interior

Interior

Himari - Salmon roll

Salmon roll

Himari - Shima Aji nigiri

See all

Shima Aji nigiri

Koi - Tuns tower $21

Koi

4.5(289 reviews)
18.4 mi•Midtown, Montrose, Fourth Ward
•$$$

Amazing all around! Decor was refined and modern throughout the entire dining floor…read more Fish were all super fresh and delicious! Also had to highlight their house made soy sauce which was extremely umami, very unique and sets this place slightly apart from the many other sushi joints in its range Truffle crab chawanmushi was certainly a top highlight for me as well - rich truffle oil with the perfectly light steamed egg and sweet crab chunks, just an incredible dish and I could have easily eaten several of these The uni was also extremely fresh and buttery and was nice even for someone who doesn't usually like uni In the same class and range as places like Kata Robata and I would say it's a strong rival! Would come back again!

Started off with Toro Amaebi Tartar which was interesting the taro chips mixed with everything…read moretasted light and creamy with everything mixed together. The Chawanmushi was decent but it was a little different than I expected. It had a little bit more liquid at the top of the egg custard. The flavor was fine nothing overpowered and it was soft and had that gelatin mush to it. The carbonara udon pasta was creamy and tasted exactly how I imagined it would which was smooth and creamy with a little crispiness from the pieces of bacon. Just make sure you mix the egg into the pasta to give it that rich creaminess. The only dish I would say that was underwhelming was the crispy rice. I guess my expectation would be a little less rice and a balance of the crispy rice around it. It reminded me more so of a thick fried outer crust. However, I did like the fish and meat they used on top of the crispy rice. They all had their own flavors. The Handroll tasting is probably the most interesting dish I ordered. It seemed to have a good portion of fish and they try to keep the seaweed nice and crispy by leaving the plastic film over the seaweed. The flavors of the Handrolls were subtle. They did make a nice presentation. The salmon flight was pretty good you definitely could tell from the different cuts and fattiness of the salmon. My favorite was the aburi cheese the scorched cream cheese gave the salmon a melted coating of cheese and made it silky and smooth. The nigiri platter was almost like a flight of nigiri. In the order I ate them they got progressively better. My favorite was the scallop and tuna. The only roll I tried was the royal chutoro. The portion was a good ratio of rice to fish and the tobiko gave it a slight crunch. as service and parking. The parking costs $10 and it's only Valet. If you decide to park on the curb somewhere you will get a parking ticket (I saw a guy placing tickets on cars). The atmosphere was upscale and you can tell they try to emulate Japan with the decor(zen inspired). Overall, the fish was tasted fresh and the vibes were there. However, I do think everything was a bit overpriced compared to competitors.

Photos
Koi - Aburi roll, el Diablo roll

Aburi roll, el Diablo roll

Koi - Crispy rice

Crispy rice

Koi - Yuzu Mojito

See all

Yuzu Mojito

Katami - Osaka Decadent roll

Katami

4.6(331 reviews)
17.6 mi•Montrose
•$$$

Our favorite place for upscale sushi/Japanese food in Houston!…read morefood is amazing and their atmosphere makes you feel like you are in New York at a fine dining establishment. So far every dish that we've tried has been amazing, we cannot wait to come back and try all the other things on the menu. kudos for having an extensive menu & executing each dish. Perfection. & just wanted to give a shout out to Ben for always taking such good care of us whenever we visit. Thanks for making our experience that much better!!

Looking for a top tier sushi experience? Katami is the spot. All the way from the drinks, to the…read morefood, to the service, to the ambiance, to the experience. Curated to a perfection. There's not a piece of fish you'll have here that isn't made which such intention and flavor. To speak on the star of the show, the salmon crudo which was part of their daily special, was rich but subtle all at the same time. Intense flavors and quality fish. The chili crunch roll was a perfect touch of spice while the Texas hamachi roll had a hint of sweetness. To add, the service here was great. Our waiter was thorough and helpful throughout our entire experience tonight. He was well thought out and made great recommendations. Lastly, this restaurant was an overall vibe. We sat in the sunroom which was nice as the sun set throughout our meal. A sweet ambiance for date night!!

Photos
Katami - Fresh flowers.

Fresh flowers.

Katami - Toro tartar

Toro tartar

Katami - Toro tartar

See all

Toro tartar

Tins

Tins

4.9(58 reviews)
16.6 mi•The Heights

What a delightful find. Every course was amazing, but the conversations with Chef Sky and his wife…read morewere just as memorable as the food. With such limited seating, all at the bar, the entire evening feels intimate and personal rather than simply going out for dinner. They take the time to explain everything you're about to eat, and my advice is simple: trust the omakase process. Every course brought something different, and even the unexpected dishes--like the Malaysian curry--were incredible. Between the spectacular sushi, the conversation, and the copious amount of sake (a very pleasant surprise), this was easily one of the most memorable dining experiences we've had. TINS is an absolute must-try.

Intimate and unique omakase experience blending traditional omakase with Malaysian flavors +…read moreunlimited sake. Chef Sky was a great host and super fun to talk to (shoutout John as well). The courses started off with some fun sashimi, bridged with a Laksa noodle soup, and then finished off with various pieces of nigiri and then dessert. Everything was super tasty, but my favorite was the first dish of bluefin tuna with jalapeno sauce (the sauce won me over). We went for the 6pm seating, and Chef Sky said he normally wraps that up by around 7pm to prep for the 8pm seating so if you want to really take your time I'd recommend trying to get the 8pm seating. However I didn't feel rushed at all for the 6pm. The only reason the review is not 5 stars is because I didn't feel very full at the end of the dinner, which I suspect may be because not all the courses were nigiri where you have rice to help fill you up.

Photos
Tins - Omikase  style - fish with perfect flavors!    Outstanding food and a terrific experience.

Omikase style - fish with perfect flavors! Outstanding food and a terrific experience.

Tins - Unlimited sake

Unlimited sake

Tins - Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

See all

Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

UMA Japanese Restaurant - sushi - Updated October 2026

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