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UMA Japanese Restaurant

4.6 (84 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Updated a few days ago

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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.

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

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

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6 months ago

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6 months ago

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

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10 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!

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Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

4.5(402 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

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Wagyu Toast

Aiko - Mochi Dessert

Aiko

4.5(359 reviews)
18.6 mi•Sixth Ward
Locally owned & operated
Free parking

Aiko hosts one of the best Omakase experiences I've had! For $125 we had a 16-course meal. The…read moretiming was perfect for each course and made for a great date night. We ordered the caviar in addition to our Omakase, and it was the best pairing and set up with onions, chives, cream, etc! Our server suggested the perfect Saki to pair with our selections. We were given an extra dessert to celebrate our anniversary. One note that almost ruined the evening for us: even though my husband noted on the reservation that it was our anniversary, we were sat at a group table sharing the same booth on the end with people less than a foot away from us on one side. The area of the restaurant was so loud we could not hear each other at all. After I asked for a more private dining option, they moved us to our own table towards the back of the restaurant. Crisis averted!

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!

Photos
Aiko
Aiko - Cucumber tomato salad

Cucumber tomato salad

Aiko - Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

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Salmon toro w. truffle & caviar

Himari

Himari

4.3(129 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.

2/5 Stars Pros:…read more+ Plenty of outdoor seating + Large, convenient parking lot + Great social vibe and location Cons: - Extremely limited happy hour selection with only three cocktails, and the Old Fashioned was very basic. - Poor service; nobody ever came to check-in after the initial order. We had to go inside just to place additional orders and again to get the check. The combination of service and minimal happy hour options, nothing stood out to justify coming back in my opinion. One and done for me.

Photos
Himari - Interior

Interior

Himari - Salmon roll

Salmon roll

Himari - Shima Aji nigiri

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Shima Aji nigiri

Koi - Tuns tower $21

Koi

4.5(290 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

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Yuzu Mojito

Katami - Osaka Decadent roll

Katami

4.6(332 reviews)
17.6 mi•Montrose
•$$$

Anyone that loves sushi has tried Kata Robata once or have even come back to this place…read moreoccasionally. After learning that the same chef opened a second location I knew it was a place I wanted to try. Katami design is similar to their other location where natural wood is their theme which gives it that Japanese theme and style. They have a small bar when you enter and a sushi bar next to the bar area. And adjacent to the bars is the main dining area. Because of that, this entire area can get pretty loud. If you are trying to have a quiet dining experience or a romantic experience, I suggest your reserve a table in their sun room. Also know that when you get their, off street parking is free in that area but if you valet, you must enter from the parking lot from Eberhard street but the entrance to the restaurant is facing West Dallas street. You will see plenty of door while walking from the valet station but the entrance is the door facing West Dallas. Anyways, our server was Cindy. She was very cheerful and attentive. Of course, it was a full house on a Friday night but Cindy was always there when we needed anything. She was an amazing server and made our dining experience even more pleasant. For starters, we had the Hamachi Yuzu and the Hotate Crudo. I love yellowtail and the fact that the Hamachi was fresh made this a great dish for those that love yellowtail. And the crudo had the perfect amount of scallop mixed with cucumber vinaigrette made this a refreshing dish to enjoy. As we started to order our nigiri sushi pieces, Cindy saw that we were ordering all the "toro" and suggest we order the "toro maguro don" which has all the toros along with the akami and the takuan. Which was a great suggestion, allow us to enjoy all the toro for a cheaper price. We also had the kanpachi. And for a filler, I also had their Texas Hamachi roll which has fried shrimp, spicy tuna and yellowtail. To be honest, I do not think you can go wrong with anything you order. And to end the night, our dessert was the apple caramel bread pudding. I love bread pudding and who does like caramel flavor. So, if you like bread pudding, you will love this dessert.

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!!

Photos
Katami - Fresh flowers.

Fresh flowers.

Katami - Toro tartar

Toro tartar

Katami - Toro tartar

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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)

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Yellowtail (sweet garlic sauce)

UMA Japanese Restaurant - sushi - Updated October 2026

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