Yokushi Robata is one of my favorite spots in Houston, full stop. It's a Tokyo-style yakitori joint where they grill everything over binchotan charcoal, and the difference in flavor is absolutely worth the hype. Crispy outside, juicy inside, smoky in the best way. The yakitori skewers are the move (the tontoro pork belly and chicken thigh are unreal), but honestly I've never had a bad dish here. The sushi and sashimi are super fresh, the ramen hits, and the donburi bowls are perfect when I want something comforting. The seared sashimi sampler is always on the table when I bring friends for the first time. The vibe is casual, the staff is friendly, and the menu is huge so there's something for everyone. It's tucked into a strip mall on Richmond which doesn't exactly scream "destination Japanese," but trust me, this place is the real deal. I keep coming back and I'll keep sending everyone I know.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

Katsu chicken ramen. Looked good unfortunately had no flavor. Also took a long time to receive read more

Yokushi Robata - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

First time at Yokushi Robata, it's a funky eclectic restaurant located on Richmond Ave in Houston, TX. Lots of large pieces of wood in the restaurant including interior, table and chairs. The decorations are very colorful and eye-catching. Interestingly, they wete playing k-pop in the background. I needed a pre-dinner snack after skipping lunch before a 2 hour fitness class. I ordered shrimp with mango sauce. The shrimp was very nicely cooked so much so you could eat the shell. Little to much mango sauce. I also got a dark meat garlic chicken skewer, which was the stand out. The chicken was tender with the right amount of garlic read more

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Yokushi Robata is a casual dining option for those in the mood for Japanese bites. They offer many dishes you could find in a typical Japanese izakaya such as yakitori, aji fry, and gyoza to name a few. They also have main dishes like rice bowls and ramen. The set up is nice; you can order as you go or order everything at once. Service is kind and efficient. There are different seating options so you could go in a group or dine alone near the grills. My only con is that Yokushi Robata is on the pricier side. It's not an upscale business, and there are other Japanese eateries I would recommend before it. However it's a good place to try out if you are in the area! read more

Yokushi Robata - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

Good food in a tough sushi market in Houston. The fried mackerel was a bit different but good. The sashimi good quality. Friendly service , d Don't be scared by dodgy businesses nearby read more

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I've been here before and the food and service was good, but recently we tried to go and it smelled so bad inside. It's a thing with so many sushi places now this bad smell I literally cannot deal read more

We came here around 8 pm on a Saturday night. We were lucky and found a parking spot as someone pulled out. We were seated and our food came out quickly. Tho, our main dishes came out before the yakitoris. They told us the yakitoris would take about 15 mins. We came here to eat some comfort food with all of this cold weather going on. The eel is smoked and rarely have bones so it's great to eat in a rice bowl with some pickled veggies without a worrry. The baked curry beef is super comforting and there's rice under the cheese and beef. It was super cheesy and yummy. The bacons and chicken skin was nice and crispy. The Umeshiso Tsukune was good too and had a small sour kick as expected. They were quick and nice. Table was clean and stable. Parking is free but hard to find in front so back up plan is the movie garage across the street in the back. read more

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I am the quintessential sushi lover who can be adventurous and open minded but also, occasionally, make the same choice(s) for comfort's sake. It is fair to say I am not a Poke aficionado, even though most of the same ingredients in sushi appear in Poke. Oftentimes, I just think of the contents in Poke as deconstructed sushi or sashimi. So, to better familiarize myself with the Poke phenomenon, I decided to look up a few places in Honolulu, Hawaii. Three of the places I looked at, all highly rated: 1. Ryder's Poke. 2. Off the Hook. 3. Poke Fix. The way these Hawaiian places make Tuna Poke is really inspiring and, visually, it looks totally different. Now, this is after having already tried both Local Poke and Seaside Poke here in Houston over the years. Of the two, my clear fave, overwhelmingly, is Seaside Poke on the East side. Having known about Yokushi Robata for a while, I decided to check it out recently and order the Ahi Tuna Poke. Going in, I knew exactly what is included in the bowl: Tuna, Seaweed, Cucumber and Mango. So, I called to ask more questions about ingredients and other menu offerings. It just seemed like the staff are kind of on the rigid side of things, and the person who answered the phone made it clear there's no avocado in the Tuna Poke, but you automatically get avocado when ordering either the Hawaiian Sake Poke or the Spicy Salmon Poke. In my view, staff should be more flexible re: adding or subbing ingredients. Regarding the Poke bowl I ordered, It was good, but I always got the feeling it would have benefited from more ingredient options - so I added some extra stuff later at home. I also asked about Tempura Shrimp and the woman who answered the phone stated they don't offer it (Say what!? Haha). Overall, this is a really minimal Poke compared to places in Hawaii that I looked at. At first, I was OK with the minimal style, but as stated above and below, I found myself just wanting more to be included even though I liked the dish. Service was good, overall. Ambience wise, if you think of the decor in an Izakaya, Yoshiuki Robata's decor kind of mirrors that. Personally, I think it is really cool. I did notice only one party dining at a table when I stopped by to pick up my order. Granted, this was before the dinner rush, but, still, not seeing more than two people dining in is a bit of a concern for the business itself. Perhaps it is busier at other times. Parking: Sometimes a challenge. Located Near: Trendy Vegan a few doors down and across the street from Costco. Ingredients in Poke: 1. Plain Ahi Tuna 2. Seaweed 3. Cucumber 4. Mango Added Later at Home: 1. Avocado 2. Minced Ginger 3. Buldak Flakes 4. Buldak Sauce 5. Central Market Roasted Seaweed [Teriyaki] 6. TJ's Everything But the Bagel Salmon It Would Have Benefited From: 1. Masago 2. Avocado 3. Ginger 4. Scallions 5. Spicy Option 6. Nori Strips 7. Less Rice, More Ingredients. 8. Moisture. 9. More Flavorful Tuna 10. Sushi Grade 11. Perhaps some Kimchi read more

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Amazing place. Very quaint and overall nice environment, definitely could tell I was at an Izakaya the moment I walked in. They have a wide variety of food selection to choose from and definitely a place I will go back. This is not the cheapest place, but if you want more variety of Japanese food, Yokushi Robata has good atmosphere, good service, and great food for a reasonable price here in the States. read more

Yokushi Robata - Okonomiyaki - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I like this cozy, Japanese cafe serving up some hot ramen and robata dishes. When first walking in, it feels like you're in Japan with the decor, wooden booths and tables. Sake bottles line up one wall while you get a view of the chef grilling robata skewers against the bar. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and makes great suggestions based on your requests. However, expect to wait a bit on the grilled items if several other tables are ordering them as well. I recommend the robata and ramen here. My favorite are: * spicy tonkatsu ramen * hamachi kama * beef w/wasabi & yuzu skewers * grilled chicken thigh skewers Parking can get crowded here during peak dinner time so be prepared to wait for parking or park in the street behind the shopping strip. read more

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Went here to celebrate a friends finishing her post doc. Phenomenal food. Presentation was A+. The staff was so knowledge, kind, attentive, and did I mention the food was OMGood God yum? Don't miss this place. 10/10! read more

Yokushi Robata - Hokke - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

Was craving okonomiyaki so I tried Yokushi Robata! I loved the ambiance - really felt like I was back in Japan with the menu and decor. The server was super friendly - all smiles! He also checked on us to make sure we were ok periodically. I had the okonomiyaki and the tempura purple potato fries. I loved the tempura fries! The okonomiyaki was also pretty good. Not the best I've had but it will do the trick if you have a craving! I also tried a little of the panko chicken that came with the ramen. Loved the chicken - nice and crispy! Would love to come back and try more menu items!! read more

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I have to be honest. This ramen is healing for the body. I was having some joint pain, had a bowl of this, and every time it works like a charm. I get up feeling revitalized and nourished. Oh my god, the ramen that I got was the pork bone broth, the most popular one, not spicy. Don't walk, run lol. read more

This spot was a very pleasant surprise! When you walk in, the decor is very fun and immersive, for a typical Ramen bar. Service was a bit slow for their only being about four customers inside, and honestly not very friendly either. However, the Tonkotsu ramen was very good. I love the size of the noodles here, I'm not a fan of the super thin ones. These were just right! Only giving four stars, because my partner's chicken Ramen wasn't that great. But I would come back to get the Tonkotsu again! read more

This place takes the cake for one of the best Japanese spots in Houston. My partner and I enjoyed the chicken karaage appetizer, which came with some delicious mayo/bbq-esque sauce on a bed of finely shredded cabbage. I ordered the pork katsu curry, which is one of the tastiest I've had in the Houston area. The curry itself came out in a generously portion sized bowl with potato and carrots. It paired beautifully with the lightly breaded katsu, creating the perfect mix of sauce and meat. I also appreciated the cabbage salad on the side which came with a mayo dressing. My partner ordered the spicy tonkatsu ramen which not only cleared his pores due to the steam but also tasted delicious. As a bonus, the boiled egg was cooked just the right amount to get that semi-runny yolk consistency. Prices were reasonable with most entrees coming in at less than $20 for generous portions. I also liked how the menu had pictures of each of the food items and was impressed by the menu variety without compromising on quality of each dish. The decor of the restaurant is tasteful as well, with ample wood features and nods to Japanese culture in the decor. The major downside of this place is the parking. Many of the spots in this strip mall are reserved for specific businesses which made it a challenge, but I blame that on the property managers moreso than the restaurant. I would recommend this place to anyone in Houston looking for Japanese food outside the typical sushi or ramen spot. I will definitely be back! read more

Great Japanese food, so many flavorful tapas offerings! Service was great, and loved the atmosphere!

This has definitely become my new go to spot when I want a close by meal. The food is delicious and they provide great portion for ramen. The staff are friendly and provide the food fast. Especially during quick work lunch while those days working from home it's great to get out of the house and enjoy. The decorations of the place is nice and ambience feels welcoming. There's enough parking spots and tables to sit. Either come with your friends and family or by yourself, Yokushi Robata has become one of my favorites. read more

Yokushi Robata - Tonkotsu Ramen - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

For my own record: Takoyaki-no Chicken tsukune-yes (not the mayo one) Gizzard-yes Chicken with salt-no Chicken with garlic sesame-yes Beef with Wasabi & yuzu-no Japanese scallop-yes Purple yam fries-yes Soft shell shrimp-1/2 Beef tongue-yes Chicken wing-yes read more

What a wonderful restaurant! The ambiance is perfect and casual. The ramen and rice bowls are delicious and I would order them again. The Robata was okay, a little pricey for only one skewer per order. The service was great and we were taken care of even when the restaurant was packed. Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 read more

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It's been a while since I last stopped by, but I was here recently for an early weekend dinner for 3, and everything was great. I always love the foods here, so going back was really great. Our server was nice, and service was fast since it was right before dinner rush. We got the Spicy Cold Tofu (not pictured), Yokushi Don, Takoyaki, and the Chicken Katsu Ramen. For the Yakitori, we got the asparagus, the Japanese scallop, and the chicken thigh. All the foods were super good, but my favorites were the Yokushi Don and the Japanese Scallop Yakitori. The pork on the Yokushi Don was cooked just right, and I especially loved the sauce with it. The Japanese Scallop Yakitori's flavors were perfect. I really liked the Chicken Katsu Ramen, especially the katsu, and the Takoyaki as well. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would definitely go back here again next time I'm in the area read more

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This review is for the DoorDash special, spicy tonkotsu for $12 all fees included. The 5 stars are for the bargain and the broth. It was such a light color I was worried it would just taste like cream but it was super flavorful, perfectly spicy, and with plenty of bone broth depth without being too fatty. Amazing. The chashu and noodles were honestly a little subpar but the broth and price more than made up for it. read more

Had an early dinner on a weekday and enjoyed it! This place is pretty small, but it has a nice cozy feel. The tables are good for small and large groups, and it was pretty quiet inside. Service is great as Loved loved the baked cheese corn!! It was extremely cheesy and hot, and thr garnishes on top gave it so much flavor. A must try for the table!! The poke bowl was great too- fresh fish and filled to the brim of the bowl! read more

Yokushi Robata - Poke bowl, Baked Cheese Corn - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

This small Japanese restaurant is located in a busy shopping center with several businesses. The parking is a bit limited because many of the spots are crossed off for specific businesses. We started off with the edamame and beef skewer with daikon and ponzu. Both were nice although the skewer was a bit smaller than anticipated but nice anyhow. The chicken Katsu curry was a generous portion however, I found it odd that it was served with a bunch of tomato slices. Typically, I see shredded cabbage or maybe a salad. The curry had a nice strong flavor and the chicken was thin and crispy. I got the spicy tonkotsu ramen. The pork pieces were nice and tender with good flavor. The noodles had a good texture. The broth was alright to me. If you look in the picture, you can see how the spicy sauce kind of separates so it sometimes would directly hit the back of my throat which was a bit unpleasant. I would try a different main in the future. Overall enjoyable and I would go again. The gentleman serving our food was very kind and the service was great. read more

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The staff provided a great service. Was super attentive and friendly. Food was delicious! Definitely would return again soon read more

Yokushi Robata - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Located on a strip mall opposite Costco, parking isn't difficult, and there are 2 spaces specific for Yokushi Robata customers. The restaurant has beautiful but simple decor. Staff were friendly and courteous. I was greeted upon stepping into the restaurant. I ordered okonomiyaki, and Ikageso karaage as appetizers, salmon sashimi, beef with wasabi and yuzu sauce skewer, pork katsu curry, and chicken katsu ramen. Both appetizers were delicious. The pork top of the okonomiyaki was crispy and seasoned right. The cabbage gave the crunch. The mayo brought the dish together. The Ikageso Karaage was fried perfectly, not oily at all, and the spicy mayo sauce was yummy! Salmon sashimi was fresh and the slices weren't too thin. The beef with wasabi and yuzu sauce skewer was surprisingly good. The wasabi added the "heat" while the yuzu sauce balanced the flavors of the beef and the wasabi. Highly recommend this dish! The pork katsu curry, and chicken katsu ramen were good. The pork and chicken were nicely fried. They were crispy and light. The curry had the standard Japanese curry taste. The ramen broth was light but could be more flavorful. I would come here right when the doors are open because the restaurant fills up pretty fast. This is a good restaurant for a simple meal. read more

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If you've been to an izakaya in Japan, I'd say the vibes and the food here are similar. Unfortunately, parking is a bit of a hassle here because a lot of the spaces are reserved. Service here is great and efficient. We came an hour before they closed and didn't feel rushed at all. Their menu has the classic izakaya dishes (basically bar bites) but also has other hearty Japanese dishes like ramen, poke, donburi, etc. My friend and I ordered small plates to share. The ikageso karaage is not like your typical calamari. You get big servings and long tentacle pieces. I also ordered the pork katsu don. The sauce poured over it was flavorful and the eggs were cooked just how I like them. Don't let the small bowl fool you. It was packed with meat and rice that I still had enough leftovers for a meal the next day. The okonomiyaki came out last so I was already getting pretty full so I can't really give a fair review of it after only having one bite. It's a relatively small portion compared to others I've had but it's still shareable. Recommend checking this place out! read more

Yokushi Robata - Chicken Katsu Curry, Pork Katsu Don, Ikageso Karaage - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Yokushi is a SOLID choice for Japanese in Houston. The service is quick and attentive, the food is solid, and the atmosphere is clean and on-the-nose. Everything is seasoned very well; their edamame is addictive and my pork shogayaki was tender with perfectly caramelized onions. We had the yam fries and they were very good. Had some octopus, but I'm sensitive to sesame oil and it was a little heavy for me. I'm sure lots of others would love it, though! I would absolutely go back if I'm looking for a little more than just sushi. read more

Yokushi Robata - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

Service: pretty quick and they are very attentive to the staff as they walk in. They let you know that some orders take longer so if you are in a time crunch you'll know. The interior is cool, they have stool seating, definitely not good for a large group than 4. Food Takoyaki Octopus balls: these came with 4. These were hot and flavorful Shrimp shumai Really good. Very crispy and tasted great Gyoza This was a good light appetizer. The sauce wasn't as flavorful with it but it was still good. Beef with wasabi - this was good. Did now taste the wasabi but still had good flavors Beef with teriyaki This was better than the wasabi. More flavorful read more

Yokushi Robata - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

It was amazing and fresh! Great service as well, I got to go food, it was hot and I love everything I ordered

Cool restaurant serving authentic Japanese charcoal-grilled yakitori and other izakaya foods. The service, vibe, and food are excellent! Vibe: Low lighting, Japanese lanterns and writing, and other careful details make this restaurant feel like a real izakaya! Great ambience. Service: Excellent and attentive servers. Food: We ordered several skewers - mushroom, chicken wing, chicken thigh, pork belly, shishito peppers, karaage, asparagus with bacon, beef, and beef with Wasabi and yuzu. All the grilled skewers were served hot and juicy, and the unique crisp and flavor of the charcoal grill was clear. Made everything extra flavorful and savory. The karaage pieces were pretty small and had a lot of fat so we did not enjoy them as much. The rice is short grain Japanese rice, steamed perfectly and served in steel containers to keep it hot - great for dipping your skewers and aborbing all their juices into the rice. Definitely come here for the skewers! read more

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This yakitori place is legit! I've come here a handful of times and had a great meal every time Food: 5/5 we mostly got yakitori skewers but their small "tapas" plates were very tasty as well. If you're new to yakitori, just ask the waiters for recommendations, they'll steer you in the right direction! Our favorites were the chicken gizzard and chicken wings Service: 5/5 out waitress checked on us frequently and gave us great recommendations on food and drinks Ambiance: 5/5 they have great decor, note that it does get a bit cold inside sometimes so bring a jacket if you get cold easily Overall great spot for yakitori, highly recommend! read more

We love this place. Very authentic food. My only complaint is that it always smells very odd in the restaurant and can be unappetizing to someone who cares about smells. Kind of like a sewage smell. read more

I wanted to try a new ramen place with some friends and i'm honestly kinda let down. We came for an early dinner (~5pm) after we finished class and we each got ramen and some appetizers. I got the spicy tonkotsu and a chicken thigh skewer while my friends also got the spicy tonkotsu, takoyaki, and ramen + katsu and 2 beef skewers. I think one of the first red flags was that the skewers were pretty expensive. I thought it came with like 2-3 skewers for the price but it was per 1 skewer and they were pretty small :( The ramen I got was spicy and I think I ordered "spicy" for the spice level but it wasn't that spicy for me. The chicken thigh skewer that I got was kinda bland and too small for the price. My friends also said that their ramen was just "alright" and there was nothing really that stood out. It was just "food" because we were hungry after class. We still ate everything and tipped but I don't think we will be back again. It was just okay. read more

Yokushi Robata - tonkotsu spicy (bottom) + ramen (forgot name) + side of katsu - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Very cute small restaurant right across from Costco on Richmond avenue Nice Ambiance. Food wis OK some is good some not so. Strongly recommended not to get the A5 wagyu expensive but the quality is horrible. Definitely not A5 as it should be. The potato shrimps are good. The spicy Tonkatsu is sure is spicy. The beef curry is too salty for me. Rainbow poke is good. Staffs are very courteous and friendly read more

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This place is beyond amazing. The restaurant interior is beautiful and very cozy. The food is exceptional. Every single item I ordered was prepared well and tasted perfect. Staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. They were attentive and polite. read more

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The food is so good! We always get a variety of the small plates, and I don't think you can order anything wrong. The staff is friendly. Since it's a small place, be prepared to wait a little on a weekend evening but the food is worth it read more

Yokushi Robata - Calamari, fried shrimp, octopus balls - Poke Near Me - Houston, Texas

Small place but great food. Service was great and it didn't take long to get our food. We ordered the okonomiyaki and the pork belly and rice. Both were delicious! read more

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My girlfriend and I came here when we were visiting Houston. It is an izakaya, so you usually order a bunch of small dishes ranging from yakitori, donburi, okonomiyaki, sashimi, etc. It is essentially Japanese tapas, best enjoyed with a tall glass of Japanese beer. Parking was pretty difficult to find in this lot. We had to go back and forth for awhile because the spots are marked for each business in the plaza and it seems a little strict. We ordered a number of different things and some took awhile to come out. There were a good amount of people inside the restaurant and it seemed pretty popular. The menu was pretty extensive, so we picked out a couple skewers, okonomiyaki, and rice dishes. Food: - Yakitori - We tried a couple of beef and chicken skewers, but I like to just try a couple things not order too many. They are pretty small, so not likely to fill you up but they are authentic. Similar to what you would see in Japan. - Baked curry beef rice - This was one of my faves. I love the cheese + curry combo. The beef was pretty tender and it was a good dish to share since the portion was decent. - Okonomiyaki - I thought it was a pretty cute sized okonomiyaki. Not a huge fan in general of the dish, but I could appreciate this mini-sized version of it. Overall, food is pretty authentic and they had an extensive menu. Fun to try a bunch of small dishes, hang out with friends or family, and drink some Japanese beer. Definitely not a cheap date/outing though since things add up pretty quickly, but it is an experience. read more

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The food at this restaurant is so diverse, yet so spectacular. I loved nearly every dish I've had during the couple of times I've taken my family to this location. Mulitple styles of ramen, seafood and veggies on skewers, poke bowls, donburi. This location has all the staples of Japanese cuisine, and these dishes are some of the best I've ever tasted. I didn't think I'd like scallions on a skewer, but they went the extra mile in loading it up with deep, roasted flavor. As far as I know, this is the only place in Houston to get Okonomiyaki (fried Japanese cabbage pancake). You are definitely missing out on this location. read more

I can't believe I waited so long to dine here and I use to live in the area. I love the concept and the decor of the restaurant. It is similar to Toukei in Chinatown and I believe they were open first. They have many Japanese bar and street food items you can order to share for the table. There iare robabta/skewer options, noodle soups, sashimi, cold and hot tapas, and rice bowls. We got an order of ramen, udon, a few skewers, and fried squid legs. I will definitely be back when I'm in the area and don't want to cook dinner. Looking forward to trying their okonomiyaki and takoyaki for comparison. read more

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