The 14 Greatest Omakase Sushi Joints in Texas

Sushi aficionados and indecisive eaters alike can profit from omakase, an intimate eating expertise during which friends depart their meal within the chef’s fingers, normally in a setting of about six to 12 seats. And happily for each, Texas is dwelling to among the finest omakase joints within the nation, with glorious choices within the main cities and a pair locations between. These are 14 of our favorites.

For this train, we’re solely together with everlasting areas, however in the event you do some digging, you’ll additionally discover a number of roving omakase pop-ups that deliver multi-course dinners to rotating places throughout the state. Now, get your reservation-clicking finger prepared, and safe among the most coveted seats round.

Austin

Chef Michael Che honed his craft at sushi eating places in Tokyo and Chicago earlier than opening his personal place in Austin’s Mueller neighborhood. The tiny and bare-bones eight-seat house has turn out to be one of many metropolis’s most coveted reservations, and the expertise runs 21 programs of largely Edomae-style nigiri plus a number of cooked objects. A lot of the fish is sourced from Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Fish Market.

Austin

Billed as a sushi speakeasy, Toshokan was initially accessed by way of a transferring bookshelf behind Native in East Austin, however is presently in a brief dwelling on the Pershing. Serving simply six diners at a time, chef Saine Wong applies his L.A. upbringing and world travels to the 14-course menu, typically showcasing Korean and Chinese language components along with the superbly ready fish and seasoned rice.

Austin

Initially based by the Sushi by Scratch staff earlier than it was bought to new possession, the 10-seat Sushi|Bar continues to place out a enjoyable omakase menu of new-school nigiri, typically with aptitude through fermentations, foams and blowtorches. The night begins with a welcome cocktail, and the menu runs 17 to twenty programs, with elective wine and sake pairings.

Austin

Otoko is a enjoyable and energetic 12-seat omakase expertise that’s situated at South Congress Resort and run by chef Yoshi Okai. The traditional omakase menu includes a mix of Kyoto-style kaiseki with Tokyo-style sushi and consists of nigiri, sashimi and a wide range of cold and hot dishes, whereas the Wednesday-only menu focuses on sushi throughout 20 programs. Test again typically, as choices change repeatedly based mostly on ingredient availability and seasonality.

Cedar Creek

Sushi|Bar founders Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee decamped for close by Cedar Creek, opening Sushi by Scratch Eating places in an sudden location: the Hyatt Regency Resort Misplaced Pines Resort. The ten-seat sushi counter serves a 17-course menu, pairing Japan-sourced fish with a number of Texas accents, and lots of components are made fully from scratch, together with the soy sauce and pickles. The idea, which initially started in Los Angeles, has expanded its footprint and now places can be present in Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Montreal and Montecito.

Dallas

Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi labored at a pair acclaimed omakase counters in New York earlier than coming to Dallas to open his personal restaurant. Tatsu is a good-looking, 10-seat house of wooden and brick, the place Sekiguchi quietly makes among the finest Edomae-style sushi within the state. Dinners run 15 to 18 programs and usually embody one or two mild appetizers, a lot of completely handled nigiri, a cup of housemade miso soup, a hand roll and a dessert. Complement your meal with a number of à la carte choices and a number of fascinating sakes, beers and wines.

Dallas

Cooks Jimmy Park and Shinichiro Kondo labored their manner by way of a steady of revered Japanese eating places throughout the nation, together with a number of Nobu places, earlier than opening Shoyo. Their 13-seat omakase spot serves 17 programs of traditional and fashionable sushi, so you possibly can anticipate a number of artistic thrives. Nigiri is complemented by a pair dishes that showcase different cooking strategies and components, and the drinks listing provides you a lot to contemplate between programs.

Dallas

Namo started life as an off-the-cuff neighborhood hand-roll bar, however over the previous few years it slowly morphed right into a severe sushi spot, serving top-notch nigiri, sashimi and makimono at its convivial, U-shaped counter. Omakase is restricted to Wednesdays, when Namo serves 4 to 5 programs of otsumami — small plates highlighting seasonal fish and greens — adopted by 10 to 12 programs of nigiri, after which miso soup, tamago (Japanese omelette) and dessert. Optionally available wine and sake pairings are additionally obtainable.

Dallas and Houston

With so many places the world over, it’s straightforward to dismiss Nobu in favor of what’s new and scorching. However that may be silly, as a result of the restaurant is nearly as good as ever, exhibiting a number of thought and ability throughout its intensive menu. It might’t damage to get a number of starters, some wagyu beef and chef Nobu’s well-known miso black cod, however the omakase choice is a good way to style a number of classics (that cod, the uni shooters) together with a number of nigiri. And also you’ll typically be rewarded with a pair objects which are seasonal or solely round for a restricted time.

Frisco

Chef Leo Kekoa opened this Edomae-style sushi spot in Frisco after 15 years working in Hawaii and South Korea, and at Nobu Dallas. The menu adjustments repeatedly and options seasonal fish sourced from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, together with accents highlighting chef Kekoa’s Hawaiian roots. There’s a eating room and huge bar for à la carte meals, however the 18- to 20-course omakase expertise is restricted to a six-seat counter and served throughout two seatings every evening.

Houston

First up, you’ll want to discover Hidden Omakase. Simply search for the storefront lined with previous comedian books, and also you’re in the proper place. As soon as inside, you’ll sit across the three-sided, 18-person chef’s counter, the place chef Niki Vongthong presides over the 15-course menu. She sources fish from Japan and all over the world and enhances a string of nigiri programs with dishes like A5 wagyu and charcoal-grilled squid.

Houston

Based in Austin in 2003, Uchi’s presence has unfold into a number of markets and resulted in spinoffs like Uchiko and Uchiba. All will create an omakase expertise in the event you ask, however Oheya, which sits subsequent door to Uchi Houston, is completely an omakase den. The ethereal room is filled with mild woods and white tiles, with a 12-seat counter the place cooks dole out 15-course dinners. The menu adjustments bi‑month-to-month and is commonly a collaborative affair that includes cooks from different Uchi eating places.

Houston

Chef Billy Kin’s omakase spot serves two seatings Thursday by way of Sunday. The menu runs 13 to 14 programs and options fish flown in straight from Tosoyu Market in Japan, together with different components sourced from everywhere in the world.  5Kinokawa is BYOB, which retains prices extra manageable, and you’ll deliver no matter drinks you need, like sake, beer or Japanese whisky for DIY highballs.

Houston

Aya Sushi opened in 2022 within the Bellaire neighborhood, reworking the previous Bernie’s Burger Bus right into a good-looking restaurant. There’s a eating room and patio, and you’ll order omakase to your desk, however the most effective expertise is on the chef’s counter, the place chef Yoshi Katsuyama and his staff meticulously put together every merchandise and place it earlier than you because it’s prepared. Select from the common omakase or the premium choice, which function 19 and 23 programs, respectively. Then full your meal with pairings from the beverage listing, which is stocked with good wines, sakes and Japanese whiskies.