Uchiko, child of Uchi, is the offspring of James Beard Award‑winning Chef Tyson Cole's original non‑traditional Japanese concept. While the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Uchiko takes a fiery turn bringing smoke and char alongside the fresh and clean flavors that define Uchi.
We had a truly memorable dining experience at Uchiko Houston a couple of nights ago.
Our server, Kingsey (I hope I'm spelling her name correctly), went above and beyond. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and the various types of fish, but her warm and engaging presence really made our evening special.
While the food was exceptional, as expected, it was her impeccable service and welcoming vibe that elevated the entire experience. Every recommendation she made was spot on, and we thoroughly enjoyed every dish that arrived at our table. We can't wait to return!
Visited 4 months ago
I recently visited Uchiko for their happy hour after having a great experience at Uchiba in Dallas, and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere, service, and quality of the food were exceptional. I started with the G&T, which was wonderfully crafted. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgeable, and provided excellent recommendations throughout the evening.
Each dish, whether from the cold or hot menu, was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, with the staff taking the time to explain the ingredients and preparation as the plates arrived. I highly recommend trying a variety of their offerings, including the nigiri, which was particularly memorable.
Uchiko is definitely a place I would recommend to friends, and I look forward to returning for more. It’s an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy a top-notch sushi and grill experience.
Visited 5 months ago
Outstanding! The food is amazing! There were three of us so we tried a lot of different things, everything was excellent. Great atmosphere and amazing service! It gets very busy, so you have to have a reservation. I highly recommend, we will be back!!
Visited 7 months ago
I visited Uchiko for the first time, and it was an incredible experience! Ericc, our waiter, was outstanding—he was not only attentive but also very knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations. The sushi was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. Overall, the service and food were top-notch. I’m definitely coming back and highly recommend this place to sushi lovers looking for both great food and excellent service!
Visited 4 months ago
Absolutely epic Japanese dining experience. My son and I enjoyed this after a rather dreadful wedding event. It was the highlight of our trip! Trust the knowledge of your servers and the chef. Get there early as they may run out of your favorite for good reason! The hamachi, warm lobster with oyster mushrooms, cilantro in a Tom kah sauce, tempeh pumpkin slices in warm brown sauce and 72 hour wagu are bites are not to be missed. Evan, our server was a consummate professional guide and truly made our night. It was so good I’m going to their Austin location alone for dinner tomorrow night.
Visited 4 months ago
My husband and I went to Uchiko for a date night last Saturday. After being seated, I let our waiter, Sebastian, know that I have just recently expanded my palate to eat fish (yes, I am an adult that JUST started eating fish). He was incredibly accommodating and excited to help me on my journey. After I told him some of the things I have enjoyed and not enjoyed he made some suggestions for things I could try. We ended up with a selection of nigiri and sashimi as well as the charred maitake and ended our meal with the gyutoro which is always such a treat. I loved all of Sebastian’s recommendations and am really looking forward to coming back!
Visited 4 months ago
Title: Disappointing Second Visit to Uchiko Houston
As a returning customer to Uchiko Houston, I had high hopes for my second dining experience after a memorable first visit. However, this time fell short of expectations.
While the ambiance was still vibrant, the restaurant was overcrowded, which affected the overall dining experience negatively.
The most disappointing aspect was the food. Unlike my previous visit, the dishes lacked the same level of deliciousness and finesse. It felt like there was a decline in the quality of ingredients or perhaps in the execution of the recipes.
Despite these shortcomings, the service remained attentive and courteous, which somewhat mitigated the disappointment. However, considering the overall experience, I find it hard to justify giving Uchiko Houston a five-star rating this time.
In conclusion, while my first visit was filled with joy and culinary delight, my second visit left much to be desired. I hope that the restaurant can address these issues to regain its former charm and excellence.
Visited 9 months ago
Visited a month ago
The place could use some music
Visited 2 months ago
Amazing experience! The food was exceptional but our server, Devin blew it out of the water. Great guy who was so kind and made it a wonderful birthday dinner!
Visited 2 months ago
We loved it! Carmen was so helpful and we loved whatever she recommended 🙏!! Santos was on our chef on the sushi bar, he is so nice and funny ☺️ Justin also cooked our meats and we loved! Definitely will try this restaurant again!!
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Love this place. Excellent food.
Visited 3 months ago
The food, drinks and service here were fantastic. Obviously it’s expensive so don’t go if you’re on a budget. I think there was a celebrity in there because people were recognizing him but I don’t know who he was. One interesting thing about this place is you see a ton of mismatched couples, like female 10s with male 4s and it looks like they’re on a first date. If I was a chick I would be hanging out in here waiting to woo Mr. Deeppocket for sure. The portions here are small, our table of 3 spent $250 and left quite hungry still, but the flavors were incredible. Some of that money was spent on drinks, but still I wouldn’t show up with a huge appetite.
Visited 3 months ago
We came here for our Anniversary dinner to celebrate a special night, we sat at the sushi bar to experience the $150 omakase for 10 course per person. We’ve had several other omakase experiences so we had an expectation of what it could be like. Dinner reservations were at 6:30, sat by 6:40pm and we have our Drink server Jenny who was the only saving grace to the customer service. We had 3 courses that took about 15 mins between per bite before the next serving and Jenny caught that it was taking some time and sprung into action to fire the rest of plates , she made us aware that it may all come quick but will try and pace the courses more timely manner. Even with a dedicated chef for Omakase, there was no effort for presentation of the dishes given, there was no explanation because it was rushed, dishes were sub par. We understand it was a busy Thursday night, we didn’t really make any fuss but for the $450 tab and service received overall was not worth booking our special night here. There is a clear difference in overall in food, experience and service compared to Uchiko and its sister company Uchi. As a recommendation don’t order the omakase and just the individual plates during happy hour.
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
Outstanding! The food is amazing! There were three of us so we tried a lot of different things, everything was excellent. Great atmosphere and amazing service! It gets very busy, so you have to have a reservation. I highly recommend, we will be back!!
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
Had an AMAZING happy hour experience at the bar. Was visiting from out of town and the waitstaff was so friendly and knowledgeable and recommended the perfect dishes. Special shoutout to Skylar, Camille and Dalt for their attention. It will be my new go to place when I am in the Galleria area. Nice vibe and beautiful bar area.
Visited 3 months ago
The most amazing food experience I have ever had in my life and I am 43.
Visited 4 months ago
My husband and I went to Uchiko for a date night last Saturday. After being seated, I let our waiter, Sebastian, know that I have just recently expanded my palate to eat fish (yes, I am an adult that JUST started eating fish). He was incredibly accommodating and excited to help me on my journey. After I told him some of the things I have enjoyed and not enjoyed he made some suggestions for things I could try. We ended up with a selection of nigiri and sashimi as well as the charred maitake and ended our meal with the gyutoro which is always such a treat. I loved all of Sebastian’s recommendations and am really looking forward to coming back!
Visited 4 months ago
Service was abysmal .We received service from the bartender and it was pretty non existent . I dined at the banquette by the bar during happy hour on a Sunday and was pretty much forgotten about the whole time . They did the basics of taking your order but that’s about it . The food is amazing , but for the price you pay it kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth . The vibes are nice and chill .
Visited 4 months ago
Camille & Kevin took such great care of us, loved all of their recommendations :)
Visited 4 months ago
This was our first time going to Uchiko and it was exceptional. The nigiri was decadent. I would recommend getting the salmon crudo. The short rib and lettuce and any of the nigiri rolls. I would also recommend the chef’s special. This was a great experience overall.
Visited 4 months ago
The sushi was great, but beware of the happy hour trap… the website states that happy hour on Sunday lasts until 10p for bar seating. However I made a 7pm Sunday reservation for bar seating, and was told that happy hour ended at 6p. I’m feeling a bid jaded and mislead, as I would not have come if not for thinking I’d be getting happy hour pricing per the hours posted on the website.
Visited 4 months ago
We had a truly memorable dining experience at Uchiko Houston a couple of nights ago.
Our server, Kingsey (I hope I'm spelling her name correctly), went above and beyond. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and the various types of fish, but her warm and engaging presence really made our evening special.
While the food was exceptional, as expected, it was her impeccable service and welcoming vibe that elevated the entire experience. Every recommendation she made was spot on, and we thoroughly enjoyed every dish that arrived at our table. We can't wait to return!
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Downhill service
Visited 4 months ago
Absolutely epic Japanese dining experience. My son and I enjoyed this after a rather dreadful wedding event. It was the highlight of our trip! Trust the knowledge of your servers and the chef. Get there early as they may run out of your favorite for good reason! The hamachi, warm lobster with oyster mushrooms, cilantro in a Tom kah sauce, tempeh pumpkin slices in warm brown sauce and 72 hour wagu are bites are not to be missed. Evan, our server was a consummate professional guide and truly made our night. It was so good I’m going to their Austin location alone for dinner tomorrow night.
Visited 4 months ago
Expensive but some of the best sushi I have ever had
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
I visited Uchiko for the first time, and it was an incredible experience! Ericc, our waiter, was outstanding—he was not only attentive but also very knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations. The sushi was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. Overall, the service and food were top-notch. I’m definitely coming back and highly recommend this place to sushi lovers looking for both great food and excellent service!
Visited 4 months ago
Went for a birthday dinner and it was great all around. Friendly staff (Camille was our server and she was so knowledgeable and friendly!! 10/10 server) and insanely fast service. It wasn't super busy when we went, but the food came out so fast it was crazy.
Portion sizes are small so if you come hungry be ready to spend a bit of money, but it was so worth it. THE CEREAL AND MILK DESSERT HAD ME ALMOST IN TEARS IT WAS SO GOOD. Definitely reccomend and will be coming back!
Visited 5 months ago
This place is incredible. Showed up here instead of somewhere else (user error on my end) and the staff made no issue of it. We were sat immediately without reservation!
Ivan and Victor were AMAZING. Truly made a business dinner something special and interacted with us throughout.
Every bite was better than the last. I fear I may never have a meal that wonderful again.
Thank you Ivan and Victor!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Just lovely. Fresh and really interesting flavors. We opted for an early dinner so took advantage of the happy hour and main menu selections. Don’t pass over the spicy edamame! Especially appreciated the knowledgeable and personable waitstaff making the overall experience delightful.
Visited 5 months ago
My first time here, and I will be back! My friends surprised me with an amazing dinning experience here for my 30th and the staff and chefs stepped in to make it even more special. From the deliciously catered tasting, to the surprise add ins just for my birthday, everything about my experience was nothing short of delicious. I hope Omar and Natalie were just as entertained by our group as we were impressed by their culinary skills and personable attitudes, (the head chef, she has clearly trained them well). Although very serious behind the sushi bar, they were very warm and accommodating when we asked them questions about the menu. I cannot thank the staff enough for such a great experience and I look forward to coming back and trying their other creations!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
I recently visited Uchiko for their happy hour after having a great experience at Uchiba in Dallas, and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere, service, and quality of the food were exceptional. I started with the G&T, which was wonderfully crafted. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgeable, and provided excellent recommendations throughout the evening.
Each dish, whether from the cold or hot menu, was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, with the staff taking the time to explain the ingredients and preparation as the plates arrived. I highly recommend trying a variety of their offerings, including the nigiri, which was particularly memorable.
Uchiko is definitely a place I would recommend to friends, and I look forward to returning for more. It’s an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy a top-notch sushi and grill experience.
Visited 5 months ago
I can’t say enough good things about this place! The food has never disappointed, everything that I have tried has been delicious and the staff here go above and beyond for customer service. My husband who is a picky eater absolutely loved the things they brought out and our bartender even gave us a complimentary taste of something we wouldn’t have ordered on our own. We’ve been helped out by David, John, and Sky and they were all amazing! We will absolutely be coming back and recommending this place to everybody we know ❤️
Visited 5 months ago
Loved the experience! The waitresses were very friendly! Food was very good!!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
I’m still surprised at how disappointing our dinner was last night. The food did not impress us at all. My gin cocktail was tasty, but my husbands was very sweet and couldn’t taste the gin in his. His replacement cocktail was also weak. The oysters come pre-dressed with the different toppings so you can’t customize how much of each you want. The tempura onions were very salty and the dip provided was in a tiny cup that you can’t even fit the onion into. The tempura pumpkin was fine but the seasoning was applied unevenly so you had none on some bites and heavy lime dust on others. The two rolls we had were fine but nothing to be excited about. The dishes came out in a strange order and mostly at the front then a big lag before the next wave. We had already asked for the check and sent our payment with the waiter when another set of nigiri arrived. It had been an hour and a half since we ordered and we forgot we had even ordered them. These were comped for us but it seemed no one knew what our order was and the servers who brought the food were different each time so there was no continuity. We saw our assigned server maybe 3 times over 1.5 hours.
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Terrible food and service. Great atmosphere.
Visited 6 months ago
This place is a joke. What a waste of location.
The food is very much NOT Japanese. I had to ask multiple times to even get soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger with my sushi.
Service was terrible. No one checked on us even one time, and we had to keep asking random servers for water.
They took over 1.5 hour to bring everything out. Waygu was served cold and nigiri was 1/3 of a normal size nigiri(see picture).
I’d rather drive and be stuck in traffic next time to go to Kata, MF, or Uptown for way better sushi and service.
Visited 6 months ago
There’s a separate vegetarian menu, which made it very easy for us to order!
We had many of the items on that menu, but our favorites were the avocado nigiri, veggie maki, and brussels sprouts.
The overall atmosphere is welcoming, with complimentary valet parking, dimmed lighting inside, and seating being fairly close to one another.
We initially were having trouble getting the attention of a server after being seated for a while, but once I asked a nearby server for water, she periodically checked in with us throughout our entire time there, even though she wasn’t our server.
What a great experience for my first time having Japanese food!
Visited 6 months ago
Food and atmosphere were perfect. Try the brussel sprouts and hot rock. Cannot miss on desserts.
Visited 6 months ago
The desserts are to die for, the chocolate one with marshmallows and ice cream was bomb!!! I enjoyed it much more than Uchi. The flavours of the foods were fantastic!
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Came to dinner with my wife and we really liked this place. Food was really good, valet parking is convenient, and service was really good. Guillermo was an excellent server. I also enjoyed the vibe. I'll certainly be back.
Visited 7 months ago
Fine dining indeed! Think small plates with big flavor, amazing drinks, dimly lit ambiance—great impressions for date night or close friends dinner. Our favorites were the short ribs with pickled vegetables, the tomato nigiri (crazy, looks like tuna but is a tomato!), and the s’mores dessert (still trying to figure out how they got the burnt-marshmallow-around-a-campfire flavor in the ice cream). I’ve never had gin before but was recommended the hachi cocktail……changed my life! Attentive service with laid-back servers
Visited 7 months ago
Amazing. From the service, to the quality everything is top notch
Visited 7 months ago
Absolutely delightful! Uchiko in Houston is an absolute gem that tantalizes your taste buds from the moment you walk through the door. From the modern, inviting ambiance to the exceptional service, every detail is crafted to perfection.
Let's talk about the food – everything was simply sublime. The sushi is a symphony of fresh, melt-in-your-mouth fish paired with perfectly seasoned rice. Each bite is an experience.
Our table shared everything creating a fun and interactive experience where we sample a little bit of everything. It's as much about the experience as it is about the taste, and both are top-notch.
And for dessert, we sampled two: one with roasted marshmallows and another with a captain crunch surprise…a unique, delectable treat that wraps up the meal on a high note.
My only friend was the pre-made (tsk tsk) baby Expresso martini. I was shocked they didn’t make these per order so one could try different alcohol and also a lil disappointed about the size of the glass/serving but alas, we don’t get sushi just for martinis. Ha.
Uchiko isn't just a meal; it's an experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a night out, this place will leave you smiling and satisfied. Houston is lucky to have such a culinary treasure!
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 7 months ago
The service is always excellent. The food could be better.
Visited 7 months ago
The young Hispanic waiter displayed exceptional service( i didn't catch his name). Food was subpar for a non sushi eater, which was to be expected. Other than that, my guest enjoyed their meal.
Visited 7 months ago
Where to start? Uchiko is unquestionably my favorite spot in Houston. There is other delicious sushi and there are other fun restaurants in Houston, but nothing compares to the experience and service at Uchiko. Jessica Brach is the events extraordinaire. If you need to have an event - whether for 6 or 150, personal or corporate - Jessica is your go to. I will miss a few of my favorite folks, but I have to give a special shoutout to David, John, Sky, Erik - the team of servers, bartenders, managers, hosts - it's just a perfect experience from start to finish. Could not recommend Uchiko more highly, and so grateful to have them in our city!
Visited 7 months ago
We had the best dinner we’ve had in a long time. Guillermo was an incredibly kind, funny, and attentive waiter, and the food far exceeded our expectations. The sashimi was among the best we’d ever had and the lobster was absolutely divine. So impressed and grateful.
Visited 7 months ago
This place cares about food. Take your time to savor each bite. I definitely recommend coming for happy hour and getting the tasting menu for 2. It was something like 8 little plates that were absolutely delightful.
Came for my anniversary dinner, and our attentive and fantastic waiter was Guillermo, who was helpful and fun to talk to throughout our experience. And all the other staff who being out the food are amazing as well, as they explain each dish when they put it down. For drinks, definitely recommend the Japanese whisky sour!!! Can’t wait to be back.
Visited 7 months ago
Went here for an exclusive credit card event thing. Would've loved to join a few Yelp Elite event things too, but I don't like showing my face and setting any sort of expectations.
So a little bit about the format: Uchiko does that faux "omakase" thing where they charge you a fixe prix for a combo meal and then set you at a table like any other before a symphony of whatever waitresses are available at the moment bring out the courses to you, one by one. If you're familiar with my other writeups, it's a lot like Shimogamo or Phase 1 of The Duck Inn.
What I find extra disappointing, however, is that Uchiko by far has the most impersonal "omakase" service I have ever had to go through. At least with Shimogamo, you have a dedicated waitress tending your table throughout the meal, and with The Duck Inn, you have some one-on-one time with the chef when it comes time for the main dish. Uchiko combined the worst of both worlds. Granted, the waitresses were all pleasant and polite and I have nothing but appreciation for them individually, but I lived in Fort Wayne for a good while. Politeness doesn't impress me.
They also closely followed the Duck Inn's "fine dining" format where most of the courses are really appetizers that taste like whatever, with a hearty "main dish" coming second-to-last before closing with a heavy dessert. Alas, in Uchiko's case, the "main dish" wasn't much to talk about. It was a sirloin steak that tasted impressive with the first couple of bites but ultimately... It is a sirloin steak. With fries. And a vinegary chimichurri. You can be forgiven for mistaking it for a filet mignon, but the waitress said it was A5 and I have doubts about that part. There was no discernible sourcing for the meat, and the texture was much closer to "American wagyu" than I'd imagine any A5 counterpart to be. It is a good entrée on its own, but this is HOUSTON and steak should not taste boring.
But Uchiko, at least, advertises itself as a fine sushi place, so I'd be amiss not to talk about the fish. After all, Texans seem to seek Uchi Restaurants for superlative sushi.
...This is not superlative sushi.
The "Hamachi Chili" was quite dressed up and you could taste a lot of chili alright, but the fish itself was average at best. It just tasted like a sad piece of Hamachi eaten with 3 slices of tangerine to me (for like, $10. Plus.) The chili sauce was quite acidic as well - which sadly prompts me to repeat a criticism I had with Shimogamo: If your sashimi requires a lot of condiments to shine, ESPECIALLY if one of those condiments is copious amounts of vinegar, then it's not a good sashimi.
The second course, a traditional piece of nigiri "from the Toyosu Fish Market", was honestly so whatever that I couldn't even be bothered to remember what fish they gave me.
The third course was an avocado nigiri and it was honestly the best piece of the meal. What is it with these faux omakases and their cheapest piece being the best piece of the meal???! I mean, I can comment on how good the avocado is, but I know you didn't, and wouldn't, come here for avocado nigiri.
The fourth course was an akami temaki (or tuna handroll for us Americans) in soy sauce. It... is correct, I suppose. Is it a good handroll? Yes. Is it a particularly special handroll? Not really.
Finally, the dessert. An avocado sherbet with coconut flakes and lime cream. One thing I have to praise Uchiko on is that there is a lot of contrast in this one, without any of the flavors fundamentally clashing with each other. The lime cream provided a lot of tart that helps counter the almost-overwhelming pungency of the avocado, before the light coconut flakes balance out them both. It was a bit late into the game and the portion was a bit much for me, but I do approve this as a true "fine dining" dish.
TL;DR A very stereotypical, "assembly-line" fine dining place that serves sushi yet "specializes" in hot food. None of the staff, waitresses, cooks or otherwise, looked particularly happy or stressed. They are just doing their job, and you're just another diner.
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
In the ever-evolving landscape of Houston's culinary scene, where sushi can either soar to celestial heights or plummet into the depths of mediocrity, Uchiko emerges as a shining star worthy of both acclaim and reverence. Nestled in a vibrant and upscale corner of town Galleria, this establishment not only delivers on the promise of exceptional sushi but also curates an experience that resonates with both aficionados and casual diners alike.
Let's talk fish—because here, it's not just fish; it's a testament to the artistry and precision that defines great sushi. Uchiko sources its seafood with an uncompromising commitment to quality, ensuring each slice boasts freshness that sings on the palate. From delicate cuts of maguro to buttery hamachi, every piece exhibits a flawless texture and a purity of flavor that transports you to the bustling fish markets of Tokyo.
But Uchiko is more than just impeccable ingredients. It's an ambiance that effortlessly blends sophistication with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. The moment you step through its doors, you're enveloped in a chic yet unpretentious atmosphere, where the hum of conversation mingles with the soft glow of ambient lighting. The staff, eager and knowledgeable, guide your culinary journey with genuine enthusiasm, offering insights and recommendations that elevate the dining experience.
And let's not forget the libations—a well-curated selection of drinks that complement the nuanced flavors of sushi. Whether you opt for a crisp sake to enhance the umami of your sashimi or a carefully crafted cocktail to punctuate the evening, Uchiko's bar delivers with finesse.
Convenience is often a luxury in Houston bustling city life, yet Uchiko manages to provide it effortlessly. With valet parking that ensures a hassle-free arrival and departure, coupled with its prime location in one of Houston's most vibrant districts, dining here becomes not just a meal, but an event.
In the realm of sushi experiences, Uchiko earns its place among the elite. It's not merely a restaurant; it's a culinary sanctuary where passion meets perfection on every plate. Whether you're a seasoned sushi connoisseur or a newcomer eager to explore, Uchiko promises a journey that tantalizes the senses and leaves an indelible impression. Houston, rejoice—for Uchiko awaits, ready to redefine your sushi expectations one exquisite bite at a time.
Visited 8 months ago
It gets no better than this. If you are on a date tonight, or even wanting to treat yourself to an exquisite culinary experience, look no further. This is my guaranteed go-to spot for ultra fine dining in Houston. Sitting at the sushi bar always ensures a highlight reel in watching the chefs prepare our fresh cuisine. I've befriended a good amount of the chefs, as well as the friendly and extremely attentive servers who ensure your drinks and hot plates are delivered expeditiously. Whenever I go, I give the chefs free rein to curate their own unique dining experience for me and my guest. The funny thing is, for myself and my guests, we aren't even extreme sushi fanatics. This restaurant has effectively converted us to sushi lovers.
I want to again highlight the exceptional service which at times is so seamless, you won't even realize your empty plate has been removed from in front of you. I have never had to wait at the front for over a minute and even the valet service is quick and streamlined. If this doesn't impress your company, nothing will. Again, the exquisite blend of flavors and pallet tickling combinations of sweet, savory & salty are something to be studied in a classroom.
I am mad at myself for not making this review sooner. 11/10 would recommend!!!
Visited 8 months ago
Went in for a casual happy hour at the bar and ended up having a ball with the bartenders and staff. Usually I have better photos to share, but the vibe and food was so good that I found myself forgetting!!
The Kaho cocktail is one I will be returning for regularly (mezcal old fashioned esque)
Charred snap peas were delish, tempura rock shrimp yum, super interesting apple crab roll, modern take on a meaty juicy lobster tom kha (lobster wasnt overcooked for once!!), spoiled by all the desserts!
Ample seating, big establishment, complimentary valet, and a great happy hour!
Visited 8 months ago
My partner and I went to Uchiko on Sunday for a date night. We frequent Uchi and Uchiko and have never had a bad experience until now. We've ordered the omakase several times before, both for special occasions like Valentines Day and on the happy hour menu. The pricing has never taken us by surprise, however, we were charged $654 before tip for two omakase orders and one iced tea (no alcohol ordered this time whatsoever). We were astounded by the lack of clarity on the price and how it was significantly higher than every other time we have gone to one of Tyson Cole's restaurants. This certain left a bad taste in our mouths, and we will not be coming back anytime soon.
Visited 8 months ago
Overall the sushi was good but there is better places to get sushi in Houston for a more reasonable price.
Fatty tuna nigiri was delicious and I do recommend that. The milk and cereal dessert was also really good. All the rolls we tried were ok but not something I recommend or would go back for
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
Yum!
Visited 9 months ago
Food is amazing and so are the servers
It might take some time for your order to arrive but definitely worth the wait. Will for sure return back soon
Visited 9 months ago
Possibly one of the best restaurants on the planet. Outstanding food, service and atmosphere. John has served us over the last 3 visits and never disappoints. We look forward to many more memorable experiences at Uchiko!
Visited 9 months ago
Best sushi in town.
Visited 9 months ago
Went with friends for a third time and it has been consistently good food and service. Will be back for sure
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
one of our Houston faves.
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
My expectations were pretty high from having visited Uchi multiple times.
Food seemed heavy (oily, creamy), no distinct flavor, had 10 items none was exceptionally memorable.
Service and presentation was great, server forgot multiple items I ordered hence the one star removal.
Atmosphere had no flaw, similar to same caliber restaurant, not quite Uchi.
Visited 9 months ago
Title: Disappointing Second Visit to Uchiko Houston
As a returning customer to Uchiko Houston, I had high hopes for my second dining experience after a memorable first visit. However, this time fell short of expectations.
While the ambiance was still vibrant, the restaurant was overcrowded, which affected the overall dining experience negatively.
The most disappointing aspect was the food. Unlike my previous visit, the dishes lacked the same level of deliciousness and finesse. It felt like there was a decline in the quality of ingredients or perhaps in the execution of the recipes.
Despite these shortcomings, the service remained attentive and courteous, which somewhat mitigated the disappointment. However, considering the overall experience, I find it hard to justify giving Uchiko Houston a five-star rating this time.
In conclusion, while my first visit was filled with joy and culinary delight, my second visit left much to be desired. I hope that the restaurant can address these issues to regain its former charm and excellence.
Visited 9 months ago
Typically when I go to sushi restaurants, I let the waiter drive and select the freshest fish or the crowd favorites. But this last visit the server was absolutely terrible - maybe they are understaffed?
But he rarely came to the table and the stuff he did suggest was not good. So I guess ultimately it was a good thing he rarely came back to the table because if we took any more of his food suggestions I would have felt like I wasted a lot of money on not good food.
So - long story short - pick your own favorites on the menu, there is some really good stuff, but don’t get too adventurous cause there is some really not good stuff.
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
The wait times for the food were awful. Incredibly slow wait for every item. We had 3 of our items forgotten making the wait even longer.
The worst part was the flavor on some of the items. The truffle green beans were horribly sour. Also, the karaage was made like general tsos chicken. This isn't panda express. Just expected better.
Some of the nigiri pieces were good, but a couple bad ones too. The gunkan had too much seaweed overpowering the fish completely. The Sake nigiri was drenched in soy sauce. I could maybe forgive this, if it was the fish. But, it was the rice that was completely soaked in soy sauce.
For $100 per person, just expected more. And none of these silly mistakes on the sushi.
Visited 10 months ago
Celebrated my wife's birthday and our wedding anniversary at Uchiko. Was greeted upon arrival, and seated in bar area while our table was being prepared. Noticed the beautiful hearth on the way to our table. Arrived to table with a hand written card, congratulating us about our celebrations, a pleasant gesture.
Cocktails: Had the Lost in Translation, Pisco Panchi, sake (Demon Slayer), and an espresso martini. All delicious drinks, and they split the espresso martini for us.
Food: Each had the $200 Somakase, comprising of a variety of raw and cooked dishes. Our server Dani (Danielle?), who did a wonderful job, asked us about preferences between cold/hot food, along with must haves with our meal. Comprehensively one of favorite meals in recent time. All sauces that with everything course were amazing. Cold dishes comprised of the usual crudo,, oysters, and various nigiri. For warm dishes short rib was out of this world, tender AF, with somehow a super thin tasty crust. Tom kha broth that came with lobster was outstanding. I regret not asking to save it to ingest with a bowl of rice.
Service: excellent
Parking: free valet
Overall: Would highly recommend, for a celebration, or just to enjoy some delicious food.
Visited 10 months ago
Excellent food with lots of vegetarian options. The place is definitely expensive, but provides an upscale experience.
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Very impressive ser ice and food (was expected). The service was not as good as I experienced before, and the server wasn't as involved and disappeared for some time. When I mentioned Foie Grias of the items had the burned aftertast and too salty, he didn't try to replace the item. He did good, on, suggesting some items for us at the beginning.
Visited 10 months ago
Great food and service!
Visited 10 months ago
Some of the best Japanese food you'll ever have in Houston. Worth the visit.
Service can be a bit slow when it's busy but worth the wait.
Visited 10 months ago
Amazing Sushi…and this is in Houston (coming from SF snob). There was no soy sauce or the typical trappings. Just smooth and silky flavors. Fried milk for desert was a surprise. Service is top notch. That includes filling your water all the time and checking in drinks.
Visited 10 months ago
Food is delicious, service is awesome. Adriana she is amazing, she went above and beyond to make us feel great.
Visited 10 months ago
Visited a year ago
Went on a Wednesday for all day Happy Hour with some friends. Had beer, wine and the omakase - this is an excellent spot, the service was impeccable even at the bar.
Drinks were kept flowing, the sushi and the oysters on the omakase were to DIE for. I live in the area so super nice to have a great sushi place nearby.
Highly recommend taking advantage of the HH here. Can’t wait to come back!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Every morsel a delight! Jenny and the rest of the crew also incredible!
Visited a year ago
Excellent place with amazing staff and food. Don't miss happy hour deals
Visited a year ago
Top tier
Visited a year ago
Absolutely a one of a kind food journey.
Visited a year ago
4.5/5. Overall a great place for sushi but lacks compared to its Austin location. Reservation recommended and they have self park along with complimentary valet. It is a bit pricey so be willing to pay $100 per person if you order drinks.
They also have a vegetarian menu so it’s great for those looking for non seafood or beef options.
Visited a year ago
Weak service. I requested two sushi orders that were delivered to other customers. I have absolutely no clue how this business has the high ratings it does but I can tell you one thing... Really bad service and super mediocre sushi for the price. I'd like my money back please. AVOID THIS PLACE
Visited a year ago
Absolutely wonderful experience. The food was spectacular but the service is what made this experience worth every penny and more. My boyfriend and I had the worst experience at a restaurant around the corner and came to Uchiko to try to redeem the night with a drink and an appetizer. We sat at the bar and we explained our experience in passing to our bartender David, we were just making conversation and didn’t expect anything from it. David absolutely went out of his way to redeem the night for us. He was so considerate in explaining the menu to us and was sweet enough to send us some extras to ensure the night ended in the best way. I can not express how impeccable the service was. 10/10.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Environment is good and not pack. Service is great! Dry age duck is disappointing that i can really chew it. Shushi is good. Our waiter did waive the dry age duck. The waiter is great.
Visited a year ago
A Vegetarian Delight with Sizzling Specialties!
Uchiko Houston has earned a special place in our restaurant rotation with its delightful array of vegetarian options and sizzling specialties. The ample vegetarian selection left us spoiled for choice, and the chef's special vegetarian roll was an absolute standout, bursting with flavor and creativity. Even for non-vegetarians, the Chicken Karaga stole the show with its perfect balance of crunchiness, moisture, and just the right amount of heat. But what truly amazed us were the unexpected gems like the Brussels sprout and eggplant nigiri, which were simply off the charts in terms of taste and presentation. Uchiko Houston has certainly impressed us, and we can't wait to return for another unforgettable dining experience!
Visited a year ago
I'm only giving it 4 stars because it feels like it was that much more expensive than Uchi, but the food wasn't proportionally better. It was still excellent, but the river oaksy/galleria douche vibe was definitely strong. I don't mean to take away from the delicious food, the well-executed dishes, and the wonderful balanced flavors.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Increíble lugar y ambientación perfecta.
Sin embargo, los platillos son muy pequeños y no hay opciones para compartir. El servicio fue muy bueno y los meseros se tienen memorizada la carta, lo cual ayuda mucho a las recomendaciones.
Visited a year ago
Very personal
Visited a year ago
Food and service was exceptional. The restaurant was a tad too dim as we witnessed from all the people using their phone flashlights to read the menu. But that was the only negative.
Highlights for me were the hamachi crudo, short ribs, and milk + cereal.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
This HH is a must try, if you know what you like and feel curious about trying new flavors, textures, and combinations for your taste buds.
I tried the avocado Nigiri, along with the Boquerones, along with a Sakura Manhattan and it was chef kisses!
Definitely coming back for new tasting adventures!
Visited a year ago
As we got into the restaurant, I notified that I'm on a low sodium diet and they listened to it, offering the best selection that was yummy and delicious still within my request. The service was amazing, a little bit of a wait time for the cocktails. Shout-out for complimentary valet parking
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Not as good as Uchi. Quite expensive. Had just a couple of drinks and a beer. Cost above $300 for 3 people. Great service but a bit loud
Visited a year ago
We had a good time here. Service was so so but food was good until dessert - we thought the dessert courses were flat in flavor vs Uchi. Fish quality was pretty good but just a slight scale below Uchi and Oheya. We got the following and they gave a horchata ice cream one biter appetizer. Our favorite nigiris were the sake toro and unagi
Koviche
Dry aged duck
Toro nuta
Bincho koko
Brussel sprouts
Maki roll:
Yellowtail maki
Sashimi specials:
Hirame
Kinmedai
Shima aji
A5
Sashimi:
Sake toro
Kanpachi
Kinoko
Unagi
Dessert:
Milk and cereal
S'mores
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
2nd time we've been to Uchiko recently. This time around, we were scolded by one of the hostesses because we were "late" for our reservation. The problem is, they didn't clearly communicate they moved our reservation up by 15 minutes when we added a guest. We were told that we had to leave the table by a certain time since we were late, and that their limit for being late was 15 minutes. We were there at exactly 15 minutes after the reservation we didn't know the time was changed on. Fortunately the other hostess saw that we weren't happy with the first hostess and was polite.
The service outside of that issue was terrific, as it was last time. Very good recommendations by our server and very attentive. The food was great, although a couple in our party felt that some dishes leaned towards the sweet side, but I thought they were great. Great spot for a date night. I would definitely go with the chef's selection or the server's selection omakase.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
My boyfriend and I dined in last night. They were overbooked so we had to wait a while after our reservation but they were very kind and accommodating in trying to make things right. Evan was our server and he was so friendly and took such great care of us. He totally turned the night around. Thank you Evan and the staff at Uchiko!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
We celebrated a birthday here in the private room upstairs on a Tuesday, there were about 15 of us. We had SUCH a blast with the sushi rolling class. Service was absolutely top notch and all the server, especially the gentleman teaching us how to roll the maki, were soooo funny and hospitable! They made our time at uchiko very memorable!!
The food as always was ever so delicious. Uchiko and uchi deliver flavor every time without fail. Some of the dishes we had were the foie gras nigiri (lots of it), tiger cry, oyster nigiri, karaage(one of my favs), milk and cereal.
Thank you uchiko for hosting us and providing such great service and experience, you're a regular in our lives!
Visited a year ago
Loved the New Year’s Eve Omakase! Well paced and each dish was as inventive as it was exciting. Would have posted pictures but the restaurant was kind of dark.
Visited a year ago
This was my first time at the Houston location. The atmosphere is beautiful. The service is superb. Nallely is fantastic!! If you can get her as a server, do it! I love the music playing in the background. Setting is a little loud. We got the Omakase holiday special and were a little underwhelmed by a lot of the choices. Would return for happy hour.
Visited a year ago
Uchiko or the child of Uchi, was a delightful experience to say the least. Its farmhouse fusion sushi cuisine is supremely presented and delectable allowing an unmatched gustatory experience. The interior of the restaurant matched the tempo and atmosphere of the food (dim and woody), while there was enough light to take food pics without an obnoxious flash. I am writing this review before trying uchi, but from what I’ve read, uchi is a purer version of uchiko, with the freshest ingredients and less variance from dish to dish. I’d highly recommend the otoro nigiri or sashimi, both of which melt in your mouth. Once you’ve had a taste here it’ll be hard to go back.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
We have had good experiences at the other uchikos but this was VERY off. Lots of shop talk in front of the customers. Our order wasn't put in properly and resulted in 45 mins plus additional wait for our food. Nobody seemed to care or be very concerned about it.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Every single piece of our experience was the absurd best. Sit at the sushi bar and request Angela. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Visited a year ago
WOW! This was an incredible meal.
We came for happy hour and honestly, enjoyed every single thing we tried. The standouts to us were: The nashi g & t (cocktail), the Sake crudo (from the regular menu, cold dish), and the grilled shishito peppers. Absolutely delicious.
For being a 4 $-sign restaurant, we actually both agreed that the prices were super fair, for such beautiful ingredients and tediously-prepared dishes.
Also, I don’t think I’ve ever had better service at any other restaurant. Our waitress was awesome and gave great recommendations, the food/drink came out super fast, and everyone was so attentive and polite.
10/10 stars, we will be back.
Visited a year ago
One of the best sushi I had in Houston , top notch service ! Go with the Omakase ! you wont regret it .
Visited a year ago
I have no words. This place was more than spectacular. The best sushi restaurant I’ve ever been to. We had the somakase (server chooses omakase) with a budget of 60 dollars per person, and we had 12 courses of nothing but pure bliss. Our server, Nelly, was extremely kind and made the absolute best decisions. The fish absolutely melts in your mouth. Some highlights include the Kampachi Nigiri and the Happy Hour Oysters, as well as the Crunchy Sake Maki. I wish I could speak about everything we had, but we’d be here for fourteen hours. See the pictures for yourself. It’s even better than it looks
Visited a year ago
We had a big disappointment. We arrived 5 minutes early for our reservation and weren't sat until 30 minutes after our reserved time. The table we introduced first was too small for 8 person to enjoy dinner. I'd expect them to be able to be at least somewhat accurate with their reservation system. Food is not bad. Some foods were excellent but we spent money on bad service, a chaotic and loud atmosphere. I hope they improve their service level.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Had a wonderful experience at Uchiko. Definitely recommend the happy hour for those wanting to try many of the selections at a slightly lower price. Service was impeccable, the wait staff is very attentive and knowledgeable. The ambience in the dining room is excellent and the food is wonderful. Very vegetarian friendly as well which is appreciated. Parking is valet only but it's complimentary.
Visited a year ago
Amazing sashimi. One of the best Japanese restaurants in the area. Depending on the hour there might be kids, but it’s a very nice place with great food. You have to try the 72 hour beef ribs are amazing. Good selection of wines. Our server did an awesome job and we where happy he was celebrating his recent marriage.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
One of my favorites
Visited a year ago
Delicious flavors! I did a server's tasting menu that was an excellent mix of sushi and wagyu.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Best meal of m life. The food as well as the service was outstanding
Visited a year ago
This is the second time that we are seated in the same table and for the second Time we couldn’t enjoyed our dinner because the table behind were people so loud, scramming! We asked to be re-seated. While there were several tables available the waitress told he couldn’t… the service was poorly managed afterwards (messy sequence and timing very poor).
Terrible experience… certainly our last time there
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Started out with a "wrong foot" when the hostess asked us to wait two times to ask the manager whether we could take the table we liked when there were quite a few empty tables at our 6:00 PM reservation. Anyway then the manager came back and apologized. Then the service and all the different items we tried from the menu were beyond excellent and made us forget about the wait at the beginning. It was a great 18th birthday dinner for our son and enjoyed everything to the fullest.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
very incredible, it was awesome how the server knew every dish I asked about.
I think the standout nigri were the amberjack, maguro tuna, and sake salmon. They were all so complex and I could eat tons of each.
The crunchy spicy roll had a great mix of flavors.
The eggplant and shishito tempura were crisp and satisfying to eat.
The duck was my favorite hot dish I tried as well. It had a very cohesive flavor between the sauce the cabbage and the duck together.
All together it was a very very good meal and the servers were attentive :)
Visited a year ago
Bill was over 700 dollars for omakase for 2 with 4 premium old fashions and dry aged roasted duck
Be prepared to spend close to 900
Felt the need for Whataburger on the drive home as hungry as I was from the tiny portions.
Visited a year ago
It’s hard to execute simple, sushi should be simple to showcase the craftsmanship and quality.
Highly recommend.
Visited a year ago
Wonderful experience and exquisite food.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Came here with high expectation which were not met.
In my opinion their Montrose venue is better.
Location is very nice.
Staff (Young blonde lady), was just okay, nothing remarkable, she could use to be more knowleagdeable in wines.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
The best dish I tried was the albacore tuna sashimi. The chili on top was a welcome addition. The karaage was cooked well but the marinade may not be for everyone as it’s a bit on the sweet side. It honestly reminded me of garlic soy Korean fried chicken.
I was least impressed with the meat dishes, which were the gyumaki and zabutan(?). The gyumaki was fairly average. The zabutan had a good outside char but that was about it even with the sauce. It also came with snow pea leaves that I’m sure was cooked with a gas grill because that was all I could really taste on them.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I had an excellent birthday celebration at Uchiko last night! We did not reserve a table and came at 7:30 so the restaurant was almost full. Luckily, we still had seats at the bar and this was an amazing experience to talk and being served directly by the chef. All of the employees are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. When the chef noticed it was my birthday, he told everyone to say “happy birthday” to me. How cute 🥰
Every piece of sushi is worth the money and the time of waiting. I was also surprised when Uchiko did not get many reviews here on Google. I truly highly recommended this place 🫶🏻
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Uchiko is amazing!!!! The food, the atmosphere, the people, the service…all of it! I absolutely adore sushi. The chef is an artist! I have not had one thing I dislike from here, and that’s saying something!! I’ve already gone twice, and my third time I will surely post pictures of what I absolutely love to eat here!
Visited a year ago
My party did happy hour plate and drinks, followed by an omakase dinner. Everything we were served was so tasty and so fresh. I had several plates that were among the best things I’ve eat in my life, specifically the 72 hour sous vide short rib. The price was a little higher than Uchi, which was surprising to me. But, I definitely will be back.
Visited a year ago
Fun times with the guys at the sushi bar they are top notch. Sushi bar service is stellar at both Uchiko n Uchi, I will always request it over main space service. Best flavored nigiri in the city.
Visited a year ago
We loved everything we tried. It is excellence from host stand to service to food.
Visited a year ago
Came here for my husband’s 40th birthday dinner. The food was outstanding and exactly what I thought it would be. The Gunkin ways to die for.
Service was great. We never had to wait for anything for very long.
The only thing I didn’t love was how dark it was in the restaurant. But other than that it was wonderful ambience for a date night.
We will be back!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Went here for date night and couldn’t say enough good things about it! From the staffs to the atmosphere to the food and drinks, everything was perfect from start to finish. We sat at the sushi bar and Jonathan took excellent care of us. He even gave us complimentary desserts! Our plates were bussed constantly to make space and our utensils switched out for new ones as needed. We never had to wait long for anything as every members of the staff were extremely attentive, constantly checking in on us. The food alone made the experience 10/10 already but the service we received exceeded and tipped the scale. Highly recommend and can't wait to come back!
Ps: I prefer this location over the original Uchi!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Probably one of the best Japanese restaurants in the US, great friendly service, delicious cocktails, the unusual rice with kimchi is excellent, rolls are great, uni tastes fresh and desserts are worth the calories (we had 3...)
Valet or self parking on site.
Visited a year ago
- 15 sushi photos
- 200 sushi reviews
- 4.6 Sushi Rating
- Reservations: +1 713-522-4808
- Menu Website: https://uchiko.uchirestaurants.com/location/houston/
- Sushi Address: 1801 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056, United States
- Sushi Map: 29.7470175, -95.4605864
- Japanese restaurant
- Fine dining restaurant
- Sushi restaurant
- Sunday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–10 PM
- Monday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–10 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–10 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–10 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–10 PM
- Friday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–11 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–4–11 PM
- Outdoor seating: Available
- Delivery: Available
- Takeaway: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Great cocktails: Available
- Great tea selection: Available
- Great wine list: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Cocktails: Available
- Happy-hour drinks: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Private dining room: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Spirits: Available
- Vegan options: Available
- Vegetarian options: Available
- Wine: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Bar on site: Available
- Toilets: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Romantic: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Upmarket: Available
- Groups: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Reservations required: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- High chairs: Available
- Free parking lot: Available
- Parking: Available
- Valet parking: Available