Uchi, Houston, TX (Asian)

December 16, 2021 / Tony Lagana / Comments Offon Uchi, Houston, TX (Asian)

Considered one of the few American sushi “masters,” Tyson Cole is passionate about the Japanese tradition. He began training in Austin in his early twenties and then moved to Tokyo and New York to train under two different sushi masters before opening the original Uchi in Austin in 2003. Cole was awarded the James Beard Best Chef Award for the Southwest area as well as Food and Wine Magazine’s  Best New Chef. His goal with his flavors is to be multicultural, mixing Japanese tradition with Pacific Rim flavors.  

Uchi Houston opened in 2012 after the highly successful and acclaimed location in Austin. The word  “Uchi” means house and both locations and housed in refurbished homes. The 10-course meal is mouthwatering and varied. Menu offerings change seasonally because everything is so fresh. Your courses can range in such varied flavors as flounder with candied quinoa, rabbit with black garlic and sumac roasted carrots, 72-hour short rib, or bigeye tuna with goat cheese and apples. Even desserts are flavorful including fried milk (vanilla custard, salted fudge, and toasted blondie) or apple okashi (roasted oats with caramel mousse and apples). 

Many consider Uchi Houston as one of the top sushi restaurants in Houston. The Wall Street Journal  describes it as the “best sushi this side of Japan.” The service, the ambiance, and especially the sushi consistently receive high ratings in all reviews. Feel free to partake of the Sake Social but you may want to Uber home. 

Uchi Houston is open for outside and inside dining and adheres to all COVID restrictions. Parties cannot be larger than 10 (including children and babies) and there is a 6’ distance between tables. Guests waiting must be outside or in their car. A take-out menu is also available since the beginning of COVID.