As Houston diners become more educated about the city’s diverse culinary offerings, it’s not uncommon to seek experiences that transcend the normal dining out routine. Omakase, which translates to “I leave it up to you” in Japanese, is based on the idea of letting the chef choose a variety of plates for guests to enjoy. Most omakase menus are thought up with the idea of using fresh ingredients in mind, and chefs add their own touches to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
While it can be a costly adventure, an omakase experience is a well-curated showcase of fine ingredients that can sometimes last over two hours. It is a popular way of dining in sushi restaurants across the country, and Houstonians have embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Consider this guide of restaurants offering unforgettable omakase experiences.
Neo
This petite omakase concept is located inside a Montrose clothing store called Glass Cypress. The 18 to 20 course menu ($185) comes with complimentary beverages, though guests may also BYOB. Neo is known for its dry aging program, with the bulk of dishes leaning toward nigiri pieces like kampachi and otoro. Guests can further elevate the experience by adding on items like caviar and extra courses for an additional cost. Seatings are offered at 5:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., but with just 10 seats and a cult-like following, they book up quickly. 1711 Indiana St., Houston, glasscypress.com
Oheya by Uchi
Located behind an inconspicuous door adjacent to its parent concept, Uchi, Oheya’s compact space feels like a hideaway. Oheya means ‘the room’ in Japanese, and with just 12 seats at a curved counter, the small restaurant serves as a complement to Uchi, which translates to “home”. Led by chef de cuisine Stephen Conklin and head sushi chef Kevin Le, the 15-course omakase ($175) menu changes bi-monthly, as do the featured chefs, whose culinary expertise make for a personalized and thoughtfully-curated menu. Guests can add beverage pairings for an additional $75 per person. Two seatings are offered per night, with reservations released the month prior. 904 Westheimer Rd., Houston, uchi.restaurants.com
MF Sushi
Chef Chris Kinjo’s sushi restaurant debuted in Houston’s Museum District more than a decade ago, opening at the forefront of the omakase trend. The restaurant prides itself on showcasing the finest seafood, and here, the ingredients shine without too much interference. MF Sushi’s omakase experience requires advanced reservations, with seatings starting at $200 per person and varying based on the courses served during the two hour meal, which often goes a bit beyond. 1401 Binz St., Houston, mfsushi.com
Azumi
This vibey Japanese restaurant from Atlas Restaurant Group (Loch Bar, Marmo) is newly opened in the River Oaks District. The concept is led by executive chef Timur Fazilov, whose experience includes stints with acclaimed chef Masharu Morimoto. Seafood is flown in daily from Tokyo, and wagyu beef is sourced from Miyazaki, Japan. For its multi-course omakase, guests can expect a guided experience by head sushi chef Paul Launh, who holds court at the 11-seat sushi bar. Choose from the regular omakase ($170), or the premium ($220) with extras, and add on a sake pairing for an additional $28 per person. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, azumirestaurant.com
Hidden Omakase
This exclusive Michelin Guide-recommended tasting restaurant is discreetly located behind the doors of a mock comic book shop in a Galleria area retail strip. Inside, a U-shaped counter with 18 seats gives every guest a front row seat to the action. Chef Marco Juarez, a veteran of Uchi, guides the omakase ($225), with the help of a talented culinary team who take the time to educate guests on ingredients and seafood used in the meal. The menu changes with the seasons, but guests can expect a creative array of bites like chutoro or buri sashimi. Only two seatings are offered per night, with recommendations released on Resy exclusively, two weeks in advance. Hidden Omakase does not have a liquor license, but guests are allowed to bring a bottle of wine or liquor with a $20 corkage fee. 5353 W. Alabama St., Houston, hiddenomakase.com
Katami
Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi has earned four James Beard Award nominations for his sushi and Japanese grill concept, Kata Robata, so it’s no surprise there was lots of excitement when he opened Katami in 2023. The Montrose restaurant offers two unique omakase options. The Sushi Omakase ($175) is a succession of 17 bites, which showcase fresh fish sourced from Toyosu Market. The Katami Omakase ($275) delivers both sushi and warm dishes, according to the availability of seasonal ingredients. 2701 W. Dallas St., Houston, katamihouston.com
Soto
This Montrose restaurant is the follow-up to Andy Chen’s sushi concept by the same name, which opened in Austin in 2013. Chen utilizes fresh seafood flown in from the Toyosu Market. His omakase might include enticements like hokkaido scallops and uni, with wagyu beef also making an appearance in the line-up. A regular omakase ($150) is offered and a premium version ($250). Reserving a seat at the sushi bar for the omakase lets guests see the chefs at work and, oftentimes, Chen is one of them. Diners may also enjoy the omakase in the modern and minimalist dining room. 224 Westheimer Rd., Houston, sotohouston.com
