Best Japanese Restaurants in Austin, Texas

Japanese stir fry noodles By dongil0324 – Wikimedia Commons

10 Best Japanese Restaurants in Austin, Texas

Austin’s food game is very strong, but what is really booming is the Japanese cuisine despite being a landlocked city. Known for its diversity in food cuisines Austin brings in a lot of food tourism. Austin’s best Japanese and sushi restaurants range from casual to exclusive. 

From sushi spots to ramen houses to fusion joints, Japanese restaurants have been popping up throughout every corner of the Texas capital. Here are 10 of the best restaurants in Austin serving up the best in Japanese cuisine.

1. Uchiko

Austin’s crown jewels of Japanese fine dining, Uchiko has become a mainstay on the Austin dining scene. With Chef Tyson Cole’s Uchi getting creative with the Japanese cuisine there’s something for everyone.

This beloved modern, innovative Japanese restaurant brings in a lot of traffic with sushi lovers and being top customers. The menu is in a league of its own with some of their hit dishes being a huge selection of pork, chicken and seafood . They offer both dining and takeout services with happy hours and great ambiance.

2. Soto Austin Cedar Park

Soto By Gunawan Kartapranata – Wikimedia Commons

This unique Japanese restaurant located in South Austin was opened by Executive Sushi Chef Andy.  He has worked as the executive chef in some of the best Japanese restaurants in the world bringing  his extensive talent to Austin.

Offering traditional Japanese cuisine as well as creative spins on some classic Japanese food. Rolls at the Cedar Park Japanese Restaurant run the gamut from decadent with truffle to plain but dependable like tuna and salmon. There’s a second location down on South Lamar. Both are open for indoor dine-in services. Happy hours, traditional sake and takeout orders are available and orders can be placed online.

3. Otoko

Otoko is strict about your participation in their multi-course omakase experience thus  a reservation is required. You purchase tickets ahead of time. Each dining experience is meant to be completely different. Most of these experiences have a mix of creative and challenging dishes from the Head Chef.

Reservations are available for one, two, and four people. At $150 per ticket which is on the pricey side of most special options in Austin. The menu offers amazing sushi options,  teriyaki dishes, assorted grilled meat etc which can be washed down with sake. 

4. TenTen

A welcoming haven for social gatherings and friendly dinners, TenTen is intentionally designed to create memories from great meals. Their interior is decorated with earthen elements with a high-energy urban design and soft, intimate lighting.

Japanese fare and craft libations served with unparalleled hospitality. Their menu offers some of the freshest sashimi and sushi to the flavor-forward robata, Japanese-style grilled meats and vegetables.

5. Ichiban

Ichiban Sushi By Reyandradb – Wikimedia Commons

Offering the traditional sushi bar with ambiance, from the koi pond to the Japanese-style low booths and  tatami-style restaurant Inciban is slowly becoming a hit. Blending a delicious fusion of both Japanese and Korean cuisines, Inciban encourages one to expand the palate.

Moreover, they offer hot sake and Sapporo to go with your meal. Bento boxes and sushi combos for lunch and a bar with plenty of beer, wine, and sake options are available. Pickup and delivery orders can be placed online and the restaurant is open for indoor dine-in service.

6. Tsuke Edomae

Tsuke Edomae is an immersive omakase experience from chef Michael Che at $79 per person, it’s still one of the most affordable options in town. Tsuke Edomae focuses on edomae-style sushi, which is largely unadorned.

You will experience sushi from the mind of a craftsman and they pride themselves in the preservation methods of Edomae Style. The restaurant is open for indoor dining only.

7. Gyu – Kaku

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ By kennejima – Wikimedia Commons

A great place for spending time with Friends and Family which offers the fun of “Shared Plates”.  Their motto is offering a dining experience to inspire laughter, conversation, and amazing times!

With a personal grill installed at every table, it brings inclusivity and everyone  becomes an expert cook. Its the perfect choice for first dates, dinner with family, and catching up with friends. Please note: 15 minutes grace experience and may not seat incomplete parties.

8. Komé

Kome Sushi restaurant embodies casual but chic comfort and wonderful dining experience. Serving contemporary home-style Japanese meals, sushi, and ramen not forgetting traditional sake.

Their insanely fresh sushi and sashimi plates are arguably the best lunch deals in town. Try the sunshine roll with fresh mango, Shiso greyhound, and chicken karaage.

9. Fukumoto

Named after chef Kazu Fukumoto, the restaurant is a refreshing new addition to the scene. Fukumoto himself is always around working, and if you are lucky to get a seat at the sushi bar you can watch him cook.

The marinated and grilled yakitori menu is fantastic and a customer favorite. The friendly servers help you navigate the menu and offer beverage pairings. With great funky 80’s music and amazing service and ambiance you are sure to enjoy a meal here.

10. Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

Assorted Japanese food including sushi and sashimi By jwalsh Wikimedia Commons

Located in the former Live Oak Barbecue spot, the smoke-stained walls and rustic setting lend a Texas feel to the Japanese hotspot. Starting as a rest stop, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya became popular for its amazing food and became a restaurant. Being a young restaurant, it has already won the Texas-Japanese izakaya competition and the hearts of the country.

Plates are meant to be shared and accompanied by stiff cocktails. Echoing its surroundings, the menu offers Texan-Japanese fusion fare with items like sticky rice tamale, chili cheese takoyaki, guava-poke, and yuzu pecan pie.

In conclusion, the city’s global food scene is growing, and nowhere can you see it more prominently than within the best Japanese food in Austin. You don’t have to travel too far outside of town to taste flavors from around the globe. I hope you check out a couple of the restaurants mentioned on this list next time you are in Austin, Texas.