2016 City Guide to Sushi in Austin

 http://austinfoodbloggers.org/best-places-to-eat-in-austin/
This is my contribution for the 2016 Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide. Sushi is my favorite food group and luckily there are some exceptional sushi restaurants in Austin. While some of my favorite spots have closed this year we also got some wonderful additions to the Austin area.
East Austin

Masu-Zushi Roll at Kyoten

Kyoten Brick-and-Mortar (coming soon)
4600 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Hours: tbd
Kyoten started off as a food trailer serving box-style sushi, traditional rolls and rice bowls. They pride themselves in using high quality and sustainable ingredients.  The trailer is now closed however they will be reopening as a brick and mortar at the Mosaic. 

Monkfish Liver at Fukumoto

Fukumoto Sushi and Izakaya
514 Medina St, Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Mon-Thu 5 pm – 10 pm, Fri-Sat 5 pm – 11 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Thu 5 pm – 6:30 pm
Fukomoto is a traditional sushi and yakitori izakaya restaurant located in east Austin. Chef Fukumoto, formerly of Musashino Sushi Dokoro, is an extremely talented chef and is well renowned in the Austin food community. Fukumoto is committed to sourcing sustainably and responsibly.
Xian Sushi and Noodle
801 E 51 St., Bldg C 370, AustinTX 78723
Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 10 pm
Sun 12 pm – 9 pm
Happy hour:
Mon – Sat: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Sun All Day
Reverse happy hour:
8:30 pm – 9:45 pm

Xian Sushi and Noodle serves a variety of hand-pulled noodles and creative sushi offerings. Dine in for happy hour and enjoy $4 drinks, $5 appetizers and $4 sushi rolls, sushi and sashimi. This location was the first to open in Austin. In addition they have a second location in north Austin.
Downtown

Finn and Porter
500 East 4th St, Austin, TX 78701 
Hours: Mon-Thu 5 pm – 10 pm, Fri-Sat 5 pm – 11 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Fri 5 pm – 7 pm
Finn and Porter is a high end restaurant located in the Hilton downtown. Checkout the chef\’s signature dishes on the menu for their contemporary sushi offerings.
\”RA\”Lollipop at Ra Sushi
RA Sushi
117 West 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Hours: 
Sun-Thu 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Fri-Sat 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Happy hour:
Mon-Sat 3 pm – 7 pm
Mon-Sat 10 pm – close
Sunday 8pm – close
RA Sushi is a popular nation wide chain that opened their Austin location in 2015 in the Warehouse District. RA Sushi has a gorgeous patio which is perfect for enjoying a beautiful Austin day complete with an excellent happy hour. The dining room with its alluring silhouette wall art along with sexy black and red decor make this a great place for date night.
Maiko
311 West 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Hours: 
Mon-Thu 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
Fri 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Sat 11 am -2:30 pm and 5 pm – 11:30 pm
Sun 11:30 am – 11 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Fri 3 pm – close
Sat-Sun 5 pm – close
Maiko has a notable happy hour which runs daily from dinner time until close. In addition to serving fresh sushi the kitchen also prepares yakitori and their sake mac n cheese is a must try.
Salmon and Tuna Nigiri at Piranha Killer Sushi

Piranha Killer Sushi
207 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701
Hours: 
Mon – Wed 11 am – 10 pm
Thu 11 am – 11 pm
Fri 11 am – Extended Hours

Sat 12 pm – Extended Hours
Sun 12 pm – 10 pm

Happy Hour:

Mon-Thu 4 pm – 7 pm

Fri-Sat the last hour of business
Sun Noon-5pm

Piranha Killer Sushi serves classic Japanese cuisine with a twist by fusing flavors of the Pacific Asian Rim.  Feeling adventurous? Sit at the sushi bar and order the chefs menu.
Review

Ex-Girlfriend Roll at Sushi Junai

Sushi Junai
1612 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am – 10 pm
Sushi Junai is known for their all-you-can eat sushi menu. The expansive menu allows guests to get their fill of sushi for a mere $19.95 during lunch and $29.95 for dinner service.
Review

Sushi Roll at Sushi Zushi

Sushi Zushi
1611 West 5th St, Austin, TX 78701

Hours:

Mon-Thu: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Happy Hour:
Daily 3 pm – 7 pm
Pets Allowed

Sushi Zushi boasts both an extensive sushi roll menu and sake menu. Sushi Zushi is one of few sushi restaurants that provide nutritional information making it easy to choose healthier menu items. Pets are allowed on that patio at both locations.
Review

Central

Daito 
2716 Guadalupe St, Austin TX 78705
Hours: Tue-Sun 5 pm – 10 pm 

The owners of Daito moved here from Osaka, Japan to serve authentic Japanese cuisine washoku. The menu consists of some of the best udon & soba noodles in Austin, tempura and fresh sushi offerings. The chefs at Daito prepare dashi every day from scratch.

D K Sushi and Seoul Asian Food Market
5610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Hours: Tue-Sat 11 am – 9 pm, Sun 12 pm – 8 pm
D K Sushi is situated in a small Asian market off of North Lamar. Their signature dish is seared escolar which usually accompanies the check at the end of the meal compliments of the chef. I dare you to come by on a Thursday night for drunken karaoke with D K. You will be rewarded handsomely with a plethora of insults and likely sake bombs, but it is all in good fun.
Ahi Tuna Tower at Hanabi


Hanabi

2525 W Anderson Ln., Bldg 3, Ste120, Austin, TX 78757

Hours:

Mon-Wed 11 am – 10 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am – 10:30 pm
Sun 12 pm – 10 pm
Happy Hour:
Daily 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Hanabi has an extensive happy hour menu making it a dining hot spot in central Austin. Their executive chef is Chef Choo formerly the executive chef at Beluga, Osaka and Afin. Owners Sunny Kim and John Yoo are hands on and usually can be found greeting guests and working alongside their employees at the restaurant. The 72 hour miso salmon and the ahi tuna tower are two of their popular menu items. 
Review
Hanabi 2 (opening March 2016)
9503 Research Blvd, Ste 500, Austin, TX 78759
Hours: tbd

The menu at the second Hanabi location will serve some of their most popular dishes along with some unique offerings specific to the new location. Hanabi 2 is slated to open in March of 2016.

Ichiban
7310 Burnet Rd, AustinTX 78757

Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am – 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am – 10:30 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Sat 2:30 pm – 6 pm

The sushi menu at Ichiban is completely straight forward sectioning their menu items by categories such as \”fresh\”, \”vegetarian\” and \”fried\” accompanied by pictures of each roll. They have a beautiful koi pond and they provide food if you would like to feed the fish.

Endo in NY Roll at Kome Sushi and Kitchen

Kome Sushi and Kitchen
4917 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751

Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 10 pm
Fri 11 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 11 pm
Sat 11 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 11 pm
Sun 12 pm -3 pm, 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Thu 5 pm – 6 pm

What started off as the first sushi food trailer in Austin has turned into a popular neighborhood izakaya and sushi bar. Kome has fresh fish flown in from the Tsukiji market, noodle dishes at lunchtime and izakaya in the evenings.

Review

Musashino Sushi Dokoro
3407 Greystone Drive, Austin, TX 78731
(Note: moving May 2016 to 2905 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705)

Hours:
Lunch Tues-Fri 11:30 am -2 pm
Dinner Sun-Thu 5:30 pm – 10 pm , Fri-Sat 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Musashino is one of the most well respected sushi restaurants in Austin. As a testament many of Austin\’s finest sushi chefs to include Chef Tyson Cole (Uchi/Uchiko), Chef Kazu Fukumoto (Fukumoto), Také Asazu (Kome) and both Tatsu Aikawa & Takyua Matsumoto of (Ramen Tatsu-Ya) got their start behind the sushi bar at Musashino. Musashino brings Edomae zushi (Tokyo style sushi) to the heart of Austin Texas. Musashino is a popular option for fine dining and date night.

Salmon Sashimi at Pacific Rim Sushi & Yakitori

Pacific Rim Sushi and Yakitori Lounge
9070 Research Blvd. Suite 305, Austin, TX 78758

Hours:
Mon-Friday 11 am – 11 pm
Saturday 5 pm -12 am
Sunday 4:30 am – 11 pm 

Happy hour:
Mon-Fri 3 pm – close
Saturday 5 pm – close
Sunday 4:30 pm – 11 pm

Pacific Rim has an incredible happy hour offered late afternoon until close. The focal point of the restaurant is the full bar serving up Japanese whiskeys, fine wines and both local and Japanese beers. The owner/chef of Pacific Rim worked at Maiko downtown (hint: order the sake mac n cheese). They recently added Japanese hot rock to the menu and offer $1 & an extensive $3 Tuesday evening specials.
Review

Raku Sushi and Asian Bistro
2222 Rio Grande St #100, Austin, TX 78705

Hours:
Sunday 12 pm – 9 pm
Mon-Thu 11:30 am – 11 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 11 pm
Happy Hour:
Mon-Sat 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Raku Sushi and Asian Bistro caters in west campus caters to students and professors. Their late running happy hour is a big hit and makes for the perfect stop after class or work.

Uchiko
4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
Hours:
Sun-Thu 5 pm – 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm – 11 pm
Happy Hour:
Daily 5 pm – 6:30 pm

Uchiko is Uchi\’s handsome brother, both of which are owned by Chef Tyson Cole. While the menu has some similarities the two restaurants have their own unique atmosphere. Dining in during the daily social sake hour provides guests an opportunity to try many of the dishes for the fraction of the price.

Street by Chinatown (Opening June 1st)

3407 Greystone Drive, Austin, TX 78731
Chef Ronald Cheng announced he will be opening Street by Chinatown on June 1st. Street will take over the current location of Musashino Sushi Dokoro after they move to their new home. Street will showcase incredible sushi dishes and clever street food offerings.

Sushi Niichi
705 W 24th St, Austin, TX 78705

Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am – 10 pm
Fri 11 am – 11 pm
Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm
Sun 11:30 am – 10 pm
Happy hour:
Daily 4 pm – 6 pm

Sushi Niichi is a campus favorite for reasonably priced sushi. If you are looking for a bargain sushi dinner on campus look no further than Sushi Niichi\’s coveted happy hour. Parking can be difficult but it is worth it.

North

Midori Sushi
13435 Research Blvd., Ste 301, Austin, TX 78750
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Fri 11:30 pm -10:30 pm
Sat 12 pm – 10 pm

Midori is very busy during lunch so you will want to arrive when they open. Midori uses high quality fish, has great presentation, friendly service and a casual atmosphere.
Mikado Ryotei 
9033 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 78758
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am – 10pm
Fri 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
Sat 5 pm – 10:30 pm
Sun 12 pm -10 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Fri 3 pm – 6 pm
Sun all day

Mikado has an approachable wine list, friendly chefs and excellent sushi. The prices are steep but they do have a great happy hour. The food presentation and quality are top notch.

O\’Daku
2501 W. Parmer Ln., #500 Austin, Texas, 78727

Hours:
Mon-Fri  11 am – 10 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
Happy hour:
Mon-Sat 5 pm – 8 pm

O\’Daku serves a variety of Japanese and Korean cuisine to include sushi, Korean BBQ, katsu, teriyaki, donburi and noodle dishes. The big draw at O\’Daku is their late running happy hour which is 5pm-8pm Monday through Saturday. 

Sushi Junai 2
2500 Parmer Ln W., Suite # 100, Austin, Texas 78727
Hours:
Mon-Thu  11 am – 10 pm
Fri – Sat 11 am – 10:30 pm
Sun 5pm – 10 pm

Sushi Junai 2 recently opened their doors in North Austin. The new location is open for lunch and dinner serving the same menu featuring both an a la carte and all-you-can-eat menu. The AYCE options is excellent for those with a larger appetite and groups that want to share a family style meal. AYCE lunch is $19.95 for adults and $10.95 for children from ages 2-7 years. Dinner prices for AYCE are $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for children.  
Review

San Antonio Roll at Sushi Zushi

Sushi Zushi
3221 Feathergrass Ct., Austin, TX
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am – 10 pm
Friday  11 am – 11 pm
Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm
Sun 11:30 am – 10 pm
Happy Hour:
Daily 3 pm – 6 pm
Pets Allowed

This is Sushi Zushi\’s second location in Austin. Sushi Zushi boasts both an extensive sushi roll menu and sake menu. They have one of the best daily happy hours at the Domain II. Pets are allowed on the patio at both locations.


Tomodachi Sushi
4101 W. Parmer Ln Ste E Austin, TX 78727 
Hours:

Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Dinner Mon – Fri 5:30 pm – 10 pm 
Sat 12 pm – 10 pm

Tomodachi is an elegant and intimate restaurant in north Austin. Tomodachi prides themselves in using seasonal ingredients and flying in quality fish from the famous Tsukiji market and Honolulu.

Ruby Tuna at Xian Sushi

Xian Sushi and Noodle 2
13201 Ranch Road 620 N, Ste U208, Austin, TX 78717
Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:30 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 9:30 pm
Sun 12 pm – 9 pm
Happy hour:
Mon – Fri: 5:00pm – 9:30pm
Sat & Sun All Day

Xian Sushi and Noodle serves a variety of hand-pulled noodles and creative sushi offerings. Dine in for happy hour and enjoy $4 drinks, $5 appetizers and $4 sushi rolls, sushi and sashimi.
Review

West (Bee Caves, Westlake and Lakeway)

Nigiri at Chinatown Westlake


Chinatown Westlake

2717 Bee Caves Rd.
Austin, TX 78746
Hours:
Sun – Thu 11am – 9:30 pm 
Fri & Sat 11 am – 10 pm
Happy hour:
Mon – Fri: 3 pm – 6 pm in the bar and patio

Owner and Chef Ronald Cheng has been in the restaurant business nearly all his life. The first Chinatown restaurant opened in Austin in 1983 and has become a staple in the Austin food scene. Chinatown is known for their fresh sushi offerings prepared by some of the best sushi chefs in town, savory dim sum brunches and their award winning General TSO\’s chicken. Their gorgeous restaurant and sprawling shaded patio is the perfect location for happy hour, brunch, events and date night.
Nigiri at Cho Sushi

Cho Sushi Japanese Fusion
2422 620 South Suite A100, Austin, TX 78738
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am – 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 12 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 4 pm – 9:00 pm

Happy hour:

Mon-Sat 4:30 pm to 7 pm
Sun 4 pm  to 9 pm

This Cho Sushi is their second location in west Austin. The menu pays tribute to their neighborhood with rolls named Lakeway and Bentely.
Review

West Lake Roll at Izumi

Izumi

701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746

Hours:
Lunch Mon – Fri 11 am – 2:30 pm 
Dinner Mon – Thu 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Fri 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Izumi is a lunchtime hot spot in the Westlake Hills shopping Center. The bento boxes and lunch specials will fill your sushi belly at a reasonable price.

Salmon Tartare at Tadashi

Tadashi
12820 Hill Country Blvd #105, Bee Cave, TX 78738
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am – 9:30 pm
Fri 11 am – 10 pm
Sat 12 pm – 11 pm
Sun 12 pm – 9:30 pm
Happy Hour:
3 pm – 6 pm

Tadashi is an upscale restaurant located in the Hill Country Galleria. Chef Sun has developed an exceptional sushi menu with incredible daily specials. They fly in fish from around the world to use in their innovative sushi offerings.
Review
South



Lucky Robot
1303 S Congress, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Mon-Thu 11 am – 10 pm, Fri-Say 10 am – 10 pm
Happy hour:
Daily 4pm – 6:30 pm
Tokyo brunch and house-infused sakes are the highlights at Lucky Robot. Tokyo brunch is served Saturday and Sundays from 10am-3pm. During Tokyo brunch customers can indulge in heavy fusion dishes that go well with their sake punch.
Review


Marker 10 
Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(Sushi) Hours: Daily 5 pm – 10 pm

Happy Hour:
Sun-Thu 4 pm – 7 pm
Marker 10 is located inside the Hyatt Regency hotel on Barton Springs. The upscale sushi bar serves high-end quality sushi. At Marker 10 you can satisfy your sushi craving while sitting on the lakeside patio with views of downtown.

Nanami Sushi Bar & Grill
9001 Brodie Ln. Ste B1, Austin, TX 78748

Hours: 
Sun-Thu 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Fri-Sun 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
Happy Hour: 
Mon – Thu 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Nanami Sushi Bar & Grill is a popular spot to dine for lunch and weekend nights. The receive rave reviews for their lunch specials which include bento boxes, sushi lunch combo and a generous \”creative\” lunch special of pick two rolls and comes with miso soup and salad.

Otoko (now open)
1603 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Tues-Sat ticketing reservation only

Otaku is opening their doors in March 2016 and booked out their 12 top a month out making them the hottest ticket for sushi in town. Reservations become available online the first of every month for the month following. Otaku is Top Chef winner Paul Qui\’s newest venture inside the newly opened South Congress Hotel. The omakase dining experience will feature both Kyoto style kaiseki and Tokyo style sushi. 

Uchi
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: 
Sun-Thu 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm -11:00 pm
Happy hour:
Daily 5 pm – 6:30 pm

Uchi offers a sophisticate menu combining traditional offerings with fresh local flavors. Tyson Cole has crafted signature dishes that are renowned in the Austin food community. Uchi has set the standard for fine dining in Austin.

Umi Sushi Bar and Grill
5510 S IH 35 Frontage Rd #400, Austin, TX 78745

Hours:
Mon–Wed 11:30 am – 10 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 11 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 12 am
Saturday 12 am –12 am
Sunday 12 pm –10 pm
Happy hour:
Daily 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Reverse Happy Hour:
Thu 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri-Sat 9:30 pm – 12:00 am
Umi Sushi has a full bar with three screens making it a great place to both eat sushi and watch a game. Their restaurant serves up both traditional and innovative rolls along with other traditional offerings to include Ton Katsu, Nabe Yaki Udon. Umi is well known for their late night reverse happy hour.
Cedar Park/Leander

Jalapeno Hamachi at Daichi

Daichi
2051 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Hours: Tue-Thu 11 am – 9 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am – 10 pm, Sun 12 pm – 9 pm
Happy hour:
Daily 4 pm – 7 pm

Daichi is a hidden gem located in a strip mall in Cedar Park. The small family owned and operated restaurant serves an impressive izakaya menu along with wonderful sushi dishes. If you are lucky enough to stop by during lunch while they are serving ramen then you are in for a real treat!
Review

Kai Special Sashimi at Kai Sushi

Kai Sushi
1805 S. Highway 183, Suite 400, Leander, TX 78613
Hours:
Mon – Fri 11am – 2pm & 4 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday 12 pm – 9:30 pm
Happy hour:
Mon – Fri 4 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday 12 pm – 4 pm
Pets Allowed

The menu consists of enticing appetizers, both traditional and innovative fresh sushi offerings, grilled kushiyaki (2 skewers) and a small yet thoughtful offering of traditional Japanese and Korean entrees. The patio is pet friendly.
Review

Uni Pasta with Truffle at Soto

Soto Contemporary Cuisine
11066 Pecan Park Blvd, Suite 402, Cedar Park, Texas 78613
Hours:
Lunch Mon – Sun 11 am – 3pm
Dinner Mon – Thu 5 pm – 10 pm, Friday 5 pm – 11 pm, Sat 3 pm – 11 pm, Sun 3 pm – 9 pm
Happy hour:
Monday all night
Tue – Fri  5 pm – 6:30 pm 
Sat 3 pm – 5 pm 
Sun 3 pm – 6:30 pm
The cuisine at Soto takes on the senses with menu items like fire salmon, sakura smoked hamachi sashimi and hamachi toro tartare with caviar served on a block of ice. Soto adds a hint of French influences to their wildly imaginative dishes. During lunch they serve their special Kawasaki lunch with many small dishes offering a well rounded taste of what Chef Andy and his team has to offer.

Review

Sashimi Roll and Jalapeno Hamachi Sashimi

Sushi Fever
905 E Whitestone Blvd., Ste F, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Hours:
Lunch Tue-Fri 11 am – 2:30 pm
Dinner Tue-Sat 4:30 pm – 1- pm
Happy hour:
Daily 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Chef Bruce Lee and his wife Eunmi opened Sushi Fever in the spring of 2014. Their menu offerings incorporate their house-made sauces with Vegas flare. Make sure to checkout the chalkboard menu items for specialty fish. Sushi Fever is as place of fun and good times so let loose and challenge Chef Bruce to a sake bomb.
Review

Takara Spring Roll


Takara Sushi and Asian Bistro
1335 E Whitestone Blvd. Suite T-140, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Hours: Mon – Sat 11:30 am – 10 pm
Happy hour:

Monday, Wed-Friday 3 pm – 7 pm

Tuesday all night

Takara is an elegant restaurant located in the 1890 Ranch in Cedar Park. Dine in on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm for live jazz music.
Review
Umiya
1540 Cypress Creek Road #113, Cedar Park, TX 78603

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 9:30 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am to 9 pm

Umiya serves both Japanese and Korean cuisine. They recently added ramen to the menu. The restaurant recently expanded and now has outdoor dining.

Did I miss your favorite sushi restaurant in Austin? If so please share your sushi hot spots in the comments and I will be sure to include them in my 2017 guide.

You can find the complete listing of all topics of the AFBA 2016 City Guide here: http://austinfoodbloggers.org/best-places-to-eat-in-austin/

4 thoughts on “2016 City Guide to Sushi in Austin

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