An Insider’s Information to Austin’s Standout Sushi Scene

Welcome to the colourful and various culinary scene of Austin— a metropolis with no scarcity of distinctive flavors and progressive culinary delights. Whereas this metropolis is widely known for its barbecue and Tex-Mex, Austin’s culinary scene is aware of no bounds—boasting an array of outstanding worldwide cuisines. After I moved to Austin almost three years in the past, I made it one in all my first duties to seek out the perfect sushi in Austin. What I discovered? Whether or not you’re a seasoned sushi connoisseur or a curious first-timer, Austin’s sushi scene has one thing for each palate.

After intensive analysis and loads of tasting, our group compiled an inventory of the perfect sushi spots in Austin that exude distinctive high quality, inventive culinary aptitude, and impeccable service. Every restaurant on our record maintains each the timeless ability of conventional sushi strategies and the flexibility to push the boundaries of creativity. As a result of isn’t that what Austin is all about?

Featured Picture of Sushi by Scratch Eating places by Chad Wadsworth.

Finest Splurge: Otoko

Otoko—a 12-seat Japanese kaiseki omakase-style spot discovered within the South Congress Resort—is an expertise you don’t wish to miss. Chef Yoshi Okai leads you thru a 20-course meal stuffed with nigiri, sashimi, and different conventional Japanese favorites. We advocate making your reservation three months prematurely to make sure you get a spot at this standard restaurant. Belief us—you received’t wish to miss out.

• Value: $$$$
• Specialties: This Omasake expertise is one you don’t wish to miss right here in Austin. Translating to “I go away it as much as you,” you’ll get pleasure from a wide range of distinctive flavors with out having to decipher by means of a menu of mouth-watering choices. The hamachi with smoked tamari and herbs is a fan-favorite a part of the expertise, the place the fish is grilled in binchotan coals proper in entrance of you.
• 1603 S Congress Ave | (512) 994-0428 | web site | instagram

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The place Texas meets Japan, Neighborhood Sushi—situated within the bustling South Congress neighborhood—options a wide range of native and worldwide elements on its menu. Get pleasure from a Legacy Wagu nigiri with beef from La Grange, or go for a Japanese favourite with BBQ Contemporary Water Eel nigiri or sashimi. No matter you select, we are able to guarantee you your style buds received’t be left unhappy.

• Value: $$
• Specialties: Whereas there are many distinctive choices for lovers of a conventional sushi roll at Neighborhood Sushi, there’s additionally a sizeable menu for vegetable-only nigiri. Go for a hon shimeji with crispy garlic or candy corn served with togarashi and serrano for a scrumptious meat-free chew.
• 1716 S Congress Ave | (512) 580-1390 | web site | instagram

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You’ll have a very genuine sushi expertise at Fukumoto. This restaurant is thought for a number of the greatest sushi in Austin because of each its appetizing menu and gorgeous inside. Sake barrels will be seen surrounding the eating room, the place you’ll get pleasure from a wide range of contemporary fish, comparable to yellowtail and bluefin tuna, and yakitori specialties, like miso-glazed pork stomach and Brussels sprouts with honey tare.

• Value: $$
• Specialties: The spotlight of this sushi spot is unquestionably its yakitori—skewers grilled over Japanese charcoal—that are carried out of their open kitchen. In the event you’re searching for leisure with a high-quality meal, you’ve discovered the proper place.
• 514 Medina St | (512) 770-6880 | web site | instagram

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One other omakase favourite right here in Austin is Sushi by Scratch Eating places. Positioned within the Hyatt Regency Misplaced Pines Resort & Spa in Cedar Creek, this 10-seat eating expertise incorporates a 16-course meal stuffed with every little thing from Hamachi to Wagyu beef. The variety of the programs is what makes this eating expertise stand out essentially the most. Observe that this spot can not accommodate vegetarian requests or mushroom allergy symptoms.

• Value: $$$
• Specialties: Whereas the omakase expertise is a specialty in and of itself, the range of elements from each land and sea makes this sushi expertise one that’s completely value the fee and wait.
• 575 Hyatt Misplaced Pines Street | (512) 360-8601 | web site | instagram

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Most Common: Uchi

In the event you’re an Austin native, native, or only a well-informed customer, you already know Uchi as among the best and best sushi eating places this metropolis has to supply. For his or her omasake, Chef Tyson Cole takes you on a ten-course meal stuffed with a number of the freshest and best-prepared sushi you’ll ever style. Moreover, their common menu is stuffed with the best high quality dishes that vary from sizzling plates to caviar to nigiri and sashimi. If there’s anyplace you strive on this record for each the expertise and the meals—that is your spot.

• Value: $$$$
• Specialties: What you see on Uchi’s menu is not like what you’ll discover at your typical metropolis sushi spot. Whereas the omakase is arguably the popular splurge and specialty right here, we additionally advocate virtually all the common menu gadgets, together with their hama chili—a contemporary minimize of yellowtail with ponzu, Thai chili, orange supreme, or the smoked trout roe with yuzu creme fraiche, black garlic, raisin relish, and taro chips.
• 801 S Lamar Blvd | (512) 916-4808 | web site | instagram

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Finest Mild Chew: Komé

This primary-come, first-serve sushi spot options a number of completely different menus—lunch, mid-day, dinner, and drinks—all of which have sufficient choices to maintain everybody full and happy. Get pleasure from a rice bowl for lunch or Hosomaki mid-day. No matter variation of this traditional delicacies you select, it’s sure to be ready to aesthetic perfection.

• Value: $$
• Specialties: Suppose tapas, however Japanese. The izakaya right here at Komé is a bar-style Japanese delicacies that consists of a wide range of small, usually cheap dishes served with a wide range of specialty drinks. In the event you’re searching for informal good eats, that is your spot.
• 5301 Airport Blvd #100 | (512) 712-5700 | web site | instagram

Finest Predominant Dishes: Soto

Positioned near Zilker, Soto is the perfect of each worlds. There’s an intensive number of nigiri and sashimi choices, in addition to loads of makimono rolls to suit everybody’s requests. Additionally they supply omakase at $175 per individual when you’re searching for an upscale night.

• Value: $$$
• Specialties: In the event you’re trying to department out past sushi, Soto’s cold and warm menu options dishes like their chilihamachi with garlic chili ponzu, fried jalapeño, and scallion, and grilled Chilean sea bass marinated 72 hours in candy miso sauce and scallion.
• 1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste 2115 | (512) 531-9142 | web site | instagram

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Traditional and contemporary, this Edomae-style sushi restaurant is a kind of particular locations that can fulfill your sushi craving with out going overboard. The nigiri is way greater than what you’ll discover at most sushi spots round Austin, making these eats undoubtedly value their value. Get pleasure from a view of town to accompany your meal at this second-story restaurant. The bonus is the climate is sweet sufficient to eat on the patio!

• Value: $$$
• Specialties: With out having the whole omakase expertise (and price), Musashino’s sushi deluxe is paired with a miso soup and a chef’s alternative of a number of items of sushi.
• 2905 San Gabriel St Suite 200 | (512) 795-8593 | web site | instagram

An extended-standing Austin favourite is Tomodachi sushi, located on Parmer Lane. Their menu isn’t overly elaborate, and also you’ll doubtless discover the spot stuffed with locals who’ve loved their contemporary fish for years. The nigirizushi and sashimi are made with care by Chef Steve Raid and his spouse Tina Son, each of which foster a welcoming and comfy eating expertise with out being overly conventional and stuffy.

• Value: $$
• Specialties: Just a few of the highly-acclaimed favorites at Tomodachi are the contemporary aji (Japanese horse mackerel) simply in from the Tsukiji fish market in northern Japan, or kampachi, wild yellowtail from the Honolulu fish market.
• 4101 W Parmer Ln | 512) 821-9472 | web site

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A sister restaurant of the beloved Uchi, a James Beard Award-winning non-traditional Japanese joint, Uchiko’s menu is likely one of the most unusual. From their gyutoro—a 72-hour quick rib—to their beau soleil oyster served with strawberry chutney—the menu spans far past what you’ll discover at your native sushi spot.

• Value: $$$$
• Specialties: Just like Omakase, Uchiko affords a Somakase possibility for his or her eating expertise, the place the server has the duty of curating your menu. It’s undoubtedly one thing to strive when you’re trying to spice it up with out sitting down for a ten-course meal.
• 1801 Submit Oak Blvd Suite 110 | (713) 522-4808 | web site | instagram

One other spot beloved by Austin locals is Ichi-Umi, situated on Analysis Boulevard. They persistently ship nice service, massive portion sizes, and reasonably priced costs. In the event you don’t wish to commute to the busier areas like South Congress or Downtown, Ichi-Umi doesn’t disappoint.

• Value: $$
• Specialties: Whereas their sushi is nothing out of the atypical, there are a number of must-haves on this menu. The honey wasabi sauce is sweet on nearly every little thing, and the Matsu combo is a big portion of sushi meant for multiple to get pleasure from for under $45.
• 9503 Analysis Blvd #500 | (512) 795-8666 | web site | instagram

Finest Bang for Your Buck: Ichiban

Ichiban is a number of the greatest sushi in Austin for serving a crowd. Whereas their completely happy hour is stable and runs Monday-Saturday from 4-6 pm, their regular-priced menu is simply nearly as good. The restaurant inside is strictly what you’d count on when eating on Japanese delicacies. In my view, it’s among the best choices within the metropolis to get pleasure from with out breaking the financial institution.

• Value: $$
• Specialties: It’s not typically that I discover a restaurant that serves a scrumptious bento field and a full sushi menu, however Ichiban checks that field with ease. Served with rice, soup or salad, gyoza, vegetable tempura, and a California roll, when you’re hungry, it may be your subsequent order.
• 7310 Burnet Rd | (512) 458-3700 | web site | instagram