Uchiko Austin Reviews

As a frequent traveler I was surprised that my friends recommended to go to Austin for sushi.... I must confidently say this was by far the best sushi I have ever tasted in my life! Each dish has a unique flavor profile intricate cuisine and massive flavor profile. I would highly recommend the mackerel, salmon belly, and the uni with roe was a piece of nirvana in the mouth.

We visited this restaurant with a fairly large group and dined in one of the “private rooms”... We had a preordered menus but added dishes as we went along...The service was good and the food was quite delicious...We enjoyed a variety of food and at the end were very satisfied...In particular we enjoyed the Brussels sprouts! They were addicting and the most sought after side dish by far... Again, high quality food and good service but at a significant price point...

Ok y’all... Hubs is a FOODIE! He loves food, loves to be adventurous, so when friends recommended this, I gave it to him as b/day present! Please understand that as adventurous as Hubs is, I’m not! I like my food COOKED and I told them so when I made reservations! Since it was for b/day, I splurged and we did chefs tasting menu.. 10 courses! We sat at sushi bar and got to watch our chef work, and they work hard! They gave us Chef Charlie and he made it his mission to make sure I was eating and LIKING raw fish before I left! And I’ve got to be honest... he had me hooked on the first bite! He picked out everything and Hubs was laughing b/c I was enjoying it as much as he was! They have a menu you can order off of, but I recommend the chef’s menu if you can! We also met the head chef/ owner Tyson Cole who is a James Beard award winner! We WILL be back! I just really can’t recommend it highly enough! Go, take your time, and enjoy!

I wish that I would have come here YEARS ago! I picked this for my birthday dinner and was so happy about the wonderful experience we had here. Food was over the top fabulous, service was top notch and ambiance was wonderful. TIP: ask the server for their suggestions on what to order, we were so pleased by everything that they suggested that we try.

One of three (the other two are in Dallas and Huston) this a large and somewhat noisy popular sushi restaurant. There is a fresh fish of the day list to supplement the a la carte menu. The food is fabulous and full of flavour. Very helpful waiter to guide us through the menu and describe the good list of saki. The one we decided on really complemented the food. There is slo a western wine list. Although we decided against a dessert we were given some ice cream and sorbet on the house. The food came rather quickly and not in the order we intended, but that did not detract from an excellent meal. Strongly recommended

Uchiko staff went above and beyond to help us celebrate a milestone, from authoring a mind-blowing omakase composite of menu items, to accomplished food prep follow through, to special pre-proffered theme touches executed not just to request, but above and beyond even somewhat elevated expectations. So beautifully done, such happy recipients, such a feeling of rewarded trust. We made the right choice. This IS the place when that special place is needed. We are completely, wide-eyed, satiated. As mentioned to the sushi chef Mitchell (btw – fun to see someone having fun in their job) near the end of the Omakase courses - we know there are so many other tastes to be had, but we feel we've experienced it all and are extremely happy with the list of items you've put together. You hate to stop, but practicalities impose. So good. (Great actually) Well done all ! (Mitchell, Lauren, DJ, Alli, unknown multitudes behind the scenes) Then, the send-off...can't divulge, I assume, as per conventional wisdom, everybody would expect it. But, suffice it to say that extra thought, love, and care was demonstrated when it could of just as easy been skipped and none would have been the wiser. Above and beyond treatment of customers. Always. Many thanks, "until better paid", as the saying goes. Mission over-accomplished ? Never. Haha. Do yourself a favor, moreover, do your significant other a favor - indulge, here. Just leave it to them. What we were privileged to sample tonight: 1. Black magic oyster – half-shell w/strawberry chip, chutney (tasty) 2. Toro nuta – bluefin tuna, blueberry, pistachio, lemon dashi (very nice) 3. Kabocha tempura – pumpkin, jalapeno, shishito aioli (yes, old fav) 4. “44” nigiri – (custom request) sea bream, red snapper, salmon, bluefin (excellent variety) 5. King crab – corn, uni, kimchi (yumm) 6. Spicy crunchy tuna – big eye tuna, shallot, tobanjan aioli (textural change up) 7. Hotate – scallop, spicy aioli, avocado (variety balance) 8. Japanese sweet potato – brown butter, nori vinaigrette, crème fraiche (new to us, very good) 9. Dry aged steak – wagyu, charred snow peas leaves (new item - loved) 10. Toyosu selections – Bluefin akami, chutoro, otoro (loin, med fat, fatty) (great to compare) 11. Kinoko usuzukuri – trumpet mushroom, shallot, shiro zu (nice change) 12. Hearth roasted lobster – tom kha, maitake, umeboshi butter (new one) (omg) 13. Seasonal sundae – sorbet, banana, caramel sauce 14. Blueberry okashi – panna cotta, habanero, white chocolate crunch (both good together) Cheers all.

Went to Uchiko with a few business pals. The food was spectacular. A real culinary delight. Knocked out with the fantastic everything. Each dish a winner. The kitchen is knocking out amazing plates. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Not your typical sushi joint.

We celebrated a birthday in style. From the reservation follow up, valet, ambiance, service and food, this is a special place to dine. We enjoyed the details from the chopstick presentation to the varied menu sure to please anyone. The Hama chili featuring succulent pieces of Japanese yellowtail and the seared duck presented in a smoked filled cloche were outstanding. The Spanish mackerel was fresh and light. The tempura eggplant was a nice starter. The edamame were seared over gas grill and my only suggestion would be to limit the salt, seemed very salty. Reasonable wine prices with a prosecco under $11. The service was outstanding with many of the staff assisting in the dining experience. Overall tab was $110 and worth it. We will definitely go again!

This was an amazing meal. We tried several dishes and everything was fantastic. The Hama Chilli was really good. Great taste and multiple flavors with each bite. The hot rack wagyu beef was fantastic and melted in our mouth. The Sakana Mushi has a nice flavor with a bit of a kick. This was my wife's favorite dish. The P-38 was also very very good. Overall a fantastic evening and a memorable evening.

"Welcome to Uchiko, my name is ____ and I'll be helping you tonight." "I see you're here to celebrate your 14th wedding anniversary -- congratulations!" "I'll give you some time to look over the menu, but please let me know if you have any questions, I'm here for you." "Looks like you are running low on drinks, could I offer you another round?" On three previous visits to Uchiko, these are the sort of conversations I've grown used to having with the wait staff. Not this time. No welcome. No refills. Nothing, really. I have no idea what his name is, if it was his first day on the job, or he just happened to have an existential crisis during our visit, but our waiter completely diminished the power of this restaurant's incredible food. We were in and out in an hour. At that point, staring into our empty glasses, we decided to cut our losses and asked for the check. Our unnamed waiter appeared to do the same, meekly offering us a $25 gift card because of the "slow kitchen." (If you've read this far, the food quality and cadence was not the problem). I don't think we'll ever come back unless we can secure a better waiter along with our reservation.

I wish I lived in Austin only to go to Uchiko. Best japonese I ever had. I am pretty picky and would say this place is excellent. Unforgetable!

Save your experience for the $100 tasting menu. I'm saying this because I've been blown away twice with my experience at Uchiko. The first time was back in March, we celebrated my husband's 40th birthday and one of his friends, a Michelin-star-restaurant-chaser, was hesitant to let me arrange the dinner but acquiesced. Needless to say, he was astounded at the quality of the meal in this small but ever growing city. Second time, I came with my husband for date night. Again, a meal that will leave you dazed as though you'd just made incredible love. Pair your meal with a bottle of "Demon Slayer" sake and your night will be complete. You'll be drawn into a soft, subtle and sweet buzz (you'll barely notice it). Also a great spot for a romantic and sexy dinner

Of the various cities we have visited in the US over the years my family and I have decided that Uchiko deserves a spot in our top 5. The sushi and sashimi are some of the freshest and most innovative that we have tasted anywhere. The cooked dishes are also delicious with interesting and amazing flavors. Our favorite dessert is the toasted milk chocolate dish which is like a last second touchdown from a team that has been killing it from the opening kickoff.

Great food and service! Have to make reservations very busy place, try shiitake mushrooms with eggs!

Visiting from out of town we went to Uchiko on the recommendation of the Four Seasons concierge and had a really poor evening! First they tried to give us the worst table in the place, but we refused and got it changed. Then it took 10 minutes plus to get the service started. Worst though was the fact that the first two sake bottles we picked, were not available…even though they could somehow sell it by the glass! 30 minutes into the evening we were still trying to get a drop of alcohol…and the starters showed up before the sake. Skip this place, despite the creative food

Uchiko's omakase struck me as a multi-dimensional (3-4D ?) composition of dynamic characteristics that you think you've nailed down to a certain palette configuration/assortment only to have it morph and yank the receptor rug right out from under your feet. The sushimi is the mortar of this composition at the center, mild, flavorful, textural, soft and fresh, while certain items like the Hama Chili, the Foie Gras Gunkan, the Grilled Oysters, the Gyutoro, the Sprouts, among others, are the spikes in this composition that explode out from the theoretical swirling fluid center. The Foie Gras Gunkan, for example, you think you've grasped that livery pate' flavor in the beginning and it morphs multiple times, kind of like rolling thunder with highs and lows and echoing crescendos slowly tapering off into stillness, leaving a memory of multiple tasteful expressions from that single bite. Now the Hama Chili , I just dare you to not want to pick up the bowl at the end and drink that sauce. The Grilled Oyster creation, I don't believe I've ever tasted anything quite like that in the way of a mollusk presentation before, so many bright flavor combinations balancing the complimentary mild flesh - a lot going on there. Gyutoro, well, savory on steroids. Sakuro Masu and Watermelon actually pushed the envelope as overall prime spot contenders. Did the sake help this visual/sensoral carnival ride ? I don't believe it mattered - 90% sure, but certainly didn't detract ! The paint's not dry on this one yet, and that's the way I want to keep it. Kudos Hayden, Lauren, Alli, and all the creative staff. Success !

This was one of the best meals I've ever had. It was more of an experience than just eating food. Everything was amazing and our waiter was so helpful with recommendations. We went during happy hour and still spent about $400 with just 3 people but it was sooo worth it. The wagu beef melts in your mouth! Get the milk and cereal. You would think it's silly but these guys took something as simple as breakfast food and turned it into something in have no words for. I can't wait to go back!

I had heard a lot of hype about Uchiko and was eager to try. I went Mother’s Day and was blown away by the service from the front door to my Cocktail Waitress April and Sushi Chef Nate. My friend and I had one of the best meals and sake flights ever! Btw, the Chef’s Tasting is the route to go when you’re sitting at the sushi bar. It’s truly a show! I am very appreciate of of that experience. I however went the following weekend and was surprisingly disappointed. There was obvious quality behind the food That was prepared, but when I got the chefs tasting this time it was lack luster due to the food that was chosen for my coursed meal. I was given sashimi platter after another, after another. It got old, real fast. I have some food allergies but last time they were able to accommodate me and even got super creative with some composed dishes. I left the restaurant still hungry and upset that I had spent a lot of money on just fish. I said to my waiter, Aaron that I was disappointed in the creativity this round but I still will come back in the future because I tasted Uchiko’s true potential the first time. In all honesty, I feel like there might of been a lack of communication between my waiter and the kitchen. I will post some pictures from my first experience. I want this magic again!

Went earlier this month to celebrate a birthday. It was great!! The service was very friendly and the ambiance was really nice. We ordered the 5 course signature tasting and the restaurant gave us 2 extra desserts to celebrate the birthday. The food was great and innovative. Definitely recommend!

Food was Michelin quality! 5 star service Wait staff very knowledgeable about their menu Dressy/sophisticated atmosphere which I love and is hard to find in Austin. Will be back!

We were able to snag a late Sunday res at the sushi bar while visiting Austin from Cincinnati. What a treat! The front of house staff was gracious and welcoming and knowledgeable, and our sushi chef--Angela--was excellent in every respect. We enjoyed two different bottles of great sake, and a whole range of things from the menu, mainly based on the recommendations from Angela and from the regular customers seated next to us. The scallop was to die for. The wagyu was so good, my husband said he could have just ordered twenty pieces of that for dinner, LOL. Brussels sprouts, eggplant, pork belly, tuna. We loved every bite we ate. The prices aren't cheap, but they are not out of line with the quality of every element of dining at Uchiko--ambiance, service, and the FOOD! Excellent choice in Austin.

We were there celebrating a family milestone. The drinks were delicious (we had cocktails and sake). The food was outstanding. We did not have high expectations for the vegetarians in the group, but we were very well served. The sushi rolls and the brussels sprouts were so good we had seconds! The desserts were unusual and the milk toffe one was particularly noteworthy - the kids are still talking about it!

Not your typical sushi restaurant as the chef loves to experiment and not just have cookie cutter rolls. My Fiance got the five course tasting and it did not disappoint. The dishes were all well made and presented. The wait staff knew exactly what was in each dish and how they were prepared. Must try this restaurant! Be sure to make a reservation as they are very busy

This unique restuarant could only be found in America. While the dishes are of high quality Japanese origin, the reverent, but not slavish interpretation by its young, eager chefs is one feature of contemporary, urbane America. Our wait-staff were fiercely androgynous and very knowledgeable. We relied entirely on their erudite recommendations and even ordered seconds! The waiting time for an unreserved table is long, but a bottle their fine Malbec made it pass quickly.

My wife and I try to dine at Uchiko once a year and it is always a treat. Our most recent visit was no exception: everything we sampled was delicious. The creativity in that kitchen is so eclectic that one has a sense of having experienced an array of cuisines. Our favorite server, Sharon, helped usher us through the somewhat cryptic menu and we were happy that we encouraged her to influence our selections. Highlights included the always terrific edamame, the addictive brussel sprouts, king crab, and my all-time personal favorite: P-38. Can't wait to return!

Made the visit with my brother and ordered all the tastings and some rolls. Even after being quite full we got dessert & absolutely NO REGRETS - Jasmine Cream. If I had one last meal, I would eat 3 of those. 😊 All the food was amazing and our waiter Brandon - SUPER SHOUT OUT. Made the night so pleasant with laughs & food education. Someone give this man a raise. 🏆 Thanks for a fabulous time. I can't wait to come back. Excellent social distancing practice too.

We had some pretty amazing food in Austin, so we had to try the sushi. A local told us to go to Uchiko for Happy Hour. She said it can be pricey, but Happ Hour prices help with the tab. Make reservations because the restaurant is popular. The only spots left for Happy Hour was at the sushi bar, but we like that because we like to see what the sushi chefs are making. We sat next to a couple who were regulars and it was their date night. They recommended the Brussels sprouts and the rice with egg (and I think pork belly). So amazing. We ordered sushi recommended by the sushi chef. Looking at the photos by other reviewers, makes me wish we were going! The desserts, jasmine cream with cilantro was my favorite, were oh-so good. If we lived in Austin, we would be regulars at Uchiko!

I took my wife on a date here yesterday. She and I are fans of good sushi so why not go for a place that has such a great rating? I was sorely disappointed upon arrival with the lengthy wait time. I understand it’s a popular restaurant and it was Friday which means we waited over an hour. They did offer the option to reserve a table and in retrospect should have done this. The greeter was gracious to offer us seating outside and later brought us water. 30 minutes later she convinced us to come sit at the bar until our table is ready. While at the bar my wifey as drinks. She had wine and I had sake that was really good. The bartender was knowledgeable and helpful in steering us toward good choices. So far not a bad experience, but then we were seated. After being seated our waitress came to our table with warm towels which I thought was nice. She asked us if we had any questions and if we were ready to order. I had questions about the price per piece or if you got an entire roll to which she rolled her eyes and seemed perturbed with me. Needless to say we made our way through the menu and ordered a few different items. The pieces are small and the two full rolls we received had a little flavor in my opinion. They put a ton of sauces on the side probably to provide the flavor. Almost every sauce was chili lime or something similar. I noticed that the two tables behind us had the same waitress too and she gave them a lot more attention than us. She would constantly fill their water glasses, talk to them about food choices, and seemed to bring their food out for them. While we waited and waited and waited and finally other people brought our food. Always someone else. My water was never filled, I filled my own a few times and my wife’s. As we sat there all we could think about was the glorious food trucks that were located down the street at the hotel we’re staying at. So instead of getting any more sushi pieces we decided to call it quits and go to the food truck. I think what bothers me the most is my wife made me leave a tip ( I didn’t want to with this service). I spent 117 dollars and left hungry.

GREAT happy hour specials,always busy so make a reservation, get there at opening or be prepared to wait. The shag roll is by far the best. Red happy hour wine is good and the hot rock is a must!

I visited Uchiko as part of a birthday celebration. I wasn’t aware there would be a fixed menu for our party. Unfortunately, two weeks ago my doctor put me on a vastly restricted diet which meant I couldn’t eat anything on our menu. I explained this to the servers and they dealt with it like it was no big deal, and told me they would bring food out for me. And did they! I was given three courses of delicious food, beautifully presented, which the chefs whipped up at very short notice. They really looked after me which made such a huge difference after the stress of changing to this diet. Thank you Uchiko.

Each of the 4 of us had food restrictions and eating requirements. The wait staff was exceptional and made sure we had everything the way we needed it. The food was superb and my taste buds exploded. We ordered way too much but ate everything and loved every bite. Because of my allergies and mild food requests I thought they could not accommodate me. I was so wrong. It was spectacular and the next time we go to Austin, it will be our first stop.

We had a Valentine's Day dinner here a long time ago and it was marvelous but I didn't review it at the time. This time we went for an anniversary dinner and we were not disappointed. They had a 10 course tasting menu for 2 for $350. They also had a happy hour 9 course tasting menu for 2 for $120. I asked about the difference and our great waitress explained that you did get a bit more food with the 10 course tasting but the 9 course was pretty good too. We went with the 9 course being that we're not big eaters and I'm a somewhat thrifty person (this isn't a restaurant for being thrifty and I knew that, but it was a special occasion). The 9 courses were all excellent, starting with a piece of honeydew melon with unique flavors. We had marvelous yellowtail that melted in your mouth with fabulous flavors. The marvelous halibut cooked perfectly. We did get two courses of grilled shrimp on skewers. They made a little mistake and that was an extra. All in all, every course was just delicious. Unique mixes of excellent flavors every time. The only thing I'd comment about is the difficulty in hearing the servers explain each dish. Although we went to an early Sunday dinner, the place was packed and pretty noisy, so it was hard to hear. Other than it's a noisy enviroment, it's also a beautiful place and service is what you'd expect from such a high-end restaurant. We're definitely keeping this place on our list of special restaurants for special occasions. A truly exceptional meal.

Joined my sisters to celebrate a 40th birthday. Read all the reviews and I must say this was an extremely memorable meal that lived up to the positive postings! Service was top notch, food delicious, and atmosphere lively. My favs were the hot rock beef, oysters, and fried milk dessert. My youngest sister raved about the duck. Be ready to put a dent in your wallet however!

I would have never thought that I would have such a phenomenal sushi dining experience. The restaurant is not located near other restaurants so I was pretty skeptical. Once I walked in I was impressed by the vibe and decor. I came here purely off a recommendation from someone who eats here regularly and was told it was the best sushi. I never even looked at the reviews or pictures to get an idea of what to order and didn’t even look at the menu. Trust me and just order from this review: Order the following and you’ll be amazed on how one bite can have so much flavor!!! Nama hotate Hirame Suzuki kurodai sake toro kampachi Kinoko (mushroom sushi - now I’m not a mushroom fan but the person I was with, ordered more) guyitoto (beef short rib sushi) - I was intrigued with this initially just based on the description but oh my it’s was incredible, it’s beef that will melt in your mouth. We ordered three of each which gave each of us one taste and the final piece was eaten by the person who liked it the most. From the cold items we ordered the Hama chili And finally dessert we ordered the Jasmine cream and Fried milk. I eat sushi at least once a week and this is definitely on the top of my list, food, service e and ambiance was all top-notch! Our waiter Marco was very attentive and provided excellent service. Everything we ate was incredibly delicious and I would order again and again.

An unforgettable experience. This was highly recommended during my Austin trip, and I accidentally reserved at the wrong restaurant. I planned to treat a group of five and was dismayed by my mistake. The staff (even the valet attendant) were so gracious in handling it. We sipped wonderful cocktails and small bites outside while hoping for an opening in this very popular place, and were soon offered a spot at the bar. What a delight. The bartender was incredible as he managed drinks and serving while deftly mixing cocktails for the other guests. Chef de cuisine Lance Gillum was superlative, as we were presented dishes with such a unique blend of flavors and presentation. The grilled oysters are sensuous, wagyu beef, japanese yellowtail, the selection is incredible and everything an absolute delight. One MUST save room for dessert too. We all agreed it was an evening we will never forget. Thank you chef Lance and the rest of the wonderful staff at Uchiko.

My son was visiting from Florida so my daughter and I took him to Uchiko because he's a foodie. The tasting menu was fantastic, very diverse, and our server explained what the dishes were. We all want to go back.

I had a memorable dinner here and everything is about the food. Explosions of flavors and meticulous, flawless preparation and presentation. The service is great. Too bad I cant remember the name of my waiter last night but he is everything good service should be. And on top of that the place is not really super expensive and the atmosphere is lively and laid back. I could come back to Austin just to eat here again.

Another 5-star experience at Uchiko this week! Off the top, complimentary valet parking is awesome, hat tip to the guys out there working in 90+ degree heat. Easy drop off, easy pick up after dinner! Wait staff... amazing... Tyler is "da man" in the front of the house, "extended" happy hours prices a bit because the kitchen was slow. All service was great, attentive but not overbearing. Perfect 5-star! Don't hire more wait staff, clone Tyler! PS Hint to sushi lovers on a budget, hit Uchiko for sushi happy hour... stick to that menu, and you walk out totally satisfied, great sushi, at a fraction of the cost! When will other sushi bars figure that one out? If they don't, make Uchiko that "once a month stop"...!!! We started with soup, asked for miso soup, no longer available, so we had the new mushroom broth soup, several types of tiny mushrooms and tofu, delicious. In my opinion, a more "palate crazy" event than the miso, very, very good! Followed up with bluefin akami and bincho, both delicious, perfectly prepared, served at the perfect temperature, nothing else needed ... eat and enjoy! So much for the happy hour menu! We followed that with orders of hama chili, wonderful presentation and tasted out of this world! Next followed orders of sake toro nigiri and shime saba. Great presentation, fantastically fresh, an oh so wonderful! We then tried the bluefin and soft shell makis (sushi rolls). Both were amazing blends of flavors and textures, dipping sauces on the side that brought out the deepest and most sublime flavors of the rolls. We wrapped up with guykan style uni, and one at the table ordered the banana cake dessert, all were fantastic. A perfect ending to a perfect meal! Again!!!

The food service and atmosphere were all outstanding! Our server was Jeremy and he made the total experience even better ! We sat at the sushi bar and the chef pretty much picked everything after asking us our likes and this worked well .

We dined at Uchiko on a Sunday evening and had high hopes, based on the great reviews. We were not disappointed at all. Our server was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and not frightened of making suggestions. That enhanced the experience and we ended up with plate after plate of delicious food. There were lots of standouts but really nothing disappointed and I don't think you can go wrong if you like great cuts of super-fresh fish with innovative garnishes.

Literally the BEST waiter ever - Jack. So kind and made my parents’ 31st celebration & my new job celebration so special. Ask for him!!!

The quality of the fish is amazing. You can tell how fresh the fish is from the very first bite. This is not a traditional sushi place but fusion so they add tiny ingredients to the fish that really bring out the best flavor in each fish. For example, the strong mint with the mackerel or the yogurt with the salmon is amazing. However, last time I was there, the quality of the uni and scallop was sub-par. The scallop usually does not have the fishy taste, but straight out of the sea water freshness. Also, they have great service but if you don't make a reservation you will have to wait a minimum of 1.5 hours. I never waited less without a reservation. I would still recommend this place to anyone!!

Since I live on the water, it is hard for me to imagine a 5 Star without the amazing view, but I learned something on my visit to Uchiko...it can be done..from the valet parking, the smiling attractive attentive hostesses, the professional wait staff to our private chef at the sushi bar, nothing could have prepared me for this amazing culinary experience. Our chef asked us (and wrote down) a few questions about tastes dislikes, allergies, etc, then suggested several dishes, gifted us with his own choice, and delighted us from first to last bite. This evening will be very hard to top..

Don't waste your money it is not worth it all! I am not sure I understand the hype about this place! I sat at the bar and was laughing internally watching the pseudo-chefs handle the fish! My god if you know anything about sushi do not go there! I ordered a scallop nigiri: it was almost a transparent slice "the chef" did such a good job shaving the scallop... even the rolls were sub-par quality! I also ordered one of their premium hamachi dishes with orange slices but they put some much thai chili you could not taste the fish anymore. If you are in Austin eat meat or Mexican and wait until you go to Seattle (I recommend Nishino) or even better Japan to eat really tasty sushi! Just trying to help my fellow diners here :-) I think it is a place that is trying to be upscale but totally misses the point!

The food here is fun and innovative. It is a great way to experience Japanese fashion food. We got the hamachi (really good, with a small spicy kick at the end), fried Brussels sprouts, salmon, beef tongue, and Duck. All were really good - the must get is hamachi and duck!

We absolutely loved Uchi, so we thought we would have a similar experience at Uchiko for the UT graduation. Not so. They messed up our reservation, claiming it was 1/2 hour earlier than our confirmed (and reconfirmed) time so the breakneck speed of our first five courses was shocking. Fortunately the portions were so minuscule it didn't don't take us long to eat them. Our daughter saved a Menu so she could kill the flies buzzing around our table and food. She killed about a dozen during dinner. We had two vegetarians and six omnivores. At one point they brought out a vegetarian soup for two, then a dish for the whole table, then a park dish. Again, crowding the table and unable to deal with the slightest "aberration" of two people who do eat seafood just not meat. We only hade one meat dish (which was excellent) but served randomly. The courses where you get a single slice of fish, drenched in citrus and oil, seemed a little pretentious to me. I like small portions at a tasting but this was ridiculous. Dessert was fabulous. They hurried us out and had their table in plenty of time for the 8:30 arrivals. Our waiter, April, was very nice. But all in all It was a disappointment. Based on our love of Uchi. I'm glad we were happy when we came in so we were happy when we left too! I'd give it a pass and get a taco!

When I reviewed the menu, I noticed they offered Omakase so I asked if they have one primarily focused on fish/sushi/sashimi and our server stated that he can plan a menu for us based upon our tastes and budget. He nailed it!!! I've had plenty of good Sushi from Tokyo to the West Coast of the US and our personalized menu did not disappoint. It was a mix of Sushi, Sashimi, lightly cooked and rolls. Our server was not only good at selecting the food, he handled all of his other duties very well. My only complaint is the quality of the food doesn't really match the ambience in my opinion. They spend a great deal of time sourcing, but then the restaurant is jam-packed and loud which I am not a fan of. It seems this is more common these days, so I'll admit it might just be a personal problem. Last point, the value is there. All in all I'd eat here again and again.

I recently had dinner at Uchiko with a close family member who was visiting from out of town. We both had the Omokase. It was rather expensive but what was nice is that when we had really had enough (it is a huge amount of food!) we were able to cancel two of the ten courses and it was deducted from the bill. Highlights of the meal were the oysters and of course the desert; which actually had a Capt'n Crunch Crumble. So delicious! The wagyu hot rock is good but more fun than delicious. The service was great, with the exception of very slow valet. Other than that it is an A+++. Just bring a fat wallet. Omokase for two plus drinks and tip can run close to $300. USD.

The diverse menu and culinary expertise at this restaurant cannot be overstated. Dining as a vegetarian can be tough, but not at Uchiko where a stand alone vegetarian menu has numerous offerings that don't sacrifice ingredients, taste or quality. I was really impressed with our server who confidently steered us into a fantastic meal.

Be indecisive and adventurous. Come with no appointment. Grab any seat available at the bar and order an omakase. It will leave you speechless with the freshness of ingredients, the creative concoctions that defy conventionalality, and the boldness in flavor. Hama Chili and Gyutoro are must-tries. You will leave here happy. You will also give your wallet a shocking treatment. PSA: social hour is every day from 5 to 6:30pm. Come at 4:45 to put your name down for guaranteed seating

COULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE MORE!!!!! Was in Austin for only one night and went here for dinner with my Dad, we were unsure what to order so spoke to our waiter about what we did and didn’t enjoy and he spoke to kitchen and proceeded to bring out multiple courses selected by him and the kitchen, every single dish was AMAZING! The wagu beef sushi was spectacular, the fish sushi’s were so perfectly seasoned with fresh and beautiful flavours and creamy fresh fish! The service was impeccable, couldn’t be flawed, their attention to detail was astounding even to the finer things such as recording napkins whilst we were in the bathroom, never having an empty plate on our table for more than a minute and glasses always being full! All staff knew what was in every dish, were exceptionally friendly and seemed so happy in their work! Would return in a heartbeat!

Unbelievably outstanding food, service and menu! At first the food was coming out quite fast, but when we asked for it to slow down they had no problem with that at all and didn’t rush us to finish. The various sushi’s we ordered were amazing- we ended up letting our server choose ur entire dinner- best decision ever! He did exceptionally!

I've always been a big fan of Uchi (the sister restaurant) but now I only go to Uchiko. Bigger space and easier to get into with the same great food and staff. I highly recommend going during happy hour as they have a great selection of drinks, sushi and other apps on special)

You MUST try Uchiko if you are in town! You can tell from the number of $$$ that it's not the cheapest place. So when is the best time you ask? Happy hour (which is called Sake Hour), daily from 5-6:30PM. It's first-come first-serve, seating at the bar only. You don't need a reservation (actually you can't reserve for the bar 😆). You can usually sit down right away if you get there before 5:30PM with a party of 4 or fewer. Food is so bomb! My top 3 recommendations: 1) foie gras nigiri (on the regular menu, it's $10 a piece but it's worth it, trust me) 2) shokko makimono - small seaweed roll with yellowtail, cilantro, yuzu kosho. It's so simple, but so delicate and so satisfying. The more you try the more flavor you get. 3) avocado nigiri - avocado, rice, yuzu kosho, and seaweed. Just a few ingredients created such a harmonious combo of taste and texture. The slight cirtrus flavor elevated this to a new level Honestly everything we ordered from the Sake Hour menu was great, and it's hard to find Japanese food of such high quality yet so simple at this price point (especially living in California). If you only have a day in Austin, get some BBQ for lunch, and save your stomach for Uchiko's Sake Hour! Tip: Don't freak out if you get here at 5PM sharp and find the bar packed. Most of them are just sitting around waiting for their tables. They will get up and give you the seat if they know you are dining at the bar. Just ask nicely :)

We've been to Uchi and Uchiko many times and always have a great experience, We tried a bunch of dishes, all were excellent, but love the Shag. Always somewhat on the expensive side, but always excellent.

The hot rock and the hot tea are pretty amazing! The dessert (marzipan ice cream) was awesome! I liked the sushi, but my boyfriend wasn't impressed, so mixed reviews there. The place definitely has a pretentious air, and imo the food is overpriced for the small portions. I like to EAT when I go out. It is, however, good food and a romantic atmosphere.

First night in Austin and wanted to start it out right. I dinned with my wife on a Sunday evening. Food was fantastic. The Edamame alone is worth the trip. We had the Brussels Sprouts which were devine. The seared duck was out of this world good. Also had the Tuna Loin and New Zealand Salmon Sashimi which were phenomenal. My wife ordered some rolls which she loved( not always my thing) but can't remember exactly which ones. They had many Rose' wine options that went perfectly with the sushi. The " milk and cereal" dessert is not to be missed. Great service but not super crowded so don't know how it would be on a night when every table is taken. Definitely a meal I will remember.

If you’re in Austin make time for dinner at Uchiko! Call for reservation, if your party is small <4, ask to sit at the sushi bar. Everything is delicious...I highly recommend: yokai berry, Hama chilli, hotate, suzuki yaki and don’t miss dessert...jasmine cream to finish but ice cream trio is great too! Oh and the short rib... truly it is all great!

I had dinner here with one of my employees who previewed this place and boasted that I'd never eat sushi the same again after experiencing Uchiko. Up for the challenge, we arrived and waited for about 30 minutes for a table. The hostess gave us the option to enjoy a seat at the bar where we could also dine, so we bellied up and prepared to enjoy. The modern decor was cool, yet inviting. Service was prompt and courteous. We chose the 10 course menu and gave the chef freedom to choose the tastings. Each small serving was presented professionally and described in detail so we knew what we were eating. My initial concern was the portion size because it was very small. However, with the first taste, all worries went out the window! It was unbelievable! I took that first bite and slowly savored it. It was an explosion of different flavors that danced around in my mouth! Ugh! It was amazing. A few minutes later, the next dish arrived. Same experience. Amazing! We enjoyed a sour beer in between and cleansed our palates with water to reset after each dish. The conversation was great and we sat there like food critics and described what we were experiencing. It was SO fun! With each subsequent dish, the presenter would accurately describe exactly what we were enjoying. All in all, we spent about 2 1/2 hours in this Culinary Symphony. The experience was amazing and I look forward to doing it again. Total bill came to $280 plus a $40 tip. Expensive is relative to the experience. This was art. This was satisfying. This was great. For those who pass out about the total bill, mind you that we had a 10 course meal including dessert. And it just wasn't any meal. The rest of the regular menu is more reasonable and packed with many excellent looking offerings.

There is so much to choose from at Uchiko, that it is almost daunting. There were three separate menus - happy hour, daily specials, and full dinner menu. And there were some dishes that echoed across all of them. I saw three different short rib dishes. Maybe that's why we forget to come to this place more often...it takes a bit of work. But at the end of each visit, we are always reminded that it is worth it. We mostly worked from the happy hour menu this time, picking avocado nigiri, pork meatballs, salmon nigiri, and the short rib "quesadilla-like" dish from there...along with hot sake. We dipped into the other menus for tomato and melon salad, brussel sprouts ("never have I ever" gone here without having those) and coffee bacon. Each dish was interesting, bursting with flavors, and pleasing to the eye. There isn't a more intriguing without being pretentious restaurant in Austin in my book.

Had an outstanding meal at this creative restaurant. Server David was excellent and made great recommendations. Brussel sprout app was so good, amazing sauce, shisito peppers were great too. Had several rolls all amazing, light, and flavorful. Desert was awesome too. Great place!

We went primarily for the food, not the atmosphere. Brussel sprouts and Hot Rock Flank were good. Sashimi and Sushi were more “designer food” than real Japanese. Many items on the menu seem overpriced. The fact that Uchi and Uchiko are the top two rated “Japanese” restaurants in Austin suggests that there may be a lack of real Japanese restaurants in the city. Maybe this presents an opportunity for someone. It was our first visit and we were somewhat disappointed. Will have to continue to search for real Japanese food in Austin.

For quite a number of years, my wife and I have made an annual pilgrimage to Uchiko. Since our last visit, Uchiko has altered its reservation policies and no longer accepts reservations for parties of fewer than four people. My wife and I, despite busy work schedules and two young children at home, decided to nevertheless honor our ritual and return to Uchiko. As mandatory walk-ins, we thought a Wednesday night might be best and arrived ready to celebrate at 8pm. When we arrived, we were told that the wait would be about an hour, and that we could order drinks or snacks at the bar or at the newer patio area. But there were no spots available at the bar. The patio area, which lacks atmosphere and is essentially an extension of the parking lot, was also full. So we seated ourselves on a bench. During our hour-plus wait, we did not have the opportunity to order drinks or appetizers. We simply waited. Fortunately, the weather was lovely, and my wife likes benches, so she fell asleep. A little over an hour after our arrival, we were seated at a nice table near the bar. I ordered a beer, and it arrived about fifteen minutes later, as did the first of our appetizers. Our server was knowledgeable and pleasant, and everything we ate was glorious: edemame, brussels sprouts, mackeral, ocean trout, toro, duck, P-38, P-38. The meal was divine, but we did not return to our little ones until 11pm, and that is too late. As much as we appreciate the culinary creativity of Uchiko, the new walk-in policy for couples will prevent us from returning.

I’ve been here twice this month and it is absolutely delicious. It’s unique and the flavors put together are a culinary masterpiece. It’s very expensive, and it’s worth it if you have the money. It’s an upscale spot for foodies that like sushi! I will go back as often as I can. The bartenders and wait staff are super personal and trained well and know what they are doing! Ask for Sharon she’s awesome! Let her bring you her favorite stuff, that’s what we did and every single dish was fabulous. 🥰

Similar to some previous reviews....10 course Omakase menu was a bit boring, too much sushimi. For the price, I’d expect more innovation for the taster menu. We went to similar a restaurant in Boston recently and that was a bit more expensive but MUCH more extravagant in the menu experience and twice as many courses. Overall - OK, but with so many good, much cheaper restaurants in Austin, the chef needs to up his game for taster menu. Probably would have given better rating if we’d just chosen off a la carte menu. Certainly a good solid place to eat...just per $ the experience was not good value.

Small, intimate restaurant; not fancy. Great sushi, sashimi etc. Outstanding Chef's specials. The cold tastings were amazing, delicate combinations. Very good waiter but servers assisting her accidentally gave one of our selections to another table. The waitress seemed to be waiting on one too many tables and was not aware of what we had been served (or not), but she apologized and we were given a return gift card, which we did not ask for. The waiter's recommendations for combinations were excellent and I would rely on recommendations again.

We were fortunate to be able to make an advanced reservation for dinner during graduation weekend. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious. The kitchen was cognizant of our dietary restrictions. We were able to order some items from the Happy Hour menu which provided great value. We highly recommend this restaurant.

High quality food with excellent sushi, but also nice Asia influenced dishes reminiscent of Thai and Korean cuisines. As global travelers and sushi enthusiasts we enjoy traditional food throughout Asia, but it’s also nice to experience each contemporary chef’s take on all the wonderful flavors and cooking methods Asia has to offer. Uchiko is more of that contemporary take than a traditional Japanese sushi experience, but good Asian cuisine nonetheless. By the way, the deserts are excellent too. The place isn’t cheap, so there are two good reasons to stay away, if you are a die hard purist and are bothered by the chef’s experimentation or are on a tight budget. Otherwise, give it a try.

Sounds like hyperbole...I can assure you it’s not. We sat at the sushi bar and Matt meticulously hand-crafted each mouth-watering bite we took. Hama Chili made a tear come to my eye. The flavor profiles were so spot on. Everything was so well composed. I’ve been lucky enough to travel and eat and travel and eat. The best sushi restaurant, and the best food I’ve eaten, is Uchiko in Austin.

This is a very nice place for a happy hour wiht your friends or family. It is very popular so get there early. WE were a group of five and we ordered everything in the menu. My favourite were the spare ribs, the brussel sprounts and the salmon with sous vide egs. The rolls were nice also (yellow tail best) but more "standard" The unfiltered sake was superb, even better the thirs one. Service was really good. They cleaned empty plates quickly and our food was prompty served. I enjoy visitng this restaurant often when I come to Austin

I wouldn’t call Uchiko a sushi or Japanese place. The food was good and the service amazing. Most of the expensive plates were like rib meat, pork meatballs and a lot of vegetables in the rolls. If you want to go for a great fish experience I would recommend to go somewhere else. If you are vegan this would be paradise for you

Have eaten here twice and both times had a super meal. Same ownership as Uchi but a bit more casual. The sushi is divine and service terrific. It is not inexpensive but if you are in the market for a delicious Japanese food experience I strongly recommend this.

Extremely flavorful dishes! To experience them consider avoiding the Sushi and Rolls and instead, order dishes such as: 1- The "Take Nabe" is extraordinary, with Japanese mushroom, Joshua hikari, farm egg, bushi. (a sort of stew) Wow! 2- Meat? The Gyutoro, a waygu tri-tip is magical! The Spring Lamb with almond arugula and wasabi honey, came close! 3- The Hama chili, a yellowtail, ponzu, Thai chili, orange supreme is supremely prepared! Thank you Uchiko!

We came for Happy Hours. There was three of us and we went through all the samplers that were suggested. Everything was delicious. The service professional and friendly. We also had some desserts. They were unique and delicious. As far as the pocketbook, the place is not for the faint at heart because it is very pricey.

We went to Uchiko for a special occasion, and the restaurant totally disappointed us, from service to food quality. I was surprised that with this price range, this was all we got: a lack of knowledge and inattentive waitress and so-so food quality if you are into sushi/sashimi. The waitress who served us is passive and lack of proper knowledge. We wanted to order sake, and instead of asking about the “four tones” of sake or our preference, she went on recommending some sake that she likes without explaining, not even where the sake is produced. She was pushing us to buy the entire bottle, and eventually we grew tired of her and just ordered the bottle that costed us $86. Luckily, the sake was OK, but definitely would have been so much better if she could take into consideration of the food we ordered. Then moving on to ordering the food, we asked our waitress to briefly introduce the menu. Her knowledge is super limited and isn’t much helpful. My boyfriend couldn’t have wasabi, and we clearly request all wasabi on the side, but we still ended up having the roe sushi served with wasabi sitting on top brought to our table. The ordering process was frustrated because the waitress wasn’t really engaging with us. Not to mention if we have any questions. Despite the service, we still looked forward to the food until we had the fatty tuna sushi. The fatty tuna is by far the worst one I ever had. It not only doesn’t melt in your mouth but also I doubt that they mistook the chutoro with our otoro. Usually, we would order dessert for every special occasion, but this time we didn’t with Uchiko for apparent reasons. If you are looking to celebrate a special occasio neigh your loved ones, this restaurant might offer you great ambience, OK food, but definitely not good service. I wouldn’t take my friends or family here again.

My daughter dragged me in here as she had it booked already a long time ago. Fantastic food, very friendly staff. Great experience !! The atmosphere is very nice but a bit too loud though. Maybe to put some yucca trees in or some other attributes which can absorb the noice a bit more !

Kind of disappointing given its fame. As a Japanese native, I’m very picky about my Japanese food. None of the dishes really stuck with me. The pork belly was good but it’s hard to mess up a pork belly.

Top Chef Winner, Chef Paul Qui used to be a chef here. As it is also on Yelp's Top 100 list, getting a reservation can be tough. Now, with 1500+ reviews and 4.5 stars rating on Yelp, would you blame me if my expectations were up there? A modern and chic environs with dim lighting made me feel like I was dining somewhere trendy in NYC, SF, or LA. You can tell from the crowd that this place was upscale for Austin and our party was the only minority. Then I realized, Asian cuisine is limited in this town so their standard for a good one may not be like mine coming from SoCal where the competition for authentic Japanese food is beyond compare. Having gotten the Signature Tasting Omakase which featured 5 courses of their signature dishes, you'd think you'd be floored. The Kanpachi Crudo looked beautiful but left something to be desired on the taste department. The Komaki sushi roll was my least favorite and not only because it was vegetarian, it was mushy in texture. I got psyched over the Madai (Japanese bream) and the additional Salmon sushi we ordered but the portion was too small as if it was just to tickle your palate. From the hot tasting, the Take Nabe was a hot pot of Japanese mushrooms, farm egg, rice, plus an added shreds of short rib for extra $6 - salty yet delicious. More rice would've fixed this. I also thought their Ebi sushi roll was forgettable. In all of this, the good that came out was my cucumber sake with ginger beer and basil cocktail called Atsui Senshi. Loved the Gyutoro which was a 72-hour Wagyu short rib that I wouldn't have minded eating all night. The dessert of Milk 'n Cereal was also something we all enjoyed. As for service? Excellent.

Some friends from Austin took us there. Every dish and the atmosphere, changed our first thought of "going to Texas to eat Japanese?". Not cheap but worth every penny, we will be back when in Austin.

I cannot recommend this restaurant enough! Took my husband for his birthday and mentioned such while doing the online booking. Our waitress, Lauren, did an impeccable job of making suggestions as the menu is quite extensive and confusing. We gave her carte blanche with some specific tastes and she did NOT disappoint! Every single dish was phenomenal. Special mention must be made of the hama chili, big eye tuna special and milk and cereal. Actually all the desserts! The kitchen also spoiled us with extra tastings and an entire dessert to celebrate the special occasion. It was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to go back!!

1. Ivy 2. Ivy 3. Ivy Service - outstanding Food excellent as always The noise - super loud but a little better than last time. We'll e back.

The food and service are very good - you'll be standing on your wallet. That said, the quality of sushi, service and presentation are above average. Surprisingly, they don't offer "hand rolls"

Love this place and worth the price. The food is amazing (get the hot rock and the milk and cereal) and the service is by far the best I've experienced in town each time I've gone.

I had been to Uchiko sister restaurant (which was 5 star amazing) and was nervous this wouldn't be as good, but it was. It is not the same type of menu in terms of tasting portions if you will but the food was different and the wine was spectacular. I went with some business colleagues and everyone enjoyed their meal. The service was solid as well. i highly recommend it!

I've loved going to Uchiko since they first opened. And though times changes, what has stayed absolutely consistent is the commitment to freshness, excellence, and a sublime dining experience. I sat at the sushi counter and enjoyed a completely vegan meal that never missed a beat. The avocado nigiri with yuzu kosho, the ko salad, grilled bok choy, the brussels sprouts: exciting and elevating with every bite that delighted ALL the senses! Service is also on another level compared to a majority of the restaurants in Austin - even fine dining establishments. Their pedigree and teamwork is in a league all their own! They were extremely knowledgeable, were solution-minded, and treat everyone like a VIP. Thank you, Uchiko!

We love sushi and seek it out wherever we travel. This experience was right up there as one of the best. The selections are interesting and the flavors are exceptional. We felt like each plate had it's own personality. Clearly this is a well thought out plan that works so well. Highly recommend service is great. You will need to grab a reservation....very busy and popular place. Well done Terrific experience Thank you

Having lived in Japan many years ago I have high expectations when eating Japanese food here in the US. The Japanese really understand that we eat with all of our senses and Uchiko really delivered here. Smell, visuals, taste, service, environment, etc My server was very knowledgeable about the menu and everything they serve including specials. She helped guide me to a diverse menu for sampling. I started with the Hamachi bowl that included sliced oranges and was beautifully presented. Second course was the tempura eggplant which was good but my least favorite only because everything else was so good. Then had the big eye tuna roll. Finished with the chocolate dessert which was so beautiful I did not even want to touch it but thank goodness I did as it tasted even better than it looked. Only 2 suggestions for management. 1. Would have been awesome to have some Japanese whiskeys available as the atmosphere would have been ideal. 2. You need to cover up the writing on your sauce bottles. I am sure you purchased them new but at least put a branded sticker over them Would definitely visit again.

I have eaten at Uchiko a year ago (April 2018) prior to this trip (Feb 2019) and it was delicious both times (I don't live in Austin, currently in Montana). This recent visit was for a friend's birthday and the food was impeccable. Our go-to favorite is the Brussel Sprouts and Karaage (delicious fried chicken). The staff were very accommodating for our food allergies and made sure with the kitchen. Will definitely go back on my next visit to Austin. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30196-d1932020-r655249749-Uchiko-Austin_Texas.html#

My boyfriend and I walked in on a Sunday night without a reservation and were seated immediately. The menu has a large variety of options - cold and hot appetizers, entrees, sushi/sashimi and sushi rolls. All plates are meant to be shared. The hama chili is excellent. We tried 4 sushi rolls (P-38, Crunchy Tuna, Tiger Cry and a shrimp tempura special). The salmon belly sushi is incredible. We also tried the rice pot entree, but this was our least favorite dish, even though it was highly recommended by the waitress and seemed popular in the restaurant. Overall, great service, fish is extremely fresh, and the restaurant has a great atmosphere. Definitely recommend for a unique sushi experience in Austin.

The food is amazing! The atmosphere is amazing. And the drinks are amazing! The staff was very friendly and really knew the menu and had great recommendations!

By far one of the most disappointing Restaurants on our trip to Austin!!! THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL JAPANESE RESTAURANT. IT IS ASIAN FUSION. Prepare for a walk if you don't use the Valet Parking. First off we make Reservations and get there and have to wait to be seated by one of the many Ladies standing at the Hostess Desk. When we finally did get seated, the Waitress (Compton) never smiled and seemed to be "put-out" by having to answer our questions. When we informed her of one of our members having a Nut allergy she went on a long speech and just said, "if they don't tell you it doesn't contain nuts, don't eat it!" WTF! We ordered just a few items to see how it was. We ordered Chicken Karaage (had dill pickles not Japanese pickles on it and it wasn't very good). Should be an easy thing to prepare and for a FANCY establishment, it should be amazing and it wasn't. The next items is what the magnifying glass was needed for. The Sushi was incredibly small and outrageously expensive. How can you make Sushi this small? This was the last straw. We asked "Miss Sunshine" to speak to the Manager and finally she showed up. She started off saying she hoped we weren't thinking this was a Japanese Restaurant (I don't know where we would come up with that idea other than Yelp or Google, the Restaurant's name, the hot towel before the meal, the surroundings???). Anyway, she said she would take care of the bill. We had already paid, so it remains to be seen if we actually do get a credit on our credit card bill. It would take A LOT before we tried this place again.

Beautiful place, and staff was wonderful and welcoming; but I feel TERRIBLE after eating here. I didn't have any alcohol, so not a hangover. Headache, nausea, and a weird metallic feeling. I ate sushi and the brussels sprouts, which were fried and in a sugary syrupy sauce. It was either something in the brussels sprouts or the fish. As beautiful as this place is, I DEFINITELY will not eat the sprouts again and may avoid the entire place all together. Bummer, because it is otherwise very nice, and the service was excellent. But I never want to feel this way again. I truly hope they are NOT using MSG (I didn't think I had to ask at a nice place like this), but it was definitely something. :(

We sat at the sushi bar where we were served by Angela (the sushi chef) and Monica (our server). We ordered the 10-course Chef’s Tasting Omakase. The dishes we received are as follows: 1. Oysters with Key Lime creamy foam. Would have preferred if they went lighter on the creamy foam to allow the taste & freshness of the oysters shine 2. Madai (Japanese red seabream) Sashimi 3/4. Nama Hotate (Raw scallop) & Snow Crab Nigiri. The scallop sushi was awesome and the flesh melted instantly in my mouth 5. Rainbow Trout Spec with kabocha, potato cream and chilli slices/leaves. Fish was cooked to perfection & not overcooked. Flesh was tender while skin was crispy. The only letdown was that the fish & kabocha was covered in too much sauce and the sauce itself was too sweet. 6. Hirame Crudo (Japanese halibut) 7. Tennen Aji (Amber Jack) & Shima Aji (Striped Jack) Nigiri 8. Tennen Buri (Japanese yellowtail) Sashimi 9. Coffee Bacon served with apple jam. Meat was tasty and tender with its fat rendered to perfection. However, would have preferred if the taste penetrated the meat further, but definitely not complaining because overall it was still delicious 10. Foie Gras Mousse with black garlic & plum. Taste was clean and texture was smooth. The combination of foie gras with black garlic was a little weird for me but I would say it was an interesting dish. After we completed the Omakase, we were offered 3 more 2-pc Nigiri dishes and desserts: 1. Kinoko (oyster mushroom) Nigiri. Nothing unique but however taste was clean and mushroom was nicely cut to resemble a slice of sashimi. There were also knife crossmarks which elevated the look of the dish 2. Otoro (Bluefin Tuna belly) Nigiri. Superb quality tuna belly. Simple but hit the right spot 3. Gyutoro (Beef Short Rib) Nigiri. Meat was full of flavour and it was so melt in your mouth 4. Milk n Cereal 5. Jasmine Cream (complimentary) Overall, everything was fresh, clean and tasty using really great produce. Really enjoyed the whole experience. However, style of food is still a little fusion and this is not the place to go for if you are seeking real authentic Japanese food. Highly recommended place to visit with its great food, service and intimate ambience!

What a wonderful time my family and I had. Food was really flavorful and we ordered from the happy hour menu so it was like tapas style and we tasted a lot of different things. Stephanie was our server and did a superb job- it was fun and different I also got to experience drinking sake from a wooden box I hope you try it soon

Uchiko was an excellent experience from beginning to end. We had a reservation (which I highly recommend as they are very popular) and were seated promptly on our arrival. Our server Elizabeth was amazing! Very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. My wife and I were on a bit of a time crunch as we had book a boat tour and only had about an hour and 45 minutes to dine before having to be on our way. After expressing this to our server we asked how long the omakase would take, as we wanted to sample different things from the menu, her response with a smile was “we can make it happen” and they delivered big time. She got us through 8 savory courses plus a bonus course and dessert all with time to spare. We didn’t feel rushed and she made sure we had everything we needed all while juggling multiple tables on a busy Friday night. The flow was perfect, the food was excellent, and the service was impeccable. This was honestly the best service experience we’ve had in a while (of course not counting the Michelin star restaurants we’ve dined at where top tier service is already expected) but was certainly at a similar level. In the end we paid $150 for omakase for 2, 2 drinks, and a side of brussel sprouts (which I highly recommend) and even left with a $50 gift card compliments of our server. This place hit all the marks for us. 100/5 would definitely eat here again. Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Food: 5/5 Price: $$$ Overall Value: 5/5

52 days without, how did we do it ? Adrift without the basic necessities - takara nigori, gyutoro, hama chili, and bluefin otoro aburi, ... Such a mood lifter to dig into these outstanding offerings once again ! Taste buds are dancing ! Uchiko knocks it out of the park, consistently. From a warm greeting from Alli the manager to Mitchel fixing us up royally at the sushi bar. Great job. Lauren kept the sake flowing. Hayden chimed in with the banana cake suggestion, retroactively (a special tip from the last trip). Wow ! Some things, though experienced before, just stand out over and over again. A must have. (now that we know about it !) Oh, and sorry about the pict - couldn't wait to dig in. Haha. Attached are the items we went for this trip - circled on the menu. (we starred or double starred our favorites) If not visible – the stars were hama chili, gyutoro, bluefin otoro, and bluefin otoro aburi. The KO salad, sprouts, and hana are always good as well. All items were outstanding, but certain items really stood out. Downside – not enough room to try all the things we wanted. Kudos to the gang - their star shone brightly tonight once again ! Thanks to all for fixing us up ! Cheers ! Could sure use a Vietnamese coffee right about now though... Love the atmosphere – frenetic crowd, tasteful decor, palate pleasing choices, and super service ! Always worth it. I wonder if that banana cake is available to take out... (more !) (PS – again - the KO salad, sprouts, and hana dishes are absolute starter mainstays for us - nobody beats these veggie/salad selections !)

Our first trip to Uchiko in November wasn't all that we hoped it would be, but my husband and I gave it another chance and went in late December and couldn't have been more pleased! It was a very busy Friday night and with reservations we were seated about 10 min after 5. We were seated in the beautiful inside room with red brick (definitely request to sit in there if you can, rather than the room right off the doorway). Our server was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and always willing to suggest a recommendation. Each item we tried was absolutely delicious. We had a combination of hot and cool tastings, sushi, and one or two things from the daily specials. We ordered a delicious dessert and were also offered a small tasing of complimentary ice creams and sorbets. We also loved the variety of very affordable drink options on their happy hour menu. We will definitely be back! Asian fusion at its best!

This place used to be the best Japan restaurant in Austin. Not anymore. Spent $700 for 3 persons, but overall experience was terrible. Great 10 course set menu, but there is just not enough food. We ordered from the menu several dishes and they were all terrible. Maybe we just weren’t lucky, I don’t know. So many good reviews.. But everything good comes to an end I guess. And this place turned into some overpriced fast food or something. Food was terrible really, except for set menu which was good. All in all, should consider other places to go spend my money and suggest you do the same guys.

We had reservations for 7pm on a Saturday night and were seated promptly when we arrived. The cocktail and wine list was extensive and appropriately priced. Our server, Brandon, was very knowledgeable and helpful with menu selections. The food was delicious, some of the best Japanese fusion I’ve had. We’re looking forward to returning on our next trip to Austin.

Ambience: premium sushi bar where you see live preparation of the sushi. Restaurant decorative elements include more Star War toys than Japanese art. But the combination of hipster sushi is perfect for Austin. Food: avacado sushi was actually the best! It's ironical, but honestly the tastiest dish ever. But all other Sushi's are excellent. Tried ones with salmon belly, tuna and anchovies and all good. Drink: sake is different. Served cold and with a tinge of coconut. Delicious.

I was so excited to have a special dinner with my husband at Uchiko, this is a highly regarded sushi restaurant here in Austin. We just moved here about 6 months ago from New York City and we LOVE sushi. We have been to upscale places and just fun, regular places near our apartment in Queens. It was hard to stop myself from comparing Uchiko from some of my sushi dining experiences back home, except Austin is my home now (yay!) So Uchiko is a place where you make reservations in advance, you get there and the brilliant servers magically find you and bring you to your seat, we sat at the sushi bar and ordered the Omikase tasting menu. Our chef pretty much the cutest person I have ever seen and she made different dishes for us. I especially like the mackerel sushi, my husband really liked the fish soup type of thing. The fish was fantastically fresh and the service was excellent. There was some kind of pork belly thing, SO good! We ordered some extra sushi and that was very good too. I just wasn't crazy about all of the vinegar based and lemon grassy based flavoring on many of the dishes, these flavors, to me, overpowered the best thing about sushi. Fish and perfect rice. Unfortunately the rice wasn't perfect when it was there, and lots of fusion-y things were happening (which could be fun!) But for me it just felt a bit forced and slightly uncomfortable. And I was SO disappointed because I was prepared to love Uchiko. I have eaten in Momofuko ko and Sasabune in Manhattan and to be honest, Uchiko did not compare. If I could change one thing I would just ask that the food have a bit more variety in flavors and textures. Our chef seemed like she had too much to do, and this made me feel a bit anxious for her (despite some very nice wine). I did feel quite full after so, I know you may have read the portions are tiny, well, the Omikase tasting menu was fine. If you want an experience in fusion sushi fine dining totally go to Uchiko, like if you need to impress someone. As for me, I'm looking for something about more comfy and traditional and delicious.

My overall experience at Utchiko was moderately good. The food, while some dishes were very delicious, some others were very sophisticated for me and my company. Stonchoro had a lot of noise that we could hardly talk as it was professional dinner. The atmosphere at some times was stuffed because of the hot plates that took out enough smoke. The service was moderate, while the waiter came regularly and asked us if everything was okay, did not give us much attention to our order while we needed help. Possibly for a relaxing evening with company I would choose it but definitely not for a business dinner.

My friend made the reservation almost 3 weeks in advance and I thought that it was really special. I hope we do it again next year. We split the "Ten." We did request 3 items and the chefs/waitstaff selected the remainder. Our choices were the Brussel Sprouts with fish caramel, steak on a hot rock, and a crunchy roll. All of them were wonderful. The other selections were mostly sushi and were absolutely exquisite. Our waitstaff was wonderful at explaining what we were being served and in some cases how to eat it! Beth was especially helpful -- kudos. I ordered the panna cotta with apricot sherbet and it was served with cold apricot soup on top. The toasted quinoa was delightful. They also served a version of a chocolate mousse with a taste of vanilla ice cream. It had little tiny sage leaves which added an interesting spark. Great place - Make it your destination.

We were not wrong. Stopped by early Friday afternoon for a "few" taste treats to get things off on the right foot... ...eleven or twelve items later (or more!), we were unable to remove smiles from our faces. The problem is not what to choose, or what is best, but where to stop. We tried one or two offerings from almost all sections of the menu and nothing disappointed. If not for finally letting reason return (full), we could have sat there all night trying more and more. Puts a serious hole in your wallet, but there are just certain things of quality that you do not feel guilty for indulging in. This is definitely one of them. Fresh tasting, great preparation and presentation, and expert pairing with complimentary flavors. A few of them: bluefin sushimi (bycatch) - delectable, yellowtail, tasmanian trout, scottish salmon, pajeon shrimp - yummy, hot rocks wagyu, bacon onigiri - surprisingly good, eggplant tempura, koviche sea bass, milk and cereal desert (beautiful presentation), and a few others - all really really good. The worst thing is waiting for the next incredible taste. (but, not long) One of the top three or four truly satisfying restaurant outings we have enjoyed in Austin.

Uchiko in Austin offers a fantastic dining experience with its creative take on Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere is sleek yet welcoming, perfect for a special night out. Their sushi and small plates are fresh, inventive, and beautifully presented, with a variety of flavors that will impress any food lover. The chef's tasting menu is a great way to explore their top dishes. The staff is knowledgeable and provides excellent recommendations, making the meal even more enjoyable. While it’s on the pricier side, Uchiko is well worth it for a memorable, high-quality dining experience.

I lack the appropriate words to express how exceptional my visit to Uchiko was. Our server was Ivy and when I say that she was phenomenal that is an understatement. We left our meal in her hands and did the chefs tasting. She asked several questions and then the food started to arrive!!! OMG! The textures, flavor melds and variety were excellent. It was amazing to taste the flavors unveil themselves and build. As silly as it sounds I think of Ratatouille when he is describing food flavors with colors, sounds and then the symphony it makes on your tongue. This was a culinary experience from Ivy to the orchestra of food that built the lovel sound of our symphony.

Japanese food is not the first thing that comes to mind for vegetarians. Recently, we visited this place for an office lunch, and as I am vegetarian, I tried a veggie only Bento Box. Presentation of the food was very good, and the taste was not too bad either. My only gripe was that there were TOO MANY fried items on the box, and was a little too heavy on the palate, especially for lunch. These items are better suited for a shared snack during evenings. So vegetarians out there, if you get boxed in to this restaurant as part of some celebration, or team lunch, you will survive!

Super short review: Service? Outstanding and pleasant Food? Fantastic Noise/decibel level? Unbearable

First time. Sat at the bar and were surprised, delighted and thoroughly entertained by Ivy. Awesome sushi and creative seafood dishes with a coup de gras of king toro wagu beef followed by dessert of milk and cereal. Well played

Amazing food. Expensive as hell but not as high as Uchi. Go for happy hour and get there one minute before it opens to get a seat. It's packed every night. Beautiful people. Great energy. Great food and drink. A winner.

We had an outstanding experience at Uchiko. We sampled a variety of different menu items and every single item was fantastic. Perhaps the only thing better than the food was our server Lindsey. Lindsey was outstanding and provided spot on recommendations for everything including excellent wine and beer pairing suggestions that we never would have tried without her recommendations. We will definitely be back on our next trip to Austin.

Food was creative, fresh, tasty, and memorable. We also had 11 (!) people come to our table from waitress to food runners to clearers. Overall, it was a special meal and an experience. These flavors and preparations were almost like mini-performances. It doesn't come cheap and you won't leave stuffed but you will remember the flavors and wonder why other restaurants can't do it like this. There's a reason you pay more for a meal like this. It's unique.

The best meal and service we have ever had. The food was out of this world, everything seemed to melt in your mouth. Gabs was our server and she kicked ass! We left our dinner selections up to her and she did not disappoint. Every dish that was dropped off was thoroughly explained, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, definitely all working as a team. We wish we lived here so we could be regulars. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone with tastebuds.

Uchiko 8/13/2021 Great atmosphere - decor/ambiance, food, and service. Megan did a great job describing/suggesting and serving ! Did the omakase for two, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Over the top freshness, flavor, and presentation. Especially like the last few on the omakase menu - king crab corn uni "dinosaur egg", bluefin akami sashimi, softshell crab, and the wagyu short rib. A serving of wagyu gyutoro nigiri was outstanding as well. Probably not waiting near as long to come back here again. Mouth is watering just rehashing this menu ! Highly recommend. (Nice selection of sake as well.)

I went here with my boyfriend for a birthday celebration. Every bite we took was delicious. The waiter was wonderful with helping us navigate the menu. We brought each dish out in the order more appetizing to our palates. This was an expensive meal but a great place to go for a celebration.

We came to Uchiko to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday, in hopes of an overall great experience, based on the reviews. I had seen someone on Reddit say not to go, to just go to Odd Duck (a favorite!) instead, but with the rave reviews everywhere, we decided to give Uchiko a shot. Sadly, we were disappointed in every aspect. The decor here is confused; there's no consistent "story" of what the restaurant is, either in the decor itself or in matching the decor to the food. It's Austin casual/casual trendy, and it doesn't fit the price point. We came at 6:30 on a Wednesday, and the front room was stuffed full and very loud, not at all appropriate for a celebratory intimate dinner (which one would expect at this price). We were seated across from two large groups that were so loud it was hard to hear each other across the table, right in that front main room that doesn't feel private or cozy or special at all. The service is mainly indifferent, doesn't smile, rushes through the menu, doesn't seem happy to answer questions or make suggestions – unfortunately normal for Austin but again really not okay for this price point (and really, just a very low standard even when compared with cheaper restaurants in other places in the US and more broadly, the world). For drinks, we each had a Hachi no Hiza, a gin drink with honey and yuzu. It was solidly good; I would order again. But a little less interesting than cocktails elsewhere. For food, we had: Kabocha curry: this was decent, with good flavor, the squash a bit dry and undercooked Pork belly: super overcooked and dry, really disappointing as we love pork belly Cooked scallop daily special: this was well handled, good but small and not super interesting Trout nigiri: My boyfriend had this and loved it. Tuna nigiri: My boyfriend also liked this; I tried it and wasn't a fan, but I'm not a raw fish fan in general. Gyutoro: We had one each. This was very good but they put wasabi on top, which interfered with the flavor of the beef. I could've had a meal of mainly this, without the wasabi. Yokai berry: We didn't like this dish at all. Very weird, with blueberries, raw salmon, and kale. The waitress did notice that we weren't enjoying it and offered to substitute something else. Chicken karaage: This was what we subbed for the yokai berry, and it was also terrible. Dry, with no crispy fried skin, with some kind of strong sauce that didn't fit. We had the banana cake for dessert, which was solid, very good, but not amazing. On top of so much of the food not being good, I left hungry. For $300 for two, this was one of the most disappointing meals of my life. We won't be back. Maybe it's better if you stick to just the nigiri? But for us, ultimately, we were forced to conclude that the guy on Reddit was right – just go to Odd Duck. You'll pay less and the food and drinks will be much better.

Uchiko 1/4/2024 Review: “ Positive Blip in the pendulum of life…” Life clicks along with some folks, perhaps most folks, usually revolving around a sometimes work and play pendulum for a period of time that is then accentuated, occasionally, with personally important highpoints – in our case typically earmarked by family visits – “close family” not living close to us, dropping in and brightening the familial subsistence lights. We have been fortunate recently to have celebrated multiple “highpoints”. Our triplet children and their families have “high-pointed” our lives with Christmas visits and we have, in turn, tried to accentuate these occasions with some “special” moments. How ? Answer – the “4Fs”: “Fun, Food, Family, and Forget the price ! (+/-) A few places fit the bill for such “reduced” inhibitions in Austin TX. Who ? Where? Uchiko. Uchiko has proven to be a “fits the bill” establishment over, and over, and over again. No doubts, no reservations, no exceptions. Never, ever, ceases to satisfy, uplift, enlighten, and truly fulfill our greatest gustatory aspirations. How ? Well, heck, the first point/multiple points have to revolve around outstanding performance – service (Holly this time), creation, follow through, mind-blowing flavors/freshness, out-of-the-box thinking variety (important – must be a managerial headache, btw), expertise – and constancy – repeatable quality, on and on, but always to our knowledge absolutely and faithfully presented. A known quantity. A known high end quality. You make a decision to come here, and you know that the results will be outstanding and over the top satisfying. A daughter’s comments: “I would say.... what Uchiko does best is the art of curation, there is letting nature shine and carefully adding elements that buttress what is presented. The art of redaction - in this event, what could be added to the final product for artistic interest, whether by the chef or the consumer - in this space is what is critical for the success of the dish. I found this very evident in the nigiri - the delicate shaved lime on the fluke, the finely diced ginger on the Tanzanian trout.... There is only as much to compliment the dish as is necessary, so as to not detract from the beautiful essence of what makes Uchiko remarkable.” Once again, satisfaction verified. (16-18 times over 10-12 years ?) No subsidence. No reduced quality. No subtle sliding of customer service. Just over the top pride and love of commitment in the trade. Thanks Uchiko staff. (Cheers Holly, Mitchel, all the sushi chefs.) Well done. More than satisfied here. Please – keep it up !! Things change in life, and we like knowing that you are there and kicking bigtime ! This trip – (* favorites) *Bluefin akami – Avocado - Foie Gunkan – *Hama Chili - Ebi Yaki - Gyutoro Yaki - Summer Love Oyster -*Grilled Oyster – *Hirame - Bluefin Chutoro – Kanpachi – Hamachi - *Brussel Sprouts - Kombocha Tempura - *Gyutoro – *Smoked Masu Toro - Jasmine Cream – *Banana Cake – Le Grand Caillou – *Takara Nigori – Maboroshi – *Classic Junmai Ginjo – Snow Shadow Sake

1st arrived at opening to find there was an hour and 1/2 wait !! WHAT!? Those in the know, knew to arrive @ 4:30 to be able to be sat at opening. So since we drove in from Leander waited on the patio, and since it was cold, appreciated food and cocktail service while we awaited our table. True to what they said our wait would be we were sat @ 6:30. Food was good but nothing exceptional. Would I return , probably not.

I was so pleased with my visit here. You need to make a reservation. There is no hard liquor, only beer, wine, and sake. The food is exceptional in preparation and creativity. This is not a conventional sushi and hibachi grill. The atmosphere is lively. The ambiance is chic and sophisticated. The service is very knowledgeable and attentive. Must try the avocado sashimi. Likewise, the Uni (sea urchin was perfectly fresh.) The deserts are just as impressive as their entrees. There is something for everyone here. If I had to summarize it into one word, then it would be "clever."

Food is sweet and spicy which is typically for Americans. Not surprisingly, we are the only Asian couples. Once again, food is good but not like traditional Japanese style.

I would like to start by thanking us since we went to dinner without reservation: Edamame Snow Crab Sunomo Tempura Kabocha Onion Nasu Unagi HH Jasmine Cream Peach okashi Nectar Rooibos Network and this is a summary of our review. Product quality: Excellent all products Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques. Starting with the preparation of the Edamames to HH Jasmine Cream everything was perfect. I personally loved the Unagi Harmony of flavors The individual sauces for Tempura are undoubtedly an interesting fusion, however they are too prevalent in contrast to the tempura itself. - Matter of taste perhaps. The opposite happens HH Jasmine Cream which is a masterpiece of combination of flavors The chef's personality represented in the dining experience. - Each dish has its own personality and requires that the table service be consistent with it. (For example, I would not serve milk in the same glass in which I just had orange juice - since the saores are mixed). In this case, each of the tempura dishes had its own sauce. Since they did not change the plate where I put my tempura (when I ate it), in the end I finished with a plate where there were all the sauces of the different tempuras ... The flavors ended up mixing and destroyed the experience

I had heard about Uchi, years ago and had wanted to go but getting a reservation there is tough. Managed to get into the sister restaurant, Uchiko and I am so glad I did. Took advantage of the "happy hour" menu and also ordered several items from the regular menu. The Crispy Rice with Bacon is a must. The Kokumotsu for dessert was perfect. And, the Snow Shadow sake has become an obsession for me to find again. I will return every time I visit Austin.

I have eaten at Uchiko several times over the years and it remains one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The flavors are phenomenal, unique, complex, amazing! The seafood is always superbly fresh and high grade. We did our own waiter-selected tasting menu, probably ten courses or more - thank you, Jeremy! - and each was excellent. The restaurant is boisterous, but this is Austin! Go with it!

On a recent business trip I stayed with a good friend I worked with a decade ago. She suggested Uchiko. I cannot say enough good things about the many food "experiences" we tasted. The beets were heavenly. So good, you hold the food in your mouth a while and savor the unusual blend of flavors. She suggested the Brussels sprouts next. I've oven baked them before but not with the explosion of taste before. The caramel fish sauce was superb! The eel sushi was charcoaled and delicious. By this time, I didn't care what else we ordered; I knew it would be a culinary delight. Smoked salmon with kale...outstanding! Dessert, awesomeness! I kept eating my way into oblivion! And the presentation was ART! This was, without a doubt, the best meal I have ever eaten. Who would think such flavors could be combined. If they had a cookbook, I would have ordered one for each of my foodie friends. Don't miss this place while you're in Austin! I promise you will be blown away!

I was in Austin last week for business and brought along my fiance' because it was his birthday. I wanted a really special place for dinner and gave him a choice of three from a list of best restaurants in the city. He chose this one because he loves Asian (for the record, my personal choice would never be Asian, as it's not a favorite). Well, it certainly didn't disappoint. We arrived quite early for our reservation but couldn't get seated (it was very busy, even on a Wednesday), so we opted for drinks on the very small outside terrace. Once we were seated (maybe 45 mins later but near our reservation time), it was great - beautiful atmosphere, good people watching, exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable staff - I'm guessing the waiters, etc. share tips, because they all help out with service, and I love that. This is asian but "tapas style" - meaning smaller plates. We loved that, because it gave us the opportunity to try lots of different things. The menu is very creative and VERY fresh - they have fish flown in daily from the famous fish market in Tokyo, so you'll get things here you'll never see in the vast majority of restaurants in America, even higher-end sushi restaurants. We loved the Brussel sprouts (I could've eaten two orders), and the sushi rolls were excellent. My fiance' absolutely LOVED the sea urchin (I'm not adventurous, so didn't try it). The chocolate "breakfast" dessert with Captain Crunch was SO good (the menu description didn't appeal to me, but the waiter raved about it, and I'm glad I took his advice). We also got the apple dessert, and that was the only thing we tried all night that neither of us liked (there was cilantro in the ice cream - and while I'm guessing they were trying to be creative and unusual, they shouldn't try to make something like ice cream healthy with herbs - don't mess with a good thing!! But this will definitely be a meal to remember, especially for my fiance', and when we're back in Austin, we'll definitely return and recommend.

Fabulous Dining Experience with delightful servings of magnificent prepared servings and the flight course just goes on and on. Our preparer Dax was very engaging and aim to please at every turn. Flavors evolved on each course. Ask for his favorite roll and dessert was even scrumptious for a Sushi driven experience 👏👏. Try a good Pinot Grigio and ask Tyler for recommendations Will return soon enough. Oh so not forget the special Brussel sprouts dish so yummy. Cheers, J&C

I cannot recommend having happy hour dinner at Uchiko enough. This was the first time we were able to go this summer (and Sept. 1st is running summer quite late). The summer happy hour menu is wonderful, highlighted by kotemaki (a vegetarian roll), short rib kimuchi, mushroom onigiri and ebi scallion pancake. We didn't restrict ourselves to the happy hour menu, being quite unable to skip getting the brussels sprouts, as great as always, and a few other items including some nigiri sushi. We did order almost everything on the happy hour menu, and there was only one item that no one liked: the tofu dish. It went past interesting to unappealing. The dessert on the happy hour menu, the jasmine cream, was also quite unusual, but we all enjoyed it. While I love the nigori sake on the happy hour menu (with not a subtle bone in its body), everyone loved the red nectar rooibos tea. If you wonder if it's worth trying to time your hunger to their happy hour time consider this: four of us ate to repletion for $113 before tip. My experiences with Uchiko after happy hour seem to indicate that $50 per person is the minimum we spend, and it usually costs quite a bit more than that.

Went with some friends and everything we ordered was amazing, the variety and depth of flavors were evident in every bite, can’t wait to back again and gain.

Great dinner great ingredients. Awesome location good atmosphere kid friendly. Great service the wagyu was suburb. IB

In the last 10 years I had traveled to Japan 7 times and had explored several regions within Japan. My leisure trips took me to many pristine natural and cultural heritage sites; but the most delightful experiences from the journeys are the cuisines of delicacy crafted by skillful chefs and the traditional comfort foods prepared diligently by the hands of locals. In my opinions I would avoid comparing the so call authentic Japanese foods which I have opportunities to enjoy in Japan with same type of Japanese foods I have had in U.S.A. The availability of original ingredients and the different ethnic taste palates would require making some modifications in ethnic foods we sample here. Nonetheless, I was very pleased with the selections picked from Uchiko’s menu. Our party of seven arrived at 5 pm opening time and there was already line of guests waiting to be seated. While we were waiting, kitchen chefs were busy preparing prime choices of seafood items flying in daily from Toyosu Fish Market off Tokyo Bay, the largest wholesale fish market in the world. We had fresh cuts sashimi from bluefin, yellowtail, Hokkaido wild scallops, tuna rolls, soft-shelled crab rolls, wagyu beef cooked on the hot river rock, braised slow-cook pork belly, fried chicken bites, tempura cod fish and eggplants. Each dish was prepared by seasoned culinary chefs with touch of creativity and presented to us by the courteous service staff. It was Sunday night and dining room was packed but service staff managed to keep us informed for each dish brought to us. Uchiko only opens for dinner, so, make your reservations in advance is highly recommended.

We were in Austin visiting our friends and they made reservations at Uchiko. We were initially a disappointed because were interested in dining at a restaurant that had more of a local Texan flavor and Austin is a tad landlocked. After our first taste we knew why our friends took us. It was delicious! We had the chef select our sushi and each round proved to be magnificent. The thoughtful blending of fresh fish with complimentary flavors and seasoning. Each bite was simple and complex. The ambience is a cool casual urban chic. Highly recommend.

My second visit to Uchiko was wonderful on almost every level. Our wonderful server deftly guided us through the meal adding to our ideas and rounding out a great meal. The fish is deftly managed with exquisite flavors and simplicity where it’s right. I wish I lived nearby and could visit more than once a year. I do think they hosting staff could be a little less pushy regarding timing. We were able to arrive earlier than our reservation time and they were clear that we could come and “begin our experience early on the patio area,” but they didn’t know if we could be seated. Something in the delivery seemed far more pretentious than the restaurant. Unnecessarily so. Thankfully our experience was a great one.

Wow. Amazing flavour here. Light but with a fantastic twist. The service was also impeccable. Can’t fault it and highly recommend a visit if you like sushi or not!

Having gone to Uchi several times I think Uchiko is just as good. I personally love the room better than Uchi. We did the 10 course Omakase and it was amazing. Next day, we sat at the sushi bar. Sushi chef was very knowledgeable and creative. A must go when your in Austin.

Every so often you dine somewhere that is so much more than just a meal. I can honestly say dining at Uchiko Austin is an entire, incredible experience. Jeremy our waiter was phenomenal, he took a menu that overwhelmed and through careful discussion, he selected our entire dinner. Not once did he miss a beat. Dishes that we’d have never thought to try came out one by one, but he also ensured the progression of our meal was balanced and logical. Just amazing. Dish of the night was the gyutoro 72-hour Wagyu short rib, and the stunning kinoko usuzukuri trumpet mushrooms capaccio-esque starter. Truly though, I’d eat everything again, twice. Don’t think twice, just go and enjoy this beautiful food & dining experience

We were there during Thanksgiving. It was not at all difficult to get a table but call ahead due to their popularity. Great atmosphere, great quality food and knowledgeable staff. Would definitely return!

Obtaining a rezy is an issue but not as bad as Uchi - and Uchiko is better anyway. Generally knowledgeable and friendly wait staff. Most dishes are wonderful, not just great. Hama chili, yokai berry. THE BEST DESSERTS IN AUSTIN: fried milk is the best.

What an awesome happy hour. We hadn't been to Uchiko in awhile, since pre-COVID, so we stopped by at 4:00pm for happy hour last week. WOW! Great menu for happy hour, reasonable prices! We ate and drank saki steadily for 2 hours (we had to vacate the table at 6:00pm). The total bill was under $100. At a place like Uchiko, that's a bargain! And it wasn't skimpy happy hour food, lower quality because its cheap. We ate everything from Miso Soup, about 20 pieces each of nigiri, and several rolls. We were stuffed. I cannot recommend any one thing, it was all superb. Uchiko is THE go to stop for sushi happy hour in ATX!

The bursts of flavors and textures make the dining experience so enjoyable and memorable! The pops of unique combinations of flavors are creative and nowhere to be found anywhere else in Austin! A must go for anyone seeking a journey of tastes and ambience!

We were delighted by the quality of the food at Uchiko. The seafood and other meats utilized were remarkably fresh and served at just right temperature. The flavors were thoughtfully composed and enticing. Basically, every course of our Omakase was delicious and if we went back, I wouldn’t do it any other way. An exceptional Japanese-influenced meal with a little Texas inflection for good measure. If this is your only meal in Austin, go for it!

A favorite of ours, Uchiko once again provided amazing service (not one server walked past our table without taking an empty dish, refilling water, etc., but it never felt intrusive; each dish brought out was identified as being celiac-friendly or not) and a great meal. The changes to the menu were nice to try. The gyutoro was fantastic - wagyu fatty belly - the meat was so tender, it was as if it melted. We all loved it so much, we ordered two rounds of it. The tiger cry tasted like Vietnamese bun in a roll. The maguro crudo was a nice addition to the menu - the flavor from the poblano really shone. We tried a mixture of some of the daily fish market selections and enjoyed all. As usual, the jar jar duck, brussels sprouts, P-38 were dependable. I'm looking forward to our next visit.

We attended the restaurant to celebrate our sons birthday. Austin was a good mid point between Nyc and LaJolla where our sons live. It was my first time to eat sushi. I was surprised. We shared about 10 dishes. All were tasty and beautifully presented. Of course we saved Hot Rock beef for last. I would say that was on top of my favorite dishes ever.

Every time I visit I enjoy every food I taste, whether it’s cold or hot, savory or sweet. The menu provides innovative as well as traditional items to enjoy!

Although we had booked our reservation the requisite 30 days in advance to assure a table for our party of 6, we ended up waiting about 30 minutes past our reservation time. However, the staff did a great job of making sure we were comfortable outside, and even offered drinks and an appetizer to make the wait more acceptable. When we were seated, we were paired with an excellent server and our evening began in earnest. Having dined at Nobu, Morimoto and others of this dining category (for want of the proper term, "Japanese small plate" seems the simplest description), I came to Uchiko with knowledge, experience and expectations. I thought the food was, in many respects, better in the options provided and the execution of the dishes. The fried chicken (karaage) was excellent, the traditional yellowtail with ponzu sauce was given a clever twist with the addition of fruit, and the pork offerings were more numerous than usual. On balance, I thought the "usual" tuna and yellowtail dishes were not quite as good as Nobu. I also prefer the shishito peppers in salt rather than Uchiko's tempura batter, but I'm really looking at very small issues and, even those are more a matter of personal preference. The food was excellent and creative. For example, out of the blue, I was presented with a sea trout dish and (though it looked like salmon and left me in fear that everything would taste like salmon for the rest of the night) it was spectacular. Moreover, everyone thoroughly loved the shameless fun of cooking wagyu beef on hot rocks (we had to double our order . . . twice), as well as the main entre of A5 strip, cleverly prepared potatoes and onion caps. All of this was enjoyed with a couple of excellent bottles of sake (we do love the "Demon Slayer"). All in all, this was a wonderful meal and, better still, the tremendous wait staff made it a very pleasant and engaging experience. I look forward to returning, sooner than later.

On my birthday visit to Austin, my daughters wanted to treat me to a truly exceptional dining experience. This was a great choice. From the "sake social" menu, we enjoyed shokko (raw yellowtail), tempura shiki (summer squash with curry yogurt), and papa age (potato with spicy aioli and bonito). From the main menu, beet crudo, with fennel, grapefruit and avocado; brussels sprouts in fish caramel, lime and chili; bok choi with cashew butter, tomato and lime; and halibut, with romanesco, shiitake mushroom, hazelnut, and coconut beurre blanc. I thought I was done with brussels sprouts, but we all found Uchiko's rendition amazing; so was their bok choi. The delicate, deftly cooked halibut melted in our mouths. The "sake social" menu is a wonderful idea, allowing patrons to discover new dishes at lower prices, along with discounted sake, wine and Japanese beers, from 5 to 6:30. What's more, both the "sake social" and the main menu are available in the principal dining area, which is beautifully designed and soothingly lit. The breadth of menu choices was a little overwhelming at first, but our server was very knowledgeable and provided expert recommendations.

This is a large and elegant restaurant located in an affluent area a few miles from downtown. The place was packed on a regular Monday night and early reservations are a must. It is part of a chain and this may be the reason for the availability of the fresher fish from many parts of the world. The decor is elegant, with two large rooms one facing the kitchen, with dozen chefs and one the bar. We had a dozen different sushi and sashimi plates. Everyone come at the right time and was superb. The service was hectic but very efficient. Since you have to order individual small plates (mostly two pieces sushi and four sashimi, the check adds up, but overall it was not that expensive based upon the quality.

Unbelievable experience: server was awesome explained all the nuances of the menu: cannot contain my accolades for the food! Every plate was a hit and “shareable

I went down to Austin for a bachelorette with 12 girls, and we were given a table near the back of the restaurant outside of 2 private rooms, which were each being utilized by groups of 12+ The food was good, and the fish was fresh but wasn't the most memorable meal. The serving sizes were good for sharing, but we all probably could have eaten a bit more. We let the server choose the meal again and weren't disappointed with the choices, but I couldn't tell you what they were now. I did have an inu no ke (sake, grapefruit, pink peppercorn) cocktail which was quite good.

Took our servers direction and tried many different dishes. Each prepared amazingly and unusually. One of the better dinners we have ever had while traveling. Highly highly recommend.

Great seating at the sushi bar, excellent suggestions from Larson (sp?) the sushi chef, prompt beverage service, presentation and flavor profiles in the dishes - other worldly. Maybe 20 or more seatings over the last 10 years and have never left unsatisfied or under-impressed with their expertise. Glued on smiles when we left this time too. A great mood lifter, and or venue to suit a celebration. Our “Fat Tuesday” choices – sprouts (always great), bluefin tartare (yes, bam !), avocado nigiri, sake maki, ebi (nice change of pace), gyotoro nigiri (wow !!), hama chili (nice flavor combinations), ko salad (amazing – our fav salad anywhere), hana curry (surprisingly diverse combo), soft shell maki, and banana cake – not your grandmother’s banana bread/cake - what a finish  ! – suggested by the chefs - must try it if you haven’t !, and maybe a little sake…harhar. A great memory to sustain us through Lenten fasting !! (…but man, when it’s over, I’m headin back !)

This is our 3rd time to eat at Uchiko. The Brussel Sprouts are still amazing. We had the beef on a hot rock, eggplant tempura, coffee bacon & scallops. The eggplant tempura was fabulous. The coffee bacon was delicious & tender and more lean meat than I've had on pork belly in other places. We shared 2 desserts. One was a pineapple with a light cream underneath. The other was chocolate mousse with 2 small scoops of ice cream with some Cap't Crunch pieces. The pineapple was my favorite and my husband's favorite was the chocolate so I recommended both. Like all tapas restaurants the bill can add up quickly so be prepared for the expense. It's worth it for us. It's sister restaurant, Uchi, is equally as good. Make reservations way ahead of time. If you don't have reservations you can show up when they open & sit at the bar.

Great food and excellent service. Every dish was a new taste experience. All dishes were excellent. The deep fried onion rings were to die for. The decor is beautiful. It is unfortunately extremely noisy. Hard to hear the person sitting next to you.

Had a dinner with my wife for her birthday. We have been here previously. Cool vibe and quite crowded for a Tuesday evening. We ordered many courses - edamame, Brussels sprouts and chicken karaage to start. We then moved to the suzuki yaki (grilled med sea bass) and a set of sashimi - Japanese yellowtail and albacore tuna, a couple of rolls - P-38 & crunchy tuna and finished off with the short rib. Each course was wonderful and complex. Preference wise, we like the Brussels sprouts, chicken karaage, suzuki yaki and the yellowtail the best. The short rib was really tender but too rich at the end. Another wonderful meal @ Uchiko

Food is great and perfectly presented. Listen to your server re: what to order and in what order. Even if you don't eat sushi, you will enjoy this resaturant

I'm only posting this review to point out that although Uchiko has been around for a number of years, the place remains vibrant, fresh and the quality of their sushi top notch. As great an experience as our first visit. This time around I had a fantastic white anchovy roll. Huge fan. Salmon belly, Japanese bream nigiri were my other favorites. They've not only earned every 5 star review but continue to work towards maintaining them. Had an early dinner with my 9 y/o and she loved it - again. Staff was friendly. This is one of only a handful of destination restraunts that have made our list and we've never been disappointed. Awesome!!

There was once a time when any restaurant owned by Tyson Cole and company is guaranteed to be impeccable in every conceivable way. Something definitely has gone awry with Uchiko. I tried to attribute the issues I, we, encountered at this past NYE’s dinner as an aberration but couldn’t after more consideration. Where do I begin? - The lackluster menu, second rate service or obnoxious/disgruntled clients? The last I can forgive but not the initial two. The only photo I added is the Omakase menu that we opted to try. On average, the menu items were tasty but the A5, Pork cheek, Goat cheese and snapper were too salty. That is not what you typically get at a Tyson Cole restaurant. The meal delivery to our table was way off kilter. We had to wait quite long for the first course, close to 30 mins. The rest of the meal either came late or before we could finish the previous one. Needles to say, that ruined the pace of dinner. You may wonder what effect that has - It extended dinner way too long and the uncomfortable chairs, lack of adequate padding, made for an uneasy sitting. That is not what you’d expect at a Tyson Cole restaurant. One of the waiters that served us brought a meal and walked away without picking up the last used dish. I politely called her but she stopped at the next table from us. That in itself is okay. When she returned I mentioned the omission to her (The only reason I actually cared is because we were sat a a tiny table against a wall that won’t rightly fit two entree plates and our drinks and I didn’t want her to walk away). She had the audacity to be angry and intentionally looked at our table the rest of the evening and purposefully refused to clear our table henceforth. That is not what one would expect at a Tyson Cole restaurant. My partner is really very tolerant and even she suggested we left before we had out so called dessert. In all, I asked myself if I’d ever patronize uchiko again and the answer is an equivocally NO! It has fallen off and only living on it’s laurels. Trust me, from someone who has been living in Austin for over twenty years...

Like it sister restaurant this place tries to be something that it can never be. I’m sure you’ve all heard the expression keep it simple or perhaps too many cooks spoil the soup. The same applies here. It cost a fortune to get anything. I’m not cheap. Especially when it comes to food. I have been all over the world and enjoy different flavors and concepts. The mix and match things here don’t necessarily work. Go ahead and try it but I think you’ll find this is not a very relaxed atmosphere and nothing to brag about unless you just want to act like a big shot and spend all your money.

We’ve had Uchiko pickup twice now during this trip. They have creative fun dishes. The mushroom carpaccio was great. Ham and eggs is playful. Lots of yummy surprises. Curbside service is solid.

This place is next-level. For sure in the top 3 restaurants I’ve ever been to. I did the 8 course tasting menu. Every single course was delicious; there were no misses. But there were some superstars. The bluefin toro was melt-in-your-mouth soft, buttery and very flavorful. The hama chili is one of the best thing I’ve ever eaten. The fried pumpkin was outstanding. And the real surprise of the night was the beef tallow cookie ice cream sandwich, topped with candied jalapeños. It doesn’t make any sense that that was so good, but it was. It was mildly sweet and noncloying as desserts can sometimes be. The service was spectacular. I sat at the wine bar and the bartenders there were extremely upbeat and really made you feel like you were talking to a friend. This is a next-level restaurant, perfect for a special occasion.

We to Uchiko for a late dinner. The brussel sprouts are amazing. The sushi was very good but the nigiri cuts were small as were the rolls. Savanna was a great server!

We are big sushi fans and were highly impressed by our experience at Uchiko. Great service, exquisite food. Hamachi - to die for! Love the brussel sprouts! Server's recommendations were on point. Whether you're a sushi lover, a foodie, or just trying to expand your food experiences, you've got to try Uchiko.

Wonderful meal out! We had 4 dishes 1)beef on the hot rock along with 2) Brussels sprouts 3)sushi roll 4) tuna with apples and goat cheese. All four were amazing

Every time we go to uchiko it's awesome. Uchi and uchiko have consistently the best sushi in Austin and best experience. Worth the price and listen to the waiters and waitresses BC they know what is good.

We visited as a party of three and ordered the Omakase Chefs course which is a 10 course tasting for two. The waiter said he could expand it to three by adding additional Oysters and four individual Nigiri Sushi. The food was delicious but every course was a bite or two for everyone. We went home hungry and that should never happen when your bill is over $300 after tip...

Never tasted so good. My hubby & I went for a work holiday party. It was in the cozy private room with little space but you & your many small plates of tasty treats being whisked in & out. For vegetarians, there were large individual portions just for us. Among them, the above which by themselves constituted a fantastic meal & I could have happily stopped there. But many other green items followed until I had no room for dessert. I love tempura but this was quite unique & special. Did I mention how delish the fried peppers were?! A culinary delight to round off 2017!