Aka Sushi House is tailor-made for the cocktail-loving sushi connoisseur, the perpetually undecided orderer (thanks to the restaurant’s daily sushi specials), or the newly initiated (choose from a variety of classic and custom rolls, courtesy of the menu’s descriptions). Must-orders also include the pink lychee cocktail and the tofu cheesecake.

Makizushi meets vegan sensibilities at Blue Sushi Sake Grill, a M-K-T Heights restaurant offering both traditional and imaginative maki, sashimi, and nigiri. This vibrant, neon-lit eatery follows a Conscious Earth program, which centers on responsibly caught and humanely raised seafood and meats. For vegan maki, try the unami nigiri (barbecue eggplant eel) or the Cowgirl or Shiitake To Me rolls. With more than 20 vegan options on the menu, and even a few mocktails, there’s something for everyone at Blue Sushi Sake Grill.

Embarking on an omakase journey quite literally means relinquishing your control, leaving the multicourse meal’s direction entirely in the hands of the chef, from the ingredients and preparation to the number of courses and even the storytelling behind it all. At Hidden Omakase, your trust is in the fully qualified hands of chef Niki Vongthong, who was Uchi Houston’s first female sushi chef. Vongthong is known to seamlessly incorporate her Thai and Laotian roots into the omakase experience. With the entire meal taken care of, the only thing you need to remember is to BYOB.

With authenticity and affordable prices that can’t be beat, this sushi spot is the perfect place to go when you need to satisfy your craving on a budget. Start off with some edamame or shrimp tempura, then move on to the sushi menu and choose from its variety of offerings like yellowtail and eel. Or, look over Hokkaido’s six sashimi offerings for even more protein. And for those who aren’t in the mood for fish, Hokkaido has you covered with steak or chicken teriyaki, beef sukiyaki, or chicken katsu.

Izakaya Wa perfectly encapsulates izakaya dining, a casual, low-key style of Japanese dining known for light bites, like grilled or fried skewers, and drinks such as Kirin Ichiban, a type of Japanese light beer. It’s basically the Japanese version of tapas. Crowd favorites at Izakaya Wa include the gyu kushiyaki (beef tenderloin) skewers and the beef udon. Owned and operated by Akira Asano and Hajime Kubokawa, known as Chef Kubo, this is your Houston go-to for exploring traditional and Americanized Japanese fare.

This Heights restaurant is a fan favorite for a reason. From its nigiri and sashimi menu, be sure to order hamachi (yellowtail), unagi (freshwater eel with unagi sauce and sesame seeds), and some otoro (fatty tuna). If you’re indecisive, opt for the omakase to get a chef selection of KA Sushi’s offerings. And because sharing is caring, order some edamame, bone marrow, and miso scampi for the whole table.

For traditional and innovative maki, top-tier nigiri and sashimi, and Korean or French-infused dishes, look no further than Kanau Sushi. This airy, aesthetically pleasing Midtown restaurant offers sushi classics with a touch of flair, at times so subtle you just have to taste it to appreciate the culinary nuances. The restaurant also offers an “all you can eat” option, but be sure to ask about its five rules ahead of time.

If there’s any one sushi restaurant, any one chef, credited with elevating Houston’s food scene, it’s Kata Robata’s chef Manabu Horiuchi. Known affectionately as Chef Hori, the four-time James Beard Award nominee is known for introducing H-Town to the ins and outs of Japanese cuisine. Try the Japanese amberjack sashimi with foie gras, and keep an eye out for the ever-changing daily specials. Also on the menu: Kobe beef skewers, Wagyu katsu sando, miso lobster macaroni and cheese, and green tea soufflé cheesecake.

Tucked away in downtown’s Bravery Chef Hall, Kokoro has a cool, casual vibe that’s not trying too hard. And when you’re the brainchild of Uchi alum Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham, sushi and yakitori, Japanese grilled chicken, is pretty much second nature anyway. Kokoro’s nigiri selection is solid, with favorites like the fatty tuna nigiri (bluefin otoro nigiri and bluefin chutoro nigiri), a selection of maki, and dishes like grilled shishito peppers and chicken fat rice. Eager for more? Check out Lee and Pham’s other concepts: two locations of Handies Douzo in the Heights and Montrose, and Washington Avenue’s Aiko.

At Kuu, chef Adison Lee, who trained under master chef Nobu Matsuhisa (yes, that Nobu), artfully blends Japanese and modern cooking techniques to reimagine Japanese fine dining for a contemporary crowd. After all, this Gateway Memorial City eatery on Gessner Road literally means “the art of eating.” Here, you can enjoy modern Japanese fare in a stylish interior or outside on the restaurant’s patio. Get a taste of the Toyosu sashimi box, A5 Wagyu nigiri or carpaccio, or seared sea scallop.

The soft glow emanating from behind MF Sushi’s omakase counter is as light and airy as the delicate dishes pieced together at this lauded Museum District restaurant. Everything from the counter’s composition (planks of hinoki, a species of cypress believed to enhance the flavor of fish) to the carefully concocted truffle aioli salmon, Wagyu beef, and baked lobster tempura quietly screams true craftsmanship. We’ve come to expect nothing less from acclaimed sushi chef Chris Kinjo, who first brought MF Sushi to Houston in 2014. Since then, MF Sushi has blossomed into one of the city’s must-visit sushi restaurants.

Opened in 1978, Miyako is a longtime hub for sushi staples and fusion cuisine. Over the years, the Japanese restaurant has garnered a loyal following devoted to offerings like truffle salmon sashimi, seven-spice calamari, and the restaurant’s happy hour specials. Outside of sushi, fan favorites also include miso ramen soup, pan-fried or steamed gyoza, and chicken egg rolls served with pineapple and sweet and sour sauces.

Though some Houstonians, with our abundance of independent, locally owned eateries, think twice about eating at chain restaurants, a night out at Nobu is a no-brainer. A joint venture by Iron Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro, this international chain restaurant is more than a name-dropping sensation (but hey, we get it). Try the black cod miso, Nobu oysters, or the omakase, the chef’s tasting menu, for the full Nobu experience.

Some of Houston’s most beloved food is tucked away in random retail centers, discovered on the fly or by word of mouth. Oishii is more like an open secret. This Upper Kirby restaurant, named after the Japanese word for delicious, anchors an otherwise run-of-the-mill commercial space, next door to a dry cleaner and a liquor and cigar store. Family-owned and operated, Oishii is a one-stop spot for classics like sashimi, tempura, and udon dishes. Folks love Oishii for its blend of quality, flavor, and amazing value.

Osaka is known for its relaxing atmosphere and variety of sushi, noodles, and donburi (Japanese rice bowls). With four locations throughout the Houston area, Osaka is giving the people what they want: consistent sushi rolls, a wide range of light bites and starters, and even a complimentary appetizer and dessert. With ample portion sizes, Osaka may well be one of the most underrated sushi places around.

Entering Sasaki feels like being let into one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Located in a Westheimer strip mall, Sasaki is a no-frills eatery big on simplicity and tradition. Established in 1982 by chef Toda-san, the Japanese steak house and sushi restaurant has been quietly serving some of the best sushi around town. Don’t miss the unagi (eel), salmon sashimi, and tamago (Japanese rolled omelet).

Part of the Azuma Group, which includes Kata Robata and Izakaya, Soma Sushi is a must-try. Led by chef Omi Higa, formerly of Kata Robata and Teppay, this Washington Avenue restaurant is upscale yet approachable. Crowd favorites include the pan-seared salmon, Creamy Mermaid roll, and pretty much anything from the specialty ramen selection.

A longtime fixture at Dairy Ashford and Memorial, Sushi Jin was founded by Bill Nakanishi, who once owned a seafood importing company. Sushi Jin’s connection to culture and quality are on display throughout the restaurant. First, there’s the oshibori. This warm hand towel is a traditional piece of Japanese hospitality culture and a proud fixture at Sushi Jin. Then, there’s the tatami room, a traditional dining room that serves as a private gathering space. And last but not least, the food. With fish flown in straight from Japan, Sushi Jin’s got you covered, from the maki rolls we know and love to out-of-the-box bites like sea urchin.

The devotees queued outside Bellaire Boulevard’s Sushi Miyagi know what’s up. This under-the-radar Asiatown gem runs on limited hours, but that’s by design. A true mom-and-pop shop, Sushi Miyagi has been owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Miyagi since 2007. The staff is just the two of them: he cooks, she waits tables. The 20-seat restaurant is a no-frills kind of joint where you can expect a wait and a leisurely dining experience. Rest assured that your patience will be rewarded once you have a bite of dishes like the crunchy salmon salad, the Houston roll, or the chirashi bowl.

Immerse yourself in Houston’s sushi scene long enough and you’ll hear whispers about Teppay, a Japanese restaurant near Westheimer and Voss with a loyal following and the recommendation of local sushi chefs and connoisseurs alike. Longtime restaurant goers can’t get enough of Teppay’s fresh wasabi, sake (salmon), and the selection beyond sushi staples, like cold soba noodles or classic tonkotsu ramen. For an even more intimate meal, reserve the tatami private room for the full shoes-off experience.

For Houston sushi lovers, and even Texas sushi stans at large, Uchi needs no introduction. With its James Beard Award nods, consistently delicious morsels, and picture-perfect plating in a warm yet elevated space, Uchi has cemented its place in Houston’s sushi stratosphere. Make reservations and save your pennies for Uchi’s omakase for the ultimate culinary journey, or come for the daily happy hour menu from 4 to 6pm. Be sure to try the brussel sprouts, walu walu (escolar), and the fried milk for dessert. And if you’re eager for more, add Uchiko, Uchi’s sister restaurant in Uptown, to your list.

Ume Sushi is the sibling restaurant to the acclaimed MF Sushi. In this light, airy space, MF Sushi’s Chris Kinjo again shows attention to detail and mastery of Japanese fare, with a few subtle twists. With MF as its muse, you know the results will be delicious. Opt for the chef’s choice nigiri for a signature sampling, or sit at the sushi bar for an immersive experience that feels like a choose-your-own-sushi adventure with a touch of chef’s choice.

Established in 2004, Uptown Sushi is a Japanese fusion and sushi restaurant located in the Galleria area. Folks love it for the atmosphere and stay for specialties like seared peppercorn tuna; the Lickety Split roll; and the crispy rice cakes topped with ground Kobe beef, quail egg, and black pepper soy glaze. Oh, and don’t miss the dynamite shrimp and the lychee martini.

While sushi and ramen are often top of mind when it comes to Japanese cuisine, Zen Japanese Izakaya, in its own quiet yet authoritative way, is changing that. Don’t misunderstand us, you’ll want to try staples like nigiri and sashimi at Zen, but don’t miss out on other vital aspects of Japanese cuisine, like udon, karaage, or chirashi.

At 5Kinokawa, the medium is the message. From the seafood sourced directly from Japan’s Toyosu Market to the backstory behind each dish, everything in this Heights omakase restaurant offers substance and significance. That’s by chef Billy Kin’s design. At 5Kinokawa, you’ll be mesmerized by the flavors—ingredients are flown in weekly from markets in Japan—and the stories behind this immersive, intimate omakase experience.