Osaka Japanese Restaurant

I recommend this place, is small, good prices and free appetizer and desert. The service was very good and the waiting time was not bad more

Friendly, fast and reliable service. Good quality food and plenty of choices for anyone you bring along who is not a big sushi fan. We had ordered so much last time we were there that the kitchen sent us these wasabi dumplings. Oh my god. It was hilarious to watch each person put them in their mouths and 10 seconds later tears were pouring out of their eyes. I don't know if the kitchen was being kind or if this is a joke they like to play but those were really good. Just make sure you have a full beer on hand as it's the only thing that will quench the fire the will erupt in your mouth. I've lost track of which are our favorites but some of the chef's recommendations have been really good. Pros: Food, Service Cons: haven't had any yet. more

Most reliable sushi joint for quality, service, and value (even if a bit inauthentic). Friendly greetings, prompt service, complimentary appetizer and dessert at lunch (don't miss the green tea ice cream). Pros: Fresh food, prompt service, good parking Cons: Hot meals not as good (esp. fried pork cutlet) more

The sushi, although not authentic, is tasty and a good intro for sushi virgins. Osaka's fare is made for American tastes, and nowhere near the delicately flavors inherent in authentic Japanese food, but it's just fine for many. The menu is extensive, with many American-friendly appetizers and noodle dishes. Standouts are the crunch roll, the deep-fried gyoza and the Philadelphia roll (salmon and cream cheese). Pros: huge portions, friendly to Americanized tastes, free appetizers & ice-cream Cons: food is not authentic Japanese fare more

OK, Heres the deal. This place gives you a little something extra when you go. Sometimes you get a free dumpling, roll, or ice-cream. The Sashimi portions are very very very generous. They are TX sized - as BigTex Knows! By the way, the salmon tasted very fresh. This will be a good experience - Check it out and tell them Big Tex sent you! Pros: Big Portions, Fresh, Special Treats Cons: A little sterile atmosphere -- but we like clean!! more

We are out of towners & have to say that this establishment was fabulous! The sushi was fresh and original! The staff went out of their way to be extra helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed the on the house sushi appetizer and ice cream! We would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great tasting, fresh sushi! The crowd was slightly uppity, but if you can overlook the yuppies in overpriced togs, then you will have a great experience! Pros: Sushi was fabulous! Restraunt was impeccable and atmosphere was marvelous! Cons: Waitress asked us if we wanted edamame & we said sure, thinking it was something they offered for free, but they charged us for it....even though we didnt order it....that was the only negative. more

I moved to Houston from the Bay Area a while ago, and I live near Osaka. I would consider this my neighborhood sushi place. The food is awesome, and the rolls here are some of the most creative in town. Rolls have a real Texas flair. Fish is fresh, and portions are generous. I also think that Osaka is a great value - sushi here is about half to 1/3 the price in San Francisco. They have a tatami room, but I haven't been in it. I like this place. Pros: value, sushi selections Cons: casual more

I have had an opportunity to visit a number of restaurants. I must say that I had an excellent time at Osaka. I was quickly seated. The Hostess was extremely polite and professional. The environment and atmosphere were great. The lighting set a romantic mood. The food was worth the experience. I would eat there everyday. I probably could because the price was reasonable. I did get more than what I expected. Good Job Guys!!! Pros: Price,Taste, & Staff. Cons: Interior is small more

To the negative review posted on Sep 28th. My husband and I have been eating at Osaka since it opens in 2001. It always been a friendly place and good food for us to go. We were there in the evening on Sep 27, and that place was full filled of people. Both sushimen and 3 waitstaffs were working very hard to serve customers. Since the restaurant has pack of full of people, so the food was definitely come out slow, but not like what that gentleman said, taking one hour to get the food. We have been eating in other restaurants, seaweed salad alway comes with white sesame seeds, not the black sesame seed. Just for all the viewers to know: we have some japanese friends, they told us it really make no difference what kind of sesame seeds put in the salad, so what that gentleman wrote about was very untrue and take too personal!!! Also, the udon soup always tastes very good. We don't know what kind of Udon that gentleman ordered make him said it was tasteless! It seems to me that he is not familiar with the japanese food and culture. So, he has no reason to write such review. That is not true! At all!!! I wish everybody shoud go try it out by themselves. Do not believe those nonsense reviews!!! more

On Thursday, my wife and I went to Osaka after it has been elected by the Houston Press as the best Japanese Restaurant in town. Well, if they ever were the best (which I seriously doubt), they aren't anymore. The food was at best mediocre and the service was horrible. The seaweed salad was made with white sesame seeds instead of the traditional black sesame, and it contained a huge quantity of dried chili pepper flakes. Are these people aware that there is a difference between Mexican cuisine and Japanese cuisine? The tempura udon was sort of tasteless and lukewarm and the shiitake mushroom that floated aimlessly in it was so dehydrated and woody as to be in need of medical resuscitation. We waited for the sushi plate for about an hour because the waiter was busy quarreling with the sushi chefs and shouting at the waitresses. When we asked him: Where is the sushi? he replied: What sushi? When the sushi finally arrived (close to an hour after ordering it) we realized it wasn't something worth waiting for. Getting the check was an ordeal. I had to walk to the cashier several times and practically scream to get the check. It was the first time in my life that I did not leave even one penny as tip. I hope this was an off day for them, but given the embarrassment of riches, as far as Japanese food in Houston is concerned, I don't think I'll ever set foot in this establishment. Cons: mediocre food, horrible service more

Everytime I'm in town my boyfriend and I make sure to eat here. Not only is the staff friendly but the food is amazing. I'm not sure what the other reviewer is talking about because the fish has always been fresh and fabulous. I've probably eaten here well over 10 times now and I don't plan to stop. Their Osaka, Mt Fuji, and other 'specialty' rolls may not be super authentic, but definitely yummy! The sake is good, the free appetizer is always good and its convenient. Go there! Pros: food, sake, service, location, fresh fish Cons: a bit spendy for the specialty rolls more

I have tried several sushi restaurants, Osaka's is the only one I have been to more than once. Their super tuna is awesome, you can't go there and not try it. They always give you extra items on the house, which are as good as the items you order. I have never ordered anything I didn't like here. The staff is friendly and prompt. I have been there about 10 times and I have not had one experience that was not great. I highly recommend people try Osaka's. Pros: Sashimi, Sushi, Staff, Location more

I have been to this place twice. The only reason I went back a second time was to see if perhaps I had chosen the wrong thing from the menu the first time. Both times the sushi was not fresh, was dry, did not taste very appealing, and they rolled it with way too much rice. I had lunch there both times and each time they gave me a crunchy roll taster on the house before my meal came out, so that was nice, but that was the only thing that was nice about my experiences here! more

I love this place. It has some of the best sushi I've tasted in Houston. The fatty tuna is simply amazing. The staff are very friendly and wear kimonos which is kind of cool. It is not a big place so it is easy for the staff to make their way around to you and help you with anything you might need. For larger groups there is a tatami room that you can eat in for a tiny bit more money. They always give me appetizers and deserts on the house which is something I haven't experienced at other restraunts like Sushi King even when I've spent the same amount of money. Sushi is always very fresh. Food is always cooked to perfection. What I really like about this place is that they seem to focus much more on the actual quality of their food rather than pretentious atomosphere and lighting. Sushi restraunts are turning into a trend but this place keeps it centered around the food. Pros: great sushi, generous portions, great attentive staff Cons: can't think of any more

A friend recommended this place to me and am always pleased from start to finish. Nice, cozy ambiance makes it a great spot for friends and family. The waitstaff wear kimonos and are always cordial and smiling. My first visit there, I was given on-the-house sushi and ice cream thinking it was for first time visitors. But, I've been there quite a few times since and the free treats still keep coming; It's awesome. I've never had to wait for a table, even with a large group. Not only do they have great sushi, but their large-bowl soups are good too. Their crunch rolls are delicious and love their sashimi- I say, try it all. I've been to other upscale sushi restaurants in Houston where the prices are too high because they have awesome food presentation, but only mediocre sushi. Osaka is very affordable- You may not get your caterpillar roll order presented looking like a caterpillar, but it'll still taste great. For the price, service & free compliments you get, Osaka is definitely worth the visit. more

They have the largest portion of sushi and sashimi I have even seen. The quality is so good. They charge reasonably on the special order on sushi roll and hot dishes. The Miso dressing is excellent. Pros: Sushi, Sashimi Cons: Friday night always has a wait more

I have heard many good reviews about this place and just had to see for myself whats the big deal about it. place is really tiny and very friendly. the service is really slow even on a slow night. but for the sushi it wasnt that good. the fish wasnt fresh and i felt like I was cheated. The rice was really wet and mushy seems like they added alot of water when cooking. this place isnt even top 15 in my book. I guess what alot of people are just going crazy about this place is the cheap sushi prices. Think again when it comes to sushi you get what you pay for. as for me i'll just stick with the authentic japanese resturants that are also run by japanese because they know what they are doing more

I've been to nearly all the top 10 places in town, and Osaka has the beat on quality and price. The atmosphere is great, and the services is very friendly. The sashimi is the freshest around, and the rolls are delicious. I feel the only con would be they favor the american style rolls with fried crunchy bits a bit too much on the menu. However, navigating past those to the more authentic and traditional items brings you to the best items. Be warned, your meal will often come with something on the house, just something to remember sometimes if your keen to over ordering on the sushi. Pros: Freshest sashimi in town. You can't get better sushi, but you could pay more someplace else more

The food here is excellent and the waitstaff is friendly. I was very impressed by the size of the sashimi pieces; seriously 2-bite pieces. The rolls were not cut completely however, and that made for a less than convenient time picking up the rolls. Maybe they need to buy new knives? The scallop appetizer featured two very plump scallops that melt in your mouth. Overall, I was pretty happy with Osaka and will likely visit again. Pros: location, food, service Cons: uncut rolls more

I highly recommend this restaurant! The people are amazing, the service is great, and the food is so delicious! Pros: parking, Food (especially the philly rolls), service Cons: can't think of anything! more