Ichijiku
Sushi restaurant · Sharpstown ·

Ichijiku

Sushi restaurant · Sharpstown ·

California-style sushi with fresh fish, handrolls, and happy hour

Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by MAI PHAM
Ichijiku by Eater - Lists + Maps
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null
Ichijiku by null

Information

9393 Bellaire Blvd ste c, Houston, TX 77036 Get directions

$30–50

Reserve a table
Order delivery
See Menu
Lunch
Alcohol
Wine
Beer
Cocktails

Information

Static Map

9393 Bellaire Blvd ste c, Houston, TX 77036 Get directions

+1 713 485 5326
ichijikuhouston.com
@ichijikuhouston

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Accepts reservations
•Lunch
•Alcohol
•Wine
•Beer
•Cocktails
•Seating

Last updated

Dec 1, 2025

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@infatuation
132,814 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Ichijiku - Review - Chinatown - Houston - The Infatuation

"Ichijiku has some of the freshest and most affordable sushi in Houston’s Chinatown. It's part of the Bellaire Street Food complex, but the elegant interior makes it feel more like a high-end omakase counter than a strip mall joint. Up front, a pristine fish box showcases jewel-toned cuts of kinmedai, hamachi belly, and whatever else is in season. All the classics are represented and done well, from a comforting clam soup to spicy tuna crispy rice, while the sashimi is beautifully sliced and the sushi rice is perfectly seasoned. It's like the best possible version of your typical neighborhood sushi spot. You could order piece by piece while chatting with the chefs, or opt for the shockingly affordable omakase, which starts at $30 for five pieces of sushi and appetizers. But happy hour might be an even better deal, with kanpachi jalapeno sashimi and two-piece nigiri (tai, hamachi, and more) for just $7. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE" - Mai Pham

https://www.theinfatuation.com/houston/reviews/ichijiku-houston
MAI PHAM
Ichijiku
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

The Best New Restaurants in Houston, Texas in July 2025 | Eater Houston

"The owners of Montrose cocktail lounge Jethro’s opened this California-based sushi restaurant in Houston’s Asiatown at the end of April. Diners can expect a similar menu to its West Coast counterpart, including classic nigiri and sushi rolls, sushi boxes, daily specials, Japanese omelets, spicy tuna crispy rice, and handrolls stuffed with spicy scallop, lobster miso, and salmon skin. The drinks menu includes a selection of sake, Japanese beers, and natural wines. Catch its $7 before 7 p.m. weekday happy hour menu, which features hand rolls, chicken karaage, truffle edamame, sake, and wines by the glass for $7 each." - Brittany Britto Garley

https://houston.eater.com/maps/houston-texas-best-new-restaurants
Eater - Lists + Maps
Ichijiku
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

The Hottest Restaurant Openings to Know Right Now, June 2025 | Eater Houston

"A California-style sushi restaurant from the team behind a Montrose cocktail lounge that replicates West Coast offerings such as classic nigiri, a variety of rolls and sushi boxes, daily specials, Japanese omelets, spicy tuna crispy rice, and handrolls stuffed with options like spicy scallop, lobster miso, and salmon skin, paired with sake, Japanese beers, and natural wines and featuring a budget-friendly pre-7 p.m. happy hour with $7 items including hand rolls, chicken karaage, truffle edamame, and drinks." - Brittany Britto Garley

https://houston.eater.com/2025/6/4/24443136/houston-new-restaurants-bars-openings-june-2025
Ichijiku

M D

Google
We made reservations for Saturday night and was surprise it wasn't completely pack. They got us in right away to our table. The server was very helpful in helping go through the menu since it was our first time here. The sashimi was fresh!!! I totally recommend it! Love their truffle French fries & their dipping sauce - fries came in a paper bag I totally forgot to snap the picture. The edamame was just salty. Was expecting it to be more flavorful. Crispy salmon salad was a little too dry and the dressing didn't wow me with the ponzu sauce. The Hokkaido was good but a little dry & the pork was a little overpowering the scallop, wish I tasted more scallops. On the appetizer sampler I was really amaze by the fish belly it wasn't fishy at all. Very creamy almost like liver texture. The raw octopus was a little too slimy for me. Took a shot of hot sake to flush it down. I would definitely go back for the sashimi & truffle French fries. Very nice environment it wasn't too loud. You're able to carry a conversation and don't have to talk loud. We kinda stay past closing time bc we were trying to finish our food but they were very nice and never rushed us out.

Christine F

Google
Came here with a group of 3 of my friends on a Friday night to try out the HRW dinner special for $39 per person. Hard to get in without a res as there’s not too much capacity. The overall ambiance is cozy and we were seated in the back section in a booth. There were a lot of native Japanese speakers dining so I figured the menu is fairly authentic. 1st course: Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice -delicate and balanced flavors but smol 2nd course: Sesame Snapper Crudo -umami and refined but smol portions 3rd course: Spicy tuna hand roll -needs more cucumber and avocado 4th course: Warabi Mochi -gummy gelatinous texture; melts fast For $39 per person, 2 of my 3 friends also felt underwhelmed due to all the small portions and left hungry. So I ordered karaage chicken to share. The karaage was very juicy and crispy without being overfried. Our server for the night was a gentleman and very attentive to all our needs. I’m not impressed with the HRW menu offerings but I would gladly return here to sample other menu items or try out omakase. The sushi chef at the bar seems friendly.

Angie F.

Google
We discovered Ichijiku while looking for a new sushi spot in Chinatown, and it’s easily one of the best finds in the area. The restaurant is modern, clean, and cozy. The edamame was cooked perfectly, simple but spot on. For lunch, I had the Ichijiku bento box, my son ordered the two-roll combo, and my husband tried a rice bowl. The portions were generous, everything was super fresh, and the prices felt fair for the quality. What I loved most is how authentic it felt. No heavy mayo or sugary sauces, just fresh, clean flavors. We finished with green tea and yuzu ice cream, both refreshing and delicious. If you’re looking for fresh, authentic Japanese food with great portions and fair prices, Ichijiku is a must-try in Chinatown. We’ll definitely be back!

SueAnn S.

Google
I came solo for dinner after work this week on a weeknight. Sat at the bar and over-indulged. Had a variety of things but my favorite was their Chutoro sashimi and the Wagyu skewer. Had the black cod nigiri special and that was delicious! Loved their hamachi Kama even though I had to box it up to go. Heated up well in air fryer. So good that I came back 2 nights later w my kids for their happy hour (everything on menu is $7 before 7pm)! Surprisingly my kids loved their chicken karagge and truffle fries. I inhaled their truffle edamame and this time ordered the black cod sashimi. Service was great on both occasions! Friendly hostess remembered me. I also forgot my credit card there and they kept it safe for me until I went back to get it. Really need to try their omakase next!

naoko

Google
This is an amazing Japanese restaurant. Of course, the sushi was excellent, but I was also deeply impressed by the appetizers. After enjoying the sashimi of horse mackerel, they fried the bones into a crispy cracker – such a thoughtful touch! I've never had such delicious golden eye snapper sushi anywhere else. I highly recommend this place to everyone! The staff's hospitality was also outstanding. I’ll definitely be back soon!

Luan D.

Google
Took the wife here for our 10 years anniversary and I was absolutely amazing. The service was impeccable, the food was very very delicious, and there is absolutely nothing more I can ask from a sushi restaurant. It have a wide selection of fish from the simple to a more exotic imported directly from Japan. My wife especially love chef use of salt and citrus in our nigiri tasting course. I am definitely coming back and and will recommend this place to all of my friends.

jimmy R.

Google
Honestly this place was amazing. The quality of the fish is top notch. I literally saw the chef open a freshly delivered slab of Otoro. Check this place out before they raise the prices!

Beatrice W.

Google
A recently opened sushi restaurant. Like its traditional way of serving sake. In terms of sushi - Recommend the kinme which they slightly torched to add additional complexity to its flavor. Hokkaido Uni is creamy and sweet. Chutoro (blue fin) is also good. None of these are on its sushi appetizer ($35, 8 pieces). Friendly service. Tam was our server, helpful with sushi recommendation. Came down to $150 per pax. Avg $10-12 dollar a piece for premium sushi.

Yoshiko K.

Yelp
I am a foodie Japanese native and I LOVE this place - they offer truly authentic sushi, sashimi and tsumami dishes. They have rare fish and seafood which is hard to get at other regular Japanese restaurants. If you like Americanized fake sushi rolls and just want to eat salmon nigiri, then this is not the place for you because Ichijiku chef gives you real experience. The place is small but cozy and nicely designed, open kitchen shows how confident they are about their food and it's freshness. All staff are well trained and knowledgeable about the menu and their service is great, coming to check on us often. This is my favorite sushi place in Houston.
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Amie N.

Yelp
Went here back in August and LOVED this place! It's a step up from the cheaper sushi spots in the area, and you can definitely tell with the quality and presentation of their dishes. The ambiance of the place was nice & cozy with both bar and table seating. I wouldn't recommend to go here if you have a large group of more than 6 because it is a smaller building. Service was great from what I remember, and our server knew exactly how to advertise their specials and had good knowledge of the menu. Overall the food here was a 4/5. Nothing was bad at all, but there were certain dishes that I did not really care for. Fish quality was all good for the price. I would skip out on the A5 uni special next time since it was ~$20 a piece but it was a nice try, and the shiso was an interesting (but needed) contrast in the bite to cut through the fattier waygu and uni. Another skip would be the stuffed shiitake, which was good but tasted like something you could make at home with a little effort. The tempura fries however were sooo good with the wasabi mayo. Wasn't too oily and had a nice crisp and fluff to them. Their selection of fish is also pretty diverse which is hard to find nowadays if you're not going to the more upscale spots. Was this the best sushi spot I've had in this price range? No, but I would definitely come back if I were in the area.
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
Went for Houston Restaurant Week. Was able to get a same day reservation and was called to be notified that only bar seating was available. The bar seating had an under table hook for bags and you could watch the sushi chefs prepare the courses. Plating is beautiful, and service is generally quick and efficient. We got two HRW menus. For the first course, we got the chicken karaage and spicy tuna crispy rice. They forgot to give us the karaage until the end, but it was a huge portion that was crispy and juicy. The spicy tuna crispy rice had a lot of sauce so you couldn't taste too much of the tuna, but the crispy rice gave it a good mix of textures. Then we had the yuzu miso salmon and the sesame snapper. I think these were the highlights. The salmon was fresh and fatty, cut nicely with a tangy, slightly spicy yuzu miso mustard. The sesame snapper was drenched in a strong sesame sauce and it was not fishy at all. It only came with three pieces but was probably one of my absolute favorites of the night. We also got a salmon avocado roll, which was tasty, and a shrimp tempura roll, also tasty, but not particularly amazing or unique. We also got the tuna roll and salmon nigiri from the $7 till 7 happy hour menu. Standard fare, with relatively good quality fish. And finally, the yuzu ice cream came with two scoops, plenty of whipped cream, and a strawberry slice. It was a nice citrusy flavor, light and a great way to end the meal. This is definitely a tad more on the expensive side, being about $100 for two people. I'm glad that they had the HRW menu to try a variety of different dishes. I'll have to come back next time to try their other dishes, including their omakase!
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Maggie X.

Yelp
Review mainly for happy hour. Heard about this new sushi restaurant that popped up in Chinatown and dropped in on a weeknight to sample their happy hour. Cozy, compact ambiance with table and bar seating. The decor was cute, both from a design standpoint and food plating perspective. Service was fine. Uni tofu (not happy hour): Our server recommended this chefs special in lieu of the nigiri I was going to order. I couldn't decide if I liked it. On one hand, the tofu's silken texture both complemented and distracted from the smooth uni; on the other hand, I missed the robust support of rice under the uni. I could have done without the gelee, which felt gloopy and unnatural when mixed in with the organic textures of tofu and uni. Truffle edamame: I've said it before and I'll say it again: this obsessive trend of putting truffle oil on everything needs some caution tape. Normal boiled edamame with some salt would've been perfectly fine, but instead this arrived slathered in truffle oil that overpowered the delicate sweetness of the edamame and left an oily film as an aftertaste. Hamachi nigiri: The hamachi was delicate and a nice texture with a good ratio of rice. Tempura cut roll: Over sauced, over crunched. The flavor was fine, but I couldn't taste much of it over the unagi sauce slathered throughout the roll and the oily tempura bits heaped on top. Chicken wings: Overfried to the point where you could taste the oiliness. Flavor was mediocre. Portion was generous for the price. Handrolls (California and tuna): I liked the presentation, but the boxes did squish the bottom point of the handrolls. More importantly, the nori was not toasted and became very quickly soggy with the filling and sushi rice. Rubbery nori is one of my least favorite foods to fight through; there's no way to do it elegantly. Ripping through soggy seaweed with teeth and hands while all the fillings scatter onto the plate is very sad face. Taste was mediocre. I might be convinced to come back and sample more fresh fish offerings, but I won't be back for happy hour.
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Woo K.

Yelp
New spot I think. Staff was nice. Nice interior. Food was good! The fried octopus was super tender. Cooked perfectly. 100% would get again. Spicy tuna roll was delicious. Hamachi kama needed more flavor. Smokey flavor? It felt a bit dry in some parts as well. Nigiri was amazing. Would come back for the nigiri and octopus.
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David C.

Yelp
Ichijuku Sushi was the perfect spot for a weekend happy hour lunch! Yes they have happy hour even on the weekends in Bellaire! Happy hour is everyday from open till 7pm, and on the weekends they have a special lunch menu Sat/Sun 12-3pm only. These happy hour and weekend lunch specials are a great deal! I sat at the sushi counter so service was great and I had the pleasure of watching the sushi chefs at work. I've always admired sushi chefs perfect their craft. Ambiance wise, the restaurant is casual enough for a fun lunch with friends, but it's also nice enough that you could go on a nice dinner date here as well. As far as the food goes, I'd recommend their spicy lobster tempura, spicy tuna crispy rice, salmon nigiri, chutoro, hamachi, A5 wagyu, and tai yuzu shio ramen. Everything was fresh, tasty, and well executed. I'm excited to come back and try other items on their menu, enjoy!
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Deborah N.

Yelp
In a sea of restaurant competition in the heart of Chinatown, lays hidden a sushi spot that offers all day happy hours and three tiers of omakases to delight all patrons - whether you're on a budget or you want to splurge, Ichijiku offers something for everyone! When walking in, you find yourself immersed in an atmosphere that's between casual and trendy! Their request is business casual! You can't beat their happy hour prices !!!! We got a 22oz bottle of Sapporo for $7 and shared it and it was the perfect pairing to our nigiri selections and appetizers! I highly recommend their yellowtail, salmon, and bluefin tuna nigiri's! They also offer daily specials, an we tried this seared fluke with pink salt, citrus and yuzu, and it was the best one out of everything! I would heed on the red snapper tho! They keep a bit pf the skin on and it wasn't the melt in your mouth kind of sushi. A bit tougher...also we ordered the tako Sunomono with double octopus, but the octopus was way too chewy and not edible!! We ended up spitting it out and not eating it... The spicy tuna crispy rice was okay - didn't blow my mind - has a tempura like crunch but not what I was expecting! The service was friendly and the experience was enjoyable overall!
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Esther N.

Yelp
Service and ambiance were great :) Sushi was fresh, but was not a fan of their octopus. Too chewy and we ended up not eating it. They have a good happy hour menu so I would highly recommend!
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Kate D.

Yelp
Went to check out what this place had to offer! Service was nice, ambience was a more relaxed upper quality sushi vibe, felt taken care of! I feel like this place has so much more to offer and I'm wishing the best for them in the future! Negihama Hand Roll~ refreshing! would be great with some yuzu dressing on the top or maybe have the fish tossed in something with citrus to truly elevate this piece Sushi~ Tai red snapper: light, refreshing little nutty Snow crab: slightly sweet, cooked perfectly! Hamachi: FAVORITE delicate and buttery, melt in mouth Salmon: okay little chewy, not a big fan Chutoro: sweet with a little chew Kanpachi: little chew clean and rich Akami: buttery, slightly sweet Sashimi assorted~ Salmon: sweet and more of melt in mouth feel (still a slight chew) Kanpachi: best of the bunch! Sauce on top gave a nice kick Tuna: beautiful taste, clean, and didn't feel like you had to chew more than twice Hamachi: such a beautiful cut! Loved the way it tasted Overall a fun place to go especially during happy hour. If you love checking out sushi in Houston, try this place out! (You should also get a sweet treat from one of the places on this strip too!)
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Chau L.

Yelp
We went to Ichijiku on a Thursday around 5:15 pm. The restaurant is on the smaller side, with booths and seats at the sushi bar available. Service was good. They have a small "$7 before 7pm" happy hour menu everyday. We ordered: - Spicy tuna crispy rice - Salmon nigiri - Yellowtail nigiri - Agedashi tofu - A5 wagyu kushi - Eel kushi - Negitoro kushi - Bluefin chutoro nigiri - Bluefin akami nigiri - A5 wagyu aburi nigiri - Kinmedai nigiri - Hotate nigiri - Anago nigiri - Spicy tuna hand roll The sushi here was not bad, but nothing really stood out. My favorites were probably the hamachi and salmon off the happy hour menu. The A5 Wagyu aburi had nice flavor, but wished it was warmer when it came out. The spicy tuna hand roll tasted like something you'd get from a really cheap or ayce sushi restaurant, and the seaweed was not crispy. Out of the robata and appetizers we ordered, I enjoyed the A5 wagyu kushi and the spicy tuna crispy rice. My least favorite was the agedashi tofu. The texture was very slimy.
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Eric T.

Yelp
After seeing a lot of social media hype about Ichijiku, I was a bit let down. Most of the marketing material that I saw about this place was that it is very high quality sushi at a reasonable price. I found both points to not be exactly true when I visited. We made a reservation for 5:30pm on a Friday and when we arrived the restaurant still had open tables and open seats at the sushi bar. We were promptly shown to our table and our server brought out waters and took our drink order. The service was quite friendly and our server also took time to explain the menu and give us the rundown on their daily specials, which we did not try this time around. We visited to try out their happy hour, cleverly coined "$7 before 7pm". The hits from this menu were the oysters, chicken karaage, and shrimp tempura cut roll. The oysters were fresh and garnished nicely and were a delight. Though the oysters were some of the smallest oysters I have ever had, I think that 3 fresh oysters at $7 is still a reasonable price. The chicken karaage was a big hit at our table and we ended up doubling up on our order. The chicken karaage is a rather large portion, served piping hot, crispy, and flowing with juice. The shrimp tempura cut roll was fantastic as well. The shrimp tempura on the inside was freshly fried and complimented well with the other fillings and crunchy toppings. In my opinion, their happy hour drinks are of good value as well. We tried the sake mojito and also had some beer and sake--all recommended. Item's that we did not think were hits from the happy hour menu include the tuna cut roll and the nigiri offerings. While the tuna tasted fresh enough, I did not think that the quality of the tuna was anything different than Iwa Ya or other similar sushi restaurants in the area. And for $7 I would really hope to see a bit larger portion of tuna in the roll. The nigiri were a bit of a disappointment, honestly. The rice was seasoned nicely and perhaps a small step above average, cheaper previously named sushi restaurants. The cuts of fish served on the nigiri were a smaller portion and seemed the same or lower in quality than what is served nearby as well. At $3.50 a piece, I really expect a bit more quality. The interior is curated with touches of real Japanese sushi-ya in mind--the Sushi Shokunin book, tasteful potted flower, etc. I find that most of the sushi menu is pretty expensive, but Ichijiku does offer many different types of fish that are less commonly seen in Houston. What does intrigue me, however, is their omakase menu with two differing price points. While I can see this sushi restaurant doing well, I struggle to personally recommend IchiJiku due to the low value proposition of the majority of their menu even during happy hour.
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Samantha J.

Yelp
After seeing multiple posts on social media regarding this new spot from LA advertising good quality well priced sushi I knew I had to come. Even more so when I saw that they have a $7 HH because if you know me, you know I love a good deal. I stopped by on a weekday without any wait at all. $7 HH: Chicken Karaage: 3/5 fried too long and the chicken was dry. i did not taste any seasoning on the chicken Oyster Half Shell: 4/5 oysters were small but tasty and fresh Kanpachi Jalapeno: 4/5 Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: 4/5 probably my favorite HH bite Salmon Nigiri: 3/5 average Yellowtail Nigiri: 3/5 average Negihama Hand Roll: 3/5 average California Hand Roll: 4/5 i do like how they use real crab Black cod kushi: 2.5/5 i imagined this to be like a grilled miso cod but there was pretty much no seasoning on this at all and just a piece of fish on a stick Nasu kushi: 4/5 the miso sauce was good and i used some on the cod Overall, I was hoping to be impressed by their HH so that I could find an excuse to come back for their full menu or omakase. However, I didn't feel like their sushi was better quality than other places and even with the HH pricing it didn't feel like a great deal either. I wouldn't be opposed to coming back if I wanted just a small bite to eat during HH but wasn't overall wowed by the experience
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Hannah F.

Yelp
Ichijiku Sushi rolls out the red carpet for happy hour with specials that might just maki your day. Everyday before 7pm they offer a number of starters, rolls, nigiri, and drinks for just $7. The interior is simple, modern, and clean. Take a seat at a table with friends or grab a chair at the bar where you will get a front row seat to watch the skillful knife work of the sushi chefs. The sushi bar area is open, so guests can observe every step as chefs prepare each dish in full view, reflecting a commitment to freshness and craftsmanship. The oysters on half shell, sourced from Virginia on this day, were delicate and just the right amount of saltiness. The yellowtail nigiri melted in your mouth and finally, the chefs special fish, thinly sliced sashimi style, topped with a dusting of spices and micro fresh greens was not only beautiful, but the star of the three dishes. Service was very friendly and attentive and there was next to no wait time. Overall, Ichijiku has an eye for quality and creates a dining experience that feels comfortable, intentional, and exciting all at the same time.
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Nhi N.

Yelp
Happy Hour 2 weeks in a roll! Love this place! Sushi is always fresh! Great service! Cute place!
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Anthea R.

Yelp
Appreciate the options on the menu and being able to order items without being inundated with frivolous gold flakes and miserly caviar. Clean space, sat at the counter in front of the sushi bar. They had their grand opening that week, so everything looked neat. Took off one star because the sushi staff did seem undertrained and struggling with putting together items and had the owner/head chef check and guide everything for them. This should have already been addressed prior to grand opening. Regular service staff was well prepared though. Food seems to be flavoured well, with the A5 wagyu skewers being decently priced. The nigiris were nice except for the ebi- a lot of US Japanese restaurants miss the taste factor when it comes to prawns. The taste of grit sand (not texture, mind you), but the smell just stays and always makes it unpalatable for me. The chirashi bowl was good for the price point. I enjoyed their scallops as well. The shumai was alright, and will pass on. Overall, it was a good experience and we will come back. Hope they work out the minor issues to make everything seamless.
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Rachel M.

Yelp
SOLID 5 stars We came after seeing some of the buzz online about their HH menu. Starting off, we had wonderful service. Our server was super helpful, timed our order so that we could keep a constant flow of food coming without overloading the tiny table. At one point, he came up and asked "how adventurous are you?" He proceeded to recommend the Ankimo, the steamed monkfish liver. I will say that my texture issues could never- but my husband said it was one of his favorite things we ordered and that's saying a lot because everything was delish. The fish is super fresh so I recommend sticking with raw. We got some basic handrolls and they were ok but nothing could compare to just the plain ol' sush. I feel like HH draws a lot of people in so here is what I would get again: -Any nigiri but the snapper was bomb -Kanpachi Jalapeno with Ponzu -Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice -Sake Thank you, Ichijiku! We'll be seeing you again in a week with some friends. XOXO
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Anna S.

Yelp
This was the 2nd restaurant I've visited for Houston Restaurant Week, so we received four meal courses for dinner ($39). But frankly, we went ham on ordering appetizers because we were worried the portions wouldn't be filling (since it was omakase style) ... I tend to overestimate my appetite, too. While our food was tasty, I didn't find many of them to be standouts either. My HRW orders: - (1st course) Spicy Tuna w/ Crispy Rice: (4/5) They might have gone a little heavy-handed with the sauces, so borderline sweet/salty, but delicious nonetheless. - (1st course) Teriyaki Chicken Wings: (3/5) Technically, my friend ordered this, and I tried it. It had a good crispy texture, but nothing outstanding either. - (2nd course) Yuzu Miso Salmon Crudo: (3/5) one of their more popular Crudos, but I wasn't a fan of it. I'm unsure if it was the yuzu or miso flavor that was off-putting. - (2nd course) Sesame Snapper Crudo: (5/5) I WISH I HAD ORDERED THIS. My server recommended it, but I wasn't sure how I felt about it because he described the texture as sticky. However, when my friend let me try a piece, it was love at first bite. The sesame taste was present, but not overpowering; "sticky" was not something that came to mind as I was munching. - (3rd course) Spicy Tuna Cut Roll: (3/5) It was a simple roll with a spicy kick, but rather plain overall. - (4th course) Sesame Mochi Ice Cream: (5/5) Our à la Carte orders included: - Oyster Half Shell: (4/5) - Appetizer Sampler: (2/5) I have quite a bit to say about the appetizer sampler... They switch it up often, but they provided my group and me seaweed salad, raw octopus with a wasabi flavor, and liver from a certain seafood (I don't recall which one). The seaweed salad was fine, but I did not enjoy the raw octopus since I can't stand the taste of wasabi, nor did I enjoy the liver, which has a boiled egg texture. - Agedashi Tofu: (4/5) - Veggie Tempura: (5/5) - Takoyaki Mentai Mayo: (4/5) This tasted like any other Takoyaki, but I think I was tapped out by this point, haha. - Tempura French Fry Truffle: (5/5) Service was very friendly and there was attention to quality in all our orders, but some dishes weren't to my taste. Since this is a pricier restaurant, I wouldn't come often, but I'm glad HRW allowed me to give Ichijiku a chance. :)
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Olivia W.

Yelp
I came here on Friday afternoon during happy hour with a reservation. The place is surprisingly packed but not too crowded for a new restaurant, and the service is pretty good and fast. The prices are decently priced during happy hour too. The food overall did not disappoint at all. The fish is so fresh especially the nigiri pieces and dishes were seasoned well especially the oysters and tuna w/ rice crackers. Definitely one of the best sushi I've had in Houston. If you're looking for a good sushi restaurant on Bellaire with good vibes, I recommend coming here especially during their happy hour!!
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Nhi T.

Yelp
Came on a Friday during happy hour (weekdays 4-6pm) and really enjoyed the food and ambiance. The interior is super minimalistic with wood accents and there is a good amount of seating in the space. As we were walking in the chef was cutting the fish at the sushi bar and I saw multiple boxes of fresh imported fish so I was very excited to try the dishes. We got the Spicy tuna w/ crispy rice, Soft shell crab tempura, chicken karage, shishito, assorted tempura shrimp & vegetables, the nasu kushi, the A5 waygu kushi, the negi hama, and the California roll. The spicy tuna with crispy rice came with two pieces, each packed with a heaping pile of spicy tuna on top. The rice was super crispy and the tuna was extremely fresh and well flavored. (7/10) The soft shell crab tempura was fresh and lightly coated and fried. I did think that the portion was quite small for the price, but good flavors especially when dipped in the sauce. (6/10) The chicken karage was lightly fried as well and came with kewpie mayo to dip. I could tell it was freshly fried and it was very comparable to other karage I've had. (6.5/10) The shisito was also nicely roasted and I enjoyed the it with the soy salt that it came with. (6/10) The assorted tempura was delicious. It was the perfect tempura fry on each item and I enjoyed the variety of vegetables. There were shrimp, a mushroom, sweet potato, squash, crown daisy and a fried perilla leaf which I've never had before so that was super interesting to try. It also came with a warm broth to dip it in that was great. I love how even though the dish is fried it did not leave me feeling heavy. (7.5/10) The nasu kushi was one of my favorites of the meal. The egg plant skewer was perfectly roasted with a miso glaze on top that really enhanced the flavor. It is also a unique item that I have not seen on many other menus. I would definitely recommend this when you come here. (7.5/10) The A5 waygu skewer was also splendid. The waygu melted in your mouth and was like a cube of meat butter. It was cooked perfectly and left me wanting more. (8.5/10) The negi hama was super fresh and I really liked how the california roll had real crab inside. (6/10) Overall, the rolls were very comparable to other places in the area. The service was super attentive and very helpful with the menu. They constantly refilled our waters and checked on our table. Overall, if you are looking for some fresh sushi and authentic Japanese dishes/flavors at a reasonable price this is the spot for you. The parking is a bit tight in the lot in front of the restaurant but there is garage parking to the left of the restaurant as well. I would definitely come back to try more items.
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Mendy L.

Yelp
New sushi restaurant in Bellaire! They take walk ins & reservations. Restaurant was very clean & small. Sushi is more on the traditional side with no garnishes. It was very fresh. Personally I prefer my sushi well garnished. My favorite thing was their oysters. The service was good. Sushi isn't ridiculously priced. Simple menu that's straight to the point. Overall a great addition to the Bellaire neighborhood.
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Michael T.

Yelp
Whoa! Hold on a sec! We got a legit wonderful tasty sushi spot now in Bellaire! My wish was granted! Fresh and amazing! Really nice friendly staff! They did a number and turned the space around to a nice cozy environment to dine in. We enjoyed everything and will definitely be back for more :)
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Kayla L.

Yelp
We wanted to go here to try the Omakase but after seeing the Omakase menu options, we decided to opt out of it. Instead, we tried some specialty rolls and just a couple of the happy hour menu items. The signature items were all good. We had the wasabi octopus appetizer which was not appetizing to our taste buds. I'm usually not a fan of California rolls but because they advertised that it was real crab we decided to order two California hand rolls and without regret, it was good. We left the restaurant still feeling hungry but luckily we were on Bellaire so we grabbed a small bite elsewhere afterwards.
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Adam R.

Yelp
Honestly this place was amazing. The quality of the fish is top notch. I literally saw the chef open a freshly delivered slab of Otoro. Check this place out before they raise the prices!
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Mary D.

Yelp
We made reservations for Saturday night and was surprise it wasn't completely pack. They got us in right away to our table. The server was very helpful in helping go through the menu since it was our first time here. The sashimi was fresh!!! I totally recommend it! Love their truffle French fries & their dipping sauce - fries came in a paper bag I totally forgot to snap the picture. The edamame was just salty. Was expecting it to be more flavorful. Crispy salmon salad was a little too dry and the dressing didn't wow me with the ponzu sauce. The Hokkaido was good but a little dry & the pork was a little overpowering the scallop, wish I tasted more scallops. On the appetizer sampler I was really amaze by the fish belly it wasn't fishy at all. Very creamy almost like liver texture. The raw octopus was a little too slimy for me. Took a shot of hot sake to flush it down. I would definitely go back for the sashimi & truffle French fries. Very nice environment it wasn't too loud. You're able to carry a conversation and don't have to talk loud. We kinda stay past closing time bc we were trying to finish our food but they were very nice and never rushed us out.

L W.

Yelp
Raw fish was really excellent quality. Actually being helmed by a Japanese chef seems to make a difference because it has been near the best tempura I've had outside of Japan. Little details were well taken care of. Being able to make reservations is A+++++

Patricia K.

Yelp
I appreciated the great ambiance and the cleanliness of the restaurant, and the waiter was very courteous. We decided to try a variety of sushi rolls during the Saturday lunch special, which runs from noon to three. However, I found the sushi rolls to be on the smaller side, more akin to appetizers, which is something I overlooked. They do have an appetizer sampler that varies each day, but I didn't ask about it beforehand, and that was a missed opportunity. Unfortunately, I wasn't fond of two out of the three appetizers we ordered; the raw baby octopus and the seaweed salad had a texture that I didn't enjoy. However, we did have one appetizer that was quite good. I suggest that future diners inquire about the appetizer options before making a selection, as it can really enhance the experience. Overall, I found the meal to be a bit pricey, as our total bill came to $78 for two people. Given the experience, I would consider looking for other options next time.

Paula L.

Yelp
We love our omaske experience. Fish was fresh. Presentation was unique and pricing was very reasonable.

Jen W.

Yelp
I genuinely want to support small businesses and was excited to try Ichijiku in Chinatown. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations. The sushi was mediocre at best. Even the karaage, which the staff highlighted as a specialty due to the chef's skill, was disappointingly dry. The hand rolls were also a letdown -- the seaweed was not crisp, making it difficult to bite through. We tried the sushi special of the day, which was just okay but certainly not worth the $35 price tag. Simply adding uni to multiple dishes doesn't automatically elevate the flavor. In fact, the Hokkaido uni tasted off -- not as fresh as it should be and left a lingering fishy aftertaste. Having had authentic uni in Hokkaido many times, I can say with confidence this didn't measure up. Overall, I would give this place 2 stars. It was a very average experience, and I won't be returning. Houston has many other Japanese restaurants that offer better quality and value.

Nova H.

Yelp
Good food and service. Sashimi are very fresh. We ordered the uni, it was fat and super fresh!! This is my new go to sushi place.

Dovile U.

Yelp
Amazing nigiri and sushi rolls. If you want to try fatty tuna, this is the place to go!