Hong Phuc Nguyen (Meta7)
Google
Whew. Feels like I haven't written a new review in forever since Yelp ate my Aiko one. So sorry about that!
Anyway, Miyagi is a place that I liked better than most, yet can't help but feel lukewarm about due to the bigger context. It is by far the best sushi in Houston in terms of value for money (Aiko still edges in raw taste), but only because the state of sushi in Houston is truly horrendous. It confidently clears a bar that was pretty low to clear.
Other reviewers have mentioned all the inconveniences you have to go through to get a coveted lunch at Sushi Miyagi already - which I can attest to. I won't repeat the list here, but it reminds me of the time I waited in line for some Din Tai Fung in Seattle: The whole thing was built up as if you were going to experience something very special, yet it just ended up being a decent neighborhood place. My followers will know that my standard for sushi is Kyoten Next Door in Chicago in terms of taste and Koto in Fort Wayne in terms of value. Miyagi is almost as revered as the former while almost as packed as the latter, but doesn't come nearly close on either front.
That being said, if you were to try to average Kyoten and Koto, you'd probably get something close to Miyagi. The fish is cut thick and plenty fresh, the price is understandable but otherwise not too cheap nor expensive. I particularly liked the sake (mackerel). It is a very fresh and slightly fatty sake that doesn't have any of the usual sour taste nor tough texture. My friend liked the squid and how clean, not-slimy it is as well.
The hiyayakko is exactly what it is and what it is is a mistake (I don't know what kind of kami urged me to order cold tofu at the time).
The Hambagu (sometimes called "Salisbury steak" - a word I have never heard outside the circle of nerds and insufferable food snobs), my main dish, is best summed up as a "xíu mại on rice but fast food". For context, xíu mại is a large Vietnamese meatball, not too different from the kind you have with spaghetti, can be found in bánh mì, and is often eaten with tomato sauce. Replace the tomato sauce with ketchup and Kewpie mayo and there you have it.
The kinuta maki was exciting and peculiar (I had the yellowtail filling), but not overall too impressive. I don't think the vinegary dressing on the daikon nor its innately bland flavor mix very well with the fish, and can understand why this dish is not very popular elsewhere in the States.
TL;DR A good way to end my sushi journey in Houston "with a bang", but I don't think I'll seek out any more sushi in this city again.
P.S. The next review won't be about sushi I promise!