Tsuke Edomae

"Reservations at all of Austin’s omakase-only spots are tough to come across, but none, perhaps, as tough as Tsuke Edomae, a tiny sushi bar in Mueller that gets booked out many months in advance. It’s a bare-bones space, with an entryway that feels a bit like the lobby of a dentist office that spent some time picking up zen gardening tips from an Ikea catalog, and a small, minimalist sushi counter with eight seats. Expect a few small plates, plus 8-10 pieces of classic edomae-style sushi, in which the fish goes through an aging process to further develop umami flavors. This is nigiri in its simplest form—dressed in nothing but soy sauce and wasabi—and sets the gold standard in Austin for sushi purists. Of all the tough reservations to secure in Austin, this is easily the toughest, so don’t be too disheartened if it takes a few rounds to get one. Tickets are released twice a year—this usually happens on a Sunday at 9am (follow along on Instagram for updates). Once released, they go extremely fast. Set your alarm, then get ready to hit that refresh button until tickets go live. If you’re not able to secure a spot, get on the waitlist. Just be ready to drop everything and book a spot the second you get a notification." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion

"Chef Michael Che is behind one of the best immersive omakase experiences in Austin, hands down. Reservations for this tiny eight-seat indoor sushi bar in Mueller are essential and must be made the second bookings become available — unless there’s a rare opening in the waitlist. The meals focus on edomae-style sushi, which is largely unadorned, so there’s little flash and flair — just excellent sushi." - Nadia Chaudhury

"One of the city’s hottest omakases that is highly difficult to get to tickets for is this Mueller Japanese restaurant led by chef Michael Che. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll experience a thoughtful 21-course sushi journey for $135 with such top-notch quality ingredients. Book reservations online; there are indoor dine-in services." - Erin Russell, Nadia Chaudhury

"Statesman’s Matthew Odam released his 2024 dining guide, which featured a three-way tie for the number one restaurant in the city. Those were omakase Tsuke Edomae." - Nadia Chaudhury

"With only one seating each night at the omakase restaurant Tsuke Edomae—and only eight seats at the counter—securing a reservation is not easy. Other spots in town might feel more celebratory, or provide more value for your dollar. But you’re here to try classic edomae-style sushi in its purest form, combining a blend of thick-grained rice, aged vinegars, and high-quality fish with nothing but wasabi and soy sauce. Each piece is served to one guest at a time, and when your turn comes, it’s just you, the nigiri, and seven curious diners, attentively waiting their turn. Just be warned—that first bite is like a Matrix red pill/blue pill moment, and it’s difficult to go back to sushi anywhere else. " - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs, raphael brion