Uchi Austin

“My first time to Uchi, been to Uchiko (Austin and Denver) I'm from Idaho and would LOVE to see an Uchi(ko) come to the treasure valley. Such a cool vibe, love the interior design. Our waitress was great. We come prepared and already know what we're going to eat. This is and always will be the best culinary experience of my life. I can't get enough of Uchi! Kurodai Nigiri is my favorite! Hama Chili my #2”

“I was really looking forward to going to Uchi today, but unfortunately the experience didn’t meet my expectations. It was my first time visiting, and we chose it to celebrate our anniversary. My boyfriend had been there once before, so we were expecting a great experience—especially since Uchi is such a popular Japanese restaurant in the Austin area. We went during happy hour and ordered from the happy hour menu. The first two dishes were good, but not amazing. Toward the end, we tried a large fried ball filled with rice, and it tasted very bland and boring. Overall, the food seemed either under-seasoned or over-seasoned. Some dishes lacked flavor, while others were extremely salty—especially the skewer we ordered, which had far too much salt. The service also felt very rushed. At one point, our server accidentally knocked over our beer and soy sauce while cleaning the table. As someone who has worked part-time in the service industry, I understand that accidents happen, but usually a small complimentary item or gesture is offered as an apology. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The atmosphere was fine, but not particularly memorable. Given the restaurant’s reputation, I was hoping for a much better overall experience. I do hope they consider updating or improving the menu in the future”

“I’ve been a regular at Uchi for about a decade, and it’s a place I keep coming back to for good reason. The menu is both diverse and dynamic, there are favorite dishes I revisit every time, along with new offerings that keep things interesting. The food and service are consistently excellent. Uchi offers a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine, shaped by the vision of James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole in Austin, Texas. The restaurant is always bustling and typically fully booked, drawing a mix of loyal locals, out-of-town visitors, and even Japanese tourists. It’s a standout dining experience that has maintained its quality and creativity over the years.”