Michael SatterfieldMoving to Texas has been one of the best things I have ever done. However, one thing I miss about living in Southern California is the access to countless great restaurants inspired by food from around the world. So when I was invited out to Roka Akor, I was excited to compare it to all the other places I have tried traveling all over Texas; few restaurants have wowed me. Sure, many places are good, some even great, but none impressed me to the point I would become an active evangelist for the eatery.
Roka Akor Entrance
Roka Akor is a Japanese Sushi and Robatayaki Steakhouse; the menu is a contemporary take on classic Japanese dishes, and the menu includes exciting Euro-Japanese fusion recipes that offer diners something truly unique. As someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Japan, I am always interested in seeing US restaurant’s versions of classic Japanese cuisine. In addition to Houston, Roka Akor has restaurants in Chicago, San Francisco, and Scottsdale, so if you can’t make it to Texas, you should at least attempt to visit one of their other locations.
We would be enjoying the Omakase, which translates to “trust the chef,” this would give us a range of Sushi, Sashimi, the world-renowned Wagyu Beef from Miyazaki Prefecture, plus a sampling of the dessert menu. At $128 per-person the Omakase is a tour through many different kinds of Japanese food, however, if you are looking to order off the menu you will find most entrees are in the $22-$60 range with sushi by the plate between $8-$22.
After the first course was served I knew we were in for a treat, the attention to detail, the quality of the ingredients, and the presentation were all on point. Our waiter also selected an excellent Sake, Houraaisen, with a sweet, almost fruity taste that paired well with our mostly seafood courses.
One thing you quickly learn about food in Japan is they have incredibly high standards for food quality, which is why you can get some pretty amazing sushi even at inexpensive restaurants. This level of commitment to quality has always made food in Japan stand out to me, and Roka Akor has kept that high standard, from the choices of meats and preparation to the attention to detail when plating. Regarding my excellent meals worldwide, I would put Roka Akor in the same league as the multi-course Michelin Star meals I have prepared by renowned chefs like Michael Tusk and Nick Stefanelli… just without the fuss.
After an incredible evening, it was easy to see why Travel + Leisure named Roka Akor “Best Sushi Restaurant in the U.S.” and Bon Appétit listed them in the “Top 10 Sushi Spots in the United States.” So far, Roka Akor is at the top of my list for 2019’s best restaurant in Texas.
If you would like to learn more or book a reservation for your own Omakase experience, please visit rokaakor.com.
Although Jennifer and I were invited to dine at ROKA AKOR, all opinions and photos featured in this article are our own. Also, read Jennifer’s take on Roka Akor on GrowingUpTexas.com.
