Second Helpings: Sushi

Cuisines

Second Helpings

Snow Pea Chinese Restaurant

Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, noon-10pm
We love sushi and Chinese food together. The interior here is calming and restorative, stimulating the appetite for the sushi to follow. A couple of the standouts are the spider rolls (tempura soft-shell crab) and the spicy tuna rolls; the hamachi yellowtail has always been unfailingly fresh and succulent. A big plus is its central location and accessibility.

Osaka Restaurant

Monday-Friday, 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm; Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday, 5-9pm
Osaka is our choice when eating sushi in the outer regions of Northwest Austin. Here you’ll find friendly service in a folksy, neighborhood setting, large portions of impeccably fresh fish, and prices that won’t topple the average budget. The yellowtail and tuna (fatty and plain) have never failed to please, and the specialty rolls are a bargain, considering their size. We always get unagi, toro tuna, and a spider roll, regardless of our appetites. Osaka is unpretentious, economical, and always a sushi-dining pleasure.

Odaku

Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm
What a pleasant surprise! Who would have thought a little, out-of-the-way restaurant would hold such treasures? When you walk in, you’ll see glass-covered, peach-colored tablecloths with comfortable chairs. The eight-seat sushi bar is intimate and inviting. We went straight for the hamachi and uni. Both were terrifically fresh and perfectly presented. In most things Japanese, it’s the little things that count. One of the most difficult and least understood aspects of sushi is the rice. Odaku had the best rice we’ve tried in Austin. The attention to detail carried over to the gorgeous presentations. Odaku is a new favorite.

Midori

Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Saturday, noon-10pm
Midori has a nice, 10-seat sushi bar. Given its location, you’d expect lots of lunch traffic. Especially given the bargain lunch specials like their sushi combos with four to six pieces of sushi and a roll for $7.95 to $9.95. A nice array of entrée choices is available for dinner and takeout.

Pango Sushi and Tea Bar

Monday-Thursday, 11am-midnight; Friday, 11am-2am; Saturday, 6pm-2am
A sweet spot where you can leisurely drink and eat some of what Asia is famous for. Also a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown life. Good sake selection and quality fish at a fair price. Ama ebi is a good choice with sake. If you’re wanting something cooked, be sure to try Unagi Don, called “Una Don” in Japan, a fantastic eel and rice dish. Hallelujah for finally having late-night sushi downtown.

Jade Chinese Restaurant

Daily, 11am-2pm, 5-9pm
Close to the university and priced with the student in mind. Primarily a Chinese restaurant, but they do have a sushi bar. Limited selection. Best choice: the Eel Hand Roll ($3.95