Houston · Sushi · a la carte
Kata Robata
Japanese sushi & robataRobata grillJames Beard nomineeJapanese-ownedUpper Kirby
Kata Robata is Houston's premier Japanese sushi and robata restaurant, helmed by five-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Hori, a native of Japan trained in Tokyo and Osaka.
- Price
- ¥¥¥
- Area
- Upper Kirby
- Since
- 2009
- Chef
- Manabu 'Hori' Horiuchi
- Owner
- Manabu Horiuchi / Yun Cheng
Plate № 19
About
Born and raised in Japan, Chef Manabu 'Hori' Horiuchi trained at Sushi-Ko Honten in Tokyo and Ichimura Kansai Kappou in Osaka before serving as private chef to the Japanese Consul General in Houston. After eight years at Kubo's Sushi, he opened Kata Robata in 2009 in Upper Kirby, quickly earning recognition as Houston Chronicle's #1 restaurant in 2019. The menu pairs masterfully crafted nigiri and sashimi with wood-fired robata skewers, featuring premium Japanese ingredients and a rotating selection of seasonal fish flown directly from Japan. With an extensive sake and Japanese whisky list, Kata Robata delivers a full sensory immersion into Japanese culinary culture in the heart of Houston.
Neighborhood & visiting
Kata Robata sits in Upper Kirby, one of Houston's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Five-time James Beard Award-nominated Japanese chef with training in Tokyo and Osaka
- Signature robata-grilled dishes including A5 wagyu and Kobe beef skewers
- Exceptional omakase and chef's counter experiences available
- Consistently ranked Houston's top Japanese restaurant since 2009
Confirmed authentic: Chef-owner Manabu Horiuchi is Japan-born, Tokyo and Osaka-trained.
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Frequently asked
About Kata Robata
- Is Kata Robata an authentic japanese sushi & robata restaurant in Houston?
- Yes — Kata Robata is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese sushi & robata in Houston: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
- Where is Kata Robata located?
- Kata Robata is located at 3600 Kirby Dr Ste H, Houston, TX 77098, Houston, USA in the Upper Kirby neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Kata Robata?
- Kata Robata accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
- What is the price range at Kata Robata?
- Kata Robata sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese sushi & robata of this format in Houston.
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