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The Vitals:
the spot: Endo Sushi 609 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705
the eats: 20 course omakase sushi experience
the bucks: $180 per person before drinks
the full nelson: Cheaper than a flight to Tokyo for sushi that tastes like you went

A 20 course chef driven sushi meal.

That clocks in close to three hours too. I was invited earlier this year to try out Sushi Endo, helmed by chef Endo Yasuhiro. His resume includes high end sushi restaurants from coast to coast including working under Chef Daisuke Nakazawa who in turn worked under legendary Jiro Ono of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame.

This all makes for a compelling reason to consider spending close to $300 for a dinner(the omakase is $180 before drinks and tip. The following might help you understand what this level of sushi entails. Perhaps not surprisingly, the meal is not unlike a omakase I had many years ago in Boston at Cafe Sushi. Interestingly enough that was 16 courses for $110 and back in 2017, I considered that a deal.

Regardless of whether this kind of meal is beyond your means or not, allow me to share what this high level of sushi entails. It goes beyond rolls and copious amounts of fatty belly pieces. There are classic Japanese dishes along with types of fish seldom scene at more casual sushi restaurants.

Let’s begin.

Endo Sushi courses 1-4

1. Goma Dofu(upper left). This was tofu bathed in a shoyu dashi
2. Otsukuri(upper right). Mature yellowtail and Tilefish. The latter tastes scallop like.
3. Nasu Orandani(lower left): Eggplant. These are the kinds of dishes that make me realize I clearly know nothing about cooking vegetables.
4. Shiro Giso and Tomorokoshi Ago: a fried fish called sillago and a fried corn fritter. I want to say the green powder was wasabi.

Just so you know I won’t bore you too much with statements like “this tasted _____”. Trust that it was good and let the documentation speak to the uniqueness of the menu they have composed.

Endo Sushi courses 5-8

1. Akame(upper left). Bluefin tuna nigiri
2. Zuke Akame(upper right).Bluefin tuna nigiri marinated in soy sauce.
3. Aji(lower left): Horse Mackerel.
4. Tamago: Japanese Omelette

I adore the tamago at Sushi Uroko but this was truly a level beyond.

Endo Sushi courses 9-12

1. Sakura Masu(upper left). Cherry Salmon nigiri.
2. Kinmedair(upper right). Golden Eye Snapper nigiri.
3. Suzuki(lower left): Seabass nigiri.
4. Umi Masu: Smoked Steelhead Trout

The Sakura Masu would be that salmon sashimi you order over and over and over. The sweetness was there as far as salmon goes. The Umi Masu was smoked with hay at the bar as well.

Endo Sushi courses 13-16

1. Inada(upper left). Young yellowtail nigiri.
2. Chawanmsuhi(upper right). Steamed Egg custard with Uni, crab and Salmon roe.
3. Toro(lower left): Tuna belly nigiri.
4. Wagyu with caviar nigiri

One might assume the most over the top moment here would be the Wagyu with caviar but it was the Chawanmushi for me. This dish will haunt me.

Endo Sushi courses 17-20

1. Temaki(upper left). Tuna Belly handroll. This followed up the Wagyu splendidly.
2. Anago(upper right). Sea Eel Nigiri
3. Akadashi(lower left): Red Miso soup
4. Chokoreto: Chocolate Mousse with cocoa powder, green tea sauce and strawberries.

The picture of the Temaki doesn’t do it justice. Eel isn’t my favorite but this was quite silky. I was scratching my head at how a bowl of miso soup could be so satisfying after all those heavy hitter courses but it was. And who doesn’t love chocolate mousse?

Like I said, whether you swing for the fences and spend this kind of money, know that this is what a real deal high end sushi experience looks like. The next time I go to Japan I am going to have to go for a proper splurge for comparison but for now Endo Sushi is up there with the best I have ever had in the US.

Video

@alikhaneats

Is Endo Sushi the best omakase sushi experience in Austin TX? Ive not been to Tsuke Edomae but i have been to Japan. Endo isnt cheap but its cheaper than a plane ticket to Tokyo, the chef trained under the guy who trained under the Jiro dreams of sushi guy. not gonna lie: I was impressed. it’s $180 for 20 courses and you can go check out my blog alikhaneats.com/blog for everything he served. aalikhaneatsssushioomakaseeendosushiaaustinttexasaaustintexaseendosushireviewssushireviewe#endoyasuhiro

♬ Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 “Summer”: III. Presto – Michelle Ross & Eric Jacobsen & Odyssey Orchestra