We were thrilled to be invited to the soft opening of Sushi Roku’s newest location in Austin, which officially opened its doors on February 16th. Owned by the renowned Innovative Dining Group (IDG), Sushi Roku now expands its reach from popular locations in Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Las Vegas to establish its first Texas location in Austin. The menu offers a wide variety of choices and introduces exclusive dishes. The ambiance, with its dim lighting, sets the perfect backdrop for a night out or a romantic date night.

The Menu

Sushi Roku’s menu is full of shareable plates, offering a good mix of cold and hot options that cater to both garden and sea preferences. We started with the delightful Hamachi Serrano with its zesty yuzu ponzu and the spicy Cucumber Sunomono from the cold section. We also loved the truffle-infused Brussels Sprout Chips and the customizable Hanabi crispy rice, especially with spicy tuna and avocado, which stands out amongst the hot options for the unique flavors and textures. The Brussels Sprout Chips and the avocado Hanabi were our favorites of the night hands down. Not only are they delicious, but they are also great options for vegans or for those who don’t eat fish. We also enjoyed the Popcorn Shrimp Tempura and the Wagyu Potsticker Gyoza, which showcases Sushi Roku’s skill in blending traditional Japanese culinary techniques with innovative touches. Anticipating our next visit, we’re excited to try more, especially the Baked Cod and Japanese Fried Chicken “Tatsuta-Age”.

The sushi bar and rolls menu also offers a broad variety of sushi and sashimi choices, ensuring an unforgettable culinary journey for every diner. Our experience was highlighted by the Albacore sushi, dressed with garlic aioli, arare, and ponzu. The classics like Salmon (Sake) sushi, with its fresh lemon zest and yuzu salt, and the Tuna Maguro sushi, accented with kizami wasabi and tosa shoyu, stood out, with the latter two being instant favorites due to their delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture and harmonious flavors. Moving on to the roll selection, we were impressed by the White Lotus roll, a mix of popcorn shrimp tempura, avocado, asparagus, albacore and crispy onions. Moreover, the Austin-exclusive Waterloo Ichi Roll, combining fish like tuna, yellowtail and snow crab with mango and avocado, is also a must-try. 

The dessert menu wrapped up our dining experience with an unforgettable finale. We were treated to the spectacle of the Carnival Cake, an Austin-exclusive dessert that truly performs at your table. Imagine a cheesecake adorned with berries, alongside cookies and cream ice cream, all dramatically unveiled beneath a torched pink cotton candy dome – a presentation that dazzles as much as it delights. Our sweet journey didn’t end there; we also indulged in the Pot de Creme and the Chocolate Volcano. The Pot de Creme offers a lighter take on chocolate mousse, perfectly complemented by crunchy crumbles. The Chocolate Volcano, a petit gateau filled with warm chocolate ganache, paired perfectly with vanilla ice cream. While each dessert was a star in its own right, the Pot de Creme ultimately stole our heart, being the standout favorite of the desserts.

Our Final Take on Sushi Roku

Sushi Roku showcases a well-executed blend of traditional and modern culinary techniques. From our first bite of the Brussels Sprout Chips to the final bite of the Pot de Creme, each dish stood out for its unique flavors and creativity. The addition of Austin-exclusive selections, like the Waterloo Ichi Roll and the Carnival Cake, introduce unique combinations that heighten the dining experience. Sushi Roku is a place we’re already looking forward to returning to soon, eager to explore more of the menu.