Houston Sushi Favorite Kubo’s Makes a Triumphant Return Inside the Loop

A little more than two years after closing its Rice Village location, Asiatown sushi favorite Kubo’s has made a triumphant return inside the Loop.

The restaurant from Yoichi Ueno quietly opened its doors at 1902 Washington Avenue over the weekend, inside the space formerly occupied by short-lived sushi restaurant Kukuri. As Eater reported last September, the new location is a “re-debut” of Kubo’s Sushi and Grill, which shuttered in 2016, and will feature a broader menu than its sister spot Cafe Kubo on Bellaire Boulevard.

Speaking of that menu, diners will be able to have dinner kaiseki-style, or a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that involves serving high-end dishes made with seasonally-appropriate ingredients. “Our approach is to use the fundamental sources and styles of a common kaiseki — small-portioned meals that are in harmony with what is available for each season,” a representative for the restaurant says. “We will also have a wonderful selection of common sushi items and appetizers for those who miss the original Kubo’s.”

Photos provided to Eater by the restaurant indicate that beautifully-composed plates like roast duck with eggplant, egg yolk and bamboo shoot will be menu stalwarts, along with striking sashimi and nigiri. Wagyu beef also has a prominent place on the menu, cooked at the table on hot stones and in hoba misoyaki, a dish of beef baked on hoba leaf and served with miso sauce.

Scope out photos of some of the dishes that will be on offer below:

Kubo’s [Official Photo]

Kubo’s [Official Photo]

Kubo’s [Official Photo]

Kubo’s is currently open for limited hours, starting at 5:30 p.m. A representative for the restaurant tells Eater that the team is “slowly working into” full service, but expects that it will be open for regular business hours at some point in the coming week.

• Beloved Sushi Restaurant Kubo’s Plots a Comeback Inside the Loop [EHOU]
• Mysterious Sushi Restaurant Kukuri Departs Washington Avenue [EHOU]