Uchiba

It’s not easy being the youngest of three famous siblings. Everybody wants to compare them to what they know. And in the case of Uchiba, it has the reputation of successful siblings Uchi and Uchiko to live up to. But just like with celebrity siblings, this spot is at its best when it’s not trying to mimic its sister restaurants. It’s a little more izakaya, and a little less intimate. Uchi is where you go to celebrate a milestone anniversary, but Uchiba is where you’d head for a nice third date or to pretend it’s your anniversary to snag a free dessert. 

About 75% of Uchiba is pretty much identical to Uchi and Uchiko, so if you want the full backstory on this group’s origin story and most of what to expect, you can read our Uchi review. Instead, we’re going to talk about the remaining 25% that sets it apart.

photo credit: Hai Hospitality

photo credit: Hai Hospitality

photo credit: Richard Casteel

photo credit: Hai Hospitality

photo credit: Ryann Ford

Uchiba is izakaya-inspired. And we mean that in a very loose sense of the word. Because while izakayas typically lean casual, nothing about Uchiba feels suited for a T-shirt or post-work beers. It sits at the base of a tall Downtown office building in a custom, mid-century-inspired space that feels a little like the dining room of a luxury cruise ship. There’s a wraparound bar in the middle with a backlit shelf of Japanese whiskeys and other spirits while a mix of small tables, booths, and lounge-y areas fills in the rest of the space. It’s bigger and a little bit louder than the cozy dining room you’ll find at Uchi down the street—this feels more like the sibling that studied finance instead of fine arts. 

photo credit: Richard Casteel

The izakaya part of things comes into play on the menu. Uchiba is at its best with food that comes off the yakitori grill (something that doesn’t exist at the other spots), at its second best with the small hot and cold plates, and at its weakest when it comes to nigiri (but only barely). Much like at Uchi, there are nearly 100 items on the menu, and navigating it on your own feels like the first time you stepped into an IKEA. If you’re not sure where to start, stick to the daily specials, the yakitori menu, and the Toyosu selections of nigiri where you’ll be able to try fish that are still a little jet-lagged from their daily flight from Tokyo. Daily specials offer seasonal twists on spring rolls, maki, and crudo, and all through the menu you’ll find “Uchi classics” peppered in. But the yakitori section is where you’ll find skewers ranging from chicken thigh with green onion and kimchi, all the way to kinoko skewers doused in brown butter and broccolini pesto that will likely become a talking point of the ride home that evening. 

We couldn’t tell you what the third Skarsgård or Hemsworth brothers are up to these days, but we can tell you a lot about Uchiba. It’s not the same as its famous older siblings, and despite some significant menu overlap, it’s quickly made a name for itself by bringing a unique experience to the ritzy, mid-century table. 

Food Rundown

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Perfect Pair

These are fun, simply put. They’re a series of composed, single bites paired with miniature cocktails, each about the size of a shot. And there are a few different options. Start your meal off with one of these for everybody.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Shishito Peppers

These are a big step up from your average shishito peppers, due in large part to the side of kimchi caramel these are served with. It’s sweet, sticky, and a little bit spicy. Get an order of these to share with the table.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Pho Wagyu Beef Dumplings

These aren’t our favorite dumplings in town, but they’re a tasty, fun starter that captures the flavors of pho in a series of four little bites. Get these if you really like dumplings or pho—otherwise, save room for more hot and cold plates.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Kinoko Skewers

We’ve enjoyed everything off the yakitori grill section of the menu, but the kinoko skewers—tender chunks of portobello mushroom—were a highlight for us. Every skewer order arrives with two, and most are pretty easy to share, so just get an order of each if you’re with a group.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Nigiri

The nigiri at Uchi and Uchiko has always been on the small side for Austin, and Uchiba’s is no exception. It’s not bad by any means, but when you’re paying between $5-$28 per bite, you at least expect a full-sized bite. Our rice has also been less consistent than it was at Uchi—go light on the nigiri and save more room for the stuff that never misses a beat.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Crispy Fried Tteokbokki

These little rice cakes get deep-fried and tossed in a sweet, salty, and citrusy seasoning, then served with a custard-like dip. They remind us a little bit of churros—these should be how you finish your meal.