Masas Sushi & Robata Bar in The Woodlands
Masas is one of few true Japanese restaurants in the Houston area, The Woodlands actually. That's a bold statement but there really aren't that many Houston restaurants that serve only traditional Japanese cuisine, cooked by experienced Japanese chefs, and are owned by native Japanese. Masas is one of them and you will know if you eat there.
Don't confuse Masas Sushi in the Woodlands with Masa Japanese Fusion in Southeast Houston on NASA Parkway. These are not the same. This review is about The Woodlands restaurant located on West Panther Creek Drive in zip code 77381.
Hamachi Kama Fans Rejoice!
Masas serves the best Hamachi Kama I have ever had in Houston, and maybe ever had. If you don't know, Hamachi Kama is the cheek, or jawbone of a yellowtail fish. It is often called tuna but I think this is mistaken. There is a yellowtail tuna but Hamachi Kama is not this type of yellowtail.
Does eating fish cheeks sound scary? It really shouldn't because this is part of the fish contains only a delicate and flavorful meat, some bones, a little skin. No fish eyes will stare at you while you eat it. Anyone who likes fish will like this, trust me. It is served fresh from the grill with a good dose of sea salt and fresh lemon, and that's it. Squeeze a lot of lemon but keep the soy sauce and other seasoning at bay, you won't need them.
Plenty of other restaurant serve Hamachi Kama but most of them get it wrong, really wrong. They take a beautiful piece of yellowtail jaw, broil it up nicely, then, THEN they drench it with teriyaki sauce. What a crime. I can't imagine why any chef would ruin a good piece of fish by slathering teriyaki sauce all over it. If you decide to go try Hamachi Kama at your local Japanese restaurant, remember to ask for NO sauce.
The point is, Masas gets it right. You may not get it every time you want though. It's one of those special dishes that is ordered in small quantities and on most days they will run out so get it when you can.
Lots of Authentic Japanese Dishes to Choose From
Masas is dedicated to traditional Japanese food, and while a few items on the menu weren't familiar to me, some of them will make you say "I haven't seen this since I ate in Japan". I recall they even served Natto, that is something you don't see often anywhere in the US. I will leave the Natto to others thank you. As much as I enjoy most Japanese food, they have a fondness for slippery-textured things that make us Americans squirm when we put them in our mouth. Hey, it's just fermented soy beans - Go for it and see for yourself.
True to Japanese cuisine, you will find the menu full of small exotic dishes that follow the eat a small amount of many different things tradition. These dishes are not expensive unto themselves, but you can easily go all out and spend $100 for two people by lining up the delicacies in marching band order on the table or sushi bar. You don't need to do this but we drive far to eat here and like to splurge when we do. For us Masa is a special occasion restaurant. Keep it more simple and you can eat there quite affordably.
Friendly, Clean, Great Location
The wait staff are always very friendly but if you speak Japanese then you will find the best conversation by sitting at the sushi bar and chatting with the owner or his sushi chef. The place is always clean including sparkling restrooms. It is a small restaurant but not cramped. The tables are well spaced and it has a simple decor and inviting feel. It's also located in a shopping center next to a Randall's Supermarket in what I call the Research Forest area, though it is not on Research Forest Drive.
Location and Contact Information
4775 West Panther Creek Drive, Suite 430
The Woodlands, TX 77381
281-298-5688 or 866-397-4409
www.masassushiandrobatabar.com
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