There are a few sushi restaurants in Austin that I love and frequent, but something about Komé stands out. It’s the place you want to stop on your way home from work for a drink, except they happen to have fantastic food you can’t stop thinking about.
When I first saw the sign for a new sushi restaurant on Airport Boulevard in Austin, Texas, I was fairly certain I wouldn’t be dining there. After living in Northeast Central Austin for more than a decade, I just didn’t think good sushi could be that close to home.
Sashimi Lunch
I was wrong! Komé has quickly become my go-to restaurant of choice when dining solo. I also love meeting friends there, having meetings there, and taking my family there. It’s close to home and the environment is warm and welcoming. The fish is also superb.
I tend to stick to nigiri pieces, but my husband’s favorite lunch in town is the easy to remember, (pictured above) Sashimi Lunch.
Také and Kayo Asazu are not new to restaurants. In fact, before Komé, Také worked at Uchi. The couple also had two sushi food trucks. They are doing wonderful things for Austin’s restaurant scene.
Kayo is now running Daruma Ramen in downtown Austin on Sixth Street. In addition to all of the meat-based ramen, they have vegetarian and vegan ramen! It’s delicious.
Tarantula Roll
I brought my brother in to Komé, when he was visiting from Los Angeles recently, and he ordered one of his sushi staples, the Tarantula Roll. He was a fan and it’s become one of my must-eats.
Selection of nigiri.
Komé has one of the best menus in town. Its family-style comfort food approach is working. The Octopus Dumplings, on the dinner menu, are like nothing I’ve ever tried before – rich, soft, warm, and oh so comforting. As I mentioned in my Austin Food post, their version of Fish N’ Chips is a personal favorite. The nigiri menu is vast, and I find myself stopping in to finish off a sushi crawl, with pieces I couldn’t get elsewhere. The Tsukiji set during dinner is always a treat.
Personal favorites from the nigiri selection: Anago, Uni, Aji, Shima Aji, Madai, Katsuo, Scallop…
Selection of nigiri.
I suggest asking your server to have the chef put together a selection of nigiri pieces for you. Or, sit at the sushi bar and let the chef know what types of fish you usually like. They have shown me several types of fish I wouldn’t have tried on my own and I’ve never been disappointed!
Read daily poems on their twitter feed and Facebook page.
Japanese Fern Root Tapioca
The Japanese Fern Root Tapioca is an incredibly unique dessert, inspired by co-owner Také’s Japanese home region.
They’ve probably figured out by now that they are stuck with me. I’ve been waiting for a restaurant to open up nearby that offers stellar food with a great environment. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at the sushi bar, I forget I’m on Airport Blvd.
Co-owner Také AsazuI love the jazz music that’s usually on during lunch. As the rush slows down and the music becomes audible, it adds of touch of nostalgia to the room. It’s a great break from my work day and actually gets me out into the world of human beings. Even though I am technically alone sometimes when dining at Komé, the staff and guests create a community. It feels like someone’s home.
Address:
4917 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
May your journey be your muse,
Rachel