South Central Austin Edition | January 2023

DINING FEATURE

Uroko Restaurant uses new space to expand oerings, lesson on culture W hen the owner of Springdale General—a refurbished warehouse development that is now home to several businesses— approached Kayo and Takehiro “Také” Asazu about a space, the couple already owned several restau- rants in Austin. “Where we started was Také behind the bar every day making sushi and me going out on the oor and serving customers,” Kayo said. “My job became ‘open laptop and then do nancials.‘ … We really missed the customer interaction and doing some- thing dierent and creative every day.” The couple—who also owns Komé Sushi Kitchen, Sa-Tén Coee and Eats and Sushi a-Go-Go—opened Uroko with Masazumi “Masa” Saio in 2019. Kayo said Uroko oers an aordable and creative selection. She said aordability is important to her so more people can try dierent foods. “Being here in the United States for over 20 years, I’ve seen the issue of not many people having access to dierent foods,” Kayo said. “So making it aordable makes it accessible to dierent people.” The menu focuses on temaki, a cone-shaped sushi hand roll. Kayo said they chose that form of sushi because it was unique within the Austin market. Uroko also oers omakase—a meal in which the chef picks the menu—and classes. In October, the team took over the space next to Uroko to use for omakase and classes, which it calls Tonari. “We wanted to have a space for the people who do learn about culture and cuisine and try dierent things,” Kayo said. So far, the space has hosted ower arrangement, calligraphy and pottery lessons. In 2023, the team plans to expand class oerings and bring in guest instructors, such as chef Yoko Maeda Lamn from Los Angeles, who is lined up to teach miso making. BY DARCY SPRAGUE

From left: Kayo Asazu, Také Asazu and Masa Saio own Uroko, a sushi restaurant oers Temaki, Omakase and classes.

PHOTOS BY DARCY SPRAGUECOMMUNITY IMPACT

THREE WAYS TO TRY UROKO 1. TEMAKI The menu includes the hand-rolled, cone-shaped sushi from $5.25 to $8 each. 2. OMAKASE A 45-minute, 12-course meal of dishes is chosen by chefs Také Asazu and Masa Saio. 3. CLASSES Regular classes include sushi making, Japanese oral arrangement and pottery. Prices vary.

The Uroko menu focuses on temaki, a cone-shaped sushi hand roll.

Uroko 1023 Springdale Road, Bldg. 1, Ste. C, Austin 512-520-4004 www.urokoaustin.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-8 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Besides Temaki, the menu includes sides dishes such as the Potato Croquette.

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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • JANUARY 2023