Unlike its more popular sister restaurant, Teppo, a lot of people aren’t even aware Tei Tei exists. Say it’s your favorite sushi destination, and you might draw a curious stare.

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

 

          Which is not to say it isn’t popular. Those who have found their way inside its

Henderson Avenue

doors usually come back for more, whether for its food, its minimalist ambience, or its hip little side bar.

 

          What’s nice about Tei Tei is its authenticity and its little surprises. One of the nicest is the back entrance, where you’ll walk through a wooden gateway into what feels like a little slice of . Inside, a mostly Japanese staff is both knowledgeable and gracious. When you leave, the sushi chefs are likely to yell out their thanks.

 

          The food, though, is what really sets Tei Tei apart. The sushi, and even the staple miso soup, somehow seems heartier and more complex than at other sushi establishments. At Tei Tei, you’ll find the wasabi dollops smaller and the sake portions larger. And for those who don’t do sushi, the menu offers a stellar array of entrees, including fresh grilled fish and the flavorful tempura soft-shell crab salad shown below. Finish off the meal with a bowl of sake ice cream, which tastes like frozen rice pudding that melts in the mouth.

 

— Kris Scott

 

 

Tei Tei

 

2906 N. Henderson

 

214-828-2400

 

$$$, RR, FB