Sapporo Japanese Bistro Sushi & Bar sits at the cusp of two distinctive identities in geography and culture. Located on FM 2978 where Magnolia and The Woodlands meet, the restaurant offers a menu that shifts between traditional Asian and modern American expectations.


Chef Henry Zhu came to the U.S. from China about 10 years ago for school. Over the years, he has perfected his culinary expertise and trained numerous cooks in Chinese, Japanese and Mexican kitchens.


An experienced restaurateur, Zhu converted a previously-owned family pizzeria into Sapporo, which opened last June. The restaurant is a traditional Japanese bistro that serves a long list of sushi rolls, grilled seafood and meats, and offers various cocktails, such as martinis, mojitos and mai tais.




Sapporo Japanese Bistro Sushi & Bar Chef Henry Zhu has perfected his culinary techniques
by training with chefs from all over the world.[/caption]

“If you’re a chef, you never want to lose the tradition,” he said. “The new food may be a little different looking, but you don’t want to lose the feel.”


Although Sapporo is not a fusion restaurant, its staple dishes imitate Zhu’s eclectic and transitional experience with food.


Zhu said the Henry Special roll— one of the most popular dishes on the menu—is a reflection of his commitment to both tradition and diverse taste. The roll combines shrimp tempura, crab and cream cheese wrapped in eel, jalapeno and avocado. The chef sweeps a torch over the roll and then dresses it with chopped shrimp, more crab, spicy mayonnaise, eel sauce, masago and green onion.


Zhu said he wanted each layer to provide a unique experience when eaten.


“If you eat just the toppings, it’s one flavor and then the bottom [flavor alone] is different,” Zhu said. “If you eat it all together, it’s a new flavor.”


Diners looking to play it safe will enjoy the menu’s mainstream dishes, such as the Shaggy Dog, Rainbow, Caterpillar and Dragon sushi rolls. Bento boxes and donburi, which are rice bowls filled with meat and vegetables, are also available.


Zhu owns seven restaurants across the Greater Houston area with his business partners Wei Wang, Liu Xia and Jason Cheng. Zhu said he is opening a second Sapporo along the Grand Parkway in Spring and a third location at Hwy. 290 and Fry Road in Houston within the next year.


The chef said he wants to give back to the community that has helped build his business. To that end, the restaurant is developing a rewards program and is planning special events as signs of gratitude to its customers. Zhu stressed the importance of good food and good service.


“I want people to come and feel this is [their] home kitchen,’” he said.