Owner creates distinctive menu items

Simply owning and running a business is not enough for Kimberli Pham, who also leads Nikko Sushi and Steak's kitchen as head chef. Although she never received formal culinary training, Pham said, she has always enjoyed cooking and often creates many of Nikko's menu items herself.

"You just get in a mood to make certain things and you can just throw it together," she said. "I'm the type of person that if you give me a recipe, I'm like, What do you want me to do with this?"

Nikko has been serving the community for four years, and Pham's passion for cooking has led to the addition of several distinctive items and signature sushi rolls on the establishment's menu.

Pham also said she emphasizes to her staff members that customers always come first.

"We focus on customer service, and have very unique items on our menu, like the Japanese Pizza," Pham said.

The personal size Japanese Pizza is covered in avocado, spicy tuna, salmon, crab meat, tempura crunch and a spicy mayo, and it is popular among customers, Pham said. As chef, she also strives to make all sauces fresh and daily in-house.

Customers can also enjoy fusion rolls, such as the Apple Delight—cream cheese, avocado and crab mix, deep fried and then topped with spicy apple and crab mix—or the Spicy Kiwi—escolar, cucumber, mint leaves and jalapeno topped with kiwi.

Edgar Ramon, Pham's additional sushi chef, said he often creates custom sushi rolls for customers depending on what they request or what combination of ingredients he feels inclined to try. He joined Pham's crew in November 2012 and touts 17 years of experience in cooking and crafting sushi rolls in Houston-area sushi restaurants.

"I like that as a chef, I have lots of freedom in that I can create dishes and blow people's minds," he said.

The family friendly restaurant offers customers an upscale atmosphere with reasonable prices. Manager David Rachal also joined Pham's staff in November, and he said he receives positive feedback from customers who enjoy the menu's variety of options as well as the atmosphere. He said Pham strives to create a positive and encouraging work environment as well.

"It's such a close group of people," Rachal said. "We are like one big family."

Weekly specials

• Monday–Friday: Happy hour, which features various sushi rolls and mixed drinks, 3 p.m.–7 p.m.
• Monday: 20 percent off any bottle of wine
• Tuesday: All signature rolls are $12 or less, 5–10 p.m.
• Wednesday: 20 percent off any bottle of wine
• Thursday: Ladies night: All house martinis are $5, 5–10 p.m.

Menu highlights

Crazy Crunch signature roll: A choice of spicy tuna, spicy salmon, shrimp or chicken topped with tempura crunch flakes and eel sauce. ($9),

Black Pepper Tuna appetizer: Lightly seared tuna marinated in black pepper served with ponzu sauce. ($10),

Apple Sauce Salmon: Fresh salmon filet grilled and served with special sauce tempura asparagus topped with grilled chips marinated in special apple sauce. ($18),

Cremebrulicious: A light, creamy custard dessert with vanilla ice cream and strawberries topped with crunchy sprinkles and whip cream. ($5)

Nikko Sushi and Steak, 410 W. Grand Parkway S., Ste. 505, Katy, 281-395-2808, www.nikkosushigrill.com

Hours:

• Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Fri. 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Sat. 5–11 p.m., Sun. 4–9 p.m.