First-of-Its-Kind Fusion Concept Opens Today on Westheimer

Marco Torres
First-of-Its-Kind Fusion Concept Opens Today on Westheimer

Lobster ceviche

THE LATEST ADDITION to Houston’s scene of mouthwatering, global-fusion fare opens today on Westheimer.


Located in West Houston near the Beltway, Pacha Nikkei is a first-of-its-kind concept, melding the flavors of Peru and Japan in sharable small plates and craft cocktails boasting sake and pisco alike. Helmed by chef Masaru Fukuda and operator Sebastien Laval (an alumnus of La Table, Le Colonial and Musaafer), Pacha Nikkei touts a ceviche bar, lounge area and dining room — and a killer playlist, thanks to the many years Chef Fukuda spent moonlighting as a nightclub DJ.

Fukuda, who cut his teeth at Latin Bites and Kata Robata, hosted Nikkei pop-ups all over town for the last several years, and most recently operated a Nikkei stall at the now-closed Politan Row food hall. Repeat customers came to love his seafood-heavy dishes like pulpo a la parrilla and Peruvian-spiced-infused sushi rolls.

Inside the new brick-and-mortar, sweeping murals depicting four generations of Fukuda’s family, alongside other immigrants who came to Peru from Japan, in the 1800s color the walls. An otherwise clean and simple design scheme lets the food bring all the flavor.

Serving dinner only at the moment, Pacha Nikkei opens at 4:30pm Mon.-Sat.

Chef Fukuda

El Tunche cocktail

Lomo Saltado

Ceviche classico

Food

Amberjack and Foie Gras (photo by Caroline Fontenot)

IT GOES WITHOUT saying that diet is top of mind for many at the start of a new year. While fruits and veggies get lots of chatter for antioxidant benefits, fresh fish is also a major contender for boosting health.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Sarah Sudhoff (photo by Katy Anderson)

SINCE THE 1970s, Houston’s cultural scene has only grown richer and more diverse thanks to the DIY spirit of its visual artists. As an alternative to the city’s major museums (which are awesome) and commercial galleries (again, awesome), they show their work and the work of their peers in ad-hoc, cooperative, artist-run spaces — spaces that range from the traditional white cube interiors, to private bungalows, to repurposed shipping containers.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment