Koyo Hand Roll Bar is gearing up for a second Houston outpost, this time in the Heights, taking over a Shepherd Drive storefront that permitting documents show is already under active construction. If the current permit timeline holds, the buildout is expected to wrap up this summer. The move follows the chef-driven hand-roll concept’s debut in Webster last year and brings its compact counter setup much closer to the Inner Loop crowd.
Permits Point To A Summer Buildout In The Heights
According to WhatNow, a plan-review filing identifies Koyo Hand Roll Bar at 1835 N. Shepherd Drive, Suite B2, and describes a roughly 1,218-square-foot renovation. WhatNow reports that the state project registration and permit paperwork indicate construction is underway and scheduled to finish in July. The outlet also notes that the future Koyo space sits right next to longtime Heights tenant The Waffle Bus.
From Webster Roots To A Growing Hand-Roll Team
Koyo first opened in June 2025 in the Webster and Clear Lake area and quickly drew attention for its made-to-order hand rolls, as reported by Eater Houston. The kitchen is led by chef Leo Hirai, who walked viewers through the shop’s approach to hand rolls in a Houston Life segment on Click2Houston, per Click2Houston. A February public notice tied to a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission filing also lists the Webster address for Koyo’s liquor application, according to Daily Court Review.
What’s On Deck For The Heights Menu
WhatNow says the Heights location is expected to mirror the Webster menu, keeping staple items like a lobster hand roll and a squid-ink calamari roll on the lineup, along with sake and beer. Koyo’s own site describes the concept as "more than just sushi" and highlights hand rolls made with premium ingredients, per Koyo's website. With its small, counter-focused format, the Heights outpost appears likely to emphasize quick counter service and tasting sets rather than sprawling omakase-style dinners.
Shepherd Drive’s Restaurant Shuffle Continues
The N. Shepherd strip has already seen its share of turnover. The Waffle Bus has anchored the block for years, as Eater Houston reported, while other concepts have cycled through. A higher-profile tenant on the same block later shuttered, a change noted by the Houston Chronicle, underscoring how competitive this stretch of Shepherd can be for niche, chef-driven spots.
No firm grand opening date has been announced yet. Permit records currently point to a July completion for the buildout, with an opening likely to follow once inspections and licensing clear. Hoodline will keep an eye on filings and local listings for the official debut.
