The omakase was some of the best I've ever had! Lots of variety in the fish served, (we were quite full when we left!) and everything tasted fresh and expertly prepared. After tax and tip it was about $150 a person, we opted for both sushi and sashimi. I feel it was well worth it. This restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming building, you quite literally have to walk down a hallway and turn a corner to find it. The atmosphere is intimate and warm, you really feel like you are in a hidden gem! The omakase bar had only 6-8 seats from what we could see, so definitely make a reservation if you plan on doing that. I decided on coming here after some online reviewer named it one of the best sushi restaurants in NJ, to which I'd agree. read more

Food was low quality Sushi dinner included an artificial crab stick, egg and a small shrimp as part of the 7 pieces for $45....what a rip off read more

Took my son for his 15th birthday because he loves the cuisine. We both agree what he said: amazing experience, nice staff, fresh fish and wonderful overall read more

Ai sushi - Sashimi..one of the earlier plates... - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Nice sushi restaurant. Not in main business area. Quiet location. Enter through common entrance. Great sushi and service. BYOB. Parking in small lot if available. Or street parking. read more

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One of the only omakase in the area. Definitely go for omakase. Service is great. We love Chef John! Park in the small lot in front and walk down the hallway to your left is the entrance. read more

There isn't much parking for this restaurant but there are spots on the street. Super easy to get to. The waitress was incredibly nice and gave us a sheet to fill out what type of sushi or sashimi we wanted. We tried the miso soup and a mix of sashimi...tuna, whitetail, scallop, eel, spider roll... -All of it was delicious and fresh. It's also BYOB if you want to bring any beverages. read more

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Omakase! This place is THE best sushi\sashimi experience. Every piece is unique and follows a delicious flow. The service is amazing and they offer BYOB. If you are the type that is into supermarket sushi, non authentic rolls and coupon crap, def not the spot for you. If you want an insane variety and pure yumminess, get in there! read more

We had a fabulous omakase dinner for Valentine's Day. The fish was amazing and expertly prepared. It is pricey but it's worth it for special occasions. read more

Went there for a belated birthday dinner. We had the omakase and everything was so fresh and delicious as always! Ai gives the cozy relaxing vibe, and you could tell a lot of customers there were regulars. It's truly enjoyable to dine at Ai. read more

Heard about this place from a friend and was surprised to hear that there's an omakase restaurant here in Jersey, nevertheless in central Jersey. I RSVP for me and my friends to go on a Sunday around 7pm. Parking wasn't bad, there's a small lot in front or street parking. It was hard finding the restaurant though, as there are no clear signs or marking, you have to go through the building and inside on the left. The restaurant is pretty small, only two other groups aside from us - we sat at the counter while they were at tables. They started of with Miso and salad then oysters. We had 6 sashimi slices then 13 nigiri's. I was surprisingly shocked at the quality of the sushi and impressed. I wouldn't say it's the BEST omakase I've had but definitely good enough to recommend if you're in NJ and want good omakase. The price point was a bit steep ($142 with tip & tax) per person but in Jersey that's "cheap" as the ones in Bergen are easily $150+. Overall, good experience! read more

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The best of the best. Went here to celebrate a birthday so he could get the highly recommended Omakase. It was a unique experience. Every dish is a little different with the server recommending how to eat it and what it is. For example, she told the birthday boy not to try my sister's spicy soup as it may mess up his pallet. He throughly enjoyed the omakase although was still a bit hungry after. I loved the sushi and sashimi combo I shared. You can tell the fish is fresh and the presentations are beautiful. For apps we ordered gyoza and shumai, delicious and delicious, and also the tako sunomono which didn't disappoint. I do wish they served dessert though; I know it would be exquisite! Definitely will be coming back and recommend in the future to friends looking for a quiet, unassuming sushi spot. read more

The wonders of Ai have been whispered in my ear for a few years now, but I never made the trip. I finally came in on a Friday night with some friends for the omakase. At $100+/per person its not your typical suburban sushi experience, but I thought it was worth it. Each course was carefully prepared, came with a brief description and guidance on how to eat it, and unique. It was clear that the items on offer were specially selected by the chef. There were many items I would NEVER order on my own - for example something called "ice fish" which is small translucent fish served two ways - but were fun to try. If you are a salmon and tuna roll only type of person, I would not do the omakase. An adventurous spirit is definitely required. You will be challenged by the textures, the plating, and the taste of some of the items. A special note about the location - if you have ever visited Japan, you will know that restaurants are often not well marked or signed. I felt like I was transported to the streets of Osaka as I walked in under exterior sign. As you walk in, you can't see the restaurant anywhere, and then you see a sign, but it's not over the main door. Weird, but really fitting. read more

Top Omakase experience!! Sat at the bar for the ultimate Omakase dinner and was not disappointed! The service was amazing and fantastic people. We had 11 rounds, pics attached with each. They offered up more but we were very full and very happy with all the different dishes/fishes and how fresh it all was. Price was $105 pp and is a byo. Parking is a bit challenging. read more

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My family and I have been coming here forever--my dad for over 30 years and now us as well. It changed ownership a while back (it was formerly Shumi) but the service and quality have stayed the same. It still is some of the best sushi in New Jersey. We almost always get the sushi and sashimi combination, and the fish is incredibly fresh and prepared simply, traditionally, and with skill and care. We usually finish our meals with ramen, and the ramen noodles taste like we're in Japan and the broth is flavorful and delicious. The service is also great. The server is kind, earnest, and helpful. We'll continue going back always! read more

Reservations are still highly recommended if you wish to be seated at the bar as you want to get the full omakase experience. The sushi chefs John and Yuushi are both excellent. For those who used to go to them maybe 8 years back, Sushi Master Ike is no longer affiliated with them, hence the changing of the establishment. However, once inside, you will be treated by the same wonderful staff as before. The salad is still their wasabi soy sauce dressing and their sushimi is consistently still a "melting in your mouth" experience. As a wonderful friend, The Golden Rockstar would call it, it's a "mouthgasm." When you first arrive outside the building, it looks a little odd and stretchy. Trust me, once you go all the way inside and turn to your left, you will find you have been transported to a wonderful restaurant. The bathrooms are outside in the common hallway. Both the men's and woman's bathrooms only had cold water. Make sure there is a soap bottle so that you will be able to wash your hands properly. You will need to get the key from the restaurant. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 once inside the restaurant Cleanliness: 5/5 once inside the restaurant Price: 5/5 - Compared to many other Omakase restaurants in Northern Jersey, the price is extremely fair. read more

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Finally got a chance to go to Ai Sushi ( formerly Shumi) to try the Omakase Experience. At a price point of either $105 for the Sashimi and Sushi Omakase OR $95.00 for the Sushi Only Omakase ; I personally did the Sushi and Sashimi option myself. Service was very attentive and friendly at all times no issues. The sushi was definitely tasty and fresh. The omakase itself was actually super fast as the chef served the pieces 2 at a time . Definitely had a couple of personal favorites; the Japanese scallop and the horse mackerel being two examples As much as I miss Chef Ike when this place was called Shumi , Ai Sushi does do itself justice by standing out and making themselves known. I will definitely be coming back here to do another omakase again in the future. However, for future dining I would definitely just do the sushi only omakase instead. Not a lot of places in New Jersey offer an omakase experience. I'm happy that I got to try it here at Ai Sushi.Quality fish and literally a hidden gem lol ( the location is tucked away in a small lot) read more

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This place shows up in several regional articles about great "off the beaten track" restaurants. It's not too hard to find, but it is located inside an office building-type setting. When you walk down the hall, you are inclined to go into the door in front of you, but that's a stock room. The entry door is to the left in the corner, and not easily recognized as the main entrance. Once in, there is a small collection of VERY small rooms/areas where seating is available. You have to walk through the maze. It seems that every time they may have cleared out a storage area, it became a dining area with the addition of two or three tables. We were seated outside a storage/maintenance/stock room that had no door or curtain so our view was horrible. Next to the door was a huge open window INTO that stock room. Not something you want to look at when dining. The server was not so friendly, service was spotty. I showed a pic of a sushi appy from their website (or photo from another Yelp review) because I wanted to order the same thing. The server identified it, and I ordered it, but what I received had NO semblance to what was pictured. It was a small, thin, meager oyster sunomono dish - so unlike the photo. When we asked for tap water, we were brought bottles of water and charged for them, so be aware that you are forced to buy water - they won't give you tap. So, bring your own. The fish seemed fresh, but there was nothing on the menu that was out of the ordinary. We tried, but there are better places to go. read more

Third time around to this place. The food is fresh and for $110 for a sashimi and nigiri omakase its very good. I hate that you get charged $2 for water after spending close to $170 here. Most other places reserve the bar area and dont start the omakase until the guests all arrive. This place will start serving your omakase soon as you get seated. Some might like this. I like to experience the omakase as a group. The ala cart menu is pricey. Omakase set for 9/29/23 Sashimi plate - Toro, salmon, yellowtail and monkfish liver Barscuda japan, Red eye snapper Japan amberjack, Japanese horsemackeral Bluefin and toro sushi Surree or sakree? Torched salmon Japanese scallop Monkfish liver with o-toro Shrimp and Salmon roe cup 2 Fried prawn heads *Side order below* Tuna nigiri Torched White tuna nigiri Eel nigiri Yellowtail sashimi Total $169 read more

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Came here for lunch with a friend and it was a little hard to find. The LED sign said open but when we peeked into the windows it was dark and looked closed. No clear sign where the entrance was. The waitress was pretty cold and rude as well. Kind of ignored questions we had. The menu was pricey but we just gave it a chance to see if it was worth it. We both ordered the sushi lunch and it came with a soup and salad. The quality of fish is a tiny bit better than normal take out. But it had pretty generic fish, nothing out of the ordinary that gives it a $25 price point. They also had an ala carte menu, we didnt order from it but the pricing is much higher than other sushi/omakase places I've been to. $8 for a california roll is crazy. The place's I frequent charge $6 max. I also overhead someone ask for Uni marketprice and they said $24 a piece. That's pretty insane, I dont even pay that much in NYC. I've gotten an entire Hokkaido Uni handroll in NYC for $18 . We ordered water and the waitress gave us 1 water bottle to share but then charged us separately? Not sure how that makes sense at all. Definitely won't be back to this place. If you want better priced sushi in a nicely lit restaurant, check out Ryujin in Bridgewater, its a 5 minute drive away from here. They also offer lunch and omakase sets. read more

Ai sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

I've been coming to Ai (formerly Shumi) since 2014. Had my first omakase ever with John way way back and have now tried a bunch of omakase places. Came here on a rainy Saturday night for omakase. Got karaage (fried chicken), monkfish liver sunomono, and sashimi pizza as starters. Karaage was very tender and crispy. Monkfish liver has a radish? garnish, some sliced cucumbers, ponzu sauce and seaweed. It's very tender and rich. I think it tastes better than foie gras. Got a mix of salmon and Spanish mackerel for the sashimi pizza. It's really just sashimi and not a pizza FYI. There's a spicy sauce on top of the fish and it can have a good kick. Was pretty good, but one piece of Spanish mackerel was really spicy.  In other visits, I've gotten the sushi dinner ($33) which is very solid. It is 10 pieces and a roll (like tuna, salmon, albacore, yellowtail). This varies a bit, but last time I got a very good bluefin tuna, salmon, mackerel, bonito, a whitefish, yellowtail, albacore, cooked shrimp, eel, and a tamago (slightly sweet and quite good).  The omakase ($75) consisted of 10 pieces at the bar (though I have gotten 12 pc in a previous visit). The sushi rice had a good level of acidity and was warm. The rice itself was cooked well and broke apart well.   This is extremely important, as room temperature rice just does not taste as good. The rice quality is often more important than the fish imo. Ex- Sushi Amane (1 Michelin star, when run by Shion Uino) was my best sushi experience because the rice was perfect.  For the omakase, this started out with chutoro (medium fatty Tuna) and akami (lean marinated tuna). Akami was decent, the chutoro was buttery and free of sinew. I usually prefer chutoro over otoro (very fatty tuna) and this piece was excellent. The yellowtail and amberjack had both a warm rice temperature and were firm and taste.  Barracuda was lightly torched and flaky, aji (horse mackerel) had a ginger topping and was solid. For the following pieces, I had,  Madai (sea bream) and torched salmon- The madai had way too much sea salt. The salmon was solid and smoky. Baby squid and botan rbi with ikura- the baby squid had nice acidity and was chewy. Botan ebi (raw shrimp) was meaty and the ikura on top (salmon eggs) were a great touch  Iwashi and kohada were extras - firm, acidic, briney. Both very delicious. Not cheap but a hidden gem in Central Jersey. Highly recommended. read more

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Husband and I occasionally emerge out of our family bubble to go on dates without the kids. This time we decided to drop some serious dough and try a local omakase for our anniversary. AI sushi was recommended by friends for being unassuming but also very delicious. Walking into a dentist-like office, hidden in the very back corner, it was unassuming indeed. Wasn't sure what to expect at all but took a seat at the bar. Started off with miso and ginger salad, and then a standard plate of trio-colored sashimi. Definite improvement over the fish we get for our weekly poke. Then we each had a place set between us and the chef, where he would place the finished bite in front of us. Over the course of an hour, there was a dozen plus bites of pure amazingness. I'm not enough of a sushi connoisseur to be able to tell you the names of anything, but each was unique in its flavor and texture. Some of them melted in your mouth like it was marshmallow, others dissolved like soft cheese. There was one that when paired with soy sauce jelly tasted like a savory dessert, while another when charred with scallion dressing had a smokey charm to it. And they were all attached to a perfectly made rice mound with perfectly exacted wasabi in between. Although dinner itself was fantastic, I took a star off for the experience. The chef didn't really explain what we were eating, and answered very soft spoken when asked. Nor was there any sort of indication that our meal was "over" until the check came. What if we had wanted to order dessert? My husband has more pictures so I'll add them later. read more

Ai sushi - Sashimi Trio - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Still amazing! Came for Omakase on a Saturday night and got lucky with a seat at the sushi bar. I highly recommend you call ahead to reserve a spot at the sushi bar for Omakase so you can interact a bit with the incredible sushi chefs. Always a good experience but I feel like Friday through Sunday has the best quality fish. This time we had a few sushi pieces truly blow our mind including one with truffle that I can't forget. read more

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How is the best sushi restaurant in the world missing it's fifth star?! I have been coming here for Omakase since the days of Shumi and none of the fish have been short of excellent. All other sushi pales in comparison! The servers are so warm and friendly. They make you feel at home. Some of the sushi I loved today were toro, Spanish mackerel, Madagascar shrimp, uni, and monkfish liver. I forgot the names of many of the others because they were not the basic ones you see over and over again. I don't understand how this place can do melt in your mouth perfect genius so consistently. It is an absolutely magical place of true artistry. Ai is the GOAT. read more

Ai sushi - Photo Credit: my Suzette - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

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A hidden gem for in Somerville. Our party of 4 had an enjoyable experience on a recent Thursday evening. The restaurant is tucked away in a low rise office condo building. It is a small but mighty sushi bar. We arrived around 6:30 and by 7:15 most tables were occupied. They served us miso soup ahead of our sushi. The plating of our order was lovely and the fish was as fresh and delicious as what we've experienced in Hawaii and California. We ordered several rolls as well as sushi and sashimi. The torched salmon was a more unique offering. The fatty tuna, yellowtail and snapper were excellent. And the pickled ginger was zesty (sublime). We will definitely be back. Our hostess and server was appropriately attentive and uncorked the two bottles of wine we brought (AI is BYOB). Note that this would be a good date restaurant as the lightning was soft and warm. read more

The interior of the restaurant is a bit dated but don't let that fool you the sushi is fantastic! We decided to come here for an early valentines we started with the Negima Yaki which was DELICIOUS! And had the sushi sashimi for 2. We added a salmon roll and a spicy scallop roll. Everything was fresh and so good. The spicy scallop roll was especially yummy! We're looking forward to coming back for the Omakase! Definitely call ahead for that experience. The entrance to the restaurant can be a bit difficult to find, but it's worth it! read more

Ai sushi - Sushi Sashimi for 2 plus a salmon roll and a spicy scallop roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Tucked away in the back of an unassuming corporate building is a gem with a talented sushi chef who takes pride in his craft. We did the sushi and sashimi omakase set for $90 per person. I didn't book reservations so they sat us at the table right behind the sushi bar. No matter, the fish was still prepared with immense care and quality which shined throughout every piece on the platter. The waitress also made care to tell us each piece and which order we should enjoy it in based on the chef's recommendation. As a huge fan of the now closed Josho, I would say this place breathes new life into authentic quality sushi, especially in central Jersey. Highly recommended. read more

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Hands down one of the best sushi places I have ever been to. The sushi is so fresh that no sauce is necessary. The toro tuna was to die for and oysters tasted fresh from the sea. Dont forget to try the monkfish liver. This place has an unusual entrance. The entrance shares entrances with other retail shops in the small little strip mall. Minimal parking is available, however we were able to find some on the street. It's byob so pairing the fish was a delight withbour own wine. Service was excellent and prompt. The resturaunt is small and quaint. read more

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Came back to this place a few weeks ago. Like the ambiance of the place. Meal was good and fish was indeed above average. Expected since they do Omasake. The only down side is that there is limited seating so make reservation like we did. Also, there is only 1 person who waits, serve and clear the table. So service wise, a bit a lot for one person. So be patience. At least, this is our experience. My wife was turned off how not clean the table was cleaned from the other table and didn't want to come back here. read more

We enjoyed another delicious dinner at Ai Sushi. The fish is so fresh. This is our favorite sushi restaurant. We regularly eat at sushi and Omakase restaurants in NYC, and Ai Sushi is on par or better than most. While it looks very unassuming, don't be fooled. Ai Sushi is the real deal. read more

Ai sushi - Botan ebi, toro, sardine (special), scallop, ikura with quail egg, torched salmon and monk fish liver with spicy squid - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

The food still good as before but ramen and one thing really bother me is the cleanliness the way they serve tables only one girl and try to do everything (just her) I need to replace the spoon since I dropped on the floor,she gave me new spoon and smell strong bleach,two ppl ask for tea and bring out one cup, and the way she clean the table Infront of customers unsanitary,it just bother me so much. I like the food but not sure will come back read more

Mmmm.. Anytime there's actually Japanese chefs at a sushi restaurant, you know it's legit! (Most "sushi" places in Jersey actually have Chinese chefs except for Jo Sho nearby which is also Japanese run..) Fresh fish, and an EXCELLENT selection of monkfish liver and toro. hotate (Japanese scallop) is also highly recommended here. The uni was ok here-- it wasn't the greatest when I went. That can also depend on what day it was delivered and what day of the week you come to eat. Prices are pretty reasonable for the amount you get. 2 sushi pieces per order as opposed to one. I would season the fish slightly though to step up the flavors instead of relying on the customer to add soy sauce to the fish. Hotate was really good though with some citrus/lemon added. read more

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Delicious sushi! I highly recommend this spot, it's a tucked away treasure. Make sure to call ahead and give your name since there is only a few tables. read more

Ai sushi - Scallop roll, toro roll, shrimp tempura roll Sushi - torched salmon, tuna, yellowtail - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

I had an incredible Omakase experience here! The chef took such care in each piece he created and the flavors were perfectly balanced. He took requests for fish I preferred. The fish was the most delicious I have ever had. My personal favorites were the bonito and the Japanese mackerel due to how smooth and creamy the fish were. It is definitely a special occasion meal due to the price but everything was well worth the money. The pictures that are two pieces are the Omakase set and the single pieces were extra because it was just too good to stop. BYOB, so bring your best sake! I have a few items I would still want to try on my next visit, such as the tamago and some of the roe options. read more

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We've read great things about Ai Sushi (and had been here when it was under it's previous name). While we wanted to have omakase that wasn't an option during the pandemic. Slightly surprised that our takeout order had no ginger, no wasabi but I should have expected that from a very traditional sushi restaurant. The fish was fresh and tasty...looking forward to coming back and trying a wider variety. read more

Great service. Really good food. Fresh sushi!!! Super happy! Cozy spot for date night or intimate dinner. Highly recommend!!!

The restaurant decor is not impressive but the quality of fish is impressive. I tried omakase.

You wouldn't notice this place when you pass by. But this is an authentic Japanese restaurant with the amazing Japanese chef! We went couple times and the food is so so good. Although they don't have some of the items we want but overall they keep with food super fresh. Highly recommended! read more

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While many have read my review of the now defunct Japanese restaurant Jo Sho, it gives me great pleasure to let you know that Yoshi the owner of Jo Sho and their head sushi chef has taken a position at this restaurant. I honestly don't know what they were like prior to Yoshi joining them, but since he has carried on his tradition of some of the best sushi and sashimi in the state (and I honestly feel that his preparation and quality of the fish would easily compete with some of the New York City sushi places that charge 4x the price). It is a nice place with a good atmosphere but I wasn't feeling out of place walking in wearing a T-Shirt and jeans. And the quality and presentation of the sushi is unparalleled. It may seem a bit expensive but when you have eaten sushi that Yoshi has prepared a few times you'll immediately recognize how other places just don't begin too compare. Suddenly you'll think "I can't believe I spent 60 dollars at another place for mall quality sushi, when for 30 dollars more (Dinner for 2 or three) we could have had the best sushi ever. Yes, I'm a bit of a sushi snob, I've been enjoying it since the early 1980's and while I don't hesitate to get a maki or two from a decent place, It is usually just a California roll or Salmon maki. I really can't have tuna elsewhere after enjoying Yoshi's preparation. I honestly feel that other places serve fish that Yoshi would probably throw out. Everything is incredibly fresh and very much worth the visit (and repeat visits). I've brought friends from Japan to Yoshi's previous restaurants and they all felt like they were home. Hope to see you there! read more

Doesn't really look like much when you walk in, but was pretty decent sushi! The dinner bento was pretty worth it since they give you sashimi, negimaki, salmon, tempura, and salmon. The sushi and sashimi set was pretty good too! Sashimi was fresh! The only complaint I would have is that there was too much wasabi in the tuna rolls. Also, bring your own drinks because they charge for water! read more

Ai sushi - Dinner bento - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

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This location used to be former Shumi Japanese Restaurant. It's not that easy to spot from the road but it's next to Casa Luna Mexican and it's tucked away inside a building. This is the best place in the area for authentic, high quality Japanese food. I had the edamame, shrimp shumai, and their Dragon roll. All were fabulous. Although pricey, it is definitely worth it because the food is of high quality, fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I was very happy with the experience and the food was great. Nice selection of fish. Not much needs to be said other than everything about Ai Sushi is incredible! This is now my favorite sushi place in the area. read more

Ai sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

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