Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Aiko

    4.5 (350 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Aiko Photos

    Business Info

    AIKO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    Recommended Reviews - Aiko

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sake handroll
    Sean W.

    Great opportunity to try Aiko during Houston Restaurant Weeks. The salmon crisp was amazing as well as the salmon hand roll and crab hand roll. We also tried the seared salmon belly nigiri (Saketoro Aburi) and even though it's a bit pricey it's sooooo good, buttery and melt in your mouth. Definitely worth a try if you get the chance! Service was quick and the waitress was attentive and our waters were constantly filled. Vibes are great, very closed off from the front and fancy feeling, amazing hallway to the bathroom as well!

    Ube martini
    Julio A.

    First time at Aiko and it did not disappoint! Went in for HRW and the food was excellent with superb service. Thank you Joe (GM) and Dante (AGM) for welcoming us. Looking forward to going back.

    Happy hour fried chicken so yummy! Scallop crudo and tuna crudo #HRW
    Kelly D.

    2nd time I've been here and it did not disappoint! I came here for Houston restaurant week and it was so worth it. I love the service and ambiance of this restaurant. It's very intimate and the staff are kind. The food is high quality and presentation is always 10/10.

    Jessica W.

    pretty interior. friendly staff. fresh food, you can tell it is more than other sushi restaurants. it has a clean taste and is very good. dessert was interesting flavors as well. enjoyed my time here.

    Nhi T.

    Loved the food here! The fish is super fresh and high quality and even the non-sushi menu items had great flavors and were well executed. I got the pan daiquiri as my drink to start and my friend got the herbed lavender lemonade. For food we shared the hamachi crudo, the chutoro nigri, the kanpachi nigiri, the A5 tartare, the kani handroll, The kinoko yasaimono, and the hot scallop dish to share. The pan daiquiri was SO good. The smokiness from the mezcal hits you first and then the sweet and creamy after taste takes over. It was so well mixed and I would highly recommend trying this if you are a mezcal lover like me. (9/10) The herbed lavender lemonade was too tangy and sweet for my liking. The lavender flavor get lost in the drink. It tasted like a typical lemonade, nothing special. (5/10) The hamachi crudo was so fresh and I really enjoyed the sweet and tangy broth. I'm not sure I would call it tom kha broth but it tasted good regardless and paired well with the tomatoes. (7.5/10) The chutoro nigiri was SO buttery and melt in your mouth delicious. I would definitely get this again. (8.8/10) The kanpachi nigiri was fresh and I enjoyed the sauce paired with it. It was my first time trying amberjack and I liked it. (7/10) The A5 tartare was super unique and well seasoned. There was plenty of tartare compared to the amount of milk bread you are given to eat it with. The uni, caviar, pate and waygu all mixed together was a decadent combination full of flavor. My only note was the contrast in temperatures that I did not love, the tartare came cold while the milk bread was warm. Overall, a very luxurious and tasty dish. (8/10) The kani handroll surpassed my expectations. Typically I don't go for crab first, but I did enjoy the flavors paired with the crab and the hand roll was well filled. (7.8/10) The kinoko roll (king trumpet mushroom roll) really surprised me. I was weary about getting this roll because I normally don't opt for vegan options, but this king mushroom was so well prepared and the sauce was so delicious that dare I say that I enjoyed this more than some of the fish/meat sushi rolls I've had in the past. (8/10) The hot scallop dish was one of the best bites of the night. The scallop was perfectly charred and cooked and the creamy polenta base with the umami salmon roe, with the fried red cabbage to add texture was amazing. I would definitely order this again. (9/10) Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Aiko and the food surpassed my expectations. I loved everything I tried and do want to come back to try more. The service was quick and helpful with the menu. Parking can be a bit tricky, but there are some free street parking spots around the plaza. The ambiance is definitely upscale and classy. It's a great place for a date! My only complaint was that I made a reservation for 2 at least a week in advance and upon arrival, though they had plenty of open tables, we were seated at the opposite end of a table that was already occupied. We were close enough to hear their entire conversation throughout dinner, and I just thought it was an odd experience because that had never happened to me before. Though it did not hinder me from enjoying the food I would have preferred to be seated at our own table.

    Trisa V.

    I thought Aiko delivered a really memorable meal. Overall I'm giving this place 5 stars -- the quality of the fish and the execution were excellent -- though personally I did find the progression of courses a little rich toward the end. For context, Aiko is part of the same group as Doko (their sushi omakase concept) and Handies Douzo (their handroll-focused restaurant), and you can definitely see the overlap in technique and flavor profiles across the restaurants. We went for the Valentine's omakase menu. The meal started with the Oyster Duo. One had a yuzu granita and aguachile that was bright and refreshing, while the other had a roasted onion soubise with smoked trout roe that leaned richer and more savory. Nice contrast between the two. One of my favorite early dishes was the chilled zaru soba. The buckwheat noodles had a great chewy texture and the mentsuyu broth was light and refreshing with mirin, mushroom, and seaweed notes. It was a really nice palate reset. The smoked ocean trout sashimi (masu) was another standout. It had garlic aioli on top with oil and black pepper, and the tomato added a crunchy brightness that balanced the richness of the fish. It's a simple combination but worked surprisingly well. The temaki course was excellent. The snow crab handroll had this creamy mayo texture with chili and crunchy shallots, and you can tell they roast the seaweed sheets right before serving because the nori had an incredible crunch -- honestly some of the best texture I've had in a handroll. It reminded me a lot of the style they do at Handies. For the hirame crudo with pomegranate and shiso, the flavor was good but a bit more subtle. I think the pistachio really helps that dish; without enough of it the flavors felt a little muted. I know pomegranate and pistachio is a common flavor pairing for middle eastern cuisines. My partner has a tree nut allergy so they removed it for both of us. The wagyu fat rice was very indulgent. The first thing you taste is the wagyu fat, but the fried shallots and other crunchy elements help balance it out. The sauce reminded me a lot of something you'd get at Doko -- rich but very satisfying. Adding fried rice in between fish courses was an interesting choice from the chef, but I think Aiko aims to be more western fusion than a traditional Japanese omakase. The tuna trio was fantastic. The chutoro with negidare (garlic, sesame oil, scallion) was probably my favorite bite of the night -- super flavorful and perfectly balanced. The foie gras course leaned sweet and savory, almost like an eel sauce flavor with some crunch on top. Delicious, but by this point in the progression I was definitely feeling the richness of the meal. Dessert was a milk tea tiramisu that I thought was really interesting. The mascarpone layer had a tartness to it -- almost like there might be a little sour cream mixed in -- and one layer had a subtle salty note that balanced the sweetness. Overall, the food quality was excellent and the fish was clearly very fresh. My only minor critique is that the progression of courses skewed a bit rich for my personal preference, especially in the second half of the meal. That said, every dish was thoughtfully executed and there were some truly standout bites. If you enjoy creative omakase with some richer flavor profiles, Aiko is definitely worth trying.

    East Coast oyster with yuzu granita and aguachile
    Farrah A.

    For the past year, Aiko has become our favorite restaurant in Houston. And anytime friends reach out wanting my sushi recs or even an all-time favorite restaurant in Houston rec, Aiko is one of my top picks. We almost always get the omakase ($45 during social hour). If the beau is really hungry, he'll get the tasting menu, which runs about $150. They time our courses perfectly, and I appreciate they can accommodate my GF request. After an introduction to it on a tasting menu, we started ordering the raw oysters topped with aguachile and YUZU GRANITA! Best dressed oysters in Houston. Seriously. And for happy hour, they're $3/each. You also must order the saketoro aburi (seared salmon belly) and hamachi crudo. We just dined there yesterday and as I'm writing this Yelp review, considering we go back today. ...Really wish they had a rewards program!

    Moquita Q.

    Enjoyed an evening of speciality cocktails and paired bites. The cocktails highlighted the HIBIKI JAPANESE HARMONY whisky and HAKU VODKA. Now let's get to the food. I would have to recommend their spicy chicken as an appetizer and any of their sushi on the menu as I could not find a single roll I disliked. Thoughtfully prepared, delectable and the service was pretty good! This would be a good happy hour spot with the girls or a peaceful date night as it's very reserved, intimate and elevated. The venue is not that big so you don't have to worry about huge crowds. The servers will recommend menu items according to your pallet which is super helpful. Also when you arrive, the first part of the restaurant ins sectioned off by huge curtains to allow for happy our guests to enjoy their time and from the more intimate parties to enjoy their time. Pretty cool concept.

    Sushi bar

    Just the best. I have dietary restrictions and they take close attention to make my sushi special. The head sushi chef is quite incredible. The fish is just the freshest. Might be my favorite spot

    oyster
    Kelly P.

    Absolutely love this place, hands down one of my favorite sushi spots in Houston. High-quality sushi without being as insanely expensive as Katami. I always get the $55 omakase, which is so worth it for the price. The omakase includes: - Edamame to start -Salmon crudo: insanely fresh, citrusy yuzu flavor, & ikura paired perfectly. I literally cleaned the plate (10/10) - 5 nigiri: beautifully dressed, high-quality fish (9/10) - Salmon hand roll: crunchy nori, extra crunch inside, super satisfying (9/10) - Mochi to end on a sweet note Other dishes I've tried: - Oysters: a bit small, but I liked the yuzu flavor (7/10) - Karaage: perfectly breaded, juicy chicken with a slight kick (9/10) - Engawa nigiri: my absolute favorite. Lightly torch seared so it melts in your mouth (10/10) - A5 wagyu maki: great flavor and texture, just wished the wagyu stood out more (8/10) - Chutoro w/ uni & caviar: chef made this for us and WOW. No words. (10000/10) - Masu Kunsei (ocean trout) nigiri: not fishy at all, perfect texture, dressed beautifully (9/10) - Madai nigiri: clean, fresh, and very memorable (9/10) Ambiance is dark and intimate, perfect for date night. You can sit at the bar or at a table, and even the hallway to the restroom is aesthetic with mirrors and plants. Service was fast and attentive. If I could eat sushi here every other day, I absolutely would. 10/10.

    Ai N.

    It's good place with good food and nice decorations . Very fresh fish with detailed decorations

    Madai crudo
    Riddhi B.

    I went to to Aiko for my 35th birthday and I was blown away! The fish was so fresh! We were just in time for happy hour and ordered the old fashioned and lychee spritz which were both perfect! The chef's choice of nigiri on the happy hour menu is a must as you'll have a chance to experiencing all the different types of fish for a great price. The fish was so fresh and perfect! We favorites were the chuturo and otoro nigiris and the madai crudo. The wagyu toast topped with caviar was incredible and we ended with the unique dessert called the semifreddo that satisfied my never-ending matcha craving

    Omakase
    Mailynn V.

    tried the omakase at Aiko, the presentation and their menu had a variety of things. I don't think the flavors meshed well with the sauce like it didn't complement or balance the dish well. However, the fish quality was fresh and the nigiri looked aesthetically pleasing. The service in general wasn't too bad but I didn't go during a busy time, I went during lunch on a week day. Aesthetically, everything was gorgeous just not as memorable taste-wise as I hoped, especially considering the price.

    See all

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julio A.
    151
    15
    36

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Farrah A.
    4952
    2531
    11948

    8 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mercedes R.
    299
    452
    240

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ai N.
    3
    36
    120

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel G.
    19
    40
    0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 9

    Aiko Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Aiko

    Can you still experience omakase dining with kids?

    Yes, I brought my 2.5 yr old to happy hour and he sat there eating chicken karage while I got the omakase.

    View All 2 Questions

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar

    4.0
    (129 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    I'm writing this more for those that never had the chance to visit but on the off chance get to…read morevisit elsewhere and looking for info. I visited here frequently and I'm sad to see it shut down. Kazzan ramen in Osaka is a bit north of the main hub of Osaka, but one can hope they continue to try to spread their magic elsewhere. It was touching to see they'd trained (at least some) the staff to incorporate some of the tradition you'll see when in Japan such as greeting and goodbyes, even understanding phrases such as "okaikei onegai shimasu." Having lived in Japan, it was a nice touch. Food & Drink Kazzan ramen is an absolute delight. The stone bowl is so hot and keeps your ramen warm for the entire time you're enjoying it. They offer shio, shoyu, karamiso ramens. I personally loved the karamiso though their limited edition spicy version was great if looking for some heat. For appetizers, the black pepper edamame was a standout. Flavors of toasted sesame, maybe a touch of soy, with black pepper - . The cocktails were always delicious. They always had elevated cocktails with custom syrups and bitters. Definitely nice to see unique Japanese ingredients being incorporated into the cocktail scene. Service The service was always great, very attentive. Never had a want or need go long without being addressed. Staff was always making th rounds collecting plates, filling water, making sure you have everything. Pricing The ramen was a bit pricey even for US standards, which likely contributed to struggles but it was still delicious and worth visiting. I think a few bucks cheaper would have probably gone a long way. Or offering bundled pricing with cocktails or drinks to encourage more revenue while discounting. Though, I don't find it coincidental that this location has been plagued by multiple establishments not making it. That would indicate onerous lease rates and a potentially shrewd landlord. Overall This place will be missed and for anyone that does get a chance to visit them elsewhere, you won't regret it!

    I walked in and immediately saw my group waiting at the table. The server came up to take drink…read moreorders. He brought waters and I ask for a hot green tea and one of my dining companions had already ordered hot green tea but the server forgot and had to be reminded. Someone else had asked for a Japanese soda but then changed their mind when the flavor was not what they wanted and told the server they wanted a Dr Pepper and the server brought the Japanese soda. I thought service would be more attentive since the restaurant was not busy. We also had to ask for water refills. I was told our table just turned over. The setups were not replenished and we kept having to ask for things. Were ordered apps and ramen and hot stone bowl items. They apps were brought to the table but we did not have plates.. so we had to ask for plates. One of the dining companions decided to get up and get chopsticks instead of waiting. When our entrees arrived the server kept passing the super hot item over from one side of the table instead of to each person. The food, the edamame was over cooked... so mushy. Takoyaki was ok. I ordered the Kazzan Shoyu. It was ok. Then it took a while for the bill to come, we were told they ran out of receipt paper. Sometimes it's the little details that make the difference. Not sure I would come back.

    Photos
    Kazzan Ramen & Bar
    Kazzan Ramen & Bar
    Kazzan Ramen & Bar

    See all

    Zen Japanese Izakaya

    Zen Japanese Izakaya

    4.2
    (332 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This restaurant is a cozy, authentic gem for Japanese small plates. The space is intimate with a…read moresmall dining area. Reservations are highly recommended. There aren't many tables, and it fills up quickly. Service was incredibly friendly and attentive. This is what we ordered: 1. pepper tuna tataki 2. hamachili 3. hijiki 4. karaage 5. agedashi tofu 6. Rock N Roll roll 7. Zen Mega Dragon roll 8. hamachi sashimi 9. hamachi roll 10. Extra Picante roll 11. Yakisoba noodles 12. Brussel sprouts Almost everything was absolutely delicious. The pepper tuna tataki and hamachili were fresh and flavorful. The karaage was crispy, tender and juicy, and the agedashi tofu had that perfect texture in a savory broth. All were sooo good. The Zen Mega Dragon roll, hamachi hamachi roll, and Extra Picante roll were all fresh and excellent. The only two dishes that didn't quite wow us were the hijiki and the Rock N Roll roll. Both were a bit basic compared to everything else on the table. The yakisoba noodles did take a little while to come out, but wow... they were soooo worth the wait. Savory, hot, and incredibly satisfying. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, which makes it even better. There is free parking, but the lot is small. When it's busy, finding a spot can be a little tricky. We will definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

    this was a very tasty spot. the flavors of the sushi were so good i ended up not needing any soy…read moresauce at all. the service was very friendly and attentive which was nice. the ambiance was dark but welcoming. it was nice having dessert on the menu that was more unique than usual and i had to try one of their options you just don't see on others menus. it was nice getting something more earthy and authentic. presentation was very pretty as well. overall it was a great experience that made me want to go back.

    Photos
    Zen Japanese Izakaya
    Fish from Japan
    Fish from Japan
    Zen Japanese Izakaya

    See all

    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

    Kokoro Sushi and Yakitori

    4.5
    (396 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Speaks Spanish

    This was my favorite meal of this Houston trip…read more Now yall-- we ordered damn near everything on the menu! And let me tell you this menu has a lot to offer-- from sushi, crudo, yakitori, small dishes, and appetizers you name it The food was tasty, and surprisingly beautifully prepared. This was a very affordable in compared to most sushi places I've been to. Definitely with a try, I've been talking about it since I left and when I return it'll be my first stop! (Get the tuna!)

    Used to love this place, my downtown staple for sushi. I can't recommend this place less…read more On their website and on Google it says they close at nine, understanding this and knowing I would have to order and eat fast, I showed up at 8:30 for a quick dinner downtown. Upon arrival, I was told that I could not sit at the sushi bar and eat. If I wanted to order I had to go sit in the common area of this dining hall. After this discussion, I said fine and asked for a menu. They then told me I had to get up and order at the register and view the menu glued to the counter. They took the order of a couple who sat down maybe 2 minutes before me in front of me. I will never come back to this place. They seem to be the last man standing in this dining hall, and with this kind of customer service, they won't last much longer. It's a shame because I love the food and I am a regular at handies and aiko as well. Won't be back to any of them.

    Photos
    Front stall pic
    Front stall pic
    Wagyu toast
    Wagyu toast
    Wagyu Toast

    See all

    Wagyu Toast

    Aiko - japanese - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...