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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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We've dined in for lunch and dinner and have enjoyed our experiences for both. We love the romantic ambiance in the evening. We completely trust the chefs and always order the omakase, featuring the season's most fresh fish and selections. We appreciate their innovative approach to creating a unique experience each time we visit. Chef Albert has taken great care of us the few times we've been there! Excited to visit again! read more

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We had their omakase experience and it was phenomenal. PSA this is a sister restaurant of Handie's Douzo, which we love. It's under the same owner but each of the restaurants specialize in different aspects of sushi. The omakase here was what we would recommend. The appetizers provided in the courses were wonderful, even for my partner who hates cucumbers. We especially enjoyed the zesty sauces and crudos. There were unconventional combinations such as a Tom kha sauce with crudo, that worked surprisingly well. Ultimately, the fresh nigiris were the star of the show. The foi gras nigiri was also a stand out. Would not recommend the tiramisu dessert (which we ordered on top of the dessert included in the omakase) because it didn't really resemble or taste like tiramisu. The deconstructed key lime pie dessert with the preserved shiso leaf is what's included in the omakase and was substantially better. And my partner and I don't normally gravitate towards citrus-based desserts. Would definitely be back because every restaurant within the Handie's Douzo ownership has been impressive and fresh. The fish is excellent. And the setting is imtinate enough you can actually engage in conversations with your party. Big fan! read more

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I was finally able to try this place during HRW, and I was very satisfied with their lunch courses! The most memorable dish for me was the hamachi crudo paired with an airy tom-kha sauce at the bottom. I've never tried that combination before and was pleasantly surprised. The kani roll was also very good, there wasn't too much rice and each piece had a good ratio of everything. The interior of this place was gorgeous (especially the iconic bathroom), and service was good! They also have a decently sized parking lot which is hard to find on Washington. This place is more on the pricier side but worth a try as a treat to yourself. read more

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This place is so good, we ended up ordering more and more even after getting pretty full. My recommendation is ordering the $55 Omakase first and then adding more as a-la-carte based on what you liked. Each and every piece is perfectly flavorful, you don't need any additional soy sauce or wasabi. My favorites were Kanpachi & Hamachi Belly nigiri, and the Spicy Tuna handroll, which isn't really that spicy. It has a really nice kick to it, so I think anyone with low spicy tolerance can handle it too. The A5 Wagyu maki was also good. It tasted just like high quality Japanese BBQ grilled on charcoal. I'd definitely go back to try more dishes here. read more

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I saw several reviews comparing this place to Uchi, so I had to try it. My boyfriend and I went this past weekend. We made a reservation but did not specify seating, so we ended up at sushi bar. Not my favorite, but that was on us. I started with the lychee martini. It was strongand came out in like a minute... Loved that! For starters, we had the edamame and shishito peppers. The edamame had a lemony flavor I really enjoyed and the shishitos were BIG and were covered in a super yummy aioli. Great way to begin. Next, we tried two East Coast oysters with aguachile. They were incredibly fresh, some of the best oysters I have had. From there we moved on to rolls: the BGB Sake Maki with king salmon, the negitoro, and the A5 wagyu. All were excellent, but the wagyu really stood out for me. The chili garlic sauce complemented it perfectly and added a little spice kick. We also ordered nigiri including seared salmon belly, king salmon, and amberjack. The seafood here is QUALITY. The amberjack was so good we ordered it three times in a row. Now for the service...Being at the bar, I expected it to be a little different but our server was very serious and somewhat intimidating when taking orders. Aside from the initial greeting, he never checked in. I had to get his attention for everything. My drink sat empty, we sat there with no plates and he never asked if we wanted to order more or close out. He was prompt once we asked, but for this price point I expect friendlier and more attentive service. Food wise, this spot absolutely holds up to Uchi and I would return just for that reason. Service wise... not so much. One last tip, check out the bathroom! Very cool design! read more

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I scheduled dinner here at Aiko for a party of 4 on last Saturday night to support Houston Restaurant Weeks. The HRW dinner here was a 4 course affair for $55. They have valet parking along with a small free lot next to the building and another free lot next to a church directly behind Aiko. The restaurant consists of one open dining room. More about that later. After being seated and ordering drinks we were ready to order, I went with the BGB Sake Crudo and then Kani Maki for my second. Then I asked for the Nigiri and chocolate truffle cake to finish. The food started to arrive shortly after and was evenly paced. Then crudo had fresh salmon as the protein and was delicious and colorful on my black plate. The maki were 6 individual portions of crab with cucumber and aioli on top. This was very good and a joy to eat. The Nigiri were 3 pieces of seafood (Chef's Choice) with rice for each and was again fresh and delicious. Finally the dessert of chocolate truffle cake had peanuts, caramel and a coffee flavor to it. It was rich in flavor and very good taste wise. During the meal the table service was prompt and professional. Aiko is a quality Japanese style restaurant. My only beef was the noise level. Even though we were at only one 4 seat table it was very difficult to talk. Yes the restaurant was full but the noise was deafening. I am glad we weren't a larger party for that reason. My advice is to come for lunch or perhaps a week night dinner. Aiko let's work on the acoustics here, please. read more

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Wow visited Aiko on a whim with some friends. We went on a Saturday, and I'd recommend reservations on a weekend. The place is quaint, and we were quickly greeted by the staff. Our server was really nice and she had lots of good recommendations. We tried the karage and oysters to start, both were great. The oysters had a citrus sauce which I normally wouldn't do but this worked out well. We also had some rolls, and some fatty tuna and salmon. Don't leave without trying the A5! They also have a good sake menu, which of course we partook in. I'd definitely come bake to Aiko! read more

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Came for Houston restaurant week lunch with my mom. It was really easy to grab a last min reservation on a Saturday for 1pm. Started off with the Kombu Salad and Sunomono. I liked the chili garlic in the Sunomono. And the mushroom in the Kombu Salad. Overall I wish the appetizer were a little bit bigger. For the second course we chose Maguro Crudo (tuna) and BGB Sake Crudo (salmon). Nice fresh fish and the tuelevated by a subtle ponzu tang, balancing bright citrusy notes with the richness of the tuna. For the last course we had BGB Sake Maki and Kanu Maki. We prefer the slices of salmon from the second course vs having it all mushed up but it was definitely a different way of eating a sushi with the fish on top. I really like the Yuzu Kosho and wished there could have been more within each piece. We both really like the crispy bit on top of the Kanu Maki. The textural difference was really nice. Great service. My glass was always filled with water. Nice cute date night space. Overall good experience, but I wish the potion sizes could be a little bigger. Definitely left with space in my tummy. Free parking at the lot right next to the building. read more

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We tried this place for the first time during Houston Restaurant Week and were very happy with our restaurant selection. The ambiance, service, quality of food and flavor were amazing! This is definitely our favorite sushi spot now. We ordered a few things from the HRW menu and a couple of stuff out of the menu. Everything was excellent. The only disappointment is that the HRW menu is not fulfilling and you will need other dishes to fill yourself. The dessert is really ok so I would skip that next time. Our favorites were the Maguro Crudo, BCG Sake Crudo and BCG Sake Maki. read more

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Came in for lunch with a friend for their birthday! This was my second time coming here as it is one of my cousins favorite place of all time. I can see why as the sushi is fresh and the service is even better. My favorite part was all the little rubber ducky's they had. The chefs are very friendly and even gave us each a free salmon nigiri as it was his birthday! This place is a perfect spot for date night and their omakase is a fair price. I asked if they were able to sear their chutoro and at first they were hesitate to but did it anyways. 9.2/10 read more

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Overall experience was a 3/5 at best compared to the other sushi experiences in Houston. My friend and I went for Houston Restaurant Week and there were a total of 3 savory courses and 1 dessert for $55. 3/5 The fish itself was super light and delicate from the crudo dish, but the accompanying sauces on both the hamachi and blue fin tin crudos really overpowered the beauty of the fish. The flavors didn't really meld too well on the hamachi dish. It was very ginger-forward. 4.5/5 The makis (salmon and hamachi) were good. No complaints. 3/5 - 3 pc nigiri. Think of your classic nigiri, and then cut the size in half. That was the size of these nigiri pieces. They were just too small to justify the price you were paying. 4/5 - Boba tiramisu. Creamy and not too sweet. I liked the crisp rice topping. I think I just prefer coffee-based tiramisu. 2.5/5 - Yuzu semifreddo. Interesting, but was expecting the semifreddio to be more than two ice cube sized pieces on a plate. It came with a sugared shiso leaf - didn't really add much to the dish except for a pure sugar crunch textural component. 2.5/5 - Atmosphere was odd. I'm not sure why "fancy" restaurants do this, but the servers love to take away your dishes. For one, the deconstructed desserts doesn't look like much to start, so taking two bites of it already looks like you've finished it. So, the servers ended up taking away one of our desserts before we finished, and there was a constant ask if I was done with my dessert plate. The tables were situated close together too. Multiple instances of the waiters being very close to your space, in addition to waiters bumping against other waiters. At one point, one of the waiters elbowed my friend's head. There were also only two unisex bathrooms, so if you're coming at a busy time, expect to wait in a 5 min line for the five others in front of you. The fish is very nice quality if you're not too concerned about strong accompanying flavors + the slightly crowded restaurant atmosphere of your sushi experience. read more

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We were here for HRW2025 . The place looks nice. Food was good and so it's the service. Price range is not cheap but it's expected for this type of restaurant. Portion is small since they are doing thing as Omakase style. read more

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This is my first omakase experience so I decided to go all out. Also if you let them know you have a dietary restriction they will do their best to accommodate you. Service is friendly, helpful, attentive and accommodating. When items came to the table, we were given a description and if more than one item appeared we given instruction on the order to eat each item. Water glasses were refilled and plates were cleared. I ordered a mocktail named "Everybody and Their Moms" it had Ginger, Cinnamon, Ginseng, Jujube, Goji Berry and honey (it was like Fall in a cup) SUNOMONO Cucumbers, Chili Garlic, Tomato (a little salad with big flavor) SAKE TIGRE* BGB King Salmon, Pistachios, Ikura (so good, I wanted to savor every bite) HIRAME* Japanese Flounder (lime forward, tender fish) KINMEDAI* Golden Eye Snapper MASU* Tasmanian Ocean Trout MANAGATSUO* Silver Butterfish ( sooooo creamy) OYSTER SHOOTER* East Coast Oyster, Yuzu Granita, Aguachile (this was refreshing, not too briney) MAGURO CRUDO* BF Tuna, Chili Garlic, Ponzu (tuna was so tender, chili garlic- wanted more of this) SAKE HR* BGB King Salmon, Yuzu Kosho, Shiso (seaweed was crispy and the salmon was delicious) ZUWAIGANI* Snow Crab, Brown Butter (mine was prepared different to omit the butter, the flavor over powered the snow crab) KANPACHI* Japanese Amberjack CHUTORO* Med BF Fatty Tuna (so tasty) A5 WAGYU* Japanese A5 Ribeye (season just right and melted in your mouth) MOCHI - Mango and Lychee - good but they could have been a little more creative with the plating. Everything was tender and easy to eat. I enjoyed being able to taste all the ingredients together. Nothing needed soy sauce. I am going to come back for social hour. The space is good for dates or ladies night out. read more

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I am a huge fan of Duckstache Hospitality fan. All of their restaurants have been my favorite. However, this one... pure disappointment. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but the serve behind it was so horrible, that I was waiting to get my check and get out asap. Our waitress would not stop at our table. We had to hunt her down. When should would finally bless us, she would quickly take the order and leave. We thought maybe because she is busy but after observing her, we noticed that she was stopping at other tables, talking and laughing with other patrons. When it come for me to get my food, multiple times, multiple, my food would never arrive. My friend got her friend but I would just be waiting, patiently and then when I grew impatient I would have to find my server, then and remind her. One time she forgot to place my order. One time the food was sitting at the counter but she just didnt bring it so much roll was soft, because it was sitting out there. I learned from another Duckstache restaurant that you need to eat the hand roll right when you get it or it will be soggy. It was obvious that was sitting there for awhile. Towards the end, while I was waiting again for another one of my dishes, I was extremely frustrated and called for the manger. He came over, I explained what was going on, and he apologized and said he would see what was going on with my food. He came back with the food within 30 seconds. Again, the food was sitting there; my waitress just did not get it. I told him to please bring the check, I quickly paid and left. Will I be back? Nope. read more

I've been here a couple times, and both experiences were phenomenal. The food is amazing, and I highly recommend getting the omakase set along with some extra items for a satisfying meal. Service is great, and the ambiance is perfect for a date or a night out with friends--it's dark and moody. I also love that they add a squeeze of lemon juice on the edamame because it brings out the sweetness of the edamame. They also have happy hour deals :) read more

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Stopped by the sushi "social hour" here earlier and wow -what a treat!!! My brother and I sat at the sushi bar and chef Micheal made this first time visit one to remember. Everything was so good from the chefs choice omakase that was only 45 dollars , to the individual nigiri pieces , to the Japanese style fried chicken , to the oyster shooters! Super fresh , super delicate, very very good! All in a sexy, dimly lit space with cool playing music to set just the right vibe! Aiko I will return! read more

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We visited during July and it was the 13th. 713 Day. So you already know. Went with the Omakase. Michael, who is the Executive Chef, oversaw our experience and we could not ask for anything else. One of my favorite and tastiest omakase experiences in the city. Looking forward to seeing you all again. Keep it up! read more

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I just wrapped up my 10th visit and I can confidently say this place never lets me down. Every time I go back, I am reminded why i keep on coming. This time I went for Akami, Sake, Hamachi, A5 Wagyu Tartare, Karraage, and of course my all time favorite Kanpachi. What's great about Aiko is that it's consistently good. Whether it's peak hours or quite, the quality and service never drop. I can't recommend Aiko enough. read more

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This is another great restaurant from Duckstache Hospitality. With a location right next to the venue I was planning to visit after lunch, this made for a convenient lunch spot. I was surprisingly the only customer the entire time on a Sunday morning. I tried a handful of sashimi, the Japanese flounder fin muscle (which one can only order as nigiri), a crudo and a Maki. Seared king salmon belly - delicious and fresh House-smoked mackerel - tried to order this but the waitress returned to my table and said they were out Japanese amberjack - this was good Smoked Japanese striped jack - one of the most disappointing. Not much smokiness whatsoever. Yellowtail belly - yummy but had pickled peppers on top which gives it a strange taste and slightly spicy. Madai crudo - I normally like Madai but this was cut so small Fatty tuna Maki - I don't order tuna very often because it's so bland, but this roll was so delicious and full of flavor, it's well worth the $25. Flounder fin muscle - this literally melts in your mouth and was seared. Otherwise, not much flavor. Service was excellent throughout, although the waitress asked me a question I've never been asked before, 'Do I want ginger and wasabi?' read more

Every piece of sushi I ate was so fresh! It was so flavorful, and I can't wait to come back in the future. The atmosphere was very pretty and relaxing. There was plenty of parking. Service was excellent! Happy hour was great and prices are very reasonable for high quality sushi. read more

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Went with the chefs tasting option on Thursday night. The nectarine lychee spritz was refreshing and really good. The first four nigiri options were ok, wasn't too impressed with the flavor profiles. Wasabi may have been unevenly distributed on one of the pieces. The otoro bluefin tuna and A5 ribeye pieces were the favorites by far. Would have liked more of these in the tasting. The dessert was also pretty good, simple and well balanced between matcha green tea ice cream and a sharp strawberry glaze. Would try and come back in the future to try out the happy hour menu (ends at 6:30pm on weekdays). read more

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We enjoyed our anniversary dinner at Aiko. The nigiri, sashimi and crudo were all fresh. My only complaint with both the crudo dishes was the intense amount of yuzu and ponzu sauce. Our server was pleasant and we were seated in a timely manner with our reservation.. Unfortunately we had missed the Omakase (5-630pm) by an hour that is $45 pre-reset and looks like it has a ton of fish options. The yellowtail Nigiri is phenomenal. read more

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Great Happy hour and ambiance. Loved their HH sushi flight, it was like a mini omasake.

If someone asked me "what's your favorite sushi spot" -- Aiko would be it for me. It's hard not to crave this place, the sushi here tastes so fresh! We came this time for Houston restaurant weeks. read more

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Located in the sea of popular establishments along Washington Ave, Aiko has been a standout amongst the rise of omakase themed businesses for their trendy-not-traditional approach to sushi. The quality of the food, professional yet amiable service, contemporary atmosphere, and excellent execution of the experience has struck a big chord with Houston diners and yours truly. Whether it's a hot date, a group feast, or a solo dining session at the bar, reservations are highly recommended. The vibe is more Texas chic than Japanese-like atmosphere, The young-ish chefs behind the counter is a giveaway, along with the format of their omakase, and the simple interior with the spacious table setup. The plant filled entrance is a nice effect for first timers, but the impression is quickly supplanted by everything else they have to offer. Food wise, there is a lot to appreciate. The abbreviated $55 omakase is a nice introduction to the spread, but I would maintain the $95 option is the way to go. At 14 courses (edamame, 2 oysters, 2 crudos, 8 nigiri, handroll, mochi) with dessert, it's a good mesh of what they do best. I appreciate the dedicated section of bluefin tuna, which ranges from akami to chutoro to toro. The latter is still my favorite cut of any fish, which was buttery and incredibly rich with each bite. I am also smitten with their japanese scallop (muki hotate) and their Hokkaido uni, which are premium choices ($18/14) for small'ish pieces but oh-so-wonderful. The crudo pieces really range from $15-18, but make for an excellent bite all around. The scallop muki hotate is an excellent choice, but the kuro kanpachi truffle is foodgasmic. While the food is clearly the hype machine, the cherry on top is the service. The wait staff is professional, energetic, and extremely knowledgeable about the food. Even when their food days aren't the best, I feel the people working here will do their best to ensure a quality experience. read more

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I came to Aiko for HRW with my friend; given the price point, the restaurant felt luxurious... the front entrance seemed small, but when we were seated, my friend and I were taken behind the curtains, which led to a surprisingly large seating area. But unfortunately, the food I ordered wasn't up my alley. :( Parking was decent on a Friday afternoon, but since it is downtown Houston, expect space to get tight during busier hours. For the HRW deal, it came in three courses, and you'd order one dish in each course. I got the: - 1st Course - Sunomono: (3/5) This was essentially a cucumber salad, and I enjoyed it initially. The Sunomono had a sour taste, but I did find it borderline salty after a while. - 2nd Course - Maguro Crudo: (3/5) The addition of chili garlic added an interesting flavor note, but much like Sunomono, the Maguro Crudo was also on the salty side; no fish aftertaste though, and I enjoyed how the texture of the tuna practically melted in my mouth! - BGB Sake Maki: (2/5) Each piece had a nice flavor on the first bite, but the aftertaste had a prominent garlic (?) flavor, almost as if there were chunks of garlic in the salmon mix. I'm unfamiliar with how the BGB Sake Maki was prepared, but personally, I've never been a fan of strong garlic tastes, so this was a turn-off for me. - Spicy Tuna Maki (a la carte): (4/5) I ordered this thinking I wouldn't be full after the three courses (spoiler alert: I was right), but I enjoyed the Spicy Tuna maki a lot! It had a spicy kick, and the fried onion bits + scallops on top were also delicious. I had a bite of my friend's Yellowtail order, which I enjoyed a lot more. Truthfully, I was disappointed with what I ordered, but it's more of a personal taste issue rather than quality. Aiko is way out of my tax bracket, so I wouldn't return for a while, but nonetheless, I'm glad I got to experience it for HRW. :) read more

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Came for the HRW lunch. Vibes were right and service was excellent. Food was good, except for the crab roll. The first bite tasted like canned tuna. My friend tried it and said the same thing. The rest of the bites tasted a bit more like crab but not by much. The seaweed salad and crudos were excellent choices. Her salmon roll was fantastic. read more

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This sushi restaurant off Washington in the Heights is a phenomenal little secret born as the "love child" from the talent behind Kukoro and Hands Douzo. I don't know if it's the location that has kept the seating accessibility open, but I'm there for it. Once you enter past the little waiting bar into the dining area - you'll see clean contemporary styling with the sushi bar to the left and tables/booths to the right. Seating for 2 or for good sized groups can be accommodated. The Restrooms are down a bamboo lined hall - which (as ridiculous as it may sound) is really nice. But the food . . especially the omakase experience . . is very very good. Especially compared to what the popular sentiment is for sushi places in Houston (some of the highly regarded places pale in comparison IMHO). So what did we have? Oysters with a yuzu granita and aguachile Muki Hotate Usuzukuri - nothing like some scallop with yuzu kosho Paddlefish Caviar Hirame Madai Kanpachi Masu Sake Crudo - shaved truffles and some grape tomatoes Negitoro handroll Tarabagani Saketoro Aburi Chutoro Otoro A5 Wagyu Semifreddo We did do a little order of Sawagani - love it when a place has these little river crabs Chefs and the rest of the service staff were so friendly and awesome and we even got to take a little duck home with us. read more

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This restaurant is one of my favorite places to get sushi and sashimi. The parking is easy with a shared lot on the side of the building. Reservations are suggested, as they tend to fill up quick by the end of the week throughout the weekend. The omakase experience is very good and the quality is on par with the price point. The fish has always been fresh and the sushi bar chefs have been friendly and knowledgeable. I've had their omakase during happy hour which is a good deal and at other times, at the sushi bar as well as at a regular table. I'd recommend sitting at the sushi bar (there's only ten spaces) for the full experience. Their drinks are on point and haven't disappointed me, especially if its a recommended pairing. I had the pleasure of pairing sake with various dishes (kombu salad, nigiri sushi, crudo, and more), all were delicious. I like their creative flavors and all the different textures that are presented to the palate. A few of my favorite items are the foie gras gunkan, chu toro sashimi, salmon crudo, and kombu salad. This is a good spot for date night, girls night out, special occasions, and strong sushi cravings. Lastly, when you visit Aiko, be sure to walk down the path to the restroom for a unique experience too. read more

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I ordered the shrimp roll with salmon. I ordered via uber eats so I cannot comment on the ambiance. The roll I received did not look like the description. I did receive a buy one get one free. I was not happy with the quality of the roll. This was my first time trying Aiko. This is a no for me. read more

Aiko was okay overall, but nothing really wowed us. The ambiance is nice and it's a cool spot, but with so many great sushi places in Houston, we haven't felt the need to go back. read more

I really like Aiko. I've been twice and enjoyed both times. They have a large selection of nigiri and sashimi. I really like their crudo selection as well, the maguro is my fav but all are worth a try. I sat at the bar most recently and Bailey was super helpful with suggestions. A great place to catch up with a friend and good music. read more

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This place is moving up to be one of my favorite high end sushi spots! The flavor/topping they use to go with the fish for each nigiri is always very delicious. We tried two different crudos with very different taste profiles. The maguro crudo was a much more bolder flavor (to go with a fattier fish) and the madai crudo had a light, delicate taste to go with the white fish. They have a good variety of different types of fish here. I really like the shima aji and kanpachi. I noticed know too that they are offering the belly piece for several types of fish. We tried the ocean trout belly, which had a creamy aioli on it that made this nigiri taste super buttery. The king trumpet mushroom nigiri had a great texture that went so well with the browned butter. My favorite nigiri piece is the aburi sake toro. If you want something heavier, this is even more fattier and meltier than having A5 wagyu. It will literally melt in your mouth and the char from the torching makes it even better. Great flavor and great quality! Will definitely be coming back! read more

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This restaurant has been recommended to me to quite a few times and bless those who gave me the recommendation! The food here was incredible. There wasn't one dish that I didn't like. Everything we ordered was fresh and very flavorful. Our waiter was very friendly and gave great recommendations and they explained every dish they brought out. We really lucked up, as our visit was a spur of the moment idea, so we had no reservations, but were able to get a seat near the entrance area. These seats were more for cocktail hour (I would assume) but they were still able to serve us from the menu. It was a little loud inside but the playlist was great, the food super fresh and everyone seemed to be enjoying their time there so the mood was top tier! I look forward to coming back to try out more items off the menu! read more

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