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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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
It's good place with good food and nice decorations . Very fresh fish with detailed decorations
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
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.
1 year ago
2 years ago
Amazing! One of my favorite sushi experiences. Drinks were so good. Service was top notch. The atmosphere was great and good location with easy parking. We did the Omakase and will be back again. read more
Came for the amazing Houston restaurant week deal and absolutely loved this spot. The vibes inside are amazing for a fun sushi dinner on the weekend with your friends or a date! The fish is incredibly fresh, packed with flavor and each dish is carefully curated into an amazing bite. Their service was top notch & I will definitely be back to try their omakase! read more
Back at Aiko. Trying to understand why it's so easy to get into- blows our mind. Has some of the best nigiri Houston (or anywhere) has to offer. Highlights: sunomono app, nigiri across the board. Excited for their new cocktail venture in Autry Park! read more
1 year ago
Delicious sushi spot that will leave you with a great sushi experience and fresh fish. It is some of the best sushi I've had in Houston, and I will absolutely be going back! read more
I been on 2 occasions and loved everything here! Everything was fresh and tasted exquisite. A bit price but the service was good. Highlights: Seared salmon belly - amazing!! Kaarage - loved the wag it was fried and seasoned. Beat I've had! Oyster shooters - fresh And everything else was amazing!! Writing this review is making me hungry and want to go back today! Kanpachi crudo Madai Kinmedai Kanpachi Masu Sake crudo Shima aji Chutoro Otoro Sake handroll Hamachi Crudo Maguro Crudo Foie Gras Negitoro Maki Spicy Tuna Maki Hamachi Maki Junmai - Tenbu Sake read more
2 years ago
I had previously come for HRW and really enjoyed it, so wanted to come check out the omakase! There are several omakase options, and from 5-6:30 pm there's a happy hour version that's $45 for one starter, one crudo, four nigiri, and one hand roll. Started off with a lychee martini, which was really tasty and not too sweet. Everything I tried was fantastic and so fresh. We added the karage and a couple other hand rolls/nigiri, all of which were excellent. Service is also top notch- the dishes come quickly, the plates get cleared out from in front of you quickly, they give you fresh plates and are always refilling your water. Manager even came to check in on us a few times. The space is nicely decorated with comfortable seating and the music is good! You can see the chefs preparing the fish at the bar- next time I come I definitely want to sit there! Really can't say enough good things about this spot. It's probably the best bang for your buck omakase option in Houston. Will have to come back for the larger omakase menu! Definitely recommend a reservation especially for dinner on a Friday night. There's a small lot next to the building for parking as well as overflow parking. read more
A friend and I came to Aiko for a sake and sushi pairing event. All the sakes and sushi were excellent. The servers and sushi chefs were very knowledgeable and provided detailed information about all items served. The restaurant itself is also quite beautiful. I will definitely return to try there other offerings. read more
One of the best sushi experiences I've had in awhile. Houston friends invited me to their go to spot. Impressed, sushi was so fresh and prepared so simply. Restaurant and bar vibe was very low key, casual and young urban. Friends ordered their favorites as well as some from the chef's nightly offerings. My favorites: karaage chicken, maguro crudo, spicy tuna maki, A5 wagyu maki, stone crab, negitoto maki. This place will be a must every time in Houston. read more
2 years ago
I dined here for the first time recently and it was a great experience. We came for the Social Hour Omakase for $45 (runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m.), which was a good starter, and also tried a few other items from the menu. Some of my favorite things off the menu were the Spicy Tuna Maki and A5 Wagyu Maki, which was super savory and just melts in your mouth. We could not have asked for better service. Our server was really knowledgeable about the menu and was able to give us some really good recommendations. All of the staff we interacted with were so attentive and all the food came out quickly. It ended up being pretty pricey, but overall the quality of the food and service that we received was top notch. read more
7 months ago
Had the most amazing time, with Adam as the bartender & Perla as the server, so hospitable and kind. The martinis were amazing and the food was delicious. Definitely will be coming back here read more
1 year ago
Well worth the price of admission. Date night was delightful and my wife and I enjoyed every single bite! Ambiance was perfect and we were seated quickly during dinner at the bar. read more
3 years ago
First omakase experience and thoroughly enjoyed it! We came on a late Monday night (we had made the reservation a couple hours before) and only a few diners were present. My friends spoiled me with the $175 omakase while they got the $55 omakase. Aiko surprisingly gave pretty decent portions and I was very full afterwards. My friends' omakase also had a decent amount and they were also full afterwards. Everything was very fresh and presented well. I genuinely enjoyed every dish. (Although sometimes the wasabi topping overpowered the nigiri like in the tuna flight.) I loved the sake tigre. The kakuni or pork belly blew my mind. Hand roll was surprisingly very good. This was my first time trying Japanese river crab, foie gras, sea urchin, A5 wagyu (incredible)- my favorite probably being the river crab. The cheesecake sealed the deal on the amazing journey the food had taken me on - absolutely delectable. The chefs generously treated us to their special scallop dish which was delicious as well. The server was nice although a bit rushed in her descriptions of each dish. The restaurant isn't TOO fancy, a bit bare in the interior. Decent amount of parking when we were there. While this likely won't be a regular outing, I can see myself coming back and getting their cheaper omakases like the $55 one! read more
Aiko in Houston is a Japanese restaurant brought to life by the talented chefs, Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee, who have over 25 years of combined experience in Japanese cuisine and sushi. Their culinary journey in Houston has been marked by a series of successful ventures, including Kokoro in the Bravery Chef Hall and Handies Douzo in the Houston Heights. Their latest venture, Aiko, showcases a sushi bar and seated dining. From the moment you step in, the ambiance of Aiko is inviting and sophisticated. The valet parking is a convenient touch, though there's also a free parking lot beside the church in the back. [COCKTAILS] +House Old Fashioned (Toki-Scotch-Turbinado-Shiso Bitters) for $16 - This was pretty boozy. - 3.5/5 [MOCKTAILS] +N/A Shandy (Yuzu, Grapefruit, Calpico, Sparkling Water) for $12 - This was too sweet for me, but my wife liked it. - 3.5/5 [OMAKASE] The Aiko chef-curated omakase is $125 for the following: +Sunomono (Cucumber, Chili Garlic, Tomato) - The crispy shallots were an excellent addition. - 4.5/5 +Sake Crudo (BGB Salmon, Tosa Zu, Truffle) - I could taste the truffle, and it wasn't too overbearing. - 4/5 +Madai (Japanese Seabream) - I loved the shiso leaf addition under the seabream. - 4/5 +Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper) - I tasted garlic on top which was unique, and I enjoyed it. - 4.5/5 +Kanpachi (Japanese Amberjack) - This had a lemony taste. I usually don't like lemon much, but this was subtle and not too much. - 4/5 +Masu (Tasmanian Ocean Trout) - The fish was the best out of all 4 nigiri pieces. It melted the most out of all. The pepper on it was nice. - 5/5 +Kinoko (King Trumpet Mushroom) - This had a distinct brown butter taste, which I hate. My wife loves brown butter, so this was a 5/5 for her. Depends on your taste, but you may enjoy this. - 2/5 +Maguro Crudo (BF Tuna, Chili Garlic, Ponzu) - I liked the cucumber addition. - 3.5/5 +Kani Handroll (Crab, Yuzu Kosho Aioli, Shallot) - This was similar to Handies Douzo, their sister restaurant. - 4/5 +Akamutsu (Rosy Sea Perch) - 4/5 At this point of the meal, we found out there was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and there was a delay in the food. We paid the bill in advance as we had to leave. We waited on the rest of the food before dipping out including: +Masaba (Japanese Cured Mackerel) - 3.5/5 +Chutoro (BF Medium Fatty Tuna) - They added some sort of Asian sauce which ruined it. We were told it was garlic, green onion, and oil like Hainanese Chicken. It was gross for chutoro. This is usually my favorite item at sushi restaurants, but I thought it was the 2nd worst behind the Kinoko (King Trumpet Mushroom). - 2.5/5 +A5 Tartare (A5 Tartare, Caviar, Quail Egg) - 4/5 +Semifreddo (Matcha Semifreddo, Strawberry, Meringue) - 3/5 Overall, Aiko is a fun and great dining experience in Houston. It brings innovative and expertly crafted Japanese cuisine to the forefront, and I would highly recommend checking them out! You may not like every item, but there's a lot of thought and experimentation behind it all. read more
Outstanding food! If you're looking for an authentic experience this is it. This isn't your normal sushi place that has giant rolls with cream cheese and fried shrimp. Lots of sashimi and nigiri. Everything tastes amazing. The quality of fish has to be some of the best I've tasted. Our waitress was super helpful and was able to make us suggestions when we asked. They are very attentive, I would take a sip of water and within seconds someone was filling my glass. The restaurant is clean and neat. A little small, we went for lunch so not super busy, but I could see where dinner gets full quick. read more
My friends and I came on a Monday night to celebrate a birthday dinner. Upon walking in, the place is nice decorated: chic and modern. We found that the selection on the menu is quite limited. We ended up getting a variety of things including some of the crudos, rolls, nigiri, seasonal items, nigiri, and chef specialties. First off, don't bother getting the regular rolls/hand rolls. We got 3 different ones and they all came out looking exactly the same and bland. They were also packed with wayyyyy too much rice, which overwhelmed the fish inside. The crudos were light, refreshing and had beautiful presentations; we enjoyed each & and every we ordered. The favorites of the night had to be the: A5 Wagyu Toast and the Foie Gras Nigiri. They are bursting with flavor and so so delicious!!! MUST TRY. As for the service, there were only 2 servers and a full house, so they were busy with other tables a lot of the night. The food also took a while to come out. However, the servers were both super sweet, the sushi chefs also sent complimentary dishes to our table, and the entire staff wished our friend a happy birthday. Overall, a few items were hit or miss, but we know what to order for next time. Many of the reviews speak highly of the omakase, so that's also another good option. Definitely worth a try! read more
1 year ago
First time dining at Aiko! 12/10 service. Our waitress was Lisa and she was such a delight! Very knowledgeable about the menu and dishes and provided great suggestions. The manager Joe also greeted and checked on us and was friendly and provided great hospitality. He suggested the suikawari cocktail, which was a watermelon+lemon+sake drink and it was light/sweet. All of the fishes that we got was pretty fresh! My favorite pieces was the Chutoro nigiri and sake toro aburi (torched fatty salmon)! Both melt in your mouth. One unique nigiri that we ordered was the butter fish. It was quite tasty and also buttery, hence the name. For dessert, got the Japanese matcha cheesecake and it was really good. Excellent matcha flavor profile that came out and not too sweet. They also have happy hour that starts at 5pm! Interior design was beautiful. Their walkway to the restroom is deff Instagrammable. Parking - free in the lot towards the side of the restaurant Overall, a wonderful experience celebrating my birthday! read more
2 years ago
I've been to aiko 3 times now and my first 2 experiences were amazing and consistent. The food and service were great! However I was a little disappointed for my recent visit. My all time favorite crudo Muki Hotate Usuzukuri tasted different this time around and was fishy. I was looking forward to their unagi nigiri because there's not any other sushi spot that torches it like aiko but when we got our nigiri pieces it was average. The other nigiri pieces we had were nice and buttery, and it was our first time getting the kaarage which was also really good and crispay Aiko is one of my favorite sushi spots so I will be coming back and hopefully my experience is better than the last. read more
8 months ago
Exciting to try a new sushi spot inside the loop! They have happy hour omakase, which I've never seen before. We were able to walk-in on a Thursday around 5pm and get a seat at the sushi bar. We always enjoy watching the chefs prepare the meats and rolls. We loved the eggplant, hand rolls (especially spicy tuna), crudo, and semifreddo dessert. Service was friendly and ambiance was casual; would dine again. read more
We recently came across this place. First impression was a little scared bc of the sketchy looking parking lot. However, the inside of the place is beautifully decorated with a modern natural vibe. Their cute little hidden duckies around the place create such a cute statement! Also, the hallway to the restroom gives such an Alice in wonderland feeling. I won't said further bc you gotta experience it yourself. We chose their set omakase menu with the foie gras add on. It was a good portion of food. They were very accommodating given the fact I'm allergic to shellfish and they substitute the proteins with other fish or salad. I did mentioned I didn't like their first salad. Immediately, the waitress brought another kind for us that were pretty good and addicting. The fish tastes fresh and delicious. Our favorite are the king salmon belly/ foie gras/ o toro/ chutoro nigiri as well as the hamachi hand roll. Their salmon with yuzu jelly was to die for! Their dessert with the matcha ice cream top cookie crumble, strawberry sauce was also good with the right amount of sweetness. The whole food experience was amazing! Service was excellent. Our waitress knows the menu ins and out. She took her time to ask the chef for my shellfish allergy accommodation and ensure the staff who brought the dish out knows to give the non shellfish product to me. Overall, I'm happy with our dining here and would definitely come back as well as referring our friends and family to come support this business. read more
3 years ago
This place is DEFINITELY on my top sushi places to eat in Houston. As soon as I left this restaurant after eating here, I literally told my boyfriend that I definitely want to come back. We were recommended this restaurant from a friend. If you're unsure of what to get from here, I absolutely highly recommend the $95 omakase. It is so worth it, and you get to try a little bit of different things. The quality of the sushi rice is amazing too. This was probably the best sushi rice that I've ever had. The flavor and the texture is all there. My favorites from the omakase menu that I would order again separately would be: -BGB Sake Crudo -BGB Saketoro nigiri -A5 Wagyu Tartare -Oyster shooter -Kani hand roll -BGB sake hand roll I honestly liked everything from the omakase menu, but these probably stood out to me the most. The hand rolls were SO good. The seaweed was fresh and crispy. I loved the shiso leaf that came with the BGB sake roll. The fish from each item came out so fresh, tender, and flavorful. I tried to avoid using soy sauce as much as I could, just so I could enjoy and really taste the flavor of each fish. We also ordered some extra things apart from the omakase, which were SO delicious and I highly recommend: -Hokkaido uni -A5 Wagyu Toast Ordering those extra items, might have been a little overkill because we were already satisfied and relatively full after the omakase meal, but we wanted to try the uni and wagyu toast. The mochi ice cream that comes with the omakase was so good too. We got green tea and vanilla chip flavors. The saketini was also really good! It was a very sweet drink. This place is very cute and a bit more on the casual side, but is still nice. You can still dress up a bit. I highly recommend making a reservation beforehand, because I can see this place filling up really fast. I was able to make a reservation on a Sunday morning for a dinner time slot (the day of). The service was also fantastic! Everyone was so sweet and did a great job explaining each course that we ordered. I can't wait to come back. Everything was so amazing. (Side note: the walkway to the bathroom is the coolest thing ever!) read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
First timer tonight here at Aiko. We sat at the sushi bar with AK and Michael. Everything we put in our mouths was a 10/10 but AK and Michael both made our experience a million times better. The food was phenomenal... we decided on the omakase and the variety, freshness and creativity were all off the charts. We literally can't wait to come back! read more
1 year ago
This is my top sushi spot in Houston right now. And that saying a lot because of the competition in Houston. Everything we tried was good. The service is superb as well. Food came out very quickly. They constantly have people coming by to pick up your plates and refill your water.. the ambience is also very comforting. A great spot for date night. They also have social hour on Saturdays. I highly recommend it. read more
This review is a little old as I went a year ago but realized I never uploaded my review! I went as a birthday treat and sat at the bar. I got the $55 Omakase~ Everything tasted amazing and the chefs were very attentive to what I liked and offered some super delicious pieces! I had a fantastic experience! read more
Hey yall if you love Handies you gotta come check out the sister restaurant Aiko. There's valet across the street but not necessary because there's plenty of street parking for free. We walked in and was greeted immediately and the bar is so cute. Asked in and was seated right away. Reservations highly recommended because the restaurant is small with limited seating. Started off the lychee martini which was delicious. I would have liked it filled to the rim lol . Anyways, there's plenty of omakase to choose from, we had 4 girls so we opt to do the $55 and do a la carte. Sooo good yall fish is absolutely fresh, and the salmon belly and foie gras is amazing. I will definitely be back !! Server was great always recommending great plates and always checking up on us. I can't wait to be back , great GNO, date nights or even a weekend dinner. read more
1 year ago
At Aiko -The ambiance was simply breathtaking. The soft, ambient lighting, the tasteful décor created an atmosphere that was both intimate and inviting. The service was impeccable. Our server Sam was attentive, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about the menu. He expertly guided us through the extensive selection, offering insightful recommendations and answering our questions But the true star of the show was the food. Each dish was a masterpiece of culinary artistry. The sushi was exquisite - the fish was incredibly fresh, the rice perfectly seasoned, and the presentation was simply stunning. We savored every bite, from the delicate sashimi to the beautifully crafted rolls. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a truly special dining experience. The salmon sashimi was outstanding with a Ponzo citrus sauce, and the oysters with their caviar take over their dried ice They're lychee martinis were perfect perfection read more
Plenty of free parking. We came during a weekend brunch/lunch time and they were offering a $45 omakase (included edamame, salmon crudo, four pieces of nigiri, and one hand roll). All had its unique flavor profile that blended well together and everything was unique and tasted good. Definitely a solid experience for the price point. However, I think almost everyone wasn't entirely full just with that, so more than likely you'll need to order more off the menu. The service was attentive in the beginning, but they ended up taking extremely long towards the end where we were wondering if they forgot some of our guests order. I'd be back to try some of the other items, but definitely would recommend if you want sushi in the area! read more
Saw Aiko listed as one of the top new sushi places that just opened so decided to come check it out! We got reservations for right when they opened just so we could take advantage of their HH deals.. lol so much for that idea cause we ended up ordering another whole meal after the HH! The pieces were so small, it's very very hard to get full here. It definitely comes at a price. Lots of different flavor profiles here.. especially in the Crudo and handroll combinations. The nigiri was delicious, high quality fish.. but small and at a high price range. I feel like this place uses lots of other ingredients to amp up the flavors, so a little less like the traditional nigiri pieces that focus more heavily on the fish. I like the effort for creativity of the flavor profiles.. enjoyed my time but didn't stand out as one of the top places I have to come back to cause nothing stood out and was memorable. We left spending $200+/pp and that's with HH first! We didn't mind the price but I think I can get a lot more for that price at another omakase experience around town. read more
We made a last-minute reservation for Mother's Day brunch. They offered Mother's Day omakase when we arrived. Overall, the service is good, and the food is good-decent. We won't come back because we have other options we like more, but this is an option. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Where do I even start....it was either this place or Aya, two A higher end sushi spots and we opted for this to celebrate our anniversary. I'm super thankful my husband chose this over Aya. First, I'd hate to be the waitress during cold months. I felt bad cause the door brought in a gust of cold air. Ambiance/decor is beautiful, not over the top. We sat at the bar, so we can't comment on the dining area comfort. Happy to see a baby in the dining room but thankful that tonight, our 2 yr old didn't come. Speaking of over the top, the walk to bathroom...and gold grout lol so trippy. Now to the food. I'm pretty sure we ordered 2/3 of the menu..jk. almost! The 5/5 in no particular order: Hamachi crudo: it screams thai curry coconutty lime goodness but not rich, it was super cool and refreshing. Eggplant yaki: don't skip this. It's so good! I can't even explain but the eggplant was crispy, salty and smooth texture all in one. With a hint of acidity that probably came from.micro greens. Otoro sashimi: cause it's otoro Salmon belly: cause it's fatty but tasted almost like smoked salmon to me Kanpachi: this is by far my fave sushi of the night. The truffle oil went so well with it! Trumpet king mushroom and foie gras maki: another MVP of the night. I could've eaten 3 of these rolls myself! Don't skip this!!! Seared salmon belly: pls pls pls get this. You won't regret it!!! The smell is heavenly!!! They should make this with a bowl of rice! It's super rich and decadent! Chutoro with uni with caviar: off the menu! A must try!! Honorable mentions: A5 tartare: this was over the top with caviar egg yolk and fatty meat. Not complaining but i needed a shot sake to cut the richness. A5 nigiri: it was amazing. Topped with caviar? Not necessarily a bad thing but it's fatty meat! Masu, ocean trout: tastes super sweet for fish! Seabream: the lemon and olive oil does wonders to this Chewy fish. Would skip: Negitoro maki: could've used more negi and wasabi and texture was very gloopy Foie gras gunkan: the foie gras was overcooked, super crispy. I guess it's a different take, I'm used to foie gras melting rather than actually tasting like fried liver. Speaking of MVP, our sushi chef, Steven, was the best. Made the night 10x better and made me wanting to keep ordering more and more. We'll definitely be back!!! read more
Came here for my birthday happy hour/dinner with the wife. As you walk in you'll notice the very modern interior. They have a decent amount of bar seating, which is nice because you can see them make the rolls in front of you. We opted for the $45 happy hour omakase. It came with one crudo, edemame, 5 nigiris, 2 hand rolls and a mochi ice cream. The quality of the food for the price you pay is unbeatable! I do recommend ordering one or two more items from the happy hour menu if you have a huge appetite: The sake cocktails were also all very good. Service was very friendly and prompt. They even gave me an extra crudo because it was my birthday! Overall, this place is such a great value for happy hour. We will definitely be back! read more
More info about Aiko
1902 Washington Ave
Ste C
Houston, TX 77007
Sixth Ward
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(832) 582-7525
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http://www.aikohtx.com
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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.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
Aiko - japanese - Updated August 2026
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