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Sushi chaser me--I do not live here and used to live in LA where sushi is a religion. Aiko would qualify and I'm a sushi snob big time. One of my criteria is do they have engawa--and they sure did. Engawa is flounder/halibut fin. They sear it and that must be standard because I ordered 2 separate times. Absolutely despise everything I ordered.
We just went here for the 2026 HRW and we were pleasantly impressed. The options for each course were great choices, I went with coworkers but we all got different items to try and rate. This place was very unique and had such a cool feel to it. Very small but quaint and thoughtfully decorated. Service was great and I have no complaints there. The Sunomono was honestly the highlight of my meal and I feel like I could eat that everyday. I picked the Maguro Crudo and it was so fresh and clean and just the right amount of sauce, perfection. The two handrolls I picked were Kani and BF Tuna. The tuna was optimal and had the perfect balance and ration of constituents as well as the right amount of flavor. The Kani I was a little disappointed in, it was like eating tuna fish. Lastly, I got the mochi matcha and while the flavor was good, the consistency was a little weird. Probably not something I would get again. I will be back very soon to try the main menu and eat more sunomono.
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!
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.
Unarguably one of my favorite restaurants in Houston, I'm talking top 3. During this visit I went for Social hour and everything shown is from the social hour menu aside from the Kanpachi Crudo. The food was fresh and everything was at a good temperature from the rice in the rolls and nigiri to the topping on the crudos and the heat of the chicken. The food here is amazing. The cocktails were well balanced and the service has been professional every time I visit. Clean restaurant not too loud and very aesthetically pleasing. Just goated tbh
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.
Went on a pretty packed night, but had a good anniversary dinner here. We got the premium omakase and a couple of extra hand rolls. Food was great. Foie gras was true melt in mouth, as was the salmon belly. Amberjack and sea bream were overall my favorite bites. There were great vibes and music in the main dining area. The manager and waitress even came out to take a shot with us! Great anniversary date spot.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Went to Aiko for dinner during Restaurant Week, and this was easily one of the best meals I've ever had. For $55, you get four courses, with the option to add dessert for another $10. The vibe was moody and lightly lit, and the restaurant was busy with people celebrating. I ordered the sunomono, maguro crudo, salmon and king crab hand roll, and signature nigiri. The hand rolls were probably the best thing I've ever had, I even ordered an additional spicy tuna hand roll because I wasn't ready for them to be over. My sister even ordered another flight of nigiri because it was so phenomenal. To finish, I ordered the ube sponge cake, which was the perfect little treat to end the night. Seriously, I'll be dreaming about this meal. If I'm back in Houston, I'll definitely be coming back! read more
23 days ago
Finally got a chance to try Aiko! They also offered $25 HRW 3-meal course w/ $6 add-on for a small dessert bite for lunch. Service was excellent. Love the decor; super chic. There were lots of rubber ducks scattered everywhere lol. Ordered a carajillo and the drink tasted GREAT! On the other hand... I sipped from each of my friends' ube espresso martini (did not taste the same between both drinks, bartender might have poured too much alcohol; couldn't appreciate any ube flavor). Not a fan of that drink (2.5 stars or less). HRW order - 1st: sunomono (cucumber) - 2nd: hotate crudo (delicious scallops!!) - 3rd: spicy tuna & sake handrolls - dessert add-on: matcha mochi (ok, can skip this) Other foods ordered: - karaage: chicken was well made, lots of flavor - sashimi (3pc): saketoro, madai, & hotate - unagi nigiri: eel was really good - spicy scallop handroll Even if you don't need to use the restroom, you should still check out the bathroom. The walkway was a pretty bamboo forest haha. Aside from the ube espresso martini, everything else was delicious and good! I recommend Aiko and would dine here again. read more
I had a good experience at Aiko. Service was good, and the ambiance was nice I stopped in for the lunch menu as part of Houston restaurant week. It was pretty good! The restaurant itself was pretty packed - there wasn't any parking (but they do have an overflow lot you can use). Inside the vibe was nice & upscale. It was surprisingly not intimate & was a little loud. The bathroom hallway was very cool (as the other reviews have said) I got the three course lunch w/ an added chutoro nigiri. The restaurant week lunch was fine, but the nigiri really stood out. I wish they would've had even just one nigiri on the restaurant week menu. The kombu salad was good & had nice flavor without being too overpowering. The hamachi crudo was awesome!! I'm a big crudo fan, but this one was above and beyond my expectations. All of the flavors played so well together & my yellowtail was so fresh and light and buttery. I loved the creaminess of the sauce & how it balanced the acidity of the tomatoes & onion so well. I savored every bite. Honestly the hand rolls left a lot to be desired. The kani hand role wasn't super great. The flavor was mid & the texture felt a bit off. I also thought sake hand roll was just ok.. My chutoro nigiri was also awesome. The cut was beautiful & the fish was super fresh and had an awesome texture. It just melted in my mouth. I'll definitely be back to try the lunch nigiri tasting menu. I'd recommend trying this place, just make sure to get the crudo or nigiri read more
Sushi chaser me--I do not live here and used to live in LA where sushi is a religion. Aiko would qualify and I'm a sushi snob big time. One of my criteria is do they have engawa--and they sure did. Engawa is flounder/halibut fin. They sear it and that must be standard because I ordered 2 separate times. Absolutely despise everything I ordered. read more
We just went here for the 2026 HRW and we were pleasantly impressed. The options for each course were great choices, I went with coworkers but we all got different items to try and rate. This place was very unique and had such a cool feel to it. Very small but quaint and thoughtfully decorated. Service was great and I have no complaints there. The Sunomono was honestly the highlight of my meal and I feel like I could eat that everyday. I picked the Maguro Crudo and it was so fresh and clean and just the right amount of sauce, perfection. The two handrolls I picked were Kani and BF Tuna. The tuna was optimal and had the perfect balance and ration of constituents as well as the right amount of flavor. The Kani I was a little disappointed in, it was like eating tuna fish. Lastly, I got the mochi matcha and while the flavor was good, the consistency was a little weird. Probably not something I would get again. I will be back very soon to try the main menu and eat more sunomono. read more
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! read more
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. read more
7 days ago
Unarguably one of my favorite restaurants in Houston, I'm talking top 3. During this visit I went for Social hour and everything shown is from the social hour menu aside from the Kanpachi Crudo. The food was fresh and everything was at a good temperature from the rice in the rolls and nigiri to the topping on the crudos and the heat of the chicken. The food here is amazing. The cocktails were well balanced and the service has been professional every time I visit. Clean restaurant not too loud and very aesthetically pleasing. Just goated tbh read more
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
1 month ago
Went on a pretty packed night, but had a good anniversary dinner here. We got the premium omakase and a couple of extra hand rolls. Food was great. Foie gras was true melt in mouth, as was the salmon belly. Amberjack and sea bream were overall my favorite bites. There were great vibes and music in the main dining area. The manager and waitress even came out to take a shot with us! Great anniversary date spot. read more
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
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
1 month ago
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. read more
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
4 months ago
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
1 month ago
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. read more
29 days ago
Omg, I don't even know where it again. The food was literally outstanding! I could eat this everyday.... The service was amazing, our waitress was fantastic i forgot her name but 0 complaints she was super friendly. We all clicked immediately. She was also great with suggestions. Also, not to mention the restroom is the best picture place ever I got some amazing Instagram pictures and just the place in general is beautiful and very welcoming and comfy, but uplifting environment with amazing music! read more
9 months ago
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
10 months ago
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
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
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
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
1 year ago
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
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
2 months ago
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 read more
18 days ago
2 months ago
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 read more
2 months ago
It's good place with good food and nice decorations . Very fresh fish with detailed decorations read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
8 months ago
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
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
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
2 months ago
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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.
