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Sushi chaser me--I do not live here and lived 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 loved 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.
A great spot for a dinner night out! We really enjoyed our experience at Aiko, from the drinks to the crudo, nigiri, and desserts. Everything came together for a really enjoyable dinner, and I loved the overall experience. Definitely a place I'd go back to and would recommend for a nice night out!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
We came for happy hour and had the $45 omakase. We sat at the bar with Jesus. Each dish came out timely and everything was so good. My favorite was the chutoro and otoro. The lychee martini was also delish. We also got a complimentary birthday dish of scallops. The service was very attentive. We never had to ask for anything. The bamboo walkway to the restroom was very picturesque. Would definitely come back here to try some more dishes. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
So I saw some guy from NYC listing this as the best-tasting sushi place among all the high-end sushi places in Houston that he has tried, and I felt obliged to try it out together with some of my unsuspecting friends. And, to that, I agree: This IS the best sushi in Houston. Strip mall sushi places and Uchiko are not even close. Which is why I will go into another long rant in this review because HOLY HELL Houston we got a problem (when it comes to sushi)! NOTE: I wrote a full review on this but ran into a technical problem with Yelp when posting it which ate my review. Clearly God doesn't want me to desecrate this place anyway so I'll just leave it at that. It tasted like every "fine dining" restaurant ever and was quite average for the price. Maybe I'll rewrite that full review some time shortly, but right now I am not in the mood. read more
2 years ago
Aiko is a MUST for all sushi lovers! My BF and I have been on a journey to find delicious/fresh sushi in the Houston area and Aiko checked all the boxes! We picked this place for Houston Restaurant Week date night and came without a reservation. The staff were very friendly and we sat at the sushi bar. The restaurant itself felt very intimate with ambient lighting. I ordered a matcha IPA and BF had the Asahi to pair with our meal. We both really enjoyed the sunomono (cucumber, chili garlic and tomato). It was a nice palate cleanser and I couldn't stop eating it! One of his favorites was the chirashi sushi bowl with furikake. We had to order our favorite sashimi: saketoro (salmon belly) and chutoro (medium fatty tuna). It was so fresh! And of course, I have to mention the entry to the restroom! You are surrounded by bamboo - I loved it! In comparison to other sushi restaurants I felt the food was priced fairly. Additionally, since it's HRW we got an even better deal. All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back! read more
2 years ago
Highly recommend this place for a date night. The restaurant dim lightning and music creates a very nice ambience. The service is very attentive and fast, you won't regret theirs picks (maybe except chutoro, instead try the otoro was so much better!). Overall food was delicious with a very artistic presentation. Crudo, otoro, unagi, saketoro aburi is a must! Semifreddo was ok, maybe for matcha lovers. read more
4 years ago
Heavenly Japanese food with a very talented staff. Sushi bar is the best seat in the house as you can hear directly from the chefs about their decadent creations. Since I am from San Francisco and have dined in Japan, I am a bit of a princess when it comes to Japanese food and I have high expectations - Aiko definitely lives up to them and the hype. Aiko experiments with combining and exploring traditional japanese flavors and ingredients while also respectfully incorporating some local ingredients and flavors. It's reminiscent of some of the things I have seen done at Shun and Uchi, but in their own special way. The omakase experience was a joy and the beef tongue nigiri was an unexpected but exciting treat. read more
1 year ago
Back with another 5 star review for Aiko. The sushi Bar staff, especially Jeff and Luis, are so attentive and fun! I once again loved everything I got and got more adventurous this time. Attaching my receipt again. Highlights were the Seared Salmon belly nigiri and the waygu nigiri. The spicy tuna and crab rolls were made a little differently this time and I loved both ways. Will be back over and over again. read more
We got recommended to try Aiko but a foodie friend of ours, so we decided to show up for the Houston Restaurant Week. Having eaten sushi pretty much all my life, I always look for what restaurants have to offer that makes their interpretation of the dish a little unique and memorable. Aiko did not disappoint. Our experience was also especially pleasant because of our chef, Andy. He is so friendly and welcoming, and you can just tell that he is very passionate about what he does. At the very end, he even offered us the semifreddo dessert on the house, which is his own creation and addition to the menu. The dessert itself balances the flavors of match and strawberry very well. The matcha flavor is just right so that it doesn't over power other elements in the dish. The texture of the frozen yogurt is spot on so that there's a lot of texture to every bite. As for the restaurant week menu itself: First course: Sunomono: the cucumber and tomatoes go so well with the chili garlic. Never thought I would like simple fresh and tomatoes so much, but the combination just makes so much sense. Second course: Hamachi Crudo: the coconut Tom-kha is a surprising familiar flavor profile that brings me back to the coconut dressings that I usually had with a Vietnamese river snail dish. I never had this combination with yellowtail before but it works so well on the plate. Would highly recommend trying this one for yourself for the uniqueness. Third course: We had the nigiri which came with salmon, tuna (medium fatty), and yellowtail. Not too much of a spin on these dishes but the salmon and tuna nigiri just melts in your mouth. This speaks more of the preparation technique of the chefs and the quality of the fish than anything. The restaurant itself is cozy with great ambience. All the staff are very friendly and helpful. It's safe to say that this would not be the last time I'll be visiting Aiko. read more
2 years ago
First time at Aiko and it did not disappoint! I'm actually speechless because of how amazing everything was from the service, ambiance, and food. Our chef Jesus was awesome! Everything was 10/10! My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and we made it just in time to catch the tail end of Houston Restaurant Weeks. My top picks were the Sunomono, Maguro Crudo, Chirashi, and the Matcha Ganash Cheesecake and Melon. We will definitely be making a trip back to Houston for this place! read more
4 years ago
An affordable omakase option in Houston! Came for their happy hour omakase option. I opted for the $45 option and was not disappointed. The fish was fresh and I thoroughly enjoyed all the option in the omakas set. Our waiter was very nice and friendly. I also ordered the foie gras and it was delicious, melts in your mouth! Their bathroom hallway is very interesting. Almost like you're walking into a little jungle. Must check it out when there. P.S. I made reservation online and noted that it was my birthday and they gave me a free seared salmon sushi . (I believe it was seared salmon) it was Smokey and delicious read more
1 year ago
The atmosphere is very trendy and unique. I can't say that I've seen another restaurant incorporate rubber ducks in their decor. The hallway to the bathrooms is a trippy and unique experience (see photos). Great detail is taken in the presentation of each dish. They were all delightful. They have a happy hour omakase option that is fairly budget-friendly. When supplemented with an appetizer, the kaarage, we found this was enough for a full meal. The staff were very attentive. The last time we were in here the manager was very involved in our dining experience. He helped my husband pick out a Japanese whiskey. Also, a complimentary extra fish dish was sent read more
1 year ago
Huge fan of this place. Hands down great service, food came out consistently fast and the server explained what each items were studiously. Took the girlfriends here for galentine on a Friday evening. We were promptly seated (this place takes reservations only! Make sure you make one or prepare to wait for a cancellation). Place is smaller than expected with modern decor. Server was knowledgeable and helpful with choosing items. I chose this place specifically for the cheaper omakase option since none of my girlfriends had that experience before and it was a blast having shared their first time experiencing it together. The fishes were fresh, everything tasted amazing and I couldn't help but order more. I do want to note that the jasmine boba mochi is my absolute favorite flavor (jasmine and boba lover here), everything they've brought out was *chefs kiss* perfection. 10/10 definitely recommend. read more
Dined in on Valentine's Day at 7:00 pm for a party of two. We were seated immediately. Simple decor, make sure you take the restroom bamboo hallway selfie! All the fish was fresh and good quality! We ordered: BGB SAKE CRUDO: there's a jelly like sauce at the bottom that is very interesting, good flavors HAMACHI CRUDO: least favorite, it has a light coconut sauce and crispy coconut chips BGB SAKE HAND ROLL: good but needs crispy shallots HAMACHI HAND ROLL: THE BOMB! So good we ordered these right after we inhaled them KANI HAND ROLL: not a fan of crab hand rolls but it was good flavors and creamy NEGITORO WITH CAVIAR HAND ROLL: MUST ORDER! Gray combo OTORO SASHIMI: buttery goodness BGB SAKE SASHIMI: was just ok UNAGI NIGIRI: the best unagi ever, so tasty and fresh KARRAAGE: not crispy enough, it was more like grilled chicken, the sauce has a kick A5 WAGYU TOAST: MUST ORDER! Delicious tiny bite! I wish it never ended ESPRESSO MOCHI: good creamy flavor LYCHEE MOCHI: good flavor but was icy read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
My first time here me and my friends ate omakase (specifically the $55 one). If you go during Happy Hour, you can get it $10 off. They have 3 tiers of omakase you should try each with different type of courses. The Madai was really good as well as the Hamachi Crudo. I didn't try the drinks, but I'll definitely do so next time. + Atmosphere was nice, can be good for an intimate setting or a nice lunch/dinner to hang out with friends. Best to make a reservation just in case. Seems like they can accommodate big groups of people. You can also sit at the sushi bar individually. We went on a Sunday night and it wasn't too busy luckily. + Customer service was great; they can help answer your questions graciously (if it's not too busy) + Their music playlist was right up my alley (big plus for me). Overall, I'd come back again on a nice occasion :) read more
I went during lunch because I needed a study break and I knew this was the last day of Houston restaurant weeks. Had made a reservation on OpenTable and so I was seated immediately, and they also still had a lot of space for walk-ins, but you never know these days. The service was moderately fast and I sat at the counter so they handed a lot of my food to me, which was nice. The konbu salad was really delicious and tangy. The HRW 2024 menu also came with your choice of Crudo and I picked the Hamachi because I love Hachi and this was in a unique presentation with coconut and Thai spices and a little bit of heat. I also picked the sake and spicy tuna hand rolls, which were very delicious. Honestly, I didn't expect anything less from this restaurant group because their sushi and Nigri and food items are always top-notch at any location that you go to. We started by going to Kokoro in bravery chef hall then Handies Douzo here in our Heights neighborhood. Himari in Garden Oaks has also been a win for us. And of course, we will be back for Aiko because they have a social hour from 12 to 7 which is essentially a dollar off of everything in multiple pieces. Winning. Parking was easy during lunch. There's a fairly large parking area next to taco deli. read more
Popped into Aiko last weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday - we made reservations for 6 of us a week before to ensure a table at this buzzy new sushi spot. Our group started to trickle in after the reservation time of 7:30 but we still ended up having to wait at the front before being seated closer to 8. Having had more than enough time to peruse the menus, we opted to split a midrange sake and to order the main draw to the restaurant: omakase. It comes at 3 price points, $35/$55/$95; two of us ordered at the $55 level and four of us chose the full shebang. I mentioned I preferred not to eat beef and the server was happy to recommend 2 alternate items at the equivalent price for the wagyu courses. To start our journey, we were promptly brought steamed edamame (a little bit on the mushy side) and ginger/wasabi plates, followed by ~10 excellently paced courses of nigiri, crudo, and handrolls. We all agreed that the tuna crudo was one of the standout dishes of the night - M. and I joked that we would have finished off the contents of the bowl if we were given a spoon. At one point, the server scrutinized a plate of nigiri, and having noticed that the garnish was incorrect, proceeded to repeat the course on the house so we could try it the way it was meant to be served. The plating and service show thoughtfulness and dedication but avoid overt pretension; the food was the main focus for us, but in the chatty, noisy atmosphere of the restaurant it was easy to see that they cared above all in making sure everyone had a good time. Between budget-friendly sushi joints and high-end omakases, classy Aiko has comfortably found a niche in Houston's growing sushi spectrum. I'm already looking forward to returning, perhaps to try the $55 option and pay another visit to their curated sake list. Fingers crossed that they'll work out the kinks with reservations/waiting and (maybe) get rid of the unnecessary valet parking, too. :) read more
2 years ago
This place was fire. So excited it's finally open. The parking lot was full when we got there for our 530 PM reservation. We parked in a lot behind platypus brewing with ample parking spots and just walked over. We weren't sure what to order from the menu cause everything looked good. Our waiter stated the menu was basically a blend of Handies and Kokoro. We ultimately decided to do the 8 piece nigiri omakase that also came with crudo, edamame, and a hand roll. Our waiter said it was the best way to go in order to try a little bit of everything. Our 8 pieces of nigiri for the night were: Ebi, A5 wagyu, sawara (mackerel), kinmedai (golden eye snapper), hotate, kanpachi, madai (sea bream), and toro. Everything was soooo delicious and fresh. We added on a few more items towards the end. We got the emgawa per the rec of our waiter and it was fantastic!! One of my favorites for the night. The hamachi and tuna crudos were also some of my favorites from the omakase. We ordered the salmon sashimi and a king crab nigiri-both also excellent. Overall, service was good and the food was delicious. Make a reservation on resy so you can give them a try! read more
WOW, I am so happy I discovered Aiko and their mouth-watering sushi. I first came here on a Thursday with my boyfriend, and the entire experience was absolutely amazing. We ordered a variety of nigiri, including sake (salmon), hirame (flounder), chutoro, bluefin akami, hamachi (yellowtail), shima aji, unagi, foie gras, muke hotate (scallops), and two handrolls (yellowtail and sake). We also tried the sake crudo. Everything was top notch, so tasty, and caused severe cravings for more even when I was so full already. The foie gras here is my FAVORITE. I don't normally eat too much salmon, but Aiko's sake was mouthwateringly good. I *highly* appreciate how they provide toppings to each piece of nigiri ordered, which many other high-end sushi places do not have (unless you pay extra for the special nigiri pieces that depends on each restaurant). We got Aaron as our server and Jason the manager checked up on us multiple times. They have both become our favorite people here and we look forward to seeing them when we go. The decor inside is beautiful, and they cover the dining room with a light-blocking curtain, so it truly feels like you're inside of a secret dining location. Aaron and Jason were so welcoming that we had to return that following Sunday. Unfortunately on Sunday, we did not get Aaron as our server and did not see Jason. The sushi was delicious as expected, but I did notice the happy hour nigiri pieces (as well as the nigiri we ordered on the normal menu, with normal non-happy hour prices) we ordered were a lot smaller compared to Thursday. I slightly understand the size difference due to happy hour prices, but the normal priced sushi we ordered were also a lot smaller than expected. Nevertheless, everything was delicious and we still had a pretty good experience. Aiko's customer service through Instagram is also amazing--they respond super fast to any problems you may have and offer super fast solutions. We will be returning again soon and hoping we see Jason and Aaron :) read more
4 years ago
This place was opened by the owners of Handies Douzo and Kokoro and it definitely shows. If you want a more traditional dining experience compared to Handies and better spacing - then this is it. The menu is essentially the Handies menu plus other specials including a rotating menu based on fresh ingredients brought in for the day. The ingredients were very fresh and I had some of the best tasting nigiri here; however, we left semi-hungry even after ordering the large omakase at $95 a person. So come hungry... probably leave hungry unless you're willing to shell out over $100. I would definitely try at least once for the experience especially if you are a fan of Handies Douzo What I Ordered: Large Omakase, A5 Wagyu Nigiri, Trumpet Mushroom Would I Recommend to Try? Yes Ambiance- 8/10 Food Taste- 9/10 Service- 10/10 Date Worthy- 8/10 Value- 6/10 read more
I never leave reviews, but I feel like I had to for Aiko. Came for the omakase happy hour; left full and extremely satisfied. The $45 omakase is available from 5-6:30 pm everyday and was absolutely worth it. The sushi was creative, fresh, and delicious; especially the hand rolls. I highly recommend the hot sake, carpis, and saketini for drinks. Get the espresso mochi for dessert. The overall service and vibes were impeccable. They were happy to accommodate my no wasabi request as well. The chefs were interactive and genuinely wanted to know our feedback. I can tell they truly want to curate the best menu for their customers. Aiko is now a staple on my list for whenever I'm in Houston. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone. If you make a reservation, request for the sushi bar! 100/10! read more
3 years ago
This is the newest concept from Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee and it's basically like a combination of their other two restaurants - Handies Douzo and Kokoro. My husband and I did the $95 omakase, which comes with edamame, 8 pieces of nigiri, 1 hand roll, and 2 crudos. My favorite bites were the sawara (smoked Spanish mackerel) and the chutoro. The crudos are great as always. We also ordered an extra crudo and hand roll and a couple extra pieces of nigiri. Everything was awesome and the service was great as well. The food all arrived in good time and Daniel himself served us and chatted with us at the bar. We also got two bottles of sake which were delicious - the kinushiro junmai nigori and the suigei shuzo junmai ginjo. Daniel also poured us a few extra glasses of sake. The restaurant itself is very beautifully simple. The only thing is I wish the drink bar was better lit. Parking was easy as well - there is a lot next to the building. We will definitely be back. read more
So glad this place opened by our house. I highly recommend this place especially during happy hour. The omakase and cocktails were cheap! We were skeptical at first because of how cheap the omakase was but it was delicious and worth it! We also ordered chicken karaage and cocktails which were also delicious. Although the chicken karaage was good but I would rather spend the money on their sushi. It was my husband's birthday so they also gave him a complementary of two fatty tuna which I thought was very nice of them. The service was great and they have a parking lot next to their building so parking shouldn't be an issue. read more
More info about Aiko
1902 Washington Ave
Ste C
Houston, TX 77007
Sixth Ward
Directions
(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.
