Very traditional to small restaurants you would find in Japan! The server comes to you when you ring the bell (pretty common in Japan, especially in non busy tourist areas) witch is uncommon in the states, but nice if you don't like waiters hanging out at the table while you figure out what to order. I came in for traditional cold soba, and that's exactly what I got! I got the krab Rangoon to start, and they were pretty tasty! The real star was the cold soba! It was a good portion of noodles with the traditional dipping sauce. It came with a plate of assorted tempura vegetables and shrimp. The tempura was a little oily, but it wasn't heavily battered. (American tempura usually comes out heavy, but this was light and crisp)! I highly recommend them if you're in the Tampa area and want traditionally inspired Japanese cuisine close enough to the real deal! read more

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The rolls were average in taste and presentation. It's an okay spot for a quck meal, but not memorable.

Service is good and the place is nice but the food is sadly VERY overpriced and some of it wasn't good. Nice to support local business but still disappointing. read more

I debated if I should post a review or not. I decided that others needed to know before making the trek out to this business. I went out there a few days ago. When I arrived, it appeared to be abandoned as there were things posted over the doors obscuring the view. It wasn't until I saw the sign that read that they were only doing take out orders. There were instructions on scanning the QR on the door and then meeting the staff at the door to get your order. I have these questions to the business. Is this an ongoing Covid protocol you're following? Are you short staffed and unable to open fully? For me, going into a restaurant and seeing and smelling the condition it's in is a sign of a good or bad experience. I hope the management will answer and let us know if they will open their dining area. I read a lot of good things and would like to experience having some authentic Japanese food. read more

Best hole in the wall Japanese restaurant in Tampa. The curry and ramen are the best I've had. The service is quick. I'm not the type who likes to sit around I like to eat pay and leave and I never have to wait a long time for the food to come out. read more

My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try on Monday night and everything was super good. The rainbow roll was my favorite, super flavorful! read more

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So many places offer authentic expensive Japanese food or Japanese styled foods however this place has authentic Japanese dishes that won't break your wallet. While I love sushi what I really came here was for the soba and okonomiyaki, both dishes being some of my favorites from my trip to Japan. I ai Sushi did not disappoint, from the gyoza, to the okonomiyaki served on a hot pan, to my katsu with soba and my fiancé's pork belly udon. Everything was super flavorful and served quickly, it really reminded me of my trip as well as some authentic places I tried back in NYC, I'll definitely be back. I won't call it a gripe but you could say that the owner/host was pretty quick about getting you served so don't expect amazing customer service but she didn't seem unapproachable either, just in a rush. I'll be back for the sushi and the takuyaki! read more

I ai Sushi - Katsu and soba, pork belly udon, Okonomiyaki Pork - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I wish I could like this place more, but I don't. I can't. The part I love is the authenticity of options. That alone would make me come back for more, if the actual execution and authenticity of flavors were good. They serve all the types of Japanese food I love in recognizable (traditional) format, but the food itself just isn't that good. The ramen is just okay, something you'd maybe get at a festival food stall, certainly not in a ramen restaurant in Japan. The curry is abysmal. Please google what Japanese curry looks like, then look at the pictures on this Yelp page. It hurts me. The shabu shabu looks really nice. The cuts of meat are consistent, the vegetables are fresh, and the tofu is perfectly cubed. But shabu shabu is ALL about the dipping sauce (because you're just boiling everything in water), an area where I ai Sushi doesn't deliver. This dish comes off very bland. And, as other Yelpers have experienced, the service is not welcoming. This is the very untraditional element that ruins the restaurant for me. Japanese restaurants are welcoming, no matter how divey they are. They do NOT have to smile at you, which is a common complaint on Yelp that I don't agree with, but they SHOULD be nice to you. You're trying to support their business after all. At the end of the day, I won't go back to I ai Sushi, no matter how much I love the bilingual play on words, because I don't feel welcome and the food is not satisfying. read more

I ai Sushi - Shabu shabu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Didn't get the chance to eat here since the lady freaked out that there was 11 people in our group (5 adults/6kids). The place was entirely empty and she said she couldn't serve us since they didn't have a table for us all. First of all, we would've been ok sitting in 2 separate tables but she sounded like she didn't want to serve or make food for 11 people, since she was probably the only one there. Bad first impression and definitely bad experience. read more

If you want authentic Japanese food this is the spot! The menu is full of classic Japanese dishes and tastes just like you would get in Japan. The ambiance was a little weird and the smelled like an old rug. The service could be better but I understand as English is not their first language. Come here if you want good authentic Japanese cuisine in the Tampa area! read more

Hidden Gem as a person who loves Japanese food this was the most authentic tasting food I have ever had in Florida. They also have amazing prices. When you walk in it looks a bit sus but give it a chance sit down and eat the most incredibly delicious food! I seriously can't wait to come back. read more

I ai Sushi - Inside of the restaurant - the orange folder is the very large menu with so many wonderful choices!!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Home-down, modest, peaceful, and quaint. Just a few words to describe this restaurant. I can see why this has an underground local following. Periodically, I'll come here for lunch when I'm in the mood for sushi and noodle dishes. Something as simple as their spicy tuna with avocado and/or the spicy tuna with cucumber lunch combo, ramen, etc. just hits the spot. They do a good job with their flavors/spicy seasonings. Owned by an Okinawan family, the people who run this restaurant are quiet, sweet, and willing to provide good customer service. They give you a few interesting condiment options at the table to add to your sushi entrée. For example, in addition to the usual soy sauce, they provide Sriracha, soy sauce, eel sauce (Refrigerated), spicy mayo(Refrigerated), and nanami (or ichimi) togarashi seasoning. Based on my experience during the daytime, the service was relatively and surprisingly quick (Possibly because it was not during the weekend or night). It's definitely a nice go to casual sushi spot. read more

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Authentic Japanese food by a mom & pop shop. Service is slim and non attentive. Environment is a bit cold but similar to many of the best Japanese spots I know. Lots of home made signs posted conveying their interesting house rules. Very clean bathrooms. When you walk in, you notice a slight smell from the carpet which is dated. The wife waitress seems alone up front while the husband cooks in back. They speak real Japanese for sure and it's some of the best Japanese food I've had in Tampa. Most are Korean or Chinese owned and don't have such an authentic Japanese menu. Lots to choose from. I'd give it 5 stars but they need to work on the service a bit. Tasty food. read more

Rare Authentic Food No. 23 I Ai Sushi is authentic Japanese street food. Of course the sushi is available. But there are other dish available. Since this is mom and pop shop. The owners are the waitress. I saw some reviews in the past. I think they have changed their system a lot since then. Before it they have menu in Japanese and customers take a lot of time try to understand what they eat. Now they just have pictures at the entrance and you order and paid at the entrance. Easier and cut down the time try to explain and make the process slow. We have order the Ramen and grilled squid. The squid was slice after grilled and go with their home made sauce. The ramen is close to what we have eat in Japan. As a result we like their authenticity. read more

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From the looks when you're inside, not expecting what we got. Saw a bunch of post on Instagram, and we were in the area, so we gave it a try. A lot of people were saying how rude the service was. We did not experience that at all, granted we were the only people in there on a Saturday evening. We went with the katsu curry and the spicy ramen but can't recall the name. Both dishes were over the top, the flavor the spicy, the freshness was just simply amazing. The server e en brought us a bag of fresh magos that were so delicious. Def give this place a try it's one of those hidden gems !!! read more

Do you know what Izakaya is? Some people call it the Japanese equivalent of dim sum, I call it small plates of bar food. At I Ai, it is more of a family atmosphere than a bar atmosphere, but the small plates are where its at. Not as good a those yakatori houses at St. Marks (NYC), but it cures the cravings. It was a little difficult to find, located in an office complex called Fountain Oaks off of Waters Ave. near the intersection of Dale Mabry, next to an Albertsons. We arrived here as soon as they opened, and the was only one other table there, so we were able to get fast service. The entire dining area could hold probably 40-50 people if maxed out. Decorations are quaint and the atmosphere is quite comfortable and family oriented. The menu posted here on Yelp is just their to-go menu, their dine-in menu is way more extensive. Also, make sure to check the overhead dry-erase boards when you enter for Chef recommendations, specials, and in stock-items that may not be on the menu as well. We were not charged for free refills on pots of delicious hot green tea. Their sushi is decent and to the point. So don't come here expecting anything creative or inexpensive because it is exactly the opposite at I Ai in the case of sushi only. The said that their most popular roll is the Special Mexican Roll ($9.00), so I gave it a try. It was very solid, with the perfect rice to filling ratio and decent flavor. However, it wasn't nearly as exciting as their kitchen items, and not much different than sushi I could find closer to home for the same quality and price. In my personal opinion, I will not order sushi here again, because their cooked kitchen items are so delicious and inexpensive- it is like nothing else you will find in the Tampa area. Don't get me wrong, the sushi is solid, but there is so much other food there that I prefer. If you are looking for homemade Japanese food, then this is your place. Nothing is too fancy. It is great to taste and experience foods that Japanese people would like to enjoy on an everyday basis, not just special occasion. My husband referred to some items as "diner food." The Okonomiyaki ($8.00) is a Japanese pancake similar to Korean Pajeon. It is a vegetable pancake that contains pork and covered in a sweet brown sauce and mayo, then a sprinkle of dancing bonito shavings. The serving is very large, enough for an entire meal with maybe a side of soup or salad. This pancake only comes in one house flavor, usually shops with specialize in this dish and serve up many custom and specialty flavors, but I Ai just has one for you to try. It is delicious and crispy, while being creamy, tangy, and smokey at the same time. The Age Tofu ($4.00) is served up my favorite way, where the cubes of fried tofu are floating in dashi broth with shaved radish on top. So you eat it with a spoon to get a bite of tofu and some delicious broth at the same time. The Sunomono ($4.00) was bright and refreshing with cucumber, crab stick, and a sweet shrimp on top- all covered in a sour citrus dressing. I always have to order the Omusubi (Onigiri) if it is offered, especially when they are only $2.00 each for your choice of mouth-watering bonito, plum, or salmon fillings. They are the side of a small hamburger and just as filling, so watch out. The Soy Sauce Ramen ($7.00) was a large serving and the noodles were perfectly chewy with flavorful broth. I was a little confused from the other photos posted here of small vegetable side dishes, which made me assume that I Ai served up complimentary side dishes with an entrée. That is not the case. Most of the side dishes (similar to Korean banchan, but not complimentary) range from $2.00-$4.00 per serving. We tried the Yama Sengiui ($4.00) which was julienne strips of slimy mountain potato-like root. Sally recommends trying it graded with tuna for the same price next time, and we will. The Shabu-Shabu is what I came for. While they had many stone pot soups- the cook at your table experience of Shabu-Shabu was $28.00, and I just was not ready to pay that much per person yet on my first try. I can definitely see I Ai having many regulars because of their cheap menu, delicious food, cute atmosphere, and fast service. We will definitely return to try more items, since we probably just scratched the surface here today. As I said before; it is impossible to find everyday Japanese food like this in the Tampa area. Maybe in New York City, but not here, so I feel very lucky to have found I Ai. I was very impressed when dining here, and also had a fun time. Compared to other establishments in Tampa- 5 stars. Tons of food $44.41 before tip read more

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I got the sashimi bento box from Uber eats. The sashimi was frozen solid, so the fish is not fresh. The tempura vegetables, shrimp and egg roll were cold and the California roll looked like it was from Publix. I really wanted to like this place but unfortunately I won't be ordering again. read more

We wanted to get some authentic Japanese cuisine and I've had this place on my list for a while. Having read the reviews about the service, I wanted to try this place on a day where I was extremely patient. To avoid horrible service, we figure we'll have dinner super early. We got there at 5:30 and it was just the two of us. The waitress took our drink order. We knew we wanted to start with an order of the grilled squid as an appetizer. When I told the waitress that I was ready to order our appetizers, she went and got a woman in the back, who I assumed is the owner. I told her I wanted to order the grilled squid for our appetizer. She then tells us to only order when we have our whole order ready, not just appetizers only. Again, it's just me and the hubby in the restaurant. So I said, sure, no problem, as I already walked into this place knowing it's going to not the best service I will ever receive. The owner walks away, and then starts mumbling in annoyance in another language. Seriously?! I guess ordering an appetizer to start off with must be a huge hassle for her...seeing how she's so busy with nobody except us. So within 2 minutes we have our COMPLETE order ready, and the squid comes out...guess it wasn't so hard to get my appetizer made when I ordered it. So we give her our complete order and was looking forward to trying the squid...then to be immediately disappointed to find out it's room temperature- totally not worth it! Again, mind you, it is just us two. I would totally even make an excuse like oh she was busy with so many orders, that she threw it on the grill and lost track of time and thought it was sitting there longer..who knows?!..but seriously???? Just us. We got the Nebeyaki udon noodle soup, the broth was not flavorful and the fish didn't even taste fresh- almost borderline spoiled- don't bother with ordering this. We got the Sukiyaki (sliced beef & veggie stew). The beef was good but the broth was a bit sweeter than I would prefer. We also ordered the Tonkotsu ramen, which was alright. It's not the best nor the worst I've had in Tampa Bay. Overall, I do not plan on returning. Though I knew ahead of time the service stinks, the food itself wasn't even worth the attitude and horrible service. I will spend my money elsewhere. read more

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Why 4 stars? Because I knew coming with an expert would improve my experience. --- --- --- I'm going to be really lazy, as I have in the past with this kind of thing... and write a total cop-out review. I'm going to set a really bad example of being a good Yelper here... as I did when I showed up 15 minutes late with not enough cash to this UYE. I do not have a clue what I ate today. Everything was very good. Read Coty's review to learn everything you need to know: http://www.yelp.com/biz/i-ai-sushi-tampa#hrid:QkpiCyZronsDblj7UZVFLA There's nothing left to say here. read more

I have eaten different bento boxes for lunch here multiple times over the past 5 years, but this is still a tough place for me to review. On the one hand, the sushi is almost always good - and my most recent lunch the sashimi portions were huge and fresh and flavorful. The tempura vegetables this last visit were also delicious, perfectly cooked, and I love their dipping sauce. So the food - 4 stars! Yea! However - the atmosphere is a big deterrent from me giving it an overall rating of 4 or more stars. Very cramped, dark, little place. Like a dive - but that's not really what you want a sushi restaurant to be. The booths have ripped seats that are not lined up correctly with the tables. The tables are warped and cracked and have seen better days. There are small hand written signs posted all around, which only seem to add to the cluttered feel. I definitely don't want to peer into the kitchen, working off a "don't see it, can't hurt me" kind of mentality. Service is very hit or miss = some days on the ball, some visits barely there. Summary: Roll the dice and take your chances. (Quick - name that movie!) read more

I ai Sushi - Sashimi tempura box for lunch - every part was quite good. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This is my favorite Japanese restaurant right now! Great and authentic food. The ramen and karaage are my favorite menu items. The only thing missing from the ramen is the egg. Please bring back the okonomiyaki and omurice! Also note: you must ring the bell for service. It is a calm and quiet atmosphere with no rush or pressure from the servers which I also love. read more

I ai Sushi - outside - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Food was ok but I really went for the okonomiyaki. Sadly even though it is listen as a meanie item on yelp they do not make it any longer. I repeat. This restaurant does NOT make okonomiyaki! Got sushi instead. Was pretty good. read more

I ai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

3.5 stars for food. 1 star for service. Food: I tried the katsu don, omu rice, and the omosubi with salmon. The katsu don is the best I've tried. The pork and egg are cooked well and not dry. It's what I expect katsu don to taste like. The omu rice was okay. I've never had it before, so I don't have anything to compare it to. The omelet was too well done for my liking. I didn't like the flavor of the rice. Omosubi was good. Too much rice for such little salmon. Service: The stories are true. The owner or chef is not a nice lady. The moment I walked in to pick up my order, she comes out of the kitchen to yell at me in front of the host and a few tables. She said I can never order omu rice again and this was the only time she would make it. I told her it was my first time ordering from there, so I didn't know but she continued to raise her voice at me and repeatedly tell me to never order the omu rice again (as if I was supposed to know that!). I ordered takeout over the phone and the man whom I spoke to never informed me that I was not allowed to order omu rice. The host clarified that only certain items (rice bowl and sushi) are available for take-out. There is no takeout menu that you can take with you, so order with caution. Despite reading the reviews, I was really taken aback at how the owner/chef could come out and yell at not only a customer but a person like that. If she was to be upset at anyone, it should have been the person who took my order who should have known better that omu rice for take-out is not allowed. I'm hesitant to return to this establishment after the shocking behavior of the owner/chef, but I love Japanese food and this place is the only one in the area that carries Japanese food that's more than sushi. So, I will be back for the food. I'll make sure to be in a nobody's-gonna-slow me-down-oh-no-I've-got-to-keep-on-moving-kind-of-mood in case I have to encounter her again. read more

Came in, the service was hard to deal with. The lady couldn't speak English or understand me at all. After looking at the prices, I realized I couldn't afford it. So I told the lady I would just get the water, (pay for it) then leave. She gave me an attitude, grabbed the water. At this point I have had enough, I leave. Treat your people right, I couldn't communicate with you. Been to many sushi restaurants and never been this bad. Also way over priced. The ambiance didn't look the best either. Only reason I'm not giving one star is because she didn't scream at me. read more

100% authentic Japanese restaurant!!! I tried many Japanese foods in Tampa, lots of American Japanese style ( add avocado and cream cheese etc.) In Japan, foods are always simple but delicious. No too much cook and sauce. It's more hearth. And you can taste what the food in nature. That's why I like I ai Sushi. I strongly recommend this restaurant. read more

I ai Sushi - Looks like in Japan!!! Love it! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Authentic Japanese cuisine! I lived in Japan and it was a joy to get to try real Japanese dishes at this restaurant. Can't wait to go back!

I saw that this place offered Okonomiyaki with quite a few positive reviews, so I was like, awesome, let's give it a try. I give them a call, took a while to pick up, understandable, its 7PM dinner time. Lady answers and just says "Hello?" Seconds of silence go by that felt like one of those weird long pauses, I thought I may have gotten the wrong number. So I spoke and requested to put in an order for take-out. She replies, "Can you put in an order on Uber because I'm busy." I'm not going to lie, but I was a little taken aback by that. As I was thinking of a response to say I probably cannot Uber, it sounded quiet as if the phone hung up since the background noise disappeared. I just said "never mind" and hung up as well. Some additional thoughts. Call me an asshole, but I would have at least expected a "this is Restaurant Name, how can I help you?" Or a different reaction and response to a customer asking for order. To answer why Uber would not work, it's because I did not see Okonomiyaki on their Uber menu. If it is, and I'm blind, then yes, I will take all the blame. If the owner also does see this and believes the situation on the phone played out differently, and I made incorrect assumptions, please do let me know. read more

It made me feel like I was back in Japan in a small family diner :) very authentic diner feel. Don't let the informal decor deter you because the food is great! We got seaweed salad, sushi, and takoyaki and everything was super fresh and tasty. read more

I ai Sushi - Takoyaki- octopus balls - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My favorite restaurant at the moment! I love the traditional Japanese feel of the place, it's quiet and very homey. They serve traditional dishes that I have not been able to find at any other "Japanese" restaurants in the area - like Tenzaru Soba. Their sushi and ramen also is amazing! Their ramen portion is very generous with so much noodles, I couldn't even finish it all. I'll keep coming here every Friday I receive my paycheck till I've tried most items on their menu!! read more

I ai Sushi - Tenzaru soba, loved that I also got a matcha Kit Kat with it! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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It was a cute little place. It has an authentic touch to it with ordering before seating. It has a huge menu with numerous choices and Japanese dishes, more selections than I expected. I tried the tonkotsu ramen with the broth being lighter and less salty than the ones I had before in the Tampa area. I love the restaurant for all the unique and authentic dishes. read more

For all the sushi that I eat, I have never really had too much regular Japanese cuisine dishes except for instant ramen and the occasional Teriyaki Chicken, so coming to I Ai Sushi was a new experience for me. I decided to go with my friend Sally's Yelp review and try her recommended dishes. Here is how they fared up for me: -Kaki fry (fried oysters): Just as good as Sally described them, I almost did not get a picture of it because they were so good we ate the four oysters right away. A new favorite dish for me. I have had oysters cold but never fried before and I was really impressed with how it tasted. Certainly worth the $4.50 I paid for it too. It's a special so hopefully they will have it there if you guys pay a visit. -Katsu-curry (curry with breaded fried pork cutlet): Delicious. A new taste for me since I have never had Japanese curry before. Not spicy in a hot kinda way but spiced with a strong flavor. The rice was cooked well too, it was filling too I had to share with my friends. I tried their soy sauce ramen noodles off a friend and it was good, I'm not a big noodle either though so I can't say too much about it. The tuna sashimi in their Tuna Yamakake was great and really fresh, the grated yama-imo was a taste I have never had before kinda slimy but not in a bad way...hard to describe haha I say just try it for yourself and see if you like it. Wanting something lite to top it off I ordered some mochi ice cream which is $1.50 a piece, not a bad add-on to finish you off since it is not too heavy. The only flavor they had was green tea which was great and a nice way to end my visit at I Ai Sushi. The bill was pretty cheap considering the food I got and I got to try so many new things, I'll be coming back here to check out their entrees in the future. Service was quick and though the waitress could have been a little friendlier, I will let it slide this time since service was quick and the food was excellent. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated, plate have designs on them, some seats have heart shaped cushions and even what looked stuffed animal pillows, and there was fish tank there as well. The girls complimented the female bathroom (though I can't share my thoughts on that). On my way out of the restaurant I noticed they had all these Japanese drinks for sale there too and I was sad that I only ordered a water to drink when I could have had Ramune or some other Japanese drink but now I know for future visits =) Check it out =) read more

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My friend Coty S. hosted a fabulous Unofficial Yelp Event this afternoon at I Ai Sushi and offered up her knowledge to those of us who wanted to sample Izakaya, or Asian small plates of incredible yummines but had no clue what to order. I'm a huge fan of sushi of all varities, and various types of Asian soups and noodle bowls, but I was seriously lacking in my knowledge of what to order when faced with a menu of things that I had never heard of before, and had no idea how to pronounce. That's where Coty and her husband came to rescue. They drove up from Sarasota and hosted our little luncheon gathering at I Ai Sushi which is located in the old Albertsons shopping center just north of Waters Avenue on Dale Mabry Blvd. Coty ordered about a dozen small plates of food (and bowls of soup) which were passed around the table for everyone to sample. She knew of several things which were off-menu specials, and so we really felt very pampered by having our own culinary expert to handle the ordering. Here's my best attempt to describe the various small plates: * Small fried rice balls called Takoyaki with the house mayo for dipping * Flattened pancakes filled with cabbage & pork called Okonomi Yaki * Delicious raman noodle bowl called Tonkotsu with BBQ pork * Udon soup with Soba noodles and fried shrimp * Fried balls of chicken called Tsukunet * Grilled and sliced whole squid with a fabuolus dipping sauce called Ikamaru * A plate of three fried rice balls (one had dried fish flakes, one was filled with salmon, and the third was filled with plum). The rice balls were called Omusubi, and the fillings were called Okaka, Syake, and Ume (respectively). * Potato croquettes with chicken, onion and egg served with Bulldog sauce called Oyako Don * an incredible collection of pickled vegetables known as Oshinkyo This amazing amount of food, which easily fed seven people, was just over $100 including drinks, tax and tip. Now that I have a better appreciation for the menu, I will happily return and try some additional dishes. Thank you Coty!!! read more

I ai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Quick Summary: The food here is yummy and the menu is pretty extensive, giving you a good tour of Japanese cuisine. The sushi was pretty good as well. It's nice to find a place with a variety of ramen flavors in the local area. Tampa is seriously lacking in ramen joints... but it was nice to see that they had several varieties here from soy, miso, curry, and my personal favorite tonkatsu (a milky broth). I got a bowl of that and since they are a sushi restaurant after all I got some scallops and yellow tail in addition. The ramen was pretty good, nice broth and the noodles were a nice chewy consistency. I liked the amount of corn they gave, and also a good amount of pork with it, (very nicely cooked as well). One thing I should have asked for was some fresh crushed garlic... really helps to bring out the flavor. I did note that the bowl of ramen was quite huge, but it was only filled up halfway... it's nice so you don't spill everywhere, but for $9 bowl it was a surprising that I was still hungry. I'm used to going to a ramen place and leaving stuffed... The sushi was pretty good, the portions were pretty generous. The wasabi is a little lighter in strength and flavor I noted, and a more whipped consistency than paste. I was thrown for a loop by the number of paper signs (printouts) saying things like $10 dine in minimum, no split checks, if you're still waiting for your party please wait outside. I totally understand that these are important things for a small business, but the way they're posted in every booth, it just comes off tacky, distracting from the ambiance, and plain uninviting. I would recommend for the minimum and party notice to be up front, and then the comment about split checks should just be handled by the wait staff when they go to take the order. It seems that would be more tactful... Also, the menu is a bit confusing. It seems they're trying to put a lot of info into a small space. I'm very familiar with japanese cuisine and was able to navigate ok, but still had trouble figuring out what was offered. For someone that isn't familiar with the cuisine, I would imagine it daunting. I would recommend a more organized set up, and for the rolls especially pictures cause those are different everywhere. These things aside, if it were based on food alone I would have gone with a 3.5-4. It was tasty and I will be back to try some of their other dishes.. very curious about the curry ramen! :) read more

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I ai Sushi is a small, but quality Japanese restaurant with many good and not so good qualities. It's located in a shopping plaza, so if you are not looking for it you may miss it from the road. I come here often to fill my ramen and katsu cravings. Though here are some of the key things to note about this place: 1. The food is really good, with a fairly decent price point. ($5-15) I haven't found a place in the Tampa area that can compare to the quality. They make everything fresh and leave you wanting more. 2. A very diverse menu, but if you are unfamiliar with traditional Japanese cuisine you may struggle with the options. The place is pretty much mom and pop establishment. Every time I come in they are fairly understaffed, and don't have much time to explain the menu (or really want to). So if you got a friend who knows what's what about Japanese food I would recommend bringing them the first time you come. 3. Understaffed= slower service. Though, this is all dependent upon the amount of people eating and what people order. I've come here during lunch rush, and been out in about an hour. 4. Very traditional decorations, but the signage can be off putting and busy in my opinion. They have a bunch of signs highlighting different foods or some of their business rules. Bottomline: Really good Japanese restaurant with a fairly good price, possible slow service, and if you're unfamiliar with traditional Japanese cuisine; bring a friend that knows. read more

I ai Sushi - Sashimi boat! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I love this place we have been coming here for a year the staff always gets the orders perfect. I try and order something new each time but the ramen is a classic here. I highly recommend the champon (seafood and pork ) ramen they also have really great sushi nice and fresh never fishy smelling or tasting. The servers are shy so do not expect happy go Lucky excited and happy. Its just not that kind of place and do not take it personal at all its just the culture. They are quite and efficient. Please tip them as you would any other restaurant. Don't let the culture shock sway the tip. They are lovely women and they do what it takes to bring the freshest possible food to your table. Recently they started bringing a few snacks to the table while you wait and the menu is much bugger now in a binder book with many photos. I actually really like this (Gordon Ramsey would flip) it helps me know what to expect since these are all new dishes to me. read more

I ai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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First time here and it was pretty good. It was a bit too dark inside the restaurant (to me it was dark) and it IS small so it's definitely not a good place for big groups. One thing I didn't like about this place was that once you walk in, you can't wait inside for your friend(s) to show up or you can't get a table for 2 or more. The server asked me "how many" and I said "2" then she pointed to a sign. (I regret not taking a picture of the sign now) It says something along the lines of "You can't wait for your friend to be here. Please wait outside. If you dine in alone, must order a minimum of $8 of food" So that's a downside.. I don't understand why they were so anal. On the bright side, the food was good. Got the curry ramen and squid appetizer. It's a bit pricey at this place but if you want to eat alone and order a minimum of $8 of food, come here. read more

This was always my go-to spot for sushi, I've been going for years and ordered the same thing every time - the sashimi bento box. Everything is authentic, the food, decor, etc. And I always saw Asian customers eating here, which is reassuring as some places are extremely Americanized and don't attract Asian customers at all. The reason I put 4 instead of 5 stars is because the caliber of food and experience has gone down. This place was very promising, but as I've seen it change over the years, the portions became smaller and the service less attentive. I would still recommend I ai Sushi to any sushi lover, but there is a LOT more competition now than 10 years ago. read more

If having Famous Japanese Baseball players pictured eating in your restaurant doesn't get your attention, then you truly need to come experience I Ai Sushi for yourself. As a big time Yankee Fan, I was couldnt believe it when i saw the pictures of Hideki Matsui, Hiroki Kuroda & Kei Igawa side by side with the owner at the front of the store. Yes the interior is not much to look at but then again neither were the good restaurants i've frequented in NYC that usually served up better food than those modern looking and trendy overpriced Japanese eateries. They also had a few odd signs up such as "no cell phone service" & "you must have all your party in attendance in order to get seated" & "$10 min order" ... but if you have good food i guess i can overlook this grade school like feeling I was thrilled when i found out that they had my favorite Japanese street snack, Takoyaki (Fried Octopus Balls) which did not disappoint at all. The flavor of the octopus was fresh and the shavings & garnishments did well to complement this little wonderful dish! We also had the Ikamaru (grilled whole squid) that was phenomenal with the sesame like sauce dipping it came with. A little strange looking if your not used to eating squid that doesn't come breaded and deep fried, but this is def a must try! I'm a big time Ramen snob and have been searching for a good ramen spot in Tampa ever since ive moved here and have been met with much disappointment. As ive come to compare Tampa ramen to the the best of NYC Ramen shops like Momofuku, Ippudo, & my Ramen lunches around the 47th street Japanese midtown area ... i'm happy to say that their Ramen was on point! For Tampa ramen spots this place was pretty good as the broth had a lot of flavor and the ramen had a great taste to it. I ordered the tonkatsu Ramen and was happy to get tender pieces of pork in my bowl. I think i've found my new Ramen spot ! As somewhat of a little hole in the wall type of Japanese restaurant, sometimes those are the true hidden GEMs to find. read more

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Tl;dr: This place is amazing. I have never had any ramen aside from maruchen, so I wanted to try authentic ramen, and that's what I feel like I got here. I got the tonkatsu ramen with pork belly (you have to get the pork belly) and it far exceeded any expectations I had for ramen. I get a real mom and pop feel to the restaurant, so how that's how you know the food is good. The prices are very fair and the server was really nice and flexible with the menu. You should definitely check this place out. read more

This place was recommended to me by a Japanese (born & raised in Japan) friend living in the area. I finally tried it out last week & had to go back within a few days, I loved it so much! I'll update my review as I try more menu items. The decor is simple & attractive; I don't recall music playing, but it doesn't feel empty in its quietness. It's rather tranquil. There are a number of booths & a few tables with chairs; the bathroom was pretty barren (not fancy) but clean -- no complaints. - Soy sauce flavor ramen: Delicious! Not quite up to par with the ramen stands I frequented in Japan, but that's to be expected from a restaurant like this. The noodles are perfectly al dente, the soup has just the right flavor & consistency, & the chashu (pork) topping just melts in your mouth. & for the price ($7? 8?), unbeatable. It's a HUGE serving. - Kaki fry (fried oysters): Amaaaaazing. This is one of my favorite izakaya dishes, & they make it PERFECTLY. It's not a permanent menu item (right now). At $4.50 for 4 oysters, it's maybe a LITTLE bit on the pricy side of average, but trust me, they're well worth it. - Katsu-curry (curry with breaded fried pork cutlet): Also delicious! For $8.50 you get a large plate 2/3-filled with rice & 1/2-filled with curry sauce, half-ladled over the sliced cutlet. It's a rather thin piece of tonkatsu, but that's how it's supposed to be for katsu-curry. I can make tastier curry myself at home... but the katsu is harder (& more trouble), & for $8.50 I'm definitely content to let someone else do the cooking on this one for me, especially since they make it so well. If you've never had Japanese curry before, I HIGHLY recommend trying the katsu-curry. It's GREAT! - Vegetable tempura: My fiance had this on our 2nd trip, & I have to say I was a little bit less than impressed. It was just barely on the soggy side; not as light as good tempura is supposed to be. But I give them major points for putting daikon-oroshi (grated daikon radish) into the dipping sauce automatically; it's not tempura without daikon! & the serving size is quite respectable. However, unless tempura is a staple for you & you just can't live without it, I wouldn't order it here. Edited 11/13/08: We went again last week with the Japanese friend who recommended I Ai to us, & her fiance, & had a LOT of food. I won't update about all of it, but I will say this: - Tuna Yamakake (Tuna sashimi with grated yama-imo) is REALLY REALLY GOOD. If you're into trying new things, definitely give it a try. read more

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