Aiko
Japanese restaurant · Neartown
1902 Washington Ave suite c, Houston, TX 77007
Highlights
Sushi bar with expertly crafted nigiri, crudo, and handrolls
Sushi bar with expertly crafted nigiri, crudo, and handrolls
"Estimated Wait: Technically 18 hours (they open their online orders at 6pm and you pick them up the next day—the earliest pickup time is 11am) The Payoff: Fluffy, satisfying sandos for lunch and dessert "This new Japanese sando spot is the current craze. There really isn't another place making sandos like them, at least any other good ones, so the people are rightfully desperate. But the line is embarrassing because you can order online. In general, Miami doesn't really have long lines. And when there's a line, it's usually because people don't know there's online ordering system (e.g. El Bagel)." - bryan kim, team infatuation, will hartman, bryan kim, matthew jacobs, nicolai mccrary, nick allen, sylvio martins, cathy park, mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer, candis mclean, aimee rizzo
"If you live within Miami-Dade County and have social media, you’ve likely seen a video of this sushi and sando takeout spot in Coconut Grove. We tried to place an order, but arrived to find they were pretty much out of everything except a few pieces of sushi that were very good. This place has potential, but we suggest waiting for the hype to die down (or preordering days in advance)." - mariana trabanino
"Although you can order Aiko’s 14-course omakase anywhere in the restaurant, the sushi bar is the best place to experience it. It’s just more enjoyable to watch the chefs cut pieces of suzuki than to stare at the rogue rubber ducks on the dining room tables. This omakase feels casual. It's as if the chefs are in your kitchen, but instead of your dull hand-me-downs they are using their knives. The first few warm-up courses are forgettable, but the nigiri—like smoked cuts of shima aji—pumps you up for the rest of the meal. You’ll be excited that you sat solo at the bar so you can wax poetic about wasabi-topped hamachi with the chef." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"Although you can order Aiko’s 14-course omakase anywhere in the restaurant, the sushi bar is the best place to experience it. It’s just more enjoyable to watch the chefs cut pieces of suzuki than to stare at the rogue rubber ducks on the dining room tables. This omakase feels casual as if the chefs are in your kitchen, but using their knives instead of your dull hand-me-downs. The first few warm-up courses are forgettable, but the nigiri—like smoked cuts of shima aji—pumps you up for the rest of the meal. You’ll be excited that you sat solo at the bar so you can wax poetic about wasabi-topped hamachi with the chef." - Gianni Greene
"After opening Kokoro and Handies Diouzo, chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee have launched Aiko, a Memorial Park sushi counter, which offers a la carte sushi and three tiers of omakase ranging from $35 to $95 per seating. Sushi fans will love Aiko’s expertly crafted handrolls, tuna toro and Spanish mackerel nigiri, and fresh crudos." - Megha McSwain
