AOI Kitchen

Super cozy and comforting meals 😋😋 there's a really good $20 lunch deal which includes 3 other side dishes. 🐷🍚 The katsu was cripsy and paired really nicely with the thinly sliced cabbage mixed with the sesame salad dressing, potato salad, and scoop of rice. Theres a little knick of wasabi on the side so dont mistake it for miso paste like I did 😭😭 The tonkatsu sauce was sooo good and mixing the rice with soup and katsu was so so comforting and warm. 🍳🍛 If there was a word to describe the curry it would definitely be cozy, I can't imagine how much better it'll taste in the winter. The yolk mixed with the egg created this really flavorful combination of creamy and mellowness ah words cannot describe I love this place. There's not that many main dishes on the menu but they really put effort into each dish and focus in quality rather than quantity😍😍

Food was amazing! The pasta was the best. My first time having omurice and everything tasted delicious. We made an appointment just in case at 12pm (weekday) but looks like they don’t get too crowded which is great

Top notch Japanese style lunch. It had the same quality and taste as the ones I remember having in Tokyo!!! Even the service was exceptional. I made a reservation and arrived before my friends so I went across the street to get some coffee. I popped in just to let the host know that I was there, waiting for the rest of the company while finishing my coffee (their sign said no outside drinks allowed). But amazingly, the host let me wait inside. Our orders did take a while to come out but I expected that. Good quality usually requires more time, just as I recall from the service I received in Japan. And yep, everything was flawless..... We all agreed we would return again, no doubt.

I had curry set with creamy crab croquette! The croquette was super amazing. Nicely fried and creamy inside. Curry sauce tasted a bit too plain. But the runny egg on it was a excellent touch. Great portion for a girl. Nice ambience. Not too loud for a Friday night.

Went on a lunch date with my college kid… wow we really ate too much… to the point of him, not finishing his favorite “omurice”! Keke. I ordered the crab cream croquette, Katsu sando and the curry over rice with kabuto sausages. We split the starters… he hit the omurice with Hamburg steak. Everything was delicious and reminded us of our trip to Japan! Service was great and the decor… so cute, be sure to look up!

Loved this spot for Japanese comfort food!! So many great options, we tried the nori fries, fried chicken, omu rice, katsu sando, and tonkatsu set. The fried chicken was so flavorful and I loved that it didn't have a ton of breading on it. The omu rice was also delicious. They have a great sake selection and we enjoyed a bottle of sake with our meal.

My friend and I tried their omurice, tofu, and croquettes. While each dish was nice and satisfying, I must admit that considering the price point, they were merely alright and nothing particularly memorable. It’s a casual place to enjoy food, but I was hoping for a bit more flavor or uniqueness to justify the cost. Overall, it’s an okay spot if you’re in the mood for a simple meal, but don’t expect anything extraordinary.

I heard a lot about this place while doing some search for my food "anniversary" trip in NYC. My friend who is a chef wanted to also try it out since it was on his radar so we went. The staff there are very nice and accommodating since one of my party was late. You definitely should rsvp else its a 2 hour wait. If you go early you should be fine. The food did not disappoint and I'm keeping this place as a favorite for my next return if I'm craving curry hamburger and omurice. Everything we had was delicious.

Feels weird to write a review for this place since I went during their final day of service. A funeral service, if you will. But I'll write one anyways Ended up doing family style to try out most of the big dishes. Ordered the mentaiko pasta, omurice with tonkatsu, and Japanese curry with ebi fry. Made two of those a set as well to get the side dishes. I'm quite a fan of westernized Japanese food so it was quite easy to please me. My favorite dish was the mentaiko pasta. Nice mixture of creamy/rich pasta and the seaweed made for a very umami/savory punch. The omurice and Japanese curry were also solid, but nothing that really stood out in my opinion. The side dishes in the set were extremely small. Mains were also quite small which made me sad since the pics made them look pretty big. Was maybe hoping since it was last day of service that they'd hook it up, but maybe they were just rationing? Also, service was fine and the space had a cute retro decor. Lots of wood finishing and green banker lamps. At any rate, total ended up being $39/person for three which felt quite expensive. Overall, I'm glad to try this place before it closed, but I probably wouldn't have come back here again if they remained open. Wondering what their new venture as a wine bar will look like though. Will probably wait a while after they open to see the reviews before coming back again though.

Just moved to NYC last week and was looking for some new restaurants to check out. Our friends recommend this place, so we decided to go on a Friday night for dinner. When we arrived the staff seated us promptly. The vibes and decor of this place was great! I enjoyed the cleanliness and the modern look. The staff was very attentive and nice. I will also say, my favorite part of this place was the vinyl record player and city pop music they were playing. Makes me want to buy a vinyl player myself! The food itself was delicious, I got a beer and omurice. The egg was cooked well and fluffy, the the cutlet had a good amount of breading (not too much, not too little). I also really enjoy the sides that came with the set. There was a variety of pickled veggies that were all super delicious and refreshing. I would recommend to others to upgrade to a set!

Yummy and attractive are the two words I would use to describe this place. This place has a bit of a retro feel and it opens late if you're a late eater. They have all the Japanese classics here like omurice and curry so I was enticed! We came with a party of 6 and got a few items to share! My favorite honestly is the mentaiko pasta and the omurice. The mentaiko pasta is so creamy and flavorful and the omurice is soooo fluffy. I was really happy about that. The katsu on the curry was so crispy and made to perfection along with the crispy calamari on the side! The truffle fries were just as good as McDonalds just with some truffle flavor but I would say they aren't bad at all! Everything we got was really good and they accommodated our large party of 6 last minute so it's a win win for me! Just be careful if you're eating the croquettes it's really ho

Food was so good! I ordered the Mentaiko pasta. It was good but kind of heavy and creamy. Almost chunky. The bacon potato salad that came in the side dish was okay, it was just pieces of cooked (soft) bacon slices in Japanese style potato salad. We went Saturday night and it was a little empty but still some people there. I think the curry may be one of the best ones I've had in a while. King oyster mushroom is also sooo good (buttery, creamy and melts in your mouth) but $15 is out of my price range for some mushrooms.

This is the spot for cozy, good Japanese food! I love their Truffle Nori fries and Mentaiko Pasta. Their Omurice and Sandos are also really good. The restaurant can be easy to miss since it is down a flight of stairs. The interior is laid back and comforting. There is a ceiling of flowers, an area with vinyl records and a couch. The staff are friendly and food comes out super fast. The portions are quite filling so you can even skip appetizers and just get one entree. The Mentaiko Pasta is creamy and slightly spicy. They do not skimp on the mentaiko which is salted pollack roe. The Truffle Nori fries are crispy and savory. Each fry has nori seasoning and is coated so well. Between the katsu sando and the ebi sando, I recommend the ebi sando - it is light and crispy. The omurice slices open perfectly and has a slightly sour demi glacé which makes each bite very addicting.

We love this place! We normally get the tonkatsu and the curry teishoku. The little side dishes are so cute, always tasty, and it includes a dessert too. The space is really nice for hanging out, the staff is so nice, and food always comes fast with no issues. Even the shredded cabbage is so tasty, it comes with a nice sesame dressing. The happy hour drinks are a steal at $6.

Solid restaurant in my opinion! There was no wait on a Sunday afternoon, and they were very accommodating about last calls from the kitchen during their midday break. I was debating between the Mentaiko Pasta and Omurice. Asked the waitress for her opinion, and she suggested the Omurice since it's their most popular item. The egg was light and fluffy, and perfectly cooked! It was soft and jiggly in the middle, just like how you would expect from viral videos:-) My only qualm was that the demi glacé was on the saltier side. It was also a tad sweet, so would be perfect if you're the type of person who likes some sweetness in your food. I really want to try the Mentaiko Patsa next-- my friend had it and it looked to die for. The service overall was very friendly and attentive! I also thought the restaurant had a great vibe and was decorated so nicely. Definitely a calm and welcoming spot!

Very cute spot with a cozy feel and delicious food! We shared the Omurice (with Tonkatsu +$10), Squid Legs, and Karage. You can upgrade your entrees with the side dishes for a complete meal, but sharing one entree with two small plates was the perfect amount for us. 1) Omurice with Tonkatsu - proof that simple is best! Buttery, sweet and bit tangy sauce with a fluffy egg and juicy, succulent Tonkatsu pieces. 2) Squid Legs - pleasantly surprised and didn't except to like the dish as much as we did! Perfectly crispy and seasoned and paired nicely with the aioli - prefect pairing with a draft beer. 3) Karage - lightly battered and resembled a taste like chicken teriyaki, but the horseradish-ish type sauce was a nice pairing to cut the sweetness of the Karage.

The food was solid, but echoing some previous reviews, the protein portion of the "large plates" was ridiculously small. The curry was also a tad too watery for my taste. The Truffle Nori Fries tasted like McDonald fries with sprinkled nori, void of any hint of truffle. I still think that Tomi Jazz has the most delicious Japanese curry and J's Kitchen is a close second. Plus, both offer a generous amount of protein.

I forgot how I first heard about AOI but it's been on my list for a while, and I finally had the chance to come by for a late dinner last week with some friends. We had a reservation so we got seated immediately, and when we came around 8pm on a Friday it was still pretty busy - most tables were occupied - so having a res is probably best. I adored the cosy, intimate bar/cafe vibes of this place - the decor was lovely, all the way from the elegant tableware and the iconic table lamps and the beautiful floral display on the ceiling. The light music selection and dim lighting (annoying for photos lol but excellent ambience) really set the scene nicely; I feel like it could moonlight as an underground jazz bar or something lol The four of us ordered a bunch to share: - ebi sando: a good starter for us. the shrimp was so flavourful and soft, and I loved how well the spicy mayo and tartar sauce went with the lovely japanese bread (not quite the milky bread but close. It was rather expensive for the size, but I suppose that's NYC for you - omurice w/ tonkatsu: the tonkatsu was lovely - tender and juicy pork with a well-fried crispy edge. the egg was also very nicely cooked and presented (it was fun to cut it open ourselves haha. the curry I found to be less savoury that I'm used to, and had a much stronger sweet (?) and sliiiightly spicy undertone to it; it wasn't bad by any means but not sure if I'm the biggest fan of it - loco moco: the hamburg steak was OK, if not a little bland. most, if not all, of the flavour basically came from the curry (same comment about the sweet/spicy-ness as above, too). Nothing glaringly bad, but I'm not sure that it was worth the $22 -mentaiko pasta: delicious! i loved the savoury flavours of the mentaiko mixed with the creamy sauce. the noodles were well-cooked, and it was (as promised!) actually unexpectedly spicy, esp for japanese food lol - the teishoku sides were a mixed bag. I liked the bacon potato salad a lot, but that's just because I love potatoes (there was nothing really special about it). the hiyayakko tofu was rather bland, and the two veggies were just as meh, the "dessert of the day" (a small bite of cake topped with cream and a strawberry) was not great; cake was dry and unflavourful, and the strawberry was hard to chewy and sour Overall the amount of food we ordered was just right for the 4 of us, and the price point wasn't too bad! (mid 30s including tax/tip) I feel like maybe the teishoku set sides were quite overrated, esp for the price, and could be skipped next time, but overall I was pretty pleased with how yummy all the mains were.

Food (3/5) - I have only seen omurice in pictures and have been dying to try one for the longest time. This was pretty well executed - runny in the middle and solid on the outside, the sausage fried rice was nice and light, the sauce is sweet and salty, was a little too salty for me. Miso soup that came with it was fine. Also got the nori fries - they're shoestring fries (which is my favourite type of fry) and the seasoning was good, wish the seasoning to fry ratio could've been higher! Price (4/5) - Fine for the area, 20-25 for mains, 10-15 for sides. Portions were fair. Ambiance and service (4/5) - Could get a table pretty quickly, though the area was full. Service was pretty prompt generally and staff were quite nice, refilled our waters pretty frequently.

Can't believe I've been sleeping on this place for this long. It's been saved in my list for years. Literally walking in I was getting Japan vibes. From the decor to the dark setting it was very familiar since I was just in Japan a week ago. Which definitely made me wish I was back. The service was good. They were quick to sit us down and take our order. Food came out without delay as well. We got the Tako wasa, chicken karage, and omurice. Tako wasa kind of stole the show. It was this inexpensive appetizer that packed a lot of flavor and even had a nice wasabi kick. The omurice was made perfectly. The Demi-glacé sauce was delicious and worked really well with the eggs. The karage was my least favorite but really good either way. Sake also wasn't all that expensive either. Esp the house sake. Overall would 100% return

Aoi has great Japanese food, a cute atmosphere, and fair prices. They were recently recognized by the Michelin guide and I can see why! I came here with friends for dinner. All of their dinner options come either Ala carte or as a teishoku set for an extra $8. The teishoku items change daily, and there's a card at the table that says what today's teishoku includes. The portions were all very large, and we were stuffed after finishing our meals! I had the mentaiko pasta and it was huge and delicious. My friends come here semi frequently but this was my first time. I would definitely come back!

Made a reservation with a few people on a weeknight for dinner. There were a few tables left, and the servers were all friendly. It's a tight, clean restaurant with lovely decor. We ordered the Omurice, happy hour wine, loco moco, katsu sando, mentaiko pasta, and raw octopus. The portions are all pretty small, and it's average-priced for restaurants in the area. The pasta was delicious, and the octopus had a good wasabi-infused taste. The Large Plates (omurice, pasta, and loco moco) all came with a small bowl of miso soup.

Aoi Kitchen is such a gem! If you can, I recommend making a RESY to ensure you have a table, especially on the weekend. We unfortunately did not, but were lucky to arrive at a time when they had one table available. A few others who came after us without a reservation had to wait. We ordered the omurice, Japanese curry with fried egg and tonkatsu, truffle nori fries, and the ika-geso. The tonkatsu was fried perfectly and paired exceptionally with the curry and fried egg. The squid legs were also perfectly fried and crispy. While I didn't try the omurice, my friend enjoyed the dish. Note: - Lunch sets only available Tuesday-Friday.

The Tonkatsu was super crispy and wasn't dry. The Tonkatsu paired with the (complimentary) miso soup hit the spot! I didn't have to wait long for the food either. The restaurant itself was cozy with cute lights hanging from the ceiling.

What a gem of food experience at AOI kitchen! Truly tucked away from the crowds... on the same block as Raku... and couldn't be happier with my accidental find. Cozy cute layout with a romantic ceiling... *look up* bring your date! Service is great, tho... we went once they opened so truly we had the whole place to ourselves for about 20 mins before anyone came in. Food was a good reminder of our Spring trip to Tokyo... had their potato & kani croquette, katsu sando, and curry over rice with kabuto sausage; and the hambug steak with omurice. The katsu sando was a perfect balance of crunch & savory... mmm... might swap out the kabuto sausage for more croquette! Hehehe Wouldn't change anything else, the taste was just nostalgic... Tokyo. and we were super full... portion was great, probably could've shared it but the big kid was hungry... kekeke I wish hot tea was provided tho... bc that day was kind of cold. Overall a good stop if you're around the area! #yelplife #nyceats #brooklyneats #tokyoeats

4.5/5 So good! Came here with a group of friends on a weekday night during the summer with a reservation and we were immediately seated. The restaurant has great ambience -- it's cozy, intimate, and a little dim. They also had great music selection. We got the Japanese Curry with Fried Chicken, Mentaiko Pasta, Omurice, Kimchi Nabe, and the Chicken Nanban. My personal favorites were the mentaiko pasta and the chicken nanban, but honestly all the dishes were amazing. When you order, you can choose to get your entree with side dishes (teishoku) for an additional price. I would highly recommend getting the side dishes -- all of the side dishes were so fresh and really make the meal a full one! My only qualm was that the omurice was a bit on the saltier side, but other than that, I was blown away, considering how casual of a place this is.

The place is very unassuming from the outside but when you enter you're greeted with a very cozy and warm ambience. The lighting is dim and I'd say perfect for a date night. I came here around 530pm for dinner on a Friday night which is early and the place was slowly filling up. Their large entrees which come with a few sides are great if you're hungry. I got the chicken katsu and it was really good. The curry had a slight spicy note to it but it was still subtle, as Japanese food is. The chicken was very tender and it was less breading and more meat which I liked.

Hands down one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in NYC now. I love love love the omurice from here. I've been here twice now in the last few months, and I have inhaled the omurice with curry sauce every time. Aoi Kitchen, as of Fall 2023, is available on the Seated app, which means you get a small percentage of your bill back. I've made walk-in reservations on there both times I have come to Aoi for dinner on Wednesday nights, and there has never been a wait. It is small-ish inside but cozy, and the food comes out pretty quickly from my experience. I believe the folks working there are also Japanese / Japanese-American so it's no surprise the dishes are amazingly tasty / authentic! The menu is cute with drawings of some of the dishes. I honestly have not wanted to order anything besides the omurice yet because it is just that good. Although last time, I tried someone's Japanese curry with sausage and that tasted great too. The omurice is cooked beautifully -- when you slice it with a knife, the egg just folds over so nicely. I'm not lying when I say I inhale it -- I eat it probably too quickly for my own good. Anyways, would 100% recommend checking this place out for lunch or dinner!

Came here and tried the omurice set with added katsu. Egg was cooked to perfection so well with the crispy katsu! The tiny side dishes were nice too. Be aware that the portions are on the smaller side, but good quality.

Nice intimate spot with good music and decorations. Food was alright. I'd say 7/10. I got the omurice. It does not come with proteins except for the little sausage in the fried rice and with the teishoku was $30. I also added a kani cream croquette which was very interesting. The inside is the cream with a deep fried outside, reminiscent of fried milk but no bite. The service was great. Our server was helpful and was kind to let me charge my phone. The tako wasa was interesting too with a lot of chew and wasabi taste. The cup is small, but it has a generous amount of octopus.

Came here on a weekday lunch date. You might miss the restaurant since it is downstairs. We were greeted quickly. The ambiance gives me a cafe/diner vibe. We ordered truffle fries, curry with pork katsu, and lunch combo of ebi sando + green tea. The truffle fries were seasoned well but the texture, in my opinion, was a bit rough. The ebi sando was very filling with the mayo and lettuce. They actually refill the green tea, which was great and unexpected. We had to add pork katsu to the curry since it wasn't a meal option. The pork katsu was crispy and cooked well. The curry came with a few sides and miso soup, which was a bit salty. Would like to come back and try the mentaiko pasta and omurice.

Yummy food and quick service! Prices are a bit high, but the ambiance is cosy and comfortable.

Service was great even though it was pretty busy our green tea and water was always full. Food was delish, my friend ordered the omurice lunch special and I got the katsu sando lunch special. We also ordered the king oyster mushroom and rib fry. Everything was yummy and I'd def come back. Super chill vibes on a wed lunch with the jazz music and dimly lit basement level location.

My friends and I happened to wander into this restaurant and it was a pleasant surprising how good the food was! A little pricey, but the food is great. We ordered the omurice w/fried chicken and Japanese curry with Ebi to share and it was so good! The omurice was cooked just right--the egg jiggled and it fell apart perfectly once you cut the egg right in half in the middle. Miso soup was also a great touch and I liked how they added a lot of green onion to the miso soup. Sauce was a great complement too. While the omurice was great, the Japanese curry was even better! The ebi was lightly battered sitting atop curry that's not too salty with rice and a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg. The plating of the curry was very pretty too. I would definitely come back just for the Japanese curry. The service was good, and food took a little longer to come out for bigger tables. We came for a late lunch and there were still some tables occupied. Cute shop when you walk downstairs, I would come back for lunch again! What we ordered: - Omurice w/Fried Chicken and Miso Soup - Japanese Curry w/Ebi and Miso Soup

What a cute place I just found accidentally! It almost reminds me of an old traditional Japanese Kissa-ten(tea spot). Food was ok but friendly and welcoming service made up and made me want to go back soon. Tonkatsu was served a bit too cold for my taste but I liked the Chicken Nanban which came with tasty Nanban sauce. They also have happy hour drink served until 7pm. I'll definitely come back to try their curry & omurice.

Very traditional Japanese food! We ordered omurice, which was delicious. The egg was cooked well, and the curry was very flavorful. It came with a side of miso soup. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant too. It was dimly lit, with vibrant lights that created a cozy and private atmosphere. It's rather quiet inside, so it's good for conversation or dates. The service was fast!

Heard a lot about this place and it was pretty good! The truffle nori fries are a MUST. It's so yummy and the flavor is just perfect. The curry meal is super good and flavorful, I would recommend getting a side of katsu. The omurice was also good but I think there's just too much sauce and made my stomach hurt a little after (it was hard to eat because there's so much house sauce). Overall, the taste is good and it is on the pricey side for the amount you get. I would come to try other dishes! The waiter was nice and the vibes there were also nice for a cute date! I would suggest reserving before going because there's not a lot of space for more than 2 people tables.

Cozy little hangout to catch up with friends. I had the cod mentaiko. First time having this dish so I do not have a comparison. I found the dish to have a pleasant level of spice or heat (and I like spice) and it was very filling. The staff was very polite and helpful.

The food tasted great here! However, the miso soup was too salty. Dim and intimate vibes inside. They do play pretty loud music, so not conducive to having long conversations.

Came here for a birthday celebration and it is such a sweet cozy place. The sando is DELICIOUS - like the white bread is so soft and fluffy, the katsu is crispy, and the texture is perfect! The kimchi nabe is a seasonal item and it tastes very comforting as well. It also tastes different from korean version of kimchi soup which is pretty surprising. The retro deco and the flower ceiling are an added bonus for good photos. Will be back!

Came across this place while looking up for places that have omurice during our trip to NYC. It is a quiet tiny almost "hidden" spot in East Village. We were seated right away for a large group of seven on a weekend; most likely because we arrived during the off-hours around 2pm. The ebi fry sando is a perfect appetizer to share. The crispy ebi katsu is a perfect pairing for the soft milk bread and the sauce just ties them in. I got the omurice with katsu. The egg is gooey fluffy and soft but the glaze was a little too sweet and overpowered the dish. It is a bit pricey tho;The omurice alone was around $30. Overall, a cute Japanese spot with decent flavors and menu options.

Cute place nice vibe and good food! Do make reservations are they typically are booked. They also have lunch special with the full entree and the side dishes. The roe pasta was super good with just the right amount of spice. My gf got the loco moco, she's not a big fan of sweeter sauces so beware but it was still good nevertheless.

Great food and service. We stopped by during 4th of July weekend and wetquickly seated. We got a few apps along with katsu sando. Everything was delicious, king oyster mushrooms were really delicate, agedashi tofu was good, the crab cream croquettes (so good and creamy especially when dipped in the sauce provided). Food came out quickly and was a great experience overall.

Super pricy, around $50 per person after tax, yet their omurice is too good to pass. Gently slice the fluffy omelette lengthwise, then it will flip equally over your rice - such a healing ritual to appreciate a well-cooked omurice I've order the set, and the side dishes are surprisingly impressive, which include miso soup, japanese style potato salad, vegetable tempura, kinpira gobo and red bean mini bun. Only the dessert is slightly disappointing as it tastes like supermarket cheap packaged snacks. Comparing to the original sauce of omurice, curry seems to compliments with the omurice better. I've tried my friend's katsu (fried pork cutlet) but sadly the pork is a bit overcooked. I would therefore recommend crab cream croquette instead if you want some more side dishes. Overall, it is enjoyable to have a decent Japanese meal at AOI. The restaurant does pay some efforts to create a retro and homey ambiance to its customers, from the store decorations to their quality cuisine. My Recommendations: Curry Omurice Worth Returning? YES I'd like to try their sando next time

I can totally see why this place is a Michelin Star -- it's beyond delicious! For starters we got the Truffle Nori Fries, which were of my two favorites -- shoestring fries AND truffle. You may think you wouldn't want to get fries for $13 BUT trust me, it's absolutely worth it! Truffle is strong and the fries is the perfect texture of crispy and soft. I've had soggy truffle fries and overly crispy fries so this was just right! They also offer ketchup but you don't need it. My friends ordered Tako Wasa too. Very refreshing in flavor for it being cool, light, and flavorful! I also got to try the King Oyster Mushrooms (not pictured) and that too was packed with flavor and the perfect tenderness (some mushrooms can get a bit chewy but this one had a good bite). Idk where to get omurice in my area back home but this was delicious! It seems like a lot but it was that good I was able to finish every grain of rice and all that sauce! If it's your first time, I do suggest trying it with the original demi glace. It's really good and I always opt to go traditional first before I venture out to try new flavors. If and when I return, I'd try it with the curry sauce! Service was a little frazzled with our orders because we were a big group (10 guests) but luckily we all ordered similar things so it wasn't as confusing. However, they did bring out a tonkotsu meal for one guest when he clearly said omurice with tonkotsu. I recommend to ask them to repeat the orders back if you plan to go with a large party! OH and if you do go with a big group, just a note: they only do up to 7 separate checks so plan ahead on who can be grouped together. Loved how intimate it felt inside and the aesthetic is so gorgeous with the mid-modern century aesthetic with Japanese influence. Even though this review reflects on my experience with a big group, I'd think this is a great place for a date night too!

Amazing ambiance - think izakaya, but not overpriced and chill/hip. They were doing live jazz the night I went and had records on, which added even more to the unassuming yet artistic flair of the place. In terms of the food, excellent as well. I love that they have a decently priced omurice set that had a lot of food and could possibly be split between two people. The omelette exterior was perfectly done and very creamy with the ideal texture. Likewise with the gravy, with a slight hit of worcestershire sauce. Although not a super nuanced dish in this case, it was definitely a classic done well. There were a few tiny portions of sides, which were all decent. The miso soup was delicious. We also enjoyed an absolutely delicious sparkling sake. They have a variety of other drink choices, but the sake list is short, sweet, and high quality.

The staff are very friendly and attuned, providing quick and considerate service. The decor is also very welcoming and spacious, where you don't ever feel like you're on top of anyone. The curry cheese Hamburg was so delicious; creamy and meaty with a hint of smokiness! We also got the teishoku set which provided such a symphony of flavors, ranging from sweet, sour, salty, and creamy! I definitely highly recommend adding the set for 8 dollars, for the yuzu tomato was by far the SWEETEST and most delicious tomato I ever had (keep in mind that the set items may change!) My wife's seasonal kimchi nabe, however, had a flavorful broth but the meat was so overly cooked that it was barely chewable and definitely not enjoyable unfortunately. If they can fix that to include more tender cuts of meat, this would have been absolutely perfect! Overall I really enjoyed our experience at Aoi and would love to come back to give them a 5 star next time! I hope my criticism will help this restaurant shine even brighter, for it has so much potential! Thank you for reading and best of luck everyone! (:

- overall rating: 3.5 - recommend : omurice tonkatsu teishoku - the omurice was perfectly cooked and I really enjoyed all of the sides that accompanied the meal set ( I think the cream puff dessert is from beard papa's) however I found the demo Glace to be too sweet (personal preference) however my dinner companion enjoyed it - the flavor of the raw Wasabi octopus appetizer was good but the texture (raw octopus in general is a no no for me)

I tried this place for the first time and all foods were amazing! It was really great!

The restaurant has a nice, chill ambiance and is very cozy and intimate. I ordered the tonkatsu and my friend ordered the omurice. Both were delicious and good enough to be just filled. The dishes came with complimentary miso soup which was great for the cold weather. However, I'd give it 4 instead of 5 stars just because it didn't stand out to me as the best omurice or katsu in the city. It's still a great option for a comfort Japanese meal.

Ordered the Mentaiko Pasta for takeaway and was pretty happy. It's a very creamy saucy pasta topped with mentaiko, an egg, and furikake. I would suggest mixing it thoroughly so the sauce is evenly distributed versus being all left at the end but in doing so you also kind of lose the taste of the mentaiko. I took a few bites with mentaiko and then mixed it all together. Would totally get again. It was pretty fast for pick up - I walked in and it was on the table in sort of a waiting area so I kind of made eye contact with the waiter and picked it up.

Really good japanese food! It was a little expensive, but that's NYC for ya. Super cute restaurant, nicely decorated, and the servers were really nice. I got the zaru soba and inari sushi set. The soba was soo good! The broth was the best, super flavorful and salty. I drank it all. It was $18 I think, and I was pretty full afterwards. Would def come back, I want to try the loco moco next time.

This place is so cute! It's a small space so I definitely recommend making a reservation beforehand. It was easy to do and I was able to get a last minute reservation the night before. We got the crab cream croquettes, ika geso (fried squid legs), mentaiko pasta, and loco moco. The crab cream croquettes were sooooo good! These have always been a favorite of mine. The fried squid legs were also amazing. Both of these dishes were perfectly crispy! The mentaiko pasta was good but it tasted more like pepper than mentaiko. I wished it had more mentaiko since it tasted like cacio e pepe. The loco moco was also good. The burger was more well done than I liked, but overall, the dish was good. The wait staff are really attentive. Food also came out pretty fast, which was a plus. Definitely recommend getting their fried small plates to try!

My partner and I ended up in the area for lunch over the weekend and stumbled upon this place. We walked into a really cute restaurant with flowers all over the ceiling and were greeted by yummy smells. We chose to split the omurice tasheiki (which included bites of veggie tempura, bacon potato salad, pickles, etc). The curry in the omurice was absolutely delightful! Eggs and rice perfectly cooked. The pork katsu sando was also delicious, very crispy and yet fluffy simultaneously. Would definitely come back!

The interior of the restaurant gave off the impression that you were in a yoshuku restaurant in Japan. It very much seemed like a Japanese restaurant trying to be Western. I ordered the curry with karaage. The karaage was so moist. The chicken was perfectly crispy with the coating being very light. The curry to rice ratio was perfect. I had just enough curry for the rice. The curry was seasoned well. The rice could've been served warmer. The edges of the rice were also a little stiff. I loved that the egg was runny. The only thing I wanted was pickled ginger. Miso soup that was served as a side was a good way to round out the heavier meal. The atmosphere is great. The restaurant itself isn't extremely busy or loud. The add-ons to dishes can get a bit pricy, and the teishoku can get a bit more expensive. However, the a la carte was the appropriate amount of food, and the menu is a bit cheaper during weekday lunch.

Visited on a friday afternoon around 1pm and it wasnt crowded at all. The place is very cute inside, i liked the vibe. Ordered the tonkatsu meal set. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend this place for a quick lunch.

One of my fav Japanese spots in the city! Everything is super authentic homey dishes with a cute interior that really makes you feel like you're in Japan! We got a couple of the dinner sets with the Uni Pasta and Omurice, which came with a bunch of side dishes. Perfect cozy spot with friends!