Aoko
Sushi restaurant · Edgewater
2304 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Highlights
Nigiri, sashimi, and omakase with fresh, creative flavors
Nigiri, sashimi, and omakase with fresh, creative flavors
"Aoko is a Japanese restaurant in Edgewater that no one seems to notice. With little to no internet footprint (and not even a sign on the door), this place feels like it was built during the sushi prohibition era, which actually was briefly a thing in early 19th century Japan. Thankfully, sushi makes up pretty much the entire menu here. They have á la carte sushi and omakase options under $100 for nigiri, sashimi, and bara chirashi. To start, order the hamachi carpaccio, which comes with tiny dollops of chimichurri, a few slivers of nori, and yuzu ponzu gel–an unexpectedly delightful trifecta right up there with the Beastie Boys. Then please, for the love of all things with gills, order at least one omakase. You’ll be chopstick fencing with your friends for the otoro. This is the place to go if you’re looking for that sweet spot within the casual to upscale sushi spectrum." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"No one seems to notice Aoko. With little to no internet footprint (and not even a sign on the door), this Edgewater restaurant feels like it was built during the sushi prohibition era, which actually was a thing in early 19th-century Japan. Thankfully, sushi makes up pretty much the entire menu here in the form of nigiri, sashimi, temaki, and maki. They have a la carte sushi and omakase options under $100. To start, order the hamachi carpaccio, which comes with tiny dollops of chimichurri, a few slivers of nori, and yuzu ponzu gel—an unexpectedly delightful trifecta right up there with the Beastie Boys. Then please, for the love of all things with gills, order at least one omakase. You’ll be chopstick fencing with your friends for the otoro." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"Aoko is a sushi restaurant in Edgewater with little to no internet footprint (and not even a sign on the door). Although its beautifully minimalist interior might make you feel like you’re not allowed to touch anything, it’s actually a walk-in friendly spot that plays R&B head bobs. Their concise menu offers three omakase options. The nigiri omakase ($75) comes with 10 pieces including three cuts of tuna that progress from lean to fatty and are topped with surprise clusters of caviar here and there. The sashimi omakase ($85) has 14 pieces, and the bara chirashi ($38) is perfect for a solo meal at the sushi counter. The bowl has heaps of cubed fish atop a bed of rice. Pair any of the omakase options with an appetizer like the cold cha soba salad and you’ve got a perfectly satisfying meal." - ryan pfeffer
"Even though word has gotten out about this Edgewater sushi restaurant, Aoko still feels like a secret. With no sign on the door and tinted floor-to-ceiling windows, you'd think this place was built during the sushi prohibition era (which was actually a thing in early 19th-century Japan). Thankfully, sushi makes up pretty much the entire menu here in the form of excellent nigiri, sashimi, temaki, and maki. It's available a la carte and in a few omakase options under $100. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Aoko’s dining room is the kind of space we’d create after reading an Architectural Digest column on Japanese minimalism. It's sleek, with beautiful blue tones and smooth wood finishes. It’s a perfect setting for sushi heads to focus on fatty tuna in peace. Don’t leave before getting a whiff of their housemade candles in the bathroom, which are sometimes available for sale and will make your overpriced apartment smell like it’s priced appropriately. Food Rundown Cha Soba Salad The earthy noodles pair beautifully with strips of sweet shiitake mushrooms. It’s great to share as an appetizer for two, and they’ll even split it into separate bowls (this will prevent a fight over the last noodle). photo credit: Mariana Trabanino Hamachi Carpaccio The hamachi carpaccio comes with tiny dollops of wasabi chimichurri, a few slivers of nori, and yuzu ponzu gel–a delightful trifecta right up there with neapolitan ice cream. photo credit: Ryan Pfeffer Negi Toro Do not dunk this roll in soy sauce. That would be a crime punishable by incarceration (or a lifetime of forced bowl cuts). It arrives already brushed with a perfect hint of soy sauce and the tuna is so rich, you don’t need to tamper with it. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino Nigiri Omakase There are three omakase platter options on the menu and this one’s our favorite. The selection of fish changes based on availability but you can expect various degrees of toro, salmon, a surprise dollop of caviar, and other cuts that dissolve like your will to work after a long lunch break. photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Bara Chirashi This rainbow pile of cubed fish rests on warm rice and gives you a delicious—and slightly different—experience each time you go in for a bite. If you come by yourself, have this at the counter and don’t be afraid to eat the pretty flowers. They’re edible. photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC Housemade Candle You’ll notice Aoko’s bathrooms smell like the lobby of an expensive Brickell building. This is because, in addition to sushi, they also make wood wick candles. They usually have some available for sale, so just ask. We did, and now our bathroom smells like the Icon residential tower too. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino" - Mariana Trabanino
"No one seems to notice Aoko. With little to no internet footprint (and not even a sign on the door), this place feels like it was built during the sushi prohibition era, which actually was a thing in early 19th-century Japan. Thankfully, sushi makes up pretty much the entire menu here in the form of nigiri, sashimi, temaki, and maki. They have a la carte sushi and omakase options under $100. To start, order the hamachi carpaccio, which comes with tiny dollops of chimichurri, a few slivers of nori, and yuzu ponzu gel—an unexpectedly delightful trifecta right up there with the Beastie Boys. Then please, for the love of all things with gills, order at least one omakase. You’ll be chopstick fencing with your friends for the otoro. This is the place to go if you’re looking for that sweet spot within the casual to upscale sushi spectrum." - Ryan Pfeffer, Virginia Otazo, Mariana Trabanino
