Aya Sushi in Bellaire is a hidden gem for sushi lovers, boasting a vibrant atmosphere, a culinary journey of innovative omakase under Chef Yoshi, and an impressive lineup of sakes and cocktails.
"With Tokyo-trained chef Yoshi Katsuyama, this Bellaire sushi restaurant is drawing in residents from all over Houston for its delicate assortments of nigiri, sashimi, and maki. Let the chef take you on a journey with Aya’s omakase experience for $159 per person and $85 for beverage pairing. Be sure to check out dishes like the bone marrow dripping in shoyu butter and the Ayaviche, a Japanese-style ceviche. Cap the night off with a sip from the drinks menu, which offers a selection of different sakes and inventive cocktails." - Brittany Britto Garley
"With its simple yet chic dining room and an omakase experience touting nearly 20 courses, this Bellaire Triangle hotspot delivers on style and substance. Helmed by Uchi veteran Yoshi Katsuyama, the restaurant’s inventive offerings include soft shell crab, lobster, wagyu, and bone marrow among others, plus a selection of more than 100 types of sake. Dining at the 10-seat omakase counter offers an unforgettable experience thanks in part to chef Yoshi’s dynamic personality, but an a la carte meal feels just as special." - Brianna Griff, Brittany Britto Garley
"Aya Sushi is built for the long haul. The Bellaire omakase is 21 courses with a mini-presentation from the server about each dish. If you like museum guide-level explanations, this is a solid omakase option. The nigiri, which arrives about a third of the way through the tasting, is the true highlight. Buttery cuts of hiramasa and ivory king salmon vanish in our mouths and stay on our minds through the end of the omakase. Aya adds a little flare to some courses, but usually, the cod hidden under rivers of pineapple-scented dry ice is forgettable. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Gianni Greene
"Start the New Year off right with an omakase at Aya Sushi. The Bellaire sushi restaurant will have a 21-piece omakase, featuring some of the chef’s favorite pieces of 2023. Reflect on your year as you throw back pieces of nigiri. Price: $175 per person" - gianni greene
"Tokyo-trained and enigmatic chef Yoshi Katsuyama brings his years of experience to the Bellaire Triangle, in the space that was once home to Bernie’s Burger Bus and its yellow school bus). Diners can expect fresh fish flown in daily from Tokyo that make up the chef’s expertly plated assortments of nigiri, sashimi, and maki, including the Red Rose — a combination of cucumber, caviar, and torched toro. Other dishes on the menu include the Enoki Butter — enoki mushrooms combined with soy butter for a burst of umami. Spring for the full experience, and let the chef lead you through Aya’s impressive 19-course omakase." - Minh Truong, Sean Hekmat
