Aya Sushi

5407 Bellaire Blvd Suite A, Bellaire, TX 77401, United States

Aya Sushi
About This Sushi Bar

Aya Sushi in Bellaire is Houston's best Sushi and Omakase restaurant near you. A one of a kind dining experience with fish delivered from all over the world and expertly prepared by Chef Yoshi Katsuyama.
A la carte or Omakase menus available.
Innovative cocktail program.
America's largest sake list and Award Winning wine list make it the best Sushi experience in Houston.

Sushi Reviews
Sushi Experience №1

Great experience. Loved the Chirashi sashimi; the variety of flavors & premium quality fish melts in your mouth. We also ordered the Sake & Spicy Hamachi Maki. Both were good.

Visited a month ago

Sushi Experience №2

Premium omakase, uni, scallops, white tiger sake highly recommended.👍👍👍 Currently, the summer version of omakase, one year anniversary omakase in September (per chef Yoshi) 👨‍🍳
The veggie dishes (bok choy, enoki mushrooms, and cauliflower) are unique and excellent twists that evoke new flavors from the regular veggies.

Visited a month ago

Sushi Experience №3

Visited 2 months ago

Sushi Experience №4

Visited 2 months ago

Sushi Experience №5

My wife waited for a while at front even though there's only 2 tables filled in dinning area. More tables filled on outdoor patio. Waiter didn't compete his order and didn't come back after we sit on the table for 15mins as we wait for him to confirm to sashimi platter details and have to ask another waitress to help only found he has ordered it. We continue to order the rest of the food with the waitress. The waiter brought the dishes out later and didn't apologize, looks like he is either not aware or doesn't care. Maybe we didn't dress up for the place? None the less, the food is ok. But the hype of this place is overrated. We left and went for another restaurant to fill our stomach.

Visited 3 months ago

Sushi Experience №6

Excellent place, pricey but if you're new or interested for a first time visit, go to the Happy Hour from 5-6:30 M-Sat
Wait Staff was glad to share what each item was, check if it contained any allergens, and offer recommendations. Apparently there is also a Sunday special of chef recommendations, looking forward to go back and try it.

Visited 3 months ago

Sushi Experience №7

Service was superb and the place has great vibes. Premium sushi nigiri was not the best we've had but it tasted fresh. They were small nigiri pieces, similar to the size you would see at Uchi. Their hot foods were great. Surprisingly loved the flash fried bok choy. I'd return for the happy hour but go elsewhere for sushi.

Visited 3 months ago

Sushi Experience №8

My partner and I celebrated our anniversary at Aya for a second time and there isn’t another place we would choose to go have omakase. Chef Yoshi puts so much care into his craft and somehow still manages to make us laugh so hard we shed tears. Every single bite of the omakase course had such memorable taste to it that it makes it difficult to choose a favorite. Not to mention the butter enoki and cauliflower dishes from the regular menu that blew me away with their subtle but sophisticated flavor profiles.

There simply aren’t enough good things to say about this place. Food, timeliness, customer service, ambiance, and overall impressions made for undoubtedly one of the best experiences we’ve ever had the privilege of sitting through.

Words cannot describe how excellent this restaurant is in every category that a food institution can provide, and I fully plan on returning to enjoy it all again. My only qualm is that I don’t get to come here as often as I’d like, so here’s your sign in case you were wondering if you should try this place (1,000% yes).

Visited 3 months ago

Sushi Experience №9

Visited 3 months ago

Sushi Experience №10

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №11

If you're looking for an evening of overpriced mediocrity wrapped in a blanket of smugness, this place has you covered. It was clear that our assigned waiter believed he was doing us a favor by merely acknowledging our existence.
The menu reads more like a pretentious poem than a list of food options—think "whimsical foam" and "locally foraged essence." And yet, for all the flowery descriptions, the dishes were comically small and wildly underwhelming
As for the service? Non-existent. The micro aggression was seeping through the skin of our waiter and looked offended any time we asked a question about the menu.
Save yourself the headache and find a place that knows how to treat paying customers with a shred of respect. This was a masterclass in how not to run a restaurant.

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №12

Best Sushi in Houston for sure. Most likely best sushi in Texas if not the country. Chef Yoshi has brought a truly Japanese Omakase experience to the lone star state. The waiters are knowledgeable and help create a truly unique experience.

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №13

Always fun to dine or have lunch at Aya.
Extraordinary experience if you choose omakase

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №14

I had the tasting menu and was absolutely blown away at the quality, presentation, taste, texture and attention to detail. They clearly have a passion for sushi and this might be the best sushi joint in town. I bet you’d have a hard time finding a better sushi restaurant in Japan, much less Houston!

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi Experience №15

I stumbled into this place with zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised. This was some of the best Japanese food I've had in my life and I've visited Japan.

The service was extremely friendly and personable. We wanted for nothing. I mentioned my alergies and let the chef choose. The atmosphere was good and a great drink selection! We'll totally be back and with friends!

Visited 5 months ago

Sushi Experience №16

The omakase experience was incredible. The chef accommodated all of our dietary restrictions in our party without compromising on flavor. We were treated to so many one-of-a-kind seafood bites that can only be found in a few places around the world. We feel so lucky to have this experience here in Houston.

Visited 5 months ago

Sushi Experience №17

The omakase course is astounding, chef Yoshi-San was very interactive and hilarious through our courses and the server presented each dish’s description perfectly.

Visited 5 months ago

Sushi Experience №18

I am from Japan and always wanted to visit this restaurant due to high rate. So I went their 2 yr anniversary evert with I had very high expectations for the upscale sushi restaurant but totally disappointed and even angry 😠 It was most disorganized and chaotic event ever. They let the customers outside in Houston heat for 30 min because only 1 person was very inefficiently processing tickets. It’s a tiny place but invited way too many people. So inside was hot 🥵 too. There were super long line for complimentary cocktail because only 2 bartenders are crafting the cocktail for each customer. They should prepare them and placed them on the counter for the customer to take. After getting cocktails, we had to stand on a food line for an hour because they formed so many customers only on 1 line. The food was like cheap sushi buffet. Very insulting for $80 ticket. I’m very a shamed the Japanese owner planned such poor event. I’ll never ever going back.

Visited 6 months ago

Sushi Experience №19

My favorite place for sushi. Staff is always pleasant and food is delicious

Visited 6 months ago

Sushi Experience №20

The omakase is extraordinary! Every single one of the staff members was welcoming and knowledgeable. I truly appreciated the care and passion shown to make this dining experience my most memorable yet!

Visited 6 months ago

Sushi Experience №21

13 little bite every 10 minutes!!! Delicious but very, very small for $75. Very disappointed.

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №22

Aya is our favorite restaurant, they staff here treats us like family. They know our favorite drinks and keep track of what we ordered the time before. Like many in Houston, they were greatly affected by the hurricane. When we arrived tonight they alerted us that the soda machine was down, but knowing the my husband only drinks Coke, they had gone to CVS to pick up cans of Coke so he could properly enjoy his meal. I was totally blown away by this level of service. Thank you Leslie and chef Yoshi for taking such good care of us!

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №23

Visited 7 months ago

Sushi Experience №24

Crudo was very good but karaage and sushi was mediocre. Could have used soy sauce and wasabi even though that’s basic. Service was phenomenal however!

Visited 8 months ago

Sushi Experience №25

Beautiful atmosphere!!!. The food is delicious. Simple and tasty.

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №26

We love Aya. Low-key but so elegant and minimalist. Definitely a place to show off Houston creativity and very unique and delicious sushi/sashimi dishes. And cocktails too!!
All the staff and Chef Yoshi create such a vibe, you can really tell they follow a set of values, inspired by Japanese traditions, for customer service and food quality.
Perfect for a gourmet lunch at the chef sushi bar, or an evening bite with a friend at the cocktail bar, or a true sit down dinner experience.
Highly highly recommend!!

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №27

Awesome.

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №28

We savored perfection! @ayasushi__ was an unexpected culinary journey!!

Nestled in the heart of Bellaire, Aya Sushi is a hidden gem that promises an unforgettable culinary experience for sushi enthusiasts. From the moment you step inside, the serene ambiance and minimalist decor set the stage for what is to come - a gastronomic journey through the exquisite world of Japanese sushi.

The selection of fresh, high-quality fish was unparalleled, with each piece melting in our mouths like butter. Every bite was a revelation of taste and texture. The masterful sushi chef displayed passion and precision as he expertly crafted each piece of sushi with meticulous attention to detail. Each artful plated presentation unfolded like a symphony of flavors in our mouths. Each dish was more complex in its layers, yet more delicate and flavorful than the last.

I've eaten an exceptional amount of sushi in my time and I can truly say that Aya Sushi is a culinary haven that elevates the sushi dining experience to new heights, setting a standard of excellence that is truly difficult to match. If you have a passion for sushi and an appreciation for excellent service, do not miss the opportunity to embark on this unforgettable journey of flavors.

We visited for lunch yesterday. It was so good we went back again last night!

Visited 9 months ago

Sushi Experience №29

The Omakase experience was SUPERB! A surprise birthday dinner from my boyfriend was EXTRAORDINARY! Everyone at this establishment was lively, positive and so helpful. We felt grateful to be able to take part in such a beautiful experience. We will be back!

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №30

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №31

My wife and I are big sushi fans and this is one of our favorite spots. The ambience is on point. The service is spectacular and they have a great selection of fresh fresh fish sake and Japanese whiskey.

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №32

We really enjoyed the food at Aya. The sushi dishes are unique enough to distinguish itself from our regular sushi haunts. From the crudo dishes, the tempura, the nigiri, and even the dessert were all very enjoyable. We'll definitely be coming back.

What we really enjoyed:
Salmon tatami (crudo)
Amberjack nigiri
King mushroom
401 maki
Momo Maki
Cauliflower tempura
Miso apple pie with ice cream to finish it off!

Visited 10 months ago

Sushi Experience №33

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №34

So many good things about this place!, the service was great, they were checking on us at the perfect time and it wasn’t annoying like every 5 seconds. The food tasted amazing and fresh. It’s soo underrated I could not recommend this place enough

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №35

Great place for sushi. Love the staff and of course the food

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №36

We heard Aya offered lunch menu for sushi so we went to try it. We got 7 pieces premium chef’s choice (7 nigiri and a classic roll.). Wow! We were blown away by how fresh and good each nigiri taste. Each of them was unique and have different flavor to it. Lunch menu came with a salad and a miso soup as well! Everything was delicious! I also ordered Santa Barbara uni nigiri and masu nigiri. So fresh and good as well! We will come back to try their Omakase.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №37

Wow!!! I am so impressed and blown away with the customer service and and passion for taking care of us tonight. My friend and I arrived 15mins before closing while they were closing down. The hostess greeted us and could tell that we were hungry, so she ran to the chef to ask if he would prepare something for us. He graciously agreed. She returned and took her time to explain the menu. The entire staff was polite despite the fact that we had held them up in a Friday night. Thank you all for your kindness, understanding and going above and beyond. I’m sure the food will be delicious. Will be returning.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №38

Great experience. Knowledgeable staff, great drinks.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №39

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №40

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №41

Consistently good place with an awesome, sophisticated bar. The maki rolls are unique but the raw fish options, small bites, and entrees are awesome. omakase is also awesome and singular compared to other places around town. The staff are accommodating, the food is great, and the drinks are thoughtful.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №42

Aya is a top-tier sushi restaurant tucked into the middle of Bellaire. It is stylish and modern, and service is personable and attentive. The food is the star, though. I have done the Premium Omakase, and it was really fantastic. Ingredients were fresh and exotic, with fish I’d never had, even at the other high-end sushi joints in town, and artistic presentations.

I have also been for weeknight dinner, and while not cheap, it has enough variety for a family dinner.

I highly recommend checking this place out for your next date night or special occasion.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №43

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №44

One of the sushi, sashimi chefs. Great service and atmosphere. 5 🌟.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №45

Last night I had a wonderful dinner at Aya. Lin made excellent recommendations. The food was delicious. We need to all support our local businesses. Do no let the construction around the Bellaire triangle prevent you from supporting Aya and the other businesses.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №46

Went last night for the first time, but definitely not the last. We did the omakase (with 1 additional piece + dessert). It was delicious and beyond worth it. We also got to try things I'd never had before which is something I love to do.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №47

Went for my 30th birthday. My wife surprised me with an Omakase (our first Omakase). This was also our first time here… beautiful interior. Food was amazing, service was a 7.5/10 (server talked way too fast for us to understand what we were about to eat), but the thing I remember above all else was one of the sushi chefs. First let me preface that we were the only ones at the sushi bar and were already there for about 1-2 hours. We had already built rapport with the sushi chef directly in front of us. We can call him sushi chef (A). We spoke to him throughout our entire Omakase experience. He was a very friendly guy who taught us a lot about what we were eating. Well at one point we began to record one of the dishes sushi chef (A) was preparing (I didn’t include anyone’s face). That’s when sushi chef (B) next to him put up a barrier that way we couldn’t see what was going on. Sushi chef (B) didn’t say anything afterwards and kept on doing what he was doing. Idk it just felt rude and passive aggressive of sushi chef (B) or maybe it was us being rude because we began to record sushi chef (A) without permission (btw no one told us if it was okay to record or not to record). It was our first time here and our first Omakase. We just felt like it was okay because we had already built rapport with sushi chef (A) and we were being friendly towards each other the entire time. Plus sushi chef (A) didn’t mind when we were taking photos. We didn’t let it ruin our night but it just left a bad taste in our mouth.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №48

Excellent service, beautiful space, amazing food. Looking forward to going back!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №49

Aya Sushi on Bellaire Blvd in Houston, TX, certainly has its charms with a pleasant environment and excellent service, but the culinary experience left something to be desired. My meal began promisingly with a well-prepared miso and fresh salad, accompanied by a decent sushi roll. However, the main disappointment came with the tempura shrimp and vegetables. Initially served soggy, it detracted from the overall meal quality. While the staff was accommodating and provided a replacement, the delay meant that it arrived when I was already full, diminishing my enjoyment. A mixed experience overall, meriting three stars.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №50

My boyfriend found this gem of a restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Immediately upon arrival, the entire staff welcomes you with a smile and a traditional Japanese greeting. Everyone is highly skilled in their trade, from the waitress, to the mixologist, to the chef, and to the chef assistants. Every single staff member is absolutely amazing. Their attention to detail is immaculate. Their chef, Yoshi made us feel right at home, with a warm smile, and he shared with us so much of his knowledge from Japan. Not only did I savor and enjoy every last bite but I also learned so much! Yoshi’s Japanese cuisine is literal art, and he mesmerized us by his unique blend of flavors. Every bite was unique and delicious. The chef assistants handled every course with precision and care, and worked amazingly fast. It was as if we were also getting a cooking show at dinner. Truly an art form. Our waitress also left us speechless by how knowledgeable she is and her skills to memorize every single course that was handed to us was just amazing. Their mixologist made a special mocktail customized just for me as I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. Our lovely waitress asked me what I was looking for in a drink, so I told her something savory, citrusy, and not overly sweet. With those few words, the mixologist created a special blend of flavors to create the perfect mockail. Honestly, the best mocktail I’ve ever had! If I could give them 100 stars I would. We will definitely be coming back. I want to thank every single one of them for making our first omakase dinner so special!

P.s. Their bathroom is amazing! Definitely instagramable, perfect for selfies!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №51

Yoshi-san is the best chef and is very knowledgeable and experienced thereby mastering the art of sushi.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №52

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №53

Food is amazing, service was amazing, and the atmosphere was great.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №54

I wish I could give it 10 stars! Everything during our experience was amazing-food, service, drinks, atmosphere. Sit at the counter for direct engagement and entertainment from the chefs. The Omakase Chef’s Menu is a true culinary delight and you get to experience rare and unique treats from a phenomenal chef. Can’t wait to come back!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №55

This place is phenomenal, and the only sushi restaurant that I've tried state side where the quality matches Japan - service from chef Yoshi and food are both Japan tier. Definitely go with the omakase at the bar with chef Yoshi

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №56

Came for lunch, highly recommend its Moriawase. Sushi was served in perfect temperature and every piece a perfect composition. Bakchoy is good too, with a crispy touch on the leaves. Will return for more.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №57

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №58

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №59

Lunch special was incredible. Service was impeccable, and the sushi was beyond delicious. They have the fish flown in from Japan, and the lovely server shared the culture and traditions of eating sushi. Loved it!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №60

Omakase premium experience for our wedding anniversary. Amazing food, quality and service. Exceptional in every way - did not disappoint. Our waiter Eric did a great job and the staff overall made it a very special experience for us. We loved it!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №61

If six stars were an option Aya would deserve them.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №62

Well. I'm having a terrible episode of food poisoning. I had a feeling at least two of the dishes from the Omakase was not fresh but I didn't imagine the negative result would last beyond just the moment of consumption. I also just checked with the friend that I dined with, and she also had a mild case of food poisoning. People: save yourselves and eat some place else.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №63

This is definitely worth a stop in, just make sure you get their omakase after 5pm. We came at 2 hoping for omakase but we’re still pleasantly surprised by the rest of the menu, a la carte.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №64

Everything is amazing!! Love the mushroom dumplings

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №65

Everything is top notch here and it’s one of our favorite sushi places around!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №66

Outstanding food and service. Rivals the bed in houston and somehow there’s not a line out the door.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №67

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №68

Aya sushi has the most unique and fresh sushi I have ever had. The perfect date night or celebration spot. We came in 30 minutes before closing and we were received with warm smiles and the most amazing service.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №69

Great food. I recommend.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №70

Amazing fresh fish selection from Japan.
Cocktails and Japanese Whiskey selection were top notch. Wagyu was great too.
Love the decor and attention to detail. Staff also was very attentive!! We will be back.
Omg try the old fashioned too with Japanese Whisky!!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №71

I love this sushi restaurant! It’s located in the bellaire triangle, plenty of parking spots.

The food was amazing, our waitress was great and she recommended the best dishes. The dessert is also made in house. We enjoyed the PINK tamago :)

I’ll definitely be back for the omakase.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №72

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №73

Tonight was my first time dining here and I have to say, I am impressed! Every single bite was an explosion of flavor. We tried every item on the menu and I my taste buds wanted more. I can honestly recommend every single item on the menu. I also want to add they have a huge and amazing selection of alcoholic beverages. You will not be disappointed.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №74

Don’t let the outside fool you! Aya has a beautiful atmosphere. The food is a whole other level. We did the omakase and it was delicious and was very well explained. If you’ve never done omakase I’d recommend trying Ayas. Not only do they go into detail on how to eat it but they also will tell you about the dish itself. If you can, sit at the sushi bar!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №75

Amazing atmosphere. I had premium omakase and it was worth it. You can taste the craftsmanship and Japanese culture in the food. Most memorable omakase I had in awhile. Highly recommend. Thank you so much

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №76

Amazing place for special occasions or for days when you really want to treat yourself. Chef Yoshi was very personable and humorous, and everyone on the team worked synergistically to support one another. This was my first Omakase, and it won't be my last.

Arigato Yoshi-san, and happy anniversary!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №77

Great spot and really enjoyed the high quality sushi and nigiri. Recommend for happy hour as well!

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №78

Best sushi AND omakase in Houston. Hands down.

Visited a year ago

Sushi Experience №79

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №80

Always spot on!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №81

Bad customer service and very loud

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №82

Our server Dante-san was the best! If I could give this place 100 stars I would. Yoshi-san is an absolute treasure from his delicious unique foods to his animated character. This place is so wholesome. Would recommend this place to everyone who wants REAL sushi. I’ll definitely be back! Oh, get the cheesecake 😭💖 what an experience!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №83

We had a lovely experience having the chef's omakase (requires a reservation) tonight. Every single course was delicious and it all flowed from one plate to the next. We did not have a single bad dish. The service was impeccable too. Every dish was explained as it came, and server Denton (I'm unsure of the spelling, sorry!) was very attentive and happy to answer any questions. Our cocktails were also delicious and well made. Overall Chef Yoshi and his sous chefs provided us with an incredible dinner and we can't wait to go back. We didn't have anything off the regular menu but the offerings sounded good as well.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №84

One word, omakase. If luxurious described food, this would be it. The presentation was impeccable. Each dish was transformative; like pages of a book, it was a story telling experience.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №85

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №86

Tasty but not worth the price point for the premium omakase.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №87

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №88

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №89

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №90

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №91

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №92

So impressed with this new restaurant . Unique offerings for both food and drink, exceptional service - ( thank you Lotus, our bartender/server) and outstanding ambience.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №93

Cute spot in Bellaire. Really good fun. Come for lunch when it isn’t as busy!! Staff was really nice. They have limited vegan options, but what was available was really nice. Try the fresh seaweed salad! I es shocked how it taste, weird texture, but equally delicious.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №94

Great spicy salmon maki

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №95

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №96

When I first came here to celebrate my bf’s bday, he & I had a wonderful expend. The second time I came here to celebrate a friend’s birthday (8 ppl) & the professionalism was disappointing. Lots of miscommunication. And one of the servers dropped sauce all over the back of my friend’s shirt. Didn’t apologize to him whatsoever. I honestly do not think it’s worth it other than seating at the bar for omakase. Just don’t expect great customer service if anything goes awry

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №97

The best and genuine Japanese restaurant in town. Excellent services!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №98

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №99

4/18/2023: Update: it’s been a few months since coming and service was not good. Tough scene. Last time I sat at the bar with mister Yoshi and it was great. However, sitting at a table was a different experience.

10/2022:Anyone that gives this place less than 5 stars needs to re evaluate their life.

Got the premium omakase and received very good portions. Very creative and enjoyable. (This is when I sat at the sushi bar with mister Yoshi)

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №100

Aya sushi? More like ayayaiii why did I come here? Last time I experienced service this bad my phone was accidentally on airplane mode

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №101

Yoshi makes amazing sushi. Beverage service needs some help and some of the omakase was a miss but overall a good experience.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №102

Authentic high end sushi restaurant with tables, booths and the traditional sushi bar. They had chef specials on maki.
The bartender was very knowledgeable about their selection of Japanese whiskeys. Had a very enjoyable evening.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №103

Omakase was the best we've had in Houston, comparable to Soto in Austin. Chef was bright, fun and very inviting.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №104

It’s really fancy but the location is not. The food is good but be prepared to leave not very full. The portions are not for sharing. The seabass is the size of your finger so don’t think you can share. I would say this place is going to babe a hard time of people coming back. Good food but a bit high end for location and customers in a neighborhood.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №105

Went to Aya when we were visiting Houston , and had a wonderful experience. Every bite was amazing, our server Yang was awesome as well! The place has nice ambience and decor.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №106

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №107

Good quality sushi in the Bellaire area. Lunch menu was great value. Service was friendly and informed. Patio seating was very nice. Happy Hour is from 5-6 daily.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №108

Great food, service, atmosphere. Love sitting on the patio

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №109

Beautifully decorated. Stunningly delicious sushi and wonderful, informative, friendly staff.

First time here and so happy we went. Is it expensive of course, it’s really great sushi and that’s what you pay for. Was it worth it? Completely. Can’t wait to go again and to try lunch too. So happy this place is open and in my neighborhood. Worth it all!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №110

A fantastic dinner experience. The staff were all very knowledgeable and very helpful. The food was brilliant, the tasting menu was fantastic with a wide selection of high quality food.

The atmosphere was perfect, a nice buzzing vibe in there.

Would highly recommend and will definitely be going again.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №111

Very quality and friendly staffs

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №112

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №113

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №114

$230 for two adults and two young kids and I left hungry.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №115

A HARD NO! DO NOT COME HERE!
I made reservations here for my BIRTHDAY only because it "looked" like a nice spot when passing by going to Auntie Pasto's, BUT it was a NIGHT MARE!

They gave me and my friends a horrible horrible service ON MY BIRTHDAY I'm so sad that I even came here just for them to ruin it. They took forever to get our order in, get our foods to us in a timely manner. Everything took FOREVERRRRR!!!!!!! My friends & I are not happy at all. We are all leaving a review for everyone to steer away!

Our waiter & manager were so unprofessional - please stay away & save your time & money and go to a different sushi spot.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №116

We decided to celebrate my friends birthday dinner here since we walked past it on a busy Saturday night and thought how lovely the decor was and menu seemed awesome. Only to be left dissatisfied with how we were treated by John the server who asked me to do his job since he could not properly operate the toast system they utilize. His exact words were, “c’mon you want to figure it out yourself” which I replied by saying “are you joking? Let me speak with your manager”. They charged us for a drink we sent back that did not taste the way John described it. They charged us for a cake fee that they did not mention when we made the reservation and they charged us a gratuity fee of 20% which most places only charge 15-18 %. The manager was hiding by the hostess stand letting John deal with the guests. As a former manager as soon as I see a table having an issue I am at the table myself to handle the ordeal. I could not even enjoy my meal to the fullest because John said that they did not offer sriracha or spicy mayo for dinner. Instead he offered me some of the Valentina he had in back that one of his coworkers brought in. I’ve never been to a Japanese restaurant that did not provide those sauces. We will not be returning to this establishment and will make sure to let all of our friends know on every platform that we had THE WORST experience ever. Very upsetting to have to end my friends night this way on a day that was meant to be special. If I could rate less than 1 star I would.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №117

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №118

1st time here and really enjoy our dinner. Definitely our new spot for elevated sushi. Quality price and service was on point. Each nigiri was delicious and the chef brush soy sauce on each piece so you do not have to dip. Perfectly executed. Definitely be back to try more items.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №119

Come on, this place is perfect.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №120

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №121

Aya Sushi, as good as it gets!
My family and I just visited Aya Sushi for the first time this past Saturday night (1/28) and it won’t be our last. Sadly, we were so enjoying our experience, food and drinks, so much, I forgot to take photos. Our service, with Bella as our server, was outstanding. The food we ordered was exceptional and came out quickly. The team at Aya worked together to ensure the food came out as it was ready. Bella made great recommendations based on what we said we like, and not one menu item disappointed. The way each item was presented was truly picture worthy and I really regret not taking some, so you will just have to trust me - the food looks as fantastic as it tastes. The environment, the bar, the sushi station… all reflect the tastes of highly experienced (and entertaining) chef Yoshi Katsuyama, who trained in Tokyo and spent four years at Uchi Houston. Prices here are definitely more reasonable than Uchi, but the quality of the food and experience is a close match! We made reservations for 6:45 on a Saturday night and were shocked to find the restaurant wasn’t packed. At the risk of making it harder to get good reservations in the future, I highly recommend this restaurant. Go while it’s still a “local” sushi place, rather than the super popular, hard to get a reservation, sushi hot spot that this place fully deserves to be. Bravo Chef Yoshi. Thank you for coming to Bellaire!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №122

Saturday night dinner. Group of 4 and we had an excellent experience. We told the waiter to just bring us what he recommended and gave him a budget. He did not disappoint. We had about 10-12 things brought out to us and maybe only 1 thing wasn’t great, but everything else was magnificent. Great ambiance and vibes, great service. I would definitely dine here again.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №123

Terrible, terrible Sushi Chef.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №124

Tried premium omakase last week, the service is great. For the food , I love the nigiris, but the hot food, such as meat balls or fish ball are just okay, not worth it.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №125

Wow. That's all i have to say on all levels. Thank you Marcus Bubba ❤️❌️

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №126

Unfortunately we did not do our research and did not realize how nice of a place this was. Thankfully we were welcomed in, dressed for a jog, with warmth and a smile nonetheless. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and attentive. The service was quick and efficient. The dishes were artistic, elegant and tasty. Certainly the level of food was beyond our expectations. While you would expect these prices for this well put together package, the amount of food you got in return left you more hungry than if you had not eaten at all. After spending $70 for two people, we ended up going to the local taqueria to satiate our hunger. This place will impress your date, deplete ur wallet, and leave you hungry. It's worth the experience, but please pregame.

I would suggest that the restaurant consider increasing portion size to improve the experience, and inspire customers to return.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №127

I was able to reserve a dinner for two on the same day. We were warmly greeted by the host and immediately seated at a booth (upon request).The booth itself was comfortable and clean. The overall ambiance of the restaurant was very modern and romantic because of its low lighting and beautiful sage green with gold accented color scheme.
The waitstaff was very energetic, attentive, helpful, and engaging. Our waitresses seemed really knowledgeable of the menu. They made a lot of tasteful recommendations that we got to try. We were offered some training chopsticks when they noticed us struggling a little bit to eat and checked on us frequently. They even announced every dish that came out. It's like they rolled out the red carpet for us.
Onto the food itself. We tried the Baby Bok Choy, Truffle Edamame, Enoki Butter, Shrimp Tempura, Snow Crab Tempura and King Salmon Sashimi. All of which were flavorful. The sashimi tasted very fresh. Most of the cuts of fish from the sashimi were thick, so it's like we really got our money's worth.
We also ordered the Kinoko Martini, The Breakfast Bird and Lichee-Hime from the drink menu. Each drink was unique and aromatic. They were also strong (I like that).
It was an all around memorable experience from start to finish! We definitely plan to go back and try more items from the menu. I highly recommend this restaurant if you have never had the pleasure of trying them.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №128

We did the regular omakase and it definitely was a great experience. The items chosen for the omakase were all very different and gave us a unique taste from cooked items to raw. Of course we still had to order some a La Carte items to try on the side. Although the omakase was a slower paced, we were there almost 4 hrs it was because they are shorter staff so they take their time. But other than that the drinks were strong and the food was good.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №129

Good sushi nearby. Creative with beautiful presentation.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №130

The best dining experience I’ve ever had. Amazing customer service and high quality cuisine. I kid you not, we were greeted by at least 6-7 team members upon arriving AND leaving. I had a Lychee Martini that truly left me speechless. Try any Sashimi, they’re very well priced. My yellowtail was so delicious, I laughed in disbelief. I will absolutely be back. This gem is worthy of 1,000 stars. I have not one critique.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №131

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №132

Nope, not the omakase

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №133

Omakase so good and really great price compared to others!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №134

Yes, Bellaire finally has high quality sushi. Great menu, but treat yourself ("Treat yer-self!") and get the omakase experience.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №135

Recommend the primer omakasea.
The presentation of the sake is so pretty!
It’s the first time I’ve tried the fresh eel serve as steamed. Do love it.
But for the uni, the Santa Barbara one is not that fresh. Hokkaido one meet my expectations as usual.
Highly recommend their Ume specificity drink and the creep cake. The sever and the chef are awesome! Had a good dine - in experience.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №136

Pésimo servicio
Los meseros se burlan de los clientes
No hay respeto por las personas

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №137

Stumbled across this place only to be amazed by the exquisite interior, and the attention to detail to all of their dishes. Definitely a recommendation for date night or just great fresh selection.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №138

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №139

Great ambience and food. Came here during lunch and tried the cocktails, sushi and sashimi. A little pricey but totally worth it, the quality of the food and service were amazing.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №140

Great addition to Bellaire. Great from start to finish.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №141

Upon entering Aya Sushi, the interior was the first thing I noticed. It was beautifully decorated with hints of dark green.

After getting to my seat, ther server immediately greeted us and provided us with the best service ever! She knew everything about the menu, had great recommendations, and was funny, as well!

I went for lunch and ordered the PREMIUM 7PC CHEF'S CHOICE + | CLASSIC MAKI, which came with a soup and salad. There were two dressing options for the salad: onion or sesame. I chose onion while my significant other chose sesame. After trying both, I think sesame is definitely better and more flavorful. The soup was also good and was different from any of the soups I had in previous sushi restaurants.

After the soup and salad, the sushi came out, and it was DELICIOUS! They were all beautifully garnished, and the salmon and tuna pieces (my favorite) melted in my mouth. I liked every single piece and had no complaints. Everything was fresh. I got the spicy sake maki, and it was delicious, too! The lunch suprisingly filled me up, and I was full by the end of my meal. I also tried a bite of my partner’s tonkotsu, and it was nicely proportioned with a soft crisp.

I came with a group of friends and my significant other to celebrate the engagement of our friend, and the server kindly asked us what we were celebrating and handed us a coffee layer cake, which was amazing. The coffee layer cake was dark and rich, and it was very nice of them for unexpectedly giving us one.

Overall, I think the lunch specials were definitely worth it and was a good deal. Their service was also phenomenal, and I would definitely come back again for lunch!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №142

Inside has good ambiance, very clean and great setting for dinner. The staff is engaging and very nice but wasn't able to fully explain each of the dishes. We completed the Omakase Experience. This is a great way to try 19 various selections several of which were very unique and delicious and all were presented beautifully. While several of the options melted in our mouths, not all gave that experience and as such the experience was a little pricey compared to the quality.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №143

DELICIOUS 🤤 Highly Recommend!!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №144

Average food. Atrocious service.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №145

Absolutely terrible experience. Food is already overpriced but the terrible service doesn’t even make it worth it. Our server took our order at 6:45, then 20 minutes later when we checked up on it said it would be out soon, then another 20 minutes later we asked and she said she wasn’t really our assigned server and forgot to put the order in at all despite being the only one to take an order from us. The manager’s response was shockingly unsympathetic and she did not offer any apologies or anything useful. Do not go here and waste your money

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №146

Every single dish and cocktail was absolutely outstanding. Service and presentation were impeccable. The sake and wine list is unmatched in houston. What more is there to say?? We even got to try some fish that we had never heard of before!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №147

This place is really nice, and you can see they worked a lot on the indoor decor! We did the omakase here, and the fish was very good! Dessert too. But we were still left hungry and had to order things off the menu as well.
Usually when I do an omakase anywhere I’m STUFFED! Here, there were a lot of “fillers” and other seafood options that weren’t up to my liking. But the service was great! It is pricy for still being hungry. And don’t skip dessert!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №148

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №149

Service was great but the food didnt stand out in terms of flavor for the price.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №150

My hubby and I went here for lunch and were blown away. Everything we ordered were delicious . The Amber jack and ocean trouts nigiri melted in our mouth and so flavorful. The fish were high quality and super fresh. We ate so fast that we forgot to take any pictures to share... maybe next time. Friendly staffs and nice ambiance. Highly recommended this restaurant.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №151

Some creative and outstanding dishes with a bit of a challenge to ordering. It diverges from the usual sushi menu without a clear path for selecting from it's many excellent offerings. Very helpful and friendly staff.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №152

Very different, very upscale Sushi. Every fish we picked from the small plate section was beautiful to look at and tantalizing flavor when eaten. It made for a most pleasant dining experience.
5/4 Syds
#howmanysyds

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №153

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №154

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №155

Simply the BEST!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №156

One of the best Sushi experiences one can have

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №157

Excellent food and experience up to the last 5 minutes.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Chef pairing. Our waitress was excellent as well. Our experience was lessened when we were asked to give up our table because they needed it for others. The ink was barely dry on the check and we were finishing our drink. I would expect more after spending upward of $500. We expressed our dismay to the manager regarding feeling offended by the request to give up our table, and he seemed robotic in his response(“sorry”, of course”, etc.).
Didn’t leave feeling our concerns were heard or our service was valued. There are a lot of excellent restaurants in Houston. The food was great, but if I don’t feel valued as a customer, I will find another exceptional restaurant to give my business to.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №158

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №159

Omakase was delicious

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №160

So excited to have such a nice sushi restaurant in Bellaire! I’ve been to a lot of sushi restaurants all over Houston and this falls in the top 3 category for sure. The ambiance was nice, food was delicious, cocktails were great, and the service was 💯! Highly recommend! I had the Lychee-Hime cocktail, the Triangle roll, the Dino roll, the Hama Chili and the Miso San. All were amazing!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №161

Amazing experience. We were celebrating our anniversary and had the omakase for my wife and I. We would definitely come back in the future and we are recommending to our friends. Fish quality was excellent and enough creativity to make the night an experience. Service was top notch.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №162

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №163

Amazing. I have literally no complaints. Yoshi-sama was so fun to watch work and he’s such a friendly and funny guy! Every single thing I ate was amazing and I’m really boujie with my sushi palate. We paid a lot but you’re paying for the freshest fish and for the chefs 40+ years of experience. He told us someone came in asking for spicy tuna roll and they don’t make it cause the tuna they have is too high quality to cut up and mix w spicy mayo. The people were plebs and didn’t know what they were missing. Overall amazing experience, entertaining, and delish! Def will be coming back.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №164

A great omakase experience. Worth every penny. First time I can actually say I left full after an omakase. My wife and I had the regular chef's experience and it included all of the highlights you would expect from a premium experience. O-toro, A5 wagyu, foie gras, etc. Each course was unique and full of flavor. I would highly recommend Yoshi San and the rest of the staff at Aya Sushi. Big shout out to the restaurant manager Leslie for being as hospitable as always.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №165

WOW!!! This is no regular "neighborhood" sushi joint. Everything from food, cocktails, wine selection to service is elevated. Chef Yoshi is a culinary badass and Chris, their beverage director/ som, has curated an amazing list of wine, sake and cool cocktails. It ain't cheap, but it's well worth it. Do the Chef tasting menu!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №166

Very artistic and super delicious!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №167

Pleasantly surprised to have this gem in our area.

I read some of the lower reviews, had some reservations before going, but I am glad I did!! Expect a high end dinner experience. Personally I enjoyed Aya better than Uchi.

I did not do omakase. Server informed us they would arrange our a la carte order accordingly. Definitely a pleasant surprise, I appreciate the attention to detail.

The fish offer great texture and flavour profile. The rice on the nigiri is not overwhelming, cooked just right. I read one review about the nigiri being too small, I will have to respectfully disagree. The portions are just right, bite size experience. Unfortunately they ran out of Tamago…

The wine menu is excellent. There are a great selection of sake which I truly enjoyed. My wallet might disagree.

Next time I would definitely try the omasake.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №168

It’s the best omakase we ever been too. The chef is amazing, the food was super fresh!!! Everyone is so friendly

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №169

This was a great culinary experience and a MUST TRY! I can tell a lot of detail and pride went into making this restaurant. The buildout was beautiful, the service Yong provided was top notch, and the food, well I wouldn't have expected any less. My top must tries are the Yellowtail Belly, California Uni, and Tuna. Aya I appreciate your work, it certainly didn't go unoticed!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №170

Fantastic all around. Been to every (relevant) sushi place in the city and can comfortably say this falls on the short list of places to visit. It's actually intimate which is nice compared to all the awful "look at me" loud vibe so many others are going for. The sushi was fantastic and different. California Uni specifically was amongst the best we've had (yellowtail and tuna were also standouts). Our server was also very attentive and made us feel welcome and taken care of. If you're a sushi connoisseur I highly recommend giving them a try. Solid 5 star.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №171

I went to celebrate 2 friends engagements and we decided to try the omakase.

First off, our server Danny was marvelous. He was charismatic, knowledgeable, attentive, and made the experience wonderful.

The food was great with a lot of standouts.
The nigiri cuts were thick and flavorful. The egg custard surprised me with the flavor.

If I were to name the weak points, I would say that the smoked tuna was okay. I wish there was more bone marrow but otherwise it was delicious. The wagyu wasn't memorable. I also personally am not an Uni person.

Surprises besides the egg custard was the foie gras. I really enjoyed that piece.

We also ordered 3 bottles of sake and it went well with our meal!

Overall a great experience!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №172

First time dining at this sushi outpost in Bellaire. Love what they did with the old Bernie’s locale with excellent lighting and a gorgeous bar. It was surprisingly casual tho. Perhaps this is their intention but fine dining usually requires an equally fine ambiance elevated by staff wardrobe and textiles to soften the environment.
The cocktail menu was extensive and most of us enjoyed a Lychee drink. We all had the standard Omakase which was well diversified but would have enjoyed more crudo and sashimi. The order of the dishes started well but ended with rather heavy items.
Aside from these minor issues that can easily be addressed, we enjoyed our meal, the service and the wine/sake pairing by a very knowledgeable sommelier. We will return.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №173

Had the experience. 19 courses. Great food. Really clean. Premium fish. Very unique experience. I found it really filling. Def recommend.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №174

We went to this restaurant on a fairly slow night and it was an amazing experience. These negative reviews don’t know what they are talking about. This is fine dining, there is an emphasis on quality, not quantity. Be expected to pay quite a bit. You are not just paying for just the meal, but also the experience. The food was amazing and you can tell the ingredients are fresh and high quality. Yoshi is the head chef and is very friendly, funny, and entertaining. He is fun to talk to when you get the chance. Great singer as well. He elaborates on every dish we were given (Omakase). Would definitely recommend trying this place at least once.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №175

We saw this place on instagram and give it a try. Nice atmosphere but a little pricey . End up we choose the Omakase and like it 7/10 but good price . Highly recommended for Omakase .

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №176

Dined here Saturday night and did the premium omakase with drinks pairing. Would highly recommend this. Each dish was very creative and the quality exceeded my expectations. The drinks menu was far and away the best I’ve seen at a sushi restaurant. Started the dinner with an almond old fashioned and vintage champagne. The somm running the drinks pairing was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what he was pouring for us. He explained the story behind each drink very well. If you are a fan of sushi this is a must try in Houston.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №177

Had high hopes. Great service and decor. However, the food was sub-standard. The truffle shavings were dried and mixed with rosemary!! But priced like fresh truffle shavings from alba. Bamboozled is the best description of the menu. These outcomes are likely an ownership or management decision to cut costs at diners’ expense and not appreciated. I was given a discount 15% to my truffle supplement for doctored dried truffle (maybe). I can not criticize staff, service or kitchen but it’s clearly upper management or ownership who are engaging what appears to be fraud.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №178

Not sure what some of these low star reviews are about, but come here and sit at the sushi bar and let chef Yoshi blow your mind.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №179

We wanted to sit at the sushi bar, which was almost empty. We were denied for some obscure reason about omakase sashimi. We left.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №180

Amazing and fresh sushi. Good selection of nigiri and cold starters. Miso soup was the best I’ve ever had. Be weary if you are a hot sake drinker. We ordered 3 carafes thinking they were the normal $8 hot sakes. We were surprised to find out they were $30 each! The waitress should have pointed out the cost when we ordered since we were unknowingly drinking high end sake (and it didn’t even taste better than the regular boxed hot sake). Although the sushi was better than average, I will not return until they offer reasonable sake options.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №181

Great food! Amazon staff! Love, love, love!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №182

First time visiting this new sushi restaurant in my area 77401 and was excited to see the renovation. The food presentation was great and the cocktails were fun & artistic. Bar staff was nice and made lots of great suggestions. Only negative was the Manager on duty Thursday night, not so nice and acted as though he was irritated that I asked about the gnat problem in the bar area as I was eating. Management is very important in restaurant business. No matter the cost of the food….people will always come back “if” they were treated well….

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №183

I’m actually confused if they’re paying for these 5 star reviews because this restaurant was anything but. This was by far the worst omakase experience I’ve had. At $800 for the premium experience for 2, I would have been better off going to HEB. The experience was terrible from the start. We made reservations for the sushi bar for the omakase experience and could not be accommodated there because the restaurant poorly managed the timing of the individuals sitting at the bar. With 23 different courses, not a single one blew me away nor tasted high quality. Even the Waygu was unimpressive. I could barley stomach three of the dishes. The spicy cod tasted rotten and extremely salty and the egg white dish in a mason jar tasted cheap and overwhelming. The smoked tuna featured on their Instagram page was nothing out of the norm and in fact, was overcooked. We had 3 different servers bring us food throughout our meal and this was after requesting a “vibrant server” when the hostess asked when entering. By course 23, we couldn’t figure out which server was supposed to be the “vibrant” one. I also expect there to be a uniform level of service at a restaurant featuring a $800 meal. I shouldn’t have to tell you the type of personality I’m looking for. Our primary server asked if we’d like to get fed faster than the 1.5 hours allotted for the omakase experience. This rubbed me wrong as I’m clearly not here to rush an $800 meal. We said “just bring them on out as they come!” Needless to say, we were there for ~3 hours beginning to end. The main server was young and attentive but nervous and poorly explained the dishes in a way that was enticing. The chef never came to see us despite us being 1 of 3 parties in the dining room in the 3 hour period. The Saki pairings were probably the best part of the meal, but the descriptions were extensive and held little meaning in regards to the meal they were paired with. The pairings started off slow and by course 15 nearly every dish had a pairing to a point where it was difficult to digest. The table remained fairly messy throughout. The plates were difficult to pick up with chopsticks and often fell apart, the sauces were nothing unique (Ponzu on 4 dishes), and the fish tasted average quality at best. I actually inquired about what differed with the premium experience and the answer was that some fish was imported unlike the regular omakase experience where the fish was from the U.S. Truthfully, it all tasted like it was from the Gulf of Mexico. I always look forward to the Toro and it wasn’t the slightest bit impressive. There is absolutely no comparison to spots like 5KinoKawa and Neo. Complete Instagram catfish. The ambiance was average. The music was loud. The servers were not well presented and customer service was poor. The sushi chef looked like the life of a party ready to take shots at the bar instead of a Michelin grade chef. Aside from never acknowledging us until we left, he bounced around the restaurant with Christmas lights around his neck. Several servers were posted at the hostess stand behind a wall texting throughout the night. Our server left the building before ever picking up our final check. The seating that was available did not accommodate a true omakase experience. The extensive reach across the booth to grab any plates or glasses disturbed the ambience. I have yet to sit down for an omakase experience and hope that I was on the final dish already but that was definitely the case at Aya. We asked at least twice, “how many more plates are there?” because we were over the experience. The restaurant doesn’t even have a sign outside but instead, a paper banner hanging on the patio. It had all the tall tell signs. Don’t fall for it.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №184

Chef Yoshi-san rocked our omakase experience! He expects nothing but perfection from himself, the quality of his food & the attentiveness of his staff because he genuinely values his customers’ time & expense. Cannot wait to go back!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №185

A welcome addition to the growing Bellaire dining scene! Perfectly executed food program with incredible tastes and textures. Chef Yoshi is a master at his game and a joy to interact with at his sushi bar. The solid food offerings are expertly complimented by an amazing selection of Sake, Wine and mixed beverages. They also have a vast selection of whisky and bourbon including some great Japanese labels.
Go all in and get the Omakase Menu...a deliciously wild ride!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №186

Great omakase experience!

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №187

Awesome

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №188

New sushi restaurant located in Bellaire area. The food was really good . The restaurant is small so make reservations. Our waitress TA was very nice and made the experience lovely.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №189

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Experience №190

A new high end Japanese restaurant, with upscale omakase dishes and crazy amount of Japanese spirits. It’s like mixed of Montrose/Heights right at the Bellaire City, must give it a try.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi Details
  • 13 sushi photos
  • 190 sushi reviews
  • 4.4 Sushi Rating
  • Reservations: +1 713-485-4272
  • Menu Website: https://www.ayasushi.com/
  • Sushi Address: 5407 Bellaire Blvd Suite A, Bellaire, TX 77401, United States
  • Sushi Map: 29.70514, -95.47484449999999
Specialties
  • Sushi restaurant
  • Bar
  • Cocktail bar
  • Authentic Japanese restaurant
  • Japanese restaurant
  • Wine bar
Sushi Hours
  • Sunday: 11 AM–9 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–5–10 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–5–10 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–5–10 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–5–11 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM–2:30 PM–5–11 PM
From the business
  • Identifies as Asian-owned: Available
  • Identifies as women-owned: Available
Service options
  • Outdoor seating: Available
  • Kerbside pickup: Available
  • Takeaway: Available
  • Dine-in: Available
  • Delivery: Available
Highlights
  • Fast service: Available
  • Great tea selection: Available
Popular for
  • Lunch: Available
  • Dinner: Available
  • Solo dining: Available
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
Offerings
  • Alcohol: Available
  • Beer: Available
  • Cocktails: Available
  • Coffee: Available
  • Happy-hour drinks: Available
  • Happy-hour food: Available
  • Healthy options: Available
  • Small plates: Available
  • Spirits: Available
  • Vegetarian options: Available
  • Wine: Available
Dining options
  • Lunch: Available
  • Dinner: Available
  • Dessert: Available
  • Seating: Available
Amenities
  • Bar on site: Available
  • Gender-neutral toilets: Available
  • Toilets: Available
Atmosphere
  • Cosy: Available
  • Trendy: Available
Crowd
  • Family friendly: Available
  • LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
Planning
  • Accepts reservations: Available
Payments
  • Credit cards: Available
  • Debit cards: Available
  • NFC mobile payments: Available
  • Credit cards: Available
Children
  • Good for kids: Available
  • High chairs: Available
Parking
  • Free of charge street parking: Available
  • Free parking lot: Available
  • Parking: Available