Very traditional restaurant. The lady who served us was not much an english speaker however this was not impeditive for us to communicate and place our order. Be respectful and patient as they are short of staff. The food was really good and traditional. We ordered a gyu don Tonkatsu and Eel guy don.
Isabelle Corps
I had a great evening at I ai Sushi. In terms of food everything came fast and was delicious. I ordered a California Tempura and Kraft Rangoon off of their menu. The California roll was fried to perfection and was so flavorful, this alone made me want to come back. The Krab Rangoon was crunchy and warm, however the center was cold when I ordered it, making it a little less pleasing. Another thing that was strange was the payment and tip having to be paid before the meal, which was fine with me but to each their own. Besides this, the service was quick and the waitress was very kind. The restaurant is quaint, cozy, and a great place for a quick bite!
Karen Steen
There were five of us, we were all new to this restaurant. The atmosphere was a typical dive restaurant but the service and food was excellent. It felt like we were in Japan, very authentic!
amber Flagler
A close friend of mine just ate here and apparently he had a bad experience especially for his first time being there. I guess if you weren’t so rude to your costumers who are paying you to eat there. You wouldn’t have such bad reviews, maybe you should think of the way you treat your costumers next time or you wouldn’t have such bad reviews and business. Kindness and respect goes a long ways. Also I won’t be coming here myself considering my friend had such a bad experience I don’t want to get the same treatment as they did. So therefore you won’t get my business either. Now if you were nice and considerate I would have gave your business a shot but since you have such poor hosting skills it doesn’t deserve my time or experience.
Sherry Hogsett
Wasnt as good as id hoped .
Edge Sage
I wanted to try something new that was nearby my chiropractor. And I was in the mood for sushi/sashimi. I was kind of excited when I found it was located right nearby.
The photos of the plates looked pretty good so I figured why not? And the pricing was a little elevated, but I would like to think for the pricing it still would’ve been OK.
As soon as I walked in, the woman could barely speak English or appear to barely speak English. They have no fountain drinks, it’s all bottled even though the jasmine tea was good. They don’t offer a military discount, which OK, I get it some companies don’t and that’s OK too.
You pay first before being served, which is a first for me with one of these type of restaurants but again not a problem. When the food was served, I actually needed to question the spicy tuna because of the texture. I have never heard of spicy tuna rolls, being chopped or mashed..
The eel roll wasn’t as tasty or crispy like I had hoped. My salmon roll with cream cheese, a.k.a. Philly roll, could’ve used a little bit more cream cheese, and you had to pay extra for the cream cheese.
When I was done, I had asked to use the bathroom, now we won’t go into it too much but about five minutes into my being in the bathroom someone knocked, and I said it was occupied. The second time a knock came through and a woman’s voice called out “you need to leave now“.
Now - I was paying Customer and there was no one else in the restaurant when I stepped out of the bathroom still needing to go.
So to the owners, as far as I was concerned, I paid to eat there and I was paying Customer and it shouldn’t matter how long I was in the bathroom for because I needed to go for those purposes. The woman was very rude! If I could put -100 stars for everything, I would. I certainly would not recommend this place to anybody! And I’m making sure it goes on all my media for sure!
Karina Rodriguez Escobar
Very comfortable
Diana Gromkov
Been coming here for 6 years and counting. Hands down my favorite restaurant in town. Authentic Japanese cuisine that I love so much and cannot find anywhere else. My favorite dishes are the ikamaru (grilled squid), eel gyu don, katsu curry, and Tenzaru soba 😊
Jason Liverio
Food was Great!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole Medlock
Ordered salmon chirash take out, checked before leaving and the salmon did not look fresh, and was still slightly frozen. I eat raw salmon all the time and this just didn't look right and I didn't feel comfortable eating it. I went back inside immediately and asked for a refund, and the person working there was very very rude and kept trying to argue with me. I kept my cool and stated I was trying to be nice and I'd just like my money back please. FINALLY they returned my money. Very disappointing lack of customer service.
Update: I went again today & they're still just as amazing as ever. The scallops were so delicate & lightly sweet, just perfect.
This place has really great, authentic food with no frills. Although they are NOT super friendly, I would NEVER call them rude, That said, if it's essential to you to get your whatever kissed, go elsewhere. If you just want really great food, this is the place for you!
I lived in SF for 20 years, so I know my sushi. This place has the best sushi I've had in Tampa. Also, they're literally the only place in the Tampa area that has gyu-don. I'd probably go more often if I lived closer (so maybe it's good for my pocket book that I don't, lol). I've never once been disappointed by their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Nicole Lee
I just ordered through doordash and This is THE BEST AUTHENTIC Japanese restaurant in tampa area. I grew up eating lots of japanese food in korea, and I almost teared up eating soba and spam musubi from this restaurant. Soba was amazing, tempura was crispy, yet light. So good. Musubi was amazing too. MY BIGGEST COMPLIMENT to the chef! I will be ordering more to try everything on the menu!
Food: 5
Service: 5
N Lee
I just ordered through doordash and This is THE BEST AUTHENTIC Japanese restaurant in tampa area. I grew up eating lots of japanese food in korea, and I almost teared up eating soba and spam musubi from this restaurant. Soba was amazing, tempura was crispy, yet light. So good. Musubi was amazing too. MY BIGGEST COMPLIMENT to the chef! I will be ordering more to try everything on the menu!
willis littus (Willis)
An excellent, modest establishment with a variety of Japanese food and drinks. I'm particularly fond of the katsu curry.
Very traditional restaurant. The lady who served us was not much an english speaker however this was not impeditive for us to communicate and place our order. Be respectful and patient as they are short of staff. The food was really good and traditional. We ordered a gyu don Tonkatsu and Eel guy don.
I had a great evening at I ai Sushi. In terms of food everything came fast and was delicious. I ordered a California Tempura and Kraft Rangoon off of their menu. The California roll was fried to perfection and was so flavorful, this alone made me want to come back. The Krab Rangoon was crunchy and warm, however the center was cold when I ordered it, making it a little less pleasing. Another thing that was strange was the payment and tip having to be paid before the meal, which was fine with me but to each their own. Besides this, the service was quick and the waitress was very kind. The restaurant is quaint, cozy, and a great place for a quick bite!
There were five of us, we were all new to this restaurant. The atmosphere was a typical dive restaurant but the service and food was excellent. It felt like we were in Japan, very authentic!
A close friend of mine just ate here and apparently he had a bad experience especially for his first time being there. I guess if you weren’t so rude to your costumers who are paying you to eat there. You wouldn’t have such bad reviews, maybe you should think of the way you treat your costumers next time or you wouldn’t have such bad reviews and business. Kindness and respect goes a long ways. Also I won’t be coming here myself considering my friend had such a bad experience I don’t want to get the same treatment as they did. So therefore you won’t get my business either. Now if you were nice and considerate I would have gave your business a shot but since you have such poor hosting skills it doesn’t deserve my time or experience.
Wasnt as good as id hoped .
I wanted to try something new that was nearby my chiropractor. And I was in the mood for sushi/sashimi. I was kind of excited when I found it was located right nearby.
The photos of the plates looked pretty good so I figured why not? And the pricing was a little elevated, but I would like to think for the pricing it still would’ve been OK.
As soon as I walked in, the woman could barely speak English or appear to barely speak English. They have no fountain drinks, it’s all bottled even though the jasmine tea was good. They don’t offer a military discount, which OK, I get it some companies don’t and that’s OK too.
You pay first before being served, which is a first for me with one of these type of restaurants but again not a problem. When the food was served, I actually needed to question the spicy tuna because of the texture. I have never heard of spicy tuna rolls, being chopped or mashed..
The eel roll wasn’t as tasty or crispy like I had hoped. My salmon roll with cream cheese, a.k.a. Philly roll, could’ve used a little bit more cream cheese, and you had to pay extra for the cream cheese.
When I was done, I had asked to use the bathroom, now we won’t go into it too much but about five minutes into my being in the bathroom someone knocked, and I said it was occupied. The second time a knock came through and a woman’s voice called out “you need to leave now“.
Now - I was paying Customer and there was no one else in the restaurant when I stepped out of the bathroom still needing to go.
So to the owners, as far as I was concerned, I paid to eat there and I was paying Customer and it shouldn’t matter how long I was in the bathroom for because I needed to go for those purposes. The woman was very rude! If I could put -100 stars for everything, I would. I certainly would not recommend this place to anybody! And I’m making sure it goes on all my media for sure!
Very comfortable
Been coming here for 6 years and counting. Hands down my favorite restaurant in town. Authentic Japanese cuisine that I love so much and cannot find anywhere else. My favorite dishes are the ikamaru (grilled squid), eel gyu don, katsu curry, and Tenzaru soba 😊
Food was Great!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ordered salmon chirash take out, checked before leaving and the salmon did not look fresh, and was still slightly frozen. I eat raw salmon all the time and this just didn't look right and I didn't feel comfortable eating it. I went back inside immediately and asked for a refund, and the person working there was very very rude and kept trying to argue with me. I kept my cool and stated I was trying to be nice and I'd just like my money back please. FINALLY they returned my money. Very disappointing lack of customer service.
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Update: I went again today & they're still just as amazing as ever. The scallops were so delicate & lightly sweet, just perfect.
This place has really great, authentic food with no frills. Although they are NOT super friendly, I would NEVER call them rude, That said, if it's essential to you to get your whatever kissed, go elsewhere. If you just want really great food, this is the place for you!
I lived in SF for 20 years, so I know my sushi. This place has the best sushi I've had in Tampa. Also, they're literally the only place in the Tampa area that has gyu-don. I'd probably go more often if I lived closer (so maybe it's good for my pocket book that I don't, lol). I've never once been disappointed by their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
I just ordered through doordash and This is THE BEST AUTHENTIC Japanese restaurant in tampa area. I grew up eating lots of japanese food in korea, and I almost teared up eating soba and spam musubi from this restaurant. Soba was amazing, tempura was crispy, yet light. So good. Musubi was amazing too. MY BIGGEST COMPLIMENT to the chef! I will be ordering more to try everything on the menu!
Food: 5
Service: 5
I just ordered through doordash and This is THE BEST AUTHENTIC Japanese restaurant in tampa area. I grew up eating lots of japanese food in korea, and I almost teared up eating soba and spam musubi from this restaurant. Soba was amazing, tempura was crispy, yet light. So good. Musubi was amazing too. MY BIGGEST COMPLIMENT to the chef! I will be ordering more to try everything on the menu!
An excellent, modest establishment with a variety of Japanese food and drinks. I'm particularly fond of the katsu curry.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu, Roll, Tuna, Miso Soup, Katsu Curry
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