My favorite place for sushi! It's always fresh and delicious. My favorites is crazy maki, crazy fighter, spicy mango tuna and the spicy avocado salad...you cannot go wrong with that selection.
(5)
Cindy C.
I've lived in Newton for most of my life and there hasn't been a decent sushi place to eat by my house until Aji. I wouldn't go as far to say it's the very best sushi I've ever eaten, but it's good when compared to Genki Ya in Brookline and O Ya in Boston. O Ya's sushi is a bit too "busy" for me, but then again, this review isn't for O Ya so I won't get into that. I've gone to Aji about 15 times now in the past year and I have to say that their sushi quality and service is very consistent. I've read some review about sushi that wasn't fresh, the portion size was small, or the service was slow. They have been having an off day or maybe training a new waiter/waitress. In any case, I've ordered a variety of appetizers and sushi dishes there and I haven't been disappointed yet. If you plan on going and like wasabi, I highly recommend the wasabi shrimp appetizer. It is amazing! The fried oyster and gyoza are also very good. For sushi, the crispy mango spicy tuna maki (or something like that), alligator roll, and snow mountain maki are great. If you have a sweet tooth, which I do, try the chocolate, mango or coconut ribieno. My personal favorite is the chocolate, which tastes more like dark chocolate. =)
(4)
Alison C.
I love Aji. They have delicious sushi and the staff is kind and helpful. They also offer deliver to certain areas, which is priceless!
(4)
Barbara K.
Pretty good sushi for the price. Cute place inside and the staff are pleasant. Will definitely come back to get take out!
(4)
C M.
No long winded whiny entry here... Aji is good middle of the road sushi. You can do better, and you can do significantly worse. It's when people go to a 2 star sushi place and expect 5 stars that the critiques begin... Try the spicy tuna mango rolls. they are highly edible.
(3)
Raul G.
Great little sushi restaurant nestled in Newtonville. My wife and I have eaten in and ordered out several times, so I feel its only fair to finally write a nice review. The fish is very fresh, tender, and their selection is pretty good. Most of the rolls we've ordered we've truly enjoyed. Not every single one on the menu is a hit, but they were still tasty and enjoyable. Aside from the rolls, I'm a big fan of the spicy seafood miso and gyouza. The nigiri is quite delicious, too. Dining in is cozy and the wait staff is pretty good. It's a nice little restaurant to catch up with a friend or go on a date. Overall, you'll be quite pleased with Aji. I know we are, and we shall certainly be returning again and again.
(4)
Paige C.
in the mood for raw aji is close to my home lunch good, leave all else Not that great. Too expensive. But if you're desperate for sushi, the lunch specials aren't that bad (sashimi, spicy tuna, salad and soup less than $10).
(2)
Katie W.
Best spicy mayo! Aji is the only place I've been to where the spicy mayo is actually spicy! I'm a big fan of their spicy tuna, spicy salmon, and spicy yellowtail. These are my core rolls and Aji doesn't disappoint. Rolls are reasonably priced starting at $4.00. One note, in their spicy rolls, they actually make the rolls with small pieces of fish with spicy mayo on top (instead of mushing the fish and blending it together with spicy mayo).
(4)
Elenora S.
My family and I wound up eating here one night when Brewer's Coalition had a line out the door, but our night ended well enough with Aji coming to the rescue. The interior felt modern with a cozy feel and dim lighting, and I was happy to find myself on a cushioned bench in the corner with a nice view of the sushi bar. While the plum wine and saki were popular with everyone, I would have given three stars if I were rating the food alone. The miso soup was compared to dishwater, and the appetizers were more reminiscent of greasy fast food than restaurant-quality starters. But the octopus was a fun dish to try, and the sushi was as good as I've had at any other Japanese restaurant. To sum it up, I wouldn't take a first date here, but if every other business in Newtonville is packed on a Saturday night, Aji's not a bad bet.
(4)
Joseph R.
Four stars, borderline five stars! This is a really well done sushi restaurant. The owner is also the host, I think. I've been in a half dozen times (sometimes take-out), and he always remembers something about me, like asking for my kids or if I want something extra spicy. That's remarkable for a small business owner, in my opinion. The sushi is pretty standard stuff and the plating is well done. I've ordered Omakase twice and was not disappointed. I like spicy flavors and the chef prepared some special pieces that were delicious. If you're looking for a cozy sushi restaurant with good service, good food and good prices, this should be on the top of your list.
(4)
Aboud Y.
Disclaimer: This review is based on sushi only. Just visited Aji today for lunch and I thought it was good...nothing spectacular...but solid and a nice change of pace from the normal sushi spots in the area (i.e., Fuji, Apijung, etc.). I give this place the nod over those spots, but don't get the wrong idea, the quality is nowhere near as good as Oishii...so set your expectations accordingly. Tips: Their torched maki was excellent but their crunchy spicy tuna (not so much). All of their nigiri and handrolls were excellent...though they don't have much variety. Anyhow...I'll certainly be back
(3)
Irene R.
Good food. Fast service. The place is small but decently priced. Not much else to say.
(4)
Jeannie H.
I want real sushi. None of this maki business - maki this, maki that, cream cheese maki, dice-the-crap-out-of-your-leftover-tuna maki. I just want a slab a fresh fish over some rice and not fish that has been wrought into something beyond recognition. Part of the problem may be that their fish is not that fresh, the variety nonexistent, and the rice the wrong texture and flavour. I had a chirashi bowl filled with run-of-the-mill salmon, halibut, shrimp, and tuna over a bed of mushy and bland rice. People spend 10 years apprenticing just to learn to make rice and this is a pathetic bastardization of it. I gave in the next time and ordered a crazy maki (against my better judgement) named the spicy scallop maki. The scallops were chopped into bits, laid over a california roll, smothered in a spicy mayo concoction, and then baked. UGH! Who wants a warm roll? Couldn't they have just quickly torched it? It was beyond intolerable. Yes, I've had amazing sushi in my lifetime but I've also had satisfying budget sushi. This is not one of those places.
(2)
Gina-Marie M.
I am a regular here and stop in almost every time I come home from school. The service is always fantastic and very prompt. could live off of the shrimp tempura maki! Love their..... edamame Miso soup shrimp tempura maki and B52 maki. never tried anything I didn't like here. They sometimes throw in free little bits when I go =) love love love this place! great place to bring a date as well.
(5)
GJ N.
Noriko's from Japan. I see her when I can. I took her here, when we were near, now she's an Aji fan. Melissa's European. A super human bein'. Our Aji lunch packed such a punch that now she's half Korean. My wife is Vietnamese. We both love Japanese. I mean the food, when in the mood, stop thinking dirty please!
(5)
Katie F.
Disappointed. This is the second time I've done take out from Aji. I was really looking forward to it after getting a very satisfying tuna sashimi, miso soup, and edamame dinner about 3 weeks ago. Tonight, I ordered spicy scallop maki, spider maki and salmon sashimi. The soft shell crab had a very sandy texture and the taste was a little off putting. The spicy scallop was ok, but I've had better. The salmon sashimi was the real fall from grace for me. It looks like it was cut with a bread knife! The poor salmon was shredded with tears at its fat. It tasted ok, but I couldn't get past how extremely unappetizing it looked. Maybe the dining in experience is a little different? Unfortunately for Aji, this was enough for me to decide not to come back.
(2)
Nicole P.
I headed here after my appointment at Bella Skin, and I loved it a little. The decor is very chic, people are friendly, and I didn't get any looks for being orange or wearing sweatpants. What? I was hungry! I really liked the miso soup, but I think I would have enjoyed any soup as I was pretty cold. I was delighted to find an appetizer with my favorite fish (tuna, salmon, and yellowtail) in thinly-sliced cucumber. It was a lot of cucumber for me, but the fish was excellent. Not as amazing as getting sushi in California, but delicious. I also had the Philly maki, and sweet potato tempura maki, also delicious. A nice glass of Ichiban rounded out the meal, making it really enjoyable. I am excited to go back when Toro is in season, but until then, I definitely recommend Aji.
(4)
Algert S.
This is one of the few good sushi restaurants in Boston that's worth stopping by. The fish used is very very fresh and the staff are very friendly. Would recommend!
(4)
Pete M.
Great service, reasonable prices, fresh food, and really nice fish. Went here with my girl and had a great meal. The atmosphere is just right and very friendly to boot. This is going to be my go to sushi/Japanese resuraunt in the West Roxbury /Newton area.
(4)
Eric B.
Aji, thy name is bush league. We visited on a Saturday night and it was nice to see business was brisk, but we were not worried, we had a res. We were seated and then dinner promptly went down hill. Things were moving rather slowIy and I remember considering taking a drink from the fish bowl just before drinks arrived. But I digress. Of all the lovely items on their menu the Spicy Udon Noodle Seafood Soup jumped out to me as all of the things I love in one. It would be mine. But alas, it would not, because almost an hour later, after we were through the sushi and seaweed, we learned our waitress had forgotten to put in our order. The horror..... What could I have quickly instead, i asked, feeling my blood sugar head towards "passing out now." I was offered Miso soup. OK, I can go macrobiotic with any Baby Boomer, but that wasn't going to cut it as main course. Besides, we had tickets to a show, and had not intended to make Aji our sole night's activity. They brought the check, the waitress apologized profusely, I saw, I paid, I left. No manager around to ask about some acknowledgment of the botched dinner, but a lot of "I'm sorry." Most restaurants where I would drop over $100 for dinner for two would have made an attempt to pick up the check, offer a dessert, maybe just pull the chair out for my wife to show some courtesy. But nothing. Here's my feedback: This is Newton. We expect our restaurants to function properly, and if you do mess up, make sure you show your contrition to your guests in a meaningful way. Otherwise you will find - to paraphrase an old saying - that revenge, like sushi, is best served not cold but in angry reviews on Yelp! Oh yeah, the food? So-so.
(1)
Marie R.
My absolutely FAVORITE place to get sushi (it used to be Douzo). The sushi is cut thick and always fresh. My son loves the Wasabi Shrimp. The service was good when I sit...but I usually order and pick up. This place is a must. I don't understand anyone giving this place less than 5 stars.
(5)
Scott C.
Excellent sushi!! Great atmosphere/service. Best "date" sushi restaurant in the area. Quiet/subdued/great for talking. Outstanding fresh fish. Specials were strong. Menu is not as creative on the rolls and lacking sashimi plates, but hard to find an issue other than that.
(5)
Greta P.
I've been to a ton of sushi restaurants and Aji is as good as it gets. They have a long list of traditional and adventurous maki dishes and their sashimi is always fresh and delicious. Their house tea is unusually earthy and relaxing and they have a nice list of good sake, both hot and cold. My roommate and I have been going there for over a year and we tend to take friends there often. But no matter the company, it's always a great experience.
(5)
Ira H.
We had lunch here last week. Glad to have found it. Service was prompt and kind. Sushi was excellent and fresh. Seaweed salad was great. Decor was nice and lunch special prices were reasonable. Will definitely return.
(5)
Eric H.
We eat here regularly. The sushi is consistently good. The prices are a bit high though.
(4)
H. A.
They are always nice and courteous, but the food itself leaves me wanting. Twice a friend of mine and I have ordered from here, and after the last time we both agreed that the sushi just is not that fresh. And really, isn't that what matters when we're talking about raw fish??
(2)
John B.
I've had my fair share of sushi. Some really good (Shino Express before they went to brown rice) some trendy and wild (Sushi Rock in Cleveland) and then some not so good. Unfortunately, this is the not so good. At the advice of fellow yelpers and my neighbors upstairs who rave about it, I had the highest of hopes for this place. I love trying new places and figured I'd give Aji a try over my usual spot, New Ginza (very good). The sushi rolls my fiancee and I ordered were bland and flavorless. Too much fillers and not enough fish. I felt adventurous and ordered the spicy seafood miso soup. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. Same was said about the regular miso soup. I'd have to agree with Jeannie H, the fish didn't seem that fresh. Jeannie H. I owe you an apology. I thought your review was harsh and didn't factor it into my decision making. Now I feel it's pretty accurate. I do have to commend the delivery guy for battling the near blizzard on the night I ordered. However, I live about a mile and a quarter away and it took over 45 minutes to get to my door step... on a Tuesday. I could have walked there and back in less time (but I'm lazy, it was cold, and the sky was falling). So I was going to give this 2 stars but my fiancee convinced me (told me) that I can't review it on one bad experience because (a) it was during a snow storm (b) the weather most likely affected the fishing boats and (c)the delivery guy was most likely driving around all of Newton/Watertown/Waltham/Brighton because no one wanted to drive in the snow. We'll see next time I go and dine in.
(3)
Bob G.
Everytime I eat here I think I need to come back more often. The waitress Kay is always welcoming with a smile and gracious. The dining area is small but quaint and comfortable. The Sushi chefs were from Oishi in Chestnut Hill. So with better prices I'm now eating creative dishes I don't find in other places. Ask for something specific and they'll make it for you, again with a gracious way about them. Everything I've had has been great. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jonathan C.
I'm giving this place a four stars cause of there sushi. Some of the best, no doubt about it. There other side of the menu which includes ( they say authentic ) japanese style noodles exc. No way. Horrible! So I'll give them four stars for their sushi, service, and price.
(4)
Sam W.
We have given Aji chances to prove itself as a top neighborhood Sushi place for the last time. Eating there, high prices, poor service and unpleasant atmosphere are so negative, that the food cannot overcome them. As for take out, 50% of the time, we get home and the order is wrong, even if we have confirmed it upon picking up. In addition overcharging is common. Never again.
(1)
Tali G.
By far, my favorite sushi in Boston. Extremely consistent quality. Perfect ingredient ratios. Great brown rice sushi. Service is on point and friendly. True 5 star.
(5)
Julie R.
Aji has some high reviews here so I decided to give it a shot when in Newton. It stands out on a Main street amongst some mom and pop type shops. The colors inside were bold along with the bamboo curtain accents. It looked and smelled of a new place. The river rocks on the front window sills were cool. Our server was very prompt. We made it easy for her and ordered 2 of the lunch combinations. We chose the spicy tuna roll with 4 nigiri pieces for $9.95 and the sushi/sashimi lunch special for $13.95. Included was a salad and miso soup. The miso was very good. Very abundant with tofu and seaweed. The salad was a typical iceberg with ginger dressing. The sushi arrived looking good in a bento box. The spicy tuna roll could of been spicier. You could see only a tiny amount of mayo in it. The tuna inside was chunky. The nigiri pieces were moist and fresh. The sushi in the specials was a very predictable salmon, tuna, crab stick and shrimp. For the price its a good deal. On the side we got a B-52 maki roll which had crab, avocado, yellow tail and tempura flakes. It was rolled very large. It was good but just very messy to keep together. All the bites crumbled once picked up. At the end of the meal we still had some room so got 1 more maki. I had heard good things about the sweet potato maki so decided to try it out. It was sweet potato tempura rolled up. It was different. I thought the tempura fry on it disguised its original flavor. It's a good little restaurant for the area. Prices were a bit lower then the Boston sushi restaurants. Cool decor too. Free parking in the back!
(4)
D F.
Aji is great. It has become our go-to Sushi place. Staff is great. Food is fresh and delicious. I have the sushi deluxe on the regular and its always consistently wonderful. also - try the crispy wasabi shrimp...so delicious.
(5)
l. a.
i really like this place. it has good sushi, awesome soup, and yummy curry. the ambiance is also great. love the decor and the place is also full but not overcrowded.
(4)
Kevin A.
Great Sushi! The lunch menu is great. It about the same price as the Sushi at Whole Foods but MUCH better and you get more. Can't beat it!
(5)
Matthew G.
Easy to find on a main drag of Newton. Nice decor with wood fixtures abound. Pretty empty at lunch on a Friday. Waitress took my order at the sushi bar. Are the sushi chefs not allowed to talk to the guests? Ordered sashimi combo ... 9 pieces for $13 - not bad. It came with a super-chilled salad with ginger dressing and a nice bowl of miso. Chefs choice of sashimi were three each of salmon,tuna and yellowtail...nothing adventurous. All were pretty standard tasting, but fresh. Tuna had a slight metallic taste to it. Regrettably, each piece of fish was tinged with the taste of ginger, as if the chef put the ginger on the plate first and didn't wipe or wash his hands before slicing each other piece. It kinda overwhelmed the natural taste of the fish. The fresh orange at the end was a nice touch, but it was two giant quarters. Would have been nice if the sushi chef spent some time on a decorative cut of the orange, considering the rest of the joint was empty. Overall a good sushi fix in the middle of Newton, but nothing exceptional or memorable.
(3)
Brad F.
Normally I don't give the free "Clipper Magazine" I often get in the mail more than a passing glance, but yesterday's edition included a full menu for Aji Sushi Bar and after noting how close it was there was no question I was going to give it a try. It could not have come at a better time either, as I was in a little trouble with my girlfriend (who is a big maki fan) from last night's drunken shenanigans and taking her out to dinner was my ticket out of the doghouse. Talking her out of Sunday's pajama pants and into dinner wear was another matter entirely, but luckily Aji also delivers! ($2 delivery charge, $20 minimum after 5:00 PM, no delivery on Mondays). Ordering was an easy and pleasant experience. My girlfriend had carte blanche as to what we ordered and she picked the Unagi Maki, Spicy Tuna Maki, and the Philadelphia Maki. Initially she was going to go with the Maki Combo but the lure of cream cheese in the Philly was apparently too great - nudging out the California roll and the soup and salad that comes with it. I added an order of pan fried Gyoza (pork dumplings). I was quoted the standard 30 to 40 minute Everywhere Delivery wait time. Here is where our first surprise came in: I dialed up Aji at 7:29 PM. The delivery man was ringing my doorbell at 7:42 PM. Exactly 13 minutes from dialing the phone to fish in my belly. That's impressive. I know I live relatively close but seriously that has to be some sort of record. I was so overjoyed with such fast, polite, and professional service I gladly over tipped. If you ever get delivery from here and they are at your house in less than 20 minutes I implore you to do the same. The food stood up to the service as well. Fresh and succulent fish in each roll with plenty of wasabi and ginger to spare. The spicy tuna was perfect, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the Philadelphia Maki was - delicious smoked salmon, scallion, cucumber and that "come hither" cream cheese. I can see why this kicked the California roll to the curb. The Gyoza dumplings, while small in size and portion, were expertly done, not too greasy and served on a doily to soak up any excess and comes with a side of some pretty potent ginger sauce. We were both very happy with everything and we will definitely be trying more from this little Newtonville gem. Maybe even venture outside one day and take in the whole Aji experience. So, if you're ever in need of getting on the good side of your pajama pants wearin' better half, you cannot go wrong with Aji. Four stars for the food and a bonus star for the ridiculously fast delivery and polite staff. I can see this being a new Sunday tradition as long as there are Saturday nights.
(5)
Renee H.
I somehow managed to never notice this restaurant before, even though it's right near my office and has apparently been there for quite some time. I happened to go here for a business lunch last week. I'm veg and therefore don't eat sashimi, so I can't judge the quality of their fish, but let me just say that everything I had was GOOD. Surprisingly good. The presentation was beautiful, to boot.
(5)
ms m.
Finally! A great sushi place in my neighborhood!! We checked this place out on Friday night and the sushi was fantastic. We had the seaweed salad, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi, spicy tuna roll, rainbow roll and alaskan maki and it was all fresh and delicious. I thought they rivaled Fugakyu except Aji is much more reasonably priced. The service is very prompt and polite and the restaurant itself is very nicely decorated. I'm very happy about this much needed addition to Newtonville.
(5)
Anino X.
I've paid several visits to Aji over the past two months and I feel comfortable in saying that the food and service have been very consistent. Folks who prefer non-sushi Japanese food may be a little put out as much of the restaurant's menu is geared towards the preparation of raw seafood. (I still wish I didn't have to go all the way to Porter Square to get my curry rice fix) If you're the type who always likes to try something new or different each time you go out for sushi, Aji does have specials for you to indulge in. If you're looking for a little spice to go along with your sushi, the rolls on the menu do not disappoint. I was also impressed with presentation and preparation of the grilled hamachi kama. I believe they adjusted the cut to provide a very generous amount of tender yellowtail for our small party. Anyways, it looks like New Ginza: Watertown finally has a new rival to contend with in the area. =)
(5)
Howe L.
The sushi is incredible - fresh, light, and artfully crafted. Aside from the sushi, the other dishes are so-so. The decor is humble, yet quaint. Service is genuine. Prices are very fair. Def come for the sushi.
(4)
David G.
Our goto sushi place in town.
(4)
Mollie R.
love this place! one of my favorites to go to on a lunch break! fast, delicious sushi! Their avocado salad is spicy and delicious. The atmosphere is friendly and they always take good care of us, even when we are just a take-out order. they even let us place the order and then walk around town and come back to pick-up. I just wish they opened earlier...My lunch breaks from the high school tend to start at 10:30. I wish I could go there earlier.
(4)
Jennifer D.
This is my go-to place for sushi in the neighborhood. I started coming here months ago, and I try to go at least a few times a month. Friendly staff, great, fresh sushi. A pretty simple place inside, but clean and comfortable. There are some places in the city that have better sushi, but they are much pricier. Aji remains one of my favorites!
(5)
Jennifer L.
I order delivery from here all the time and have visited the restaurant a few times. The sushi is good and the service reliable and timely. The restaurant is nothing to rave about - but it's clean sand the people are nice. I love it and am hooked.
(4)
Greg D.
This place is awesome! It's the freshest sushi I've had in awhile, and you can't beat it for the atmosphere and price.
(5)
Fun Night S.
in a word, fabulous. i was very pleased from start to finish. i had my order delivered. the woman said 30 minutes and a lovely man appeared in 30 minutes. my friend and i ordered spicy tuna maki, crazy maki and spider maki. each one was very tasty. this was our first experience with Aji and we plan on ordering from them on a regular basis. i even added them to my address book. bravo.
(4)
Christine N.
Good food and good service for a reasonable price. The atmosphere was nice too. The one thing I didn't like was that they have regular salt soy sauce on all the tables, which can be a little overbearing when paired with sushi. Other than that, great time!
(4)
Karen B.
My family took me to Aji for my birthday on New Years day. It was our first time there. I love sushi and was not disappointed. The sashimi seemed a little pricey, but when I got my order, I could see why. Each order came with 3 large pieces of beautiful, perfectly tender fish. I had salmon and yellow tail. I also had a spicy tuna roll which was delicious. We all had the miso soup which was also among the best we've had. My kids and husband ordered curry chicken and chicken terriaki. Both dishes came with 2 boneless chicken breasts. The seasoning for all was wonderful. I couldn't believe my thin 14 yr old ate her entire plateful. My fifteen yr old slowed herself down so she could take part of her dinner home for lunch the next day. Salads, ice cream, service, ambiance all good. We will be back.
(5)
Michael S.
We've been to Aji twice and both times have been enjoyable. Service is good, food is good. We've also ventured off the sushi menu and found all of the food to be fresh and enjoyable. Service has also been good. The prices are reasonable. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Lindsay C.
This place is great. Very chic inside. Service is always fantastic. Sushi is fresh, creative, and delicious! Lunch menu is super cheap considering that you get miso soup, a salad, AND an entree. I recommended the spicy tuna maki, shrimp tempura maki, and snow mountain maki. And the shumai.
(5)
Kenan F.
This is good for a local sushi fix if you're within walking distance of Newtonville. Lunch sashimi/sushi special was a good value but the fish is just okay. Sashimi tuna "maguro" is better quality than the sushi tuna which was "bin tuna" and I regretted it the second I choked it down. White fish was sea bass, looked matte. Salmon was fresh, but not my favorite sushi fish. I just left the shrimp nigiri on the plate. Uni and hamachi nigiri were delicious, next time we will order all from the ala carte menu. Reasonable prices on the ala carte menu. Hamachi kama was good but only one side was grilled, the other side soggy. Ginza kicks its hamachi kama ass. Green tea was tasty, service pleasant, although they are Chinese, not Japanese.
(3)
Mitchell P.
I have to agree with everyone else this place is really good. I went with the a la carte sushi, just got a bunch of different ones, all were good. I grabbed the Coconut Gellato desert as well, and that was really good as well. Staff was good too, def will be back.
(5)
Young G.
I went here for dinner a couple of days ago. The service was very friendly, the waitress made sure that we were taken care of throughout our experience. The speed that the sushi came depends on the amount you order. When we decided to have just a little more after our first couple of rolls, they came out a lot faster than before. The sushi was top notch, fresh fish, good presentation. Only complaints are that there is not much space inside, and that it is a little bit on the pricey side.
(4)
Double G.
To sum it all up: premium sushi, great atmosphere and friendly staff. All in all Aji provides a wonderful dining experience that not only makes it neighborhood gem but also a sushi destination for foodies.
(5)
J. N.
I wasn't expecting anything great when I agreed to go to Aji for an early dinner with a friend but I was pleasantly surprised. Everything was absolutely delicious. We started with the tuna tartar which, as the waitress warned, is cubed not chopped. Very tasty. We ordered three sushi rolls. The spice was right on, the crunchy parts perfect and the fish extremely fresh. Nothing about the dessert menu struck us but we were full. The bill, including two glasses of wine was just $60. A very good experience even for a neighborhood restaurant.,
(4)
Natasha S.
4 stars for atmosphere, the place is cozy and cute. 3 stars for food - shushi rolls good. I had to pay an extra $1 to change my order a bit. This place is right by my apartment and that's why I would maybe go back.
(3)
Chris S.
outstanding sushi and very attentive service - I'm not yet a regular but could definitely see myself becoming one - highly recommended
(4)
Maggie S.
Aji is my favorite place to get sushi! It was first recommended to us by a cousin. When we first went several months ago, we were impressed with the service, the variety and quality of the rolls. I am newly pregnant, so when we do go - I make what have to seem like strange requests like separate plates for the cooked and vegetable sushi for me and the raw stuff (which I miss) for my husband. Even when I call to pick up, they have honored this request without fail. We have our order down to a science now. My favorite roll is the snow mountain, which is absolutely delicious shrimp tempura topped with lobster meat. My husband's favorite is the volcano (although typically he only orders this at the restaurant since he claims it's much better when they serve it hot vs. waiting the 15-20 minutes car ride before we can eat). The vegetable tempura (sweet potato) is incredible as well. Basically, we have enjoyed every roll and sashimi we have tried there. I highly recommend this place to eat at or pick up from!
(5)
Scott B.
after i just wrote a review for their competition i must say that out of all the sushi places near my house in newton i myust say for the price and convenience this place is probably the best - they even deliver and usually quickly if you dont feel like going there or picking up - i order from there regularly
(4)
Ramzy K.
Aji is a small, Asian fusion restaurant that offers decent Japanese & Chinese cuisine. The menu at Aji's is large, including noodles, sushi, and fried rice. Both lunch and dinner menus have a good selection. Unfortunately, most dishes miss the mark on taste and freshness. The best plates are the noodles and the rice (especially the seafood fried rice), which come hot and bursting with savory flavor. On the other hand, most of the other dishes, like the sushi, dumplings, and soups, are bland and uninspiring. The sushi, for instance, is dry and chewy. Aji tries to be a small, local restaurant that offers higher scale Asian cuisine (it's relatively expensive). Unfortunately, it doesn't consistently achieve this goal.
(3)
Jack E.
I find Aji to be a great local sushi place, and I've enjoyed the freshness and quality of their foods (unlike some of the previous reviews). The dressing on their salad is a bit unique, unlike other ginger dressings. Perhaps not my favorite. I've also ordered their Pork Katsu and the pieces were tough and dry. I'd give 3.5 stars, but because when their good is good, it's REALLY good, they get the benefit of my rounding up. I'm a fan, I'll repeat for sure.
(4)
Joshua W.
Good decoration but sashimi not fresh and nothing impressed me
(2)
Jessica B.
Even though I had a bad experience at Aji, I've had a couple of good ones so I thought I'd write an update. This is a restaurant where I am very comfortable going by myself and having a glass of wine and eating sushi at a table. The staff treats me well and I appreciate it. The sushi is generally good. I've yet to find something unusually special, but it's about what I would expect from a neighborhood restaurant. When I went last night they had run out of brown rice and were very apologetic. I started with steamed shrimp shumai, which was very good. Then I had the Ebi sushi, Unagi sushi, and Smoked Salmon sushi with a California Maki with Roe. The sushi was quite good while the California Maki was very average. Amazingly, I was still a bottomless pit of raw fish cravings so I got a Caterpillar Maki which is eel, cucumber, and roe, covered with avocado. That will fill anyone up. It was huge and delicious. Only had to chase my waitress down a couple of times and overall I was quite pleased. I think they are much better on a weeknight when the servers aren't overwhelmed. My biggest complaint is the bright lights. You don't really want to eat sushi in an atmosphere reminiscent of a 7-Eleven. Out with a glass of wine for $44 before tip.
(3)
Amy D.
I liked that they had different cuts of fish here, but I thought the quality of it was just ok. I placed a to-go order on a Wednesday night, and was able to pick it up after 15-20 minutes. I tried: -Baby Hamachi ($6.50), Uni/Sea Urchin ($5.95), Sake/Salmon ($4.95), Ikura/Salmon Roe ($4.95) [ yelp.com/biz_photos/aji-… : The baby hamachi was ok, but wasn't as buttery as ones I've had previously. The uni was also just ok, and not as briny tasting or as creamy as I like. The salmon was the best of of the 4, and the ikura was again just ok. Overall, I wasn't that impressed by the quality of the fish from here, and am not sure I would come back. Parking can be difficult, but there are street parking spots available.
(3)
Nate C.
Overall I'd give it 3.5 stars. It was good food, fast efficient service, reasonably priced (about average for a non-elite sushi bar). The sushi was okay, not amazing but not bad. I had the spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, & Crazy roll. Nothing bad, just wasn't wowed.
(3)
H M.
Great place for sushi takeout. We get takeout from Aji at least once every two weeks (which is a lot for us). In addition to the sushi, the pork katsu is a favorite. For sushi, it is not as expensive as other local choices and is of high quality.
(4)
Francine C.
Aji is my favorite place to get sushi. We haven't tried the other items on the menu (there is a variety of noodle and rice combinations), but the sushi is just the best. Always fresh and satisfying. Their prices are reasonable too. Wish it was a bigger location because there is always a wait!
(4)
Peter C.
I wanted to love this place, simply because it's a 5 min walk from my house. To be honest, the sushi wasn't all that great. I cannot put my finger on it, simply that it didn't taste all that fresh. One example, we tossed in a Shrimp Tempura roll, just to mix it up (I know, it's not real sushi). The shrimp was soggy, not crispy at all. It's like it had been sitting there for a while. The rice was also paste-y. For my money, I'd rather go up to Edamame in Newton, next to Stop and Shop. That place always has good sushi.
(2)
William S.
Had a late lunch at the sushi bar. Only one there. Good service. Chef gave me a starter on the house. No clue what it was, but good. Decided to go basic with my order. Miso soup was solid, not the best I ever had. Tuna, salmon and Himachi sushi was excellent and very fresh. Ordered a spicy tuna crunch roll as well. So-so. Not terrible, but lacked something. Would not order that one again, but will go back.
(4)
Hadrien D.
Very good sushi! Fair prices. Pretty atmosphere. I loved the presentation of the sushi rolls. The avacado salad was great!!
(4)
Erica S.
Agi is the bomb.com . I like to order the hand rolls so I can shove all the sushi into my face with bare hands like a cave woman. Reasonable prices for high quality sushi and solid service. Its just a five minute drive from Newton Center and parking is pretty easy to find.
(5)
Kim F.
Aji serves the tastiest sushi of the places we go to and makes a beautiful presentation of the meals. The tuna maki melts in your mouth. Exotic rolls with shrimp or salmon tempura are delicious. The Spicy Calamari appetizer is tender and spiked with fresh jalapeños and red onion - we order it every time. The staff are friendly and it's easy to call ahead for reservations to avoid the rush.
(5)
LC P.
It's nice to find a little gem in a small neighborhood! Whenever we're back in town to visit, we love going here. The hamachi torch maki is my husband's favorite. And the sushi is always fresh. There's a lot of variety on the menu, so there's always always something for you, whether you're craving fresh sushi or cooked dishes. And service is excellent. Definitely a place to try if you're in the area.
(5)
Dave M.
we went in for lunch and got the maki lunch special ($10.95) and the beef teriyaki lunch ($10.95). the maki was good and the presentation was clean. the beef could have used one more item on the plate for the price. it comes with salad, soup, beef, few veggies, and rice but the meat was a little skinny so something to fill the space would have been nice, but it tasted good and the presentation was clean as well. but the service was great and the place was well maintained. too bad we didn't have space for the actual sushi but the maki sample was a good indicator of their quality.
(4)
Monique F.
Great sushi place that has delivery! Fresh sushi every time and has great spicy avocado salad. I always get the steak teriyaki - the sauce is amazing! Wait time is usually between 5-10 minutes. Has a sushi bar you can sit at or table seating. Fast service. Delivery usually takes 40-50 minutes.
(4)
Lyndsey C.
Food was ok and fish was fresh but the place is quite small and service wasn't great.... The fish was good. But our dishes all came out at separate times and the waitress wasn't very pleasant. There are better choices around.
(3)
Jean V.
I keep forgetting to check in.. Pros: Awesome food!! Awesome service!! Cons: One time I did pick up and they forgot my salad, waitress was nice enough to offer to walk to my place.. Of course I said no its ok :)
(5)
Michael A.
We've been going to Aji for years and I've had sushi all over the US and will eat anything they have.. the more exotic the better and I must say Aji is consistently quite good. We go there I'd say once a month and it is always a positive experience. Personal favorites: Salmon Roe with a raw quail egg on top, Sea Urchin, Eel ..... The Saki Drunken Heart Cold compliments the sushi nicely. Prices are good and worth it.
(4)
Robert S.
Best sushi we've had in Newton that you don't have to wait 30 minutes for a seat. Also love the great neighborhood of Newtonville. Get the warm baked scallop dish, and any of the more creative sushi rolls. And best part about it is the multitude of other restaurants around it if the wait is too long. Just hop next door and get a drink. Also good for takeout when you want something fresher than Whole Foods.
(4)
Kate D.
I just moved to the area and was craving sashimi. I ordered delivery from Aji online, but had some technical difficulties. I would recommend calling to confirm your order if you use the online system (because you can easily order w a credit card that way) or just calling to order delivery and skipping the online system. Also, delivery only starts at 5pm, so if you want lunch you'll have to pick it up. They clearly felt badly about the mix-up, though, and quickly got my order delivered to me. The quality of the food was very good. I look forward to using them again and hopefully going there to eat-in soon.
(4)
Carmen L.
Went out for sushi with my husband and found this little restaurant in a nice neighborhood of Newton. It was Friday night and the restaurant was full. We sat at the sushi bar and were promptly greeted and served. The restaurant was clean and nicely decorated. We ordered their specials that night and the food was great. Very fresh fish and beautifully plated. I'm giving this four stars instead of five because the wait staff is professional and prompt but not very personable.
(4)
Lorraine C.
There are a few times in my eating experience out that I ate a meal worth remembering for a repeat visit. The Aji Restaurant can not be included in this experience. Unfortunately for them (It is not an authentic Japanese establishment), I lived in Japan for 8 years. Aji means "taste/flavor. This restaurant is a misrepresentation of that term. Miso: Good Salad: mama okay Chicken Katsu: taste like they used old oil Maki: really good (shitake and sweet potato) Philadelphia Maki: good Spicy Udon Soup: old scallops were used (there was hardly any seafood) and there no flavor, not even an udon soup aji/flavor Customer Service: There was a vast difference in the way the waitress treated us (the only people of Color) and the other customers. She was talkative, jovial and laughed with everyone else. It was so obvious that my 11 year old noticed it. My two adolescent sons, my husband and I wanted to celebrate my son's birthday today, so my son picked the resturant nearby. Hesitantly, we went. Avoid our $57 mistake. Sadly, all the experiences we have had where Chinese both own the restaurant and are making the meals, have been a disappointment. When I want to eat Chinese food, I will go eat at a Chinese restaurant...not everyone can make Japanese food, including myself.
(2)
Pasquale B.
I'm literally writing this in my car out in front of this establishnent. I've eaten here plenty times before over the past 2 years. I love the wasabi shrimp plate here. I'm not on a name by name basis with the staff but I recognize them and they recognize me when I come in. Obviously being a loyal repeat customer gets you nothing but a slap in the face ( not literally ). I got out of work and had my girlfriend call to see what time they were taking seats until. They said 9:45, which gave me enough time to go home shower and change to make it by 9:30 latest. I literally walked in the door at 9:32 and they said - "sorry, we're not taking anyone else". I explained that we just called and she said the girl on the phone ( obviously girl at the front counter ) said 9:45. Mind you their hours say they close at 10. I repeated that we called and she said sorry again and walked to the back room and left me standing there dumbfounded. I would've given one star, but I've never had an issue in the past except feeling rushed when I lve come around later hours.
(2)
Mike T.
Been here twice for takeout and tonight is my first time going in - really glad I did. Definitely would recommend for takeout and dine in - they deliver and the one time I got it they were fast. The sushi has been great all three times and the place has great prices. They have a solid menu of Japanese dishes outside of sushi and a good selection of special rolls - the Snow mountain, Phoenix, Crazy Fighter and all of their spicy crispy makis are awesome. It's affordable for sushi and the people are extremely nice and helpful. Service was great. All around good choice!
(4)
Naomi B.
Love Aji! Definitely worth a stop if you are in Newtonville. However it's important to note that I don't eat 'real' sushi, only veggies or cooked seafood. Service = 5 stars...always greeted by a smiling employee...free nibbles from our favorite sushi chef...excellent wait staff Food = 5 stars...cucumber avocado maki, shrimp tempura maki, seaweed salad, california maki, miso soup and wasabi shrimp are delish! Extras = Take out is fast and convenient and tastes just as delicious as eating in. Restaurant and bathrooms are clean.
(5)
Aindrea B.
WOW! Amazing food. The salmon skewers are a great appetizer.
(5)
Cheryl C.
Got delivery from Aji recently - was definitely pleasantly surprised that delivery sushi could be this good. Ok its not as amazing as Oga (our go-to sushi joint) but for delivery, its definitely good. Spicy Crispy Mango Tuna Maki - a little overkill with the mango but good. Red Dragon Maki Roll - loved this roll Alligator Maki - best roll we had. Simple and a combination most people are familiar with but it comes together nicely. Total came up to about $50 with tip and the $2 delivery charge. Not a bad deal. Delivery took a while but they prepare you for that - they say it could take up to 60 mins. Will definitely be ordering delivery again!
(4)
Kenny C.
Not bad selection, but not super freshest fish. I may just be a sushi snob, but I came here with coworkers for the lunch specials. I had the maki special (three different types- California, Tekka and Kappa). Also ordered a spicy yellowtail for good measure. It wasn't on the menu, but I asked the waitress and she said they could do it. It wasn't too spicy though, and for some reason they gave me and my friend's separate orders on the same plate, which was a little awkward. They also took a lot longer to bring our two other friends their plates, so we had our food and the other half of the table had to wait for theirs.
(3)
Mike K.
Not sure what all the rave reviews of this place are about. I came here for lunch with my fiancee in the hopes of getting some sushi. When we walked in, the place was practically empty and there was a very odd fishy smell in the air. That ruled out any raw fish for us. From looking at the menu the place seemed way overpriced, especially given its location and the simplistic setting. The service was friendly enough and prompt but the food wasn't what I expected. I ordered Chicken Udon and expected it to come in a soup form. Instead it came as a plate of fried noodles and chicken - I didn't feel like arguing and sending it back so I just ate it. It didn't taste like anything special and had some resemblance of chicken lo-mein from a Chinese takeout. My fiancee got eel with rice and once again it wasn't bad but it wasn't particularly tasty either. Don't think we'll be coming back here soon.
(2)
Taylor G.
High quality, fresh ingredients. Beautiful presentation... We got a take out order today and it was ready in 20mins. We have had delivery as well and it hasn't taken long! They include all the fixings, including cute soy sauce trays, and cool plastic japenese soup spoons with soup. Try the fried oysters ! Yum
(5)
Kelly C.
Great restaurant! I'd recommend the ramen and sesame chicken- Delicious! I took a star off because the California maki was mediocre.
(4)
B L.
I'll start by saying that I live on the Newton line of Waltham. Waltham is really devoid of a good sushi (or sushi that I feel safe eating) which is what brings me to Newtonville. I will be honest in saying that it's not my favorite place to eat in because of the poor acoustics. It can get very loud and the ambiance isn't bad, but it does leave something to be desired. As far as sushi goes, I think its really quite good. My experience is that the food is fresh and delicious. I recently had the Sashimi deluxe for take out and I thought it was outstanding. Really yummy and decent value to book. My sweetie is vegetarian and they have some nice veg sushi options too. Service here is fine, everyone is friendly. Give them a shot!
(4)
Sabrina P.
If you think Aji is the best sushi restaurant that you can find, then you're clearly the type of person that thinks supermarket sushi is good. If you are someone like me who fortunately has had good sushi before then you would steer clear of this place. The fish is not fresh. Not only are the orders of sushi small and bland, but anything "outside the box" on the basics are severely over priced. I guess I've been lucky to have gone to restaurants that actually care about making good sushi instead of just trying to mcdonaldize the cuisine like Aji.
(1)
Samantha P.
I'm a very loyal customer at Takara Sushi, but a few weeks ago one of my friends was visiting from DC and he wanted to have some cocktails while we had sushi, one of the other people we were with suggested Aji. To say the least I wasn't impressed by anything. It smells very fishy inside, it hit me like a smack in the face as soon as I walked in. I tried to recreate my favorites from Takara, which was a complete let down. The rolls were TINY. One of my absolute FAVORITES at Takara is the Sweet Potato Tempura, at Takara it is creamy and delicious, here the Sweet Potato was raw and hard. The tempura tasted greasy. The worst past was it is completely over priced. Small portions, over priced..honestly skip Aji and drive straight to Takara as fast as possible! You'll be extremely happy with that decision!
(1)
Neil H.
This is a normal lunch spot for me. It's got good, reliable sushi. Don't expect anything too out of the box or different here. Aji is the sort of place you go to have classic sushi. The lunch prices are good, and it's always easy to get a seat here when you want one.
(4)
Kevin M.
This is our go to sushi place. Rather, it's our get it delivered sushi place. We don't go out for sushi often and prefer to have it take out and the fact that this place delivers and relatively fast is a HUGE PLUS. We have eaten at Aji a few times as well and the meals are always consistently good. I've been very happy with most maki I've ordered from Aji. While the spicy tuna maki is a bit boring, I highly recommend the New Wave, Red Dragon and Phoenix. Other staples are worthwhile: Crazy, Rainbow, Unagi
(4)
Frank M.
I absolutely love this place! You can never go wrong coming here for sushi! Everything is delicious here! You must try the wasabi shrimp and volcano!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lindsey A.
My favorite place for sushi! It's always fresh and delicious. My favorites is crazy maki, crazy fighter, spicy mango tuna and the spicy avocado salad...you cannot go wrong with that selection.
(5)Cindy C.
I've lived in Newton for most of my life and there hasn't been a decent sushi place to eat by my house until Aji. I wouldn't go as far to say it's the very best sushi I've ever eaten, but it's good when compared to Genki Ya in Brookline and O Ya in Boston. O Ya's sushi is a bit too "busy" for me, but then again, this review isn't for O Ya so I won't get into that. I've gone to Aji about 15 times now in the past year and I have to say that their sushi quality and service is very consistent. I've read some review about sushi that wasn't fresh, the portion size was small, or the service was slow. They have been having an off day or maybe training a new waiter/waitress. In any case, I've ordered a variety of appetizers and sushi dishes there and I haven't been disappointed yet. If you plan on going and like wasabi, I highly recommend the wasabi shrimp appetizer. It is amazing! The fried oyster and gyoza are also very good. For sushi, the crispy mango spicy tuna maki (or something like that), alligator roll, and snow mountain maki are great. If you have a sweet tooth, which I do, try the chocolate, mango or coconut ribieno. My personal favorite is the chocolate, which tastes more like dark chocolate. =)
(4)Alison C.
I love Aji. They have delicious sushi and the staff is kind and helpful. They also offer deliver to certain areas, which is priceless!
(4)Barbara K.
Pretty good sushi for the price. Cute place inside and the staff are pleasant. Will definitely come back to get take out!
(4)C M.
No long winded whiny entry here... Aji is good middle of the road sushi. You can do better, and you can do significantly worse. It's when people go to a 2 star sushi place and expect 5 stars that the critiques begin... Try the spicy tuna mango rolls. they are highly edible.
(3)Raul G.
Great little sushi restaurant nestled in Newtonville. My wife and I have eaten in and ordered out several times, so I feel its only fair to finally write a nice review. The fish is very fresh, tender, and their selection is pretty good. Most of the rolls we've ordered we've truly enjoyed. Not every single one on the menu is a hit, but they were still tasty and enjoyable. Aside from the rolls, I'm a big fan of the spicy seafood miso and gyouza. The nigiri is quite delicious, too. Dining in is cozy and the wait staff is pretty good. It's a nice little restaurant to catch up with a friend or go on a date. Overall, you'll be quite pleased with Aji. I know we are, and we shall certainly be returning again and again.
(4)Paige C.
in the mood for raw aji is close to my home lunch good, leave all else Not that great. Too expensive. But if you're desperate for sushi, the lunch specials aren't that bad (sashimi, spicy tuna, salad and soup less than $10).
(2)Katie W.
Best spicy mayo! Aji is the only place I've been to where the spicy mayo is actually spicy! I'm a big fan of their spicy tuna, spicy salmon, and spicy yellowtail. These are my core rolls and Aji doesn't disappoint. Rolls are reasonably priced starting at $4.00. One note, in their spicy rolls, they actually make the rolls with small pieces of fish with spicy mayo on top (instead of mushing the fish and blending it together with spicy mayo).
(4)Elenora S.
My family and I wound up eating here one night when Brewer's Coalition had a line out the door, but our night ended well enough with Aji coming to the rescue. The interior felt modern with a cozy feel and dim lighting, and I was happy to find myself on a cushioned bench in the corner with a nice view of the sushi bar. While the plum wine and saki were popular with everyone, I would have given three stars if I were rating the food alone. The miso soup was compared to dishwater, and the appetizers were more reminiscent of greasy fast food than restaurant-quality starters. But the octopus was a fun dish to try, and the sushi was as good as I've had at any other Japanese restaurant. To sum it up, I wouldn't take a first date here, but if every other business in Newtonville is packed on a Saturday night, Aji's not a bad bet.
(4)Joseph R.
Four stars, borderline five stars! This is a really well done sushi restaurant. The owner is also the host, I think. I've been in a half dozen times (sometimes take-out), and he always remembers something about me, like asking for my kids or if I want something extra spicy. That's remarkable for a small business owner, in my opinion. The sushi is pretty standard stuff and the plating is well done. I've ordered Omakase twice and was not disappointed. I like spicy flavors and the chef prepared some special pieces that were delicious. If you're looking for a cozy sushi restaurant with good service, good food and good prices, this should be on the top of your list.
(4)Aboud Y.
Disclaimer: This review is based on sushi only. Just visited Aji today for lunch and I thought it was good...nothing spectacular...but solid and a nice change of pace from the normal sushi spots in the area (i.e., Fuji, Apijung, etc.). I give this place the nod over those spots, but don't get the wrong idea, the quality is nowhere near as good as Oishii...so set your expectations accordingly. Tips: Their torched maki was excellent but their crunchy spicy tuna (not so much). All of their nigiri and handrolls were excellent...though they don't have much variety. Anyhow...I'll certainly be back
(3)Irene R.
Good food. Fast service. The place is small but decently priced. Not much else to say.
(4)Jeannie H.
I want real sushi. None of this maki business - maki this, maki that, cream cheese maki, dice-the-crap-out-of-your-leftover-tuna maki. I just want a slab a fresh fish over some rice and not fish that has been wrought into something beyond recognition. Part of the problem may be that their fish is not that fresh, the variety nonexistent, and the rice the wrong texture and flavour. I had a chirashi bowl filled with run-of-the-mill salmon, halibut, shrimp, and tuna over a bed of mushy and bland rice. People spend 10 years apprenticing just to learn to make rice and this is a pathetic bastardization of it. I gave in the next time and ordered a crazy maki (against my better judgement) named the spicy scallop maki. The scallops were chopped into bits, laid over a california roll, smothered in a spicy mayo concoction, and then baked. UGH! Who wants a warm roll? Couldn't they have just quickly torched it? It was beyond intolerable. Yes, I've had amazing sushi in my lifetime but I've also had satisfying budget sushi. This is not one of those places.
(2)Gina-Marie M.
I am a regular here and stop in almost every time I come home from school. The service is always fantastic and very prompt. could live off of the shrimp tempura maki! Love their..... edamame Miso soup shrimp tempura maki and B52 maki. never tried anything I didn't like here. They sometimes throw in free little bits when I go =) love love love this place! great place to bring a date as well.
(5)GJ N.
Noriko's from Japan. I see her when I can. I took her here, when we were near, now she's an Aji fan. Melissa's European. A super human bein'. Our Aji lunch packed such a punch that now she's half Korean. My wife is Vietnamese. We both love Japanese. I mean the food, when in the mood, stop thinking dirty please!
(5)Katie F.
Disappointed. This is the second time I've done take out from Aji. I was really looking forward to it after getting a very satisfying tuna sashimi, miso soup, and edamame dinner about 3 weeks ago. Tonight, I ordered spicy scallop maki, spider maki and salmon sashimi. The soft shell crab had a very sandy texture and the taste was a little off putting. The spicy scallop was ok, but I've had better. The salmon sashimi was the real fall from grace for me. It looks like it was cut with a bread knife! The poor salmon was shredded with tears at its fat. It tasted ok, but I couldn't get past how extremely unappetizing it looked. Maybe the dining in experience is a little different? Unfortunately for Aji, this was enough for me to decide not to come back.
(2)Nicole P.
I headed here after my appointment at Bella Skin, and I loved it a little. The decor is very chic, people are friendly, and I didn't get any looks for being orange or wearing sweatpants. What? I was hungry! I really liked the miso soup, but I think I would have enjoyed any soup as I was pretty cold. I was delighted to find an appetizer with my favorite fish (tuna, salmon, and yellowtail) in thinly-sliced cucumber. It was a lot of cucumber for me, but the fish was excellent. Not as amazing as getting sushi in California, but delicious. I also had the Philly maki, and sweet potato tempura maki, also delicious. A nice glass of Ichiban rounded out the meal, making it really enjoyable. I am excited to go back when Toro is in season, but until then, I definitely recommend Aji.
(4)Algert S.
This is one of the few good sushi restaurants in Boston that's worth stopping by. The fish used is very very fresh and the staff are very friendly. Would recommend!
(4)Pete M.
Great service, reasonable prices, fresh food, and really nice fish. Went here with my girl and had a great meal. The atmosphere is just right and very friendly to boot. This is going to be my go to sushi/Japanese resuraunt in the West Roxbury /Newton area.
(4)Eric B.
Aji, thy name is bush league. We visited on a Saturday night and it was nice to see business was brisk, but we were not worried, we had a res. We were seated and then dinner promptly went down hill. Things were moving rather slowIy and I remember considering taking a drink from the fish bowl just before drinks arrived. But I digress. Of all the lovely items on their menu the Spicy Udon Noodle Seafood Soup jumped out to me as all of the things I love in one. It would be mine. But alas, it would not, because almost an hour later, after we were through the sushi and seaweed, we learned our waitress had forgotten to put in our order. The horror..... What could I have quickly instead, i asked, feeling my blood sugar head towards "passing out now." I was offered Miso soup. OK, I can go macrobiotic with any Baby Boomer, but that wasn't going to cut it as main course. Besides, we had tickets to a show, and had not intended to make Aji our sole night's activity. They brought the check, the waitress apologized profusely, I saw, I paid, I left. No manager around to ask about some acknowledgment of the botched dinner, but a lot of "I'm sorry." Most restaurants where I would drop over $100 for dinner for two would have made an attempt to pick up the check, offer a dessert, maybe just pull the chair out for my wife to show some courtesy. But nothing. Here's my feedback: This is Newton. We expect our restaurants to function properly, and if you do mess up, make sure you show your contrition to your guests in a meaningful way. Otherwise you will find - to paraphrase an old saying - that revenge, like sushi, is best served not cold but in angry reviews on Yelp! Oh yeah, the food? So-so.
(1)Marie R.
My absolutely FAVORITE place to get sushi (it used to be Douzo). The sushi is cut thick and always fresh. My son loves the Wasabi Shrimp. The service was good when I sit...but I usually order and pick up. This place is a must. I don't understand anyone giving this place less than 5 stars.
(5)Scott C.
Excellent sushi!! Great atmosphere/service. Best "date" sushi restaurant in the area. Quiet/subdued/great for talking. Outstanding fresh fish. Specials were strong. Menu is not as creative on the rolls and lacking sashimi plates, but hard to find an issue other than that.
(5)Greta P.
I've been to a ton of sushi restaurants and Aji is as good as it gets. They have a long list of traditional and adventurous maki dishes and their sashimi is always fresh and delicious. Their house tea is unusually earthy and relaxing and they have a nice list of good sake, both hot and cold. My roommate and I have been going there for over a year and we tend to take friends there often. But no matter the company, it's always a great experience.
(5)Ira H.
We had lunch here last week. Glad to have found it. Service was prompt and kind. Sushi was excellent and fresh. Seaweed salad was great. Decor was nice and lunch special prices were reasonable. Will definitely return.
(5)Eric H.
We eat here regularly. The sushi is consistently good. The prices are a bit high though.
(4)H. A.
They are always nice and courteous, but the food itself leaves me wanting. Twice a friend of mine and I have ordered from here, and after the last time we both agreed that the sushi just is not that fresh. And really, isn't that what matters when we're talking about raw fish??
(2)John B.
I've had my fair share of sushi. Some really good (Shino Express before they went to brown rice) some trendy and wild (Sushi Rock in Cleveland) and then some not so good. Unfortunately, this is the not so good. At the advice of fellow yelpers and my neighbors upstairs who rave about it, I had the highest of hopes for this place. I love trying new places and figured I'd give Aji a try over my usual spot, New Ginza (very good). The sushi rolls my fiancee and I ordered were bland and flavorless. Too much fillers and not enough fish. I felt adventurous and ordered the spicy seafood miso soup. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. Same was said about the regular miso soup. I'd have to agree with Jeannie H, the fish didn't seem that fresh. Jeannie H. I owe you an apology. I thought your review was harsh and didn't factor it into my decision making. Now I feel it's pretty accurate. I do have to commend the delivery guy for battling the near blizzard on the night I ordered. However, I live about a mile and a quarter away and it took over 45 minutes to get to my door step... on a Tuesday. I could have walked there and back in less time (but I'm lazy, it was cold, and the sky was falling). So I was going to give this 2 stars but my fiancee convinced me (told me) that I can't review it on one bad experience because (a) it was during a snow storm (b) the weather most likely affected the fishing boats and (c)the delivery guy was most likely driving around all of Newton/Watertown/Waltham/Brighton because no one wanted to drive in the snow. We'll see next time I go and dine in.
(3)Bob G.
Everytime I eat here I think I need to come back more often. The waitress Kay is always welcoming with a smile and gracious. The dining area is small but quaint and comfortable. The Sushi chefs were from Oishi in Chestnut Hill. So with better prices I'm now eating creative dishes I don't find in other places. Ask for something specific and they'll make it for you, again with a gracious way about them. Everything I've had has been great. Highly recommended.
(5)Jonathan C.
I'm giving this place a four stars cause of there sushi. Some of the best, no doubt about it. There other side of the menu which includes ( they say authentic ) japanese style noodles exc. No way. Horrible! So I'll give them four stars for their sushi, service, and price.
(4)Sam W.
We have given Aji chances to prove itself as a top neighborhood Sushi place for the last time. Eating there, high prices, poor service and unpleasant atmosphere are so negative, that the food cannot overcome them. As for take out, 50% of the time, we get home and the order is wrong, even if we have confirmed it upon picking up. In addition overcharging is common. Never again.
(1)Tali G.
By far, my favorite sushi in Boston. Extremely consistent quality. Perfect ingredient ratios. Great brown rice sushi. Service is on point and friendly. True 5 star.
(5)Julie R.
Aji has some high reviews here so I decided to give it a shot when in Newton. It stands out on a Main street amongst some mom and pop type shops. The colors inside were bold along with the bamboo curtain accents. It looked and smelled of a new place. The river rocks on the front window sills were cool. Our server was very prompt. We made it easy for her and ordered 2 of the lunch combinations. We chose the spicy tuna roll with 4 nigiri pieces for $9.95 and the sushi/sashimi lunch special for $13.95. Included was a salad and miso soup. The miso was very good. Very abundant with tofu and seaweed. The salad was a typical iceberg with ginger dressing. The sushi arrived looking good in a bento box. The spicy tuna roll could of been spicier. You could see only a tiny amount of mayo in it. The tuna inside was chunky. The nigiri pieces were moist and fresh. The sushi in the specials was a very predictable salmon, tuna, crab stick and shrimp. For the price its a good deal. On the side we got a B-52 maki roll which had crab, avocado, yellow tail and tempura flakes. It was rolled very large. It was good but just very messy to keep together. All the bites crumbled once picked up. At the end of the meal we still had some room so got 1 more maki. I had heard good things about the sweet potato maki so decided to try it out. It was sweet potato tempura rolled up. It was different. I thought the tempura fry on it disguised its original flavor. It's a good little restaurant for the area. Prices were a bit lower then the Boston sushi restaurants. Cool decor too. Free parking in the back!
(4)D F.
Aji is great. It has become our go-to Sushi place. Staff is great. Food is fresh and delicious. I have the sushi deluxe on the regular and its always consistently wonderful. also - try the crispy wasabi shrimp...so delicious.
(5)l. a.
i really like this place. it has good sushi, awesome soup, and yummy curry. the ambiance is also great. love the decor and the place is also full but not overcrowded.
(4)Kevin A.
Great Sushi! The lunch menu is great. It about the same price as the Sushi at Whole Foods but MUCH better and you get more. Can't beat it!
(5)Matthew G.
Easy to find on a main drag of Newton. Nice decor with wood fixtures abound. Pretty empty at lunch on a Friday. Waitress took my order at the sushi bar. Are the sushi chefs not allowed to talk to the guests? Ordered sashimi combo ... 9 pieces for $13 - not bad. It came with a super-chilled salad with ginger dressing and a nice bowl of miso. Chefs choice of sashimi were three each of salmon,tuna and yellowtail...nothing adventurous. All were pretty standard tasting, but fresh. Tuna had a slight metallic taste to it. Regrettably, each piece of fish was tinged with the taste of ginger, as if the chef put the ginger on the plate first and didn't wipe or wash his hands before slicing each other piece. It kinda overwhelmed the natural taste of the fish. The fresh orange at the end was a nice touch, but it was two giant quarters. Would have been nice if the sushi chef spent some time on a decorative cut of the orange, considering the rest of the joint was empty. Overall a good sushi fix in the middle of Newton, but nothing exceptional or memorable.
(3)Brad F.
Normally I don't give the free "Clipper Magazine" I often get in the mail more than a passing glance, but yesterday's edition included a full menu for Aji Sushi Bar and after noting how close it was there was no question I was going to give it a try. It could not have come at a better time either, as I was in a little trouble with my girlfriend (who is a big maki fan) from last night's drunken shenanigans and taking her out to dinner was my ticket out of the doghouse. Talking her out of Sunday's pajama pants and into dinner wear was another matter entirely, but luckily Aji also delivers! ($2 delivery charge, $20 minimum after 5:00 PM, no delivery on Mondays). Ordering was an easy and pleasant experience. My girlfriend had carte blanche as to what we ordered and she picked the Unagi Maki, Spicy Tuna Maki, and the Philadelphia Maki. Initially she was going to go with the Maki Combo but the lure of cream cheese in the Philly was apparently too great - nudging out the California roll and the soup and salad that comes with it. I added an order of pan fried Gyoza (pork dumplings). I was quoted the standard 30 to 40 minute Everywhere Delivery wait time. Here is where our first surprise came in: I dialed up Aji at 7:29 PM. The delivery man was ringing my doorbell at 7:42 PM. Exactly 13 minutes from dialing the phone to fish in my belly. That's impressive. I know I live relatively close but seriously that has to be some sort of record. I was so overjoyed with such fast, polite, and professional service I gladly over tipped. If you ever get delivery from here and they are at your house in less than 20 minutes I implore you to do the same. The food stood up to the service as well. Fresh and succulent fish in each roll with plenty of wasabi and ginger to spare. The spicy tuna was perfect, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the Philadelphia Maki was - delicious smoked salmon, scallion, cucumber and that "come hither" cream cheese. I can see why this kicked the California roll to the curb. The Gyoza dumplings, while small in size and portion, were expertly done, not too greasy and served on a doily to soak up any excess and comes with a side of some pretty potent ginger sauce. We were both very happy with everything and we will definitely be trying more from this little Newtonville gem. Maybe even venture outside one day and take in the whole Aji experience. So, if you're ever in need of getting on the good side of your pajama pants wearin' better half, you cannot go wrong with Aji. Four stars for the food and a bonus star for the ridiculously fast delivery and polite staff. I can see this being a new Sunday tradition as long as there are Saturday nights.
(5)Renee H.
I somehow managed to never notice this restaurant before, even though it's right near my office and has apparently been there for quite some time. I happened to go here for a business lunch last week. I'm veg and therefore don't eat sashimi, so I can't judge the quality of their fish, but let me just say that everything I had was GOOD. Surprisingly good. The presentation was beautiful, to boot.
(5)ms m.
Finally! A great sushi place in my neighborhood!! We checked this place out on Friday night and the sushi was fantastic. We had the seaweed salad, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi, spicy tuna roll, rainbow roll and alaskan maki and it was all fresh and delicious. I thought they rivaled Fugakyu except Aji is much more reasonably priced. The service is very prompt and polite and the restaurant itself is very nicely decorated. I'm very happy about this much needed addition to Newtonville.
(5)Anino X.
I've paid several visits to Aji over the past two months and I feel comfortable in saying that the food and service have been very consistent. Folks who prefer non-sushi Japanese food may be a little put out as much of the restaurant's menu is geared towards the preparation of raw seafood. (I still wish I didn't have to go all the way to Porter Square to get my curry rice fix) If you're the type who always likes to try something new or different each time you go out for sushi, Aji does have specials for you to indulge in. If you're looking for a little spice to go along with your sushi, the rolls on the menu do not disappoint. I was also impressed with presentation and preparation of the grilled hamachi kama. I believe they adjusted the cut to provide a very generous amount of tender yellowtail for our small party. Anyways, it looks like New Ginza: Watertown finally has a new rival to contend with in the area. =)
(5)Howe L.
The sushi is incredible - fresh, light, and artfully crafted. Aside from the sushi, the other dishes are so-so. The decor is humble, yet quaint. Service is genuine. Prices are very fair. Def come for the sushi.
(4)David G.
Our goto sushi place in town.
(4)Mollie R.
love this place! one of my favorites to go to on a lunch break! fast, delicious sushi! Their avocado salad is spicy and delicious. The atmosphere is friendly and they always take good care of us, even when we are just a take-out order. they even let us place the order and then walk around town and come back to pick-up. I just wish they opened earlier...My lunch breaks from the high school tend to start at 10:30. I wish I could go there earlier.
(4)Jennifer D.
This is my go-to place for sushi in the neighborhood. I started coming here months ago, and I try to go at least a few times a month. Friendly staff, great, fresh sushi. A pretty simple place inside, but clean and comfortable. There are some places in the city that have better sushi, but they are much pricier. Aji remains one of my favorites!
(5)Jennifer L.
I order delivery from here all the time and have visited the restaurant a few times. The sushi is good and the service reliable and timely. The restaurant is nothing to rave about - but it's clean sand the people are nice. I love it and am hooked.
(4)Greg D.
This place is awesome! It's the freshest sushi I've had in awhile, and you can't beat it for the atmosphere and price.
(5)Fun Night S.
in a word, fabulous. i was very pleased from start to finish. i had my order delivered. the woman said 30 minutes and a lovely man appeared in 30 minutes. my friend and i ordered spicy tuna maki, crazy maki and spider maki. each one was very tasty. this was our first experience with Aji and we plan on ordering from them on a regular basis. i even added them to my address book. bravo.
(4)Christine N.
Good food and good service for a reasonable price. The atmosphere was nice too. The one thing I didn't like was that they have regular salt soy sauce on all the tables, which can be a little overbearing when paired with sushi. Other than that, great time!
(4)Karen B.
My family took me to Aji for my birthday on New Years day. It was our first time there. I love sushi and was not disappointed. The sashimi seemed a little pricey, but when I got my order, I could see why. Each order came with 3 large pieces of beautiful, perfectly tender fish. I had salmon and yellow tail. I also had a spicy tuna roll which was delicious. We all had the miso soup which was also among the best we've had. My kids and husband ordered curry chicken and chicken terriaki. Both dishes came with 2 boneless chicken breasts. The seasoning for all was wonderful. I couldn't believe my thin 14 yr old ate her entire plateful. My fifteen yr old slowed herself down so she could take part of her dinner home for lunch the next day. Salads, ice cream, service, ambiance all good. We will be back.
(5)Michael S.
We've been to Aji twice and both times have been enjoyable. Service is good, food is good. We've also ventured off the sushi menu and found all of the food to be fresh and enjoyable. Service has also been good. The prices are reasonable. Overall a great experience.
(4)Lindsay C.
This place is great. Very chic inside. Service is always fantastic. Sushi is fresh, creative, and delicious! Lunch menu is super cheap considering that you get miso soup, a salad, AND an entree. I recommended the spicy tuna maki, shrimp tempura maki, and snow mountain maki. And the shumai.
(5)Kenan F.
This is good for a local sushi fix if you're within walking distance of Newtonville. Lunch sashimi/sushi special was a good value but the fish is just okay. Sashimi tuna "maguro" is better quality than the sushi tuna which was "bin tuna" and I regretted it the second I choked it down. White fish was sea bass, looked matte. Salmon was fresh, but not my favorite sushi fish. I just left the shrimp nigiri on the plate. Uni and hamachi nigiri were delicious, next time we will order all from the ala carte menu. Reasonable prices on the ala carte menu. Hamachi kama was good but only one side was grilled, the other side soggy. Ginza kicks its hamachi kama ass. Green tea was tasty, service pleasant, although they are Chinese, not Japanese.
(3)Mitchell P.
I have to agree with everyone else this place is really good. I went with the a la carte sushi, just got a bunch of different ones, all were good. I grabbed the Coconut Gellato desert as well, and that was really good as well. Staff was good too, def will be back.
(5)Young G.
I went here for dinner a couple of days ago. The service was very friendly, the waitress made sure that we were taken care of throughout our experience. The speed that the sushi came depends on the amount you order. When we decided to have just a little more after our first couple of rolls, they came out a lot faster than before. The sushi was top notch, fresh fish, good presentation. Only complaints are that there is not much space inside, and that it is a little bit on the pricey side.
(4)Double G.
To sum it all up: premium sushi, great atmosphere and friendly staff. All in all Aji provides a wonderful dining experience that not only makes it neighborhood gem but also a sushi destination for foodies.
(5)J. N.
I wasn't expecting anything great when I agreed to go to Aji for an early dinner with a friend but I was pleasantly surprised. Everything was absolutely delicious. We started with the tuna tartar which, as the waitress warned, is cubed not chopped. Very tasty. We ordered three sushi rolls. The spice was right on, the crunchy parts perfect and the fish extremely fresh. Nothing about the dessert menu struck us but we were full. The bill, including two glasses of wine was just $60. A very good experience even for a neighborhood restaurant.,
(4)Natasha S.
4 stars for atmosphere, the place is cozy and cute. 3 stars for food - shushi rolls good. I had to pay an extra $1 to change my order a bit. This place is right by my apartment and that's why I would maybe go back.
(3)Chris S.
outstanding sushi and very attentive service - I'm not yet a regular but could definitely see myself becoming one - highly recommended
(4)Maggie S.
Aji is my favorite place to get sushi! It was first recommended to us by a cousin. When we first went several months ago, we were impressed with the service, the variety and quality of the rolls. I am newly pregnant, so when we do go - I make what have to seem like strange requests like separate plates for the cooked and vegetable sushi for me and the raw stuff (which I miss) for my husband. Even when I call to pick up, they have honored this request without fail. We have our order down to a science now. My favorite roll is the snow mountain, which is absolutely delicious shrimp tempura topped with lobster meat. My husband's favorite is the volcano (although typically he only orders this at the restaurant since he claims it's much better when they serve it hot vs. waiting the 15-20 minutes car ride before we can eat). The vegetable tempura (sweet potato) is incredible as well. Basically, we have enjoyed every roll and sashimi we have tried there. I highly recommend this place to eat at or pick up from!
(5)Scott B.
after i just wrote a review for their competition i must say that out of all the sushi places near my house in newton i myust say for the price and convenience this place is probably the best - they even deliver and usually quickly if you dont feel like going there or picking up - i order from there regularly
(4)Ramzy K.
Aji is a small, Asian fusion restaurant that offers decent Japanese & Chinese cuisine. The menu at Aji's is large, including noodles, sushi, and fried rice. Both lunch and dinner menus have a good selection. Unfortunately, most dishes miss the mark on taste and freshness. The best plates are the noodles and the rice (especially the seafood fried rice), which come hot and bursting with savory flavor. On the other hand, most of the other dishes, like the sushi, dumplings, and soups, are bland and uninspiring. The sushi, for instance, is dry and chewy. Aji tries to be a small, local restaurant that offers higher scale Asian cuisine (it's relatively expensive). Unfortunately, it doesn't consistently achieve this goal.
(3)Jack E.
I find Aji to be a great local sushi place, and I've enjoyed the freshness and quality of their foods (unlike some of the previous reviews). The dressing on their salad is a bit unique, unlike other ginger dressings. Perhaps not my favorite. I've also ordered their Pork Katsu and the pieces were tough and dry. I'd give 3.5 stars, but because when their good is good, it's REALLY good, they get the benefit of my rounding up. I'm a fan, I'll repeat for sure.
(4)Joshua W.
Good decoration but sashimi not fresh and nothing impressed me
(2)Jessica B.
Even though I had a bad experience at Aji, I've had a couple of good ones so I thought I'd write an update. This is a restaurant where I am very comfortable going by myself and having a glass of wine and eating sushi at a table. The staff treats me well and I appreciate it. The sushi is generally good. I've yet to find something unusually special, but it's about what I would expect from a neighborhood restaurant. When I went last night they had run out of brown rice and were very apologetic. I started with steamed shrimp shumai, which was very good. Then I had the Ebi sushi, Unagi sushi, and Smoked Salmon sushi with a California Maki with Roe. The sushi was quite good while the California Maki was very average. Amazingly, I was still a bottomless pit of raw fish cravings so I got a Caterpillar Maki which is eel, cucumber, and roe, covered with avocado. That will fill anyone up. It was huge and delicious. Only had to chase my waitress down a couple of times and overall I was quite pleased. I think they are much better on a weeknight when the servers aren't overwhelmed. My biggest complaint is the bright lights. You don't really want to eat sushi in an atmosphere reminiscent of a 7-Eleven. Out with a glass of wine for $44 before tip.
(3)Amy D.
I liked that they had different cuts of fish here, but I thought the quality of it was just ok. I placed a to-go order on a Wednesday night, and was able to pick it up after 15-20 minutes. I tried: -Baby Hamachi ($6.50), Uni/Sea Urchin ($5.95), Sake/Salmon ($4.95), Ikura/Salmon Roe ($4.95) [ yelp.com/biz_photos/aji-… : The baby hamachi was ok, but wasn't as buttery as ones I've had previously. The uni was also just ok, and not as briny tasting or as creamy as I like. The salmon was the best of of the 4, and the ikura was again just ok. Overall, I wasn't that impressed by the quality of the fish from here, and am not sure I would come back. Parking can be difficult, but there are street parking spots available.
(3)Nate C.
Overall I'd give it 3.5 stars. It was good food, fast efficient service, reasonably priced (about average for a non-elite sushi bar). The sushi was okay, not amazing but not bad. I had the spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, & Crazy roll. Nothing bad, just wasn't wowed.
(3)H M.
Great place for sushi takeout. We get takeout from Aji at least once every two weeks (which is a lot for us). In addition to the sushi, the pork katsu is a favorite. For sushi, it is not as expensive as other local choices and is of high quality.
(4)Francine C.
Aji is my favorite place to get sushi. We haven't tried the other items on the menu (there is a variety of noodle and rice combinations), but the sushi is just the best. Always fresh and satisfying. Their prices are reasonable too. Wish it was a bigger location because there is always a wait!
(4)Peter C.
I wanted to love this place, simply because it's a 5 min walk from my house. To be honest, the sushi wasn't all that great. I cannot put my finger on it, simply that it didn't taste all that fresh. One example, we tossed in a Shrimp Tempura roll, just to mix it up (I know, it's not real sushi). The shrimp was soggy, not crispy at all. It's like it had been sitting there for a while. The rice was also paste-y. For my money, I'd rather go up to Edamame in Newton, next to Stop and Shop. That place always has good sushi.
(2)William S.
Had a late lunch at the sushi bar. Only one there. Good service. Chef gave me a starter on the house. No clue what it was, but good. Decided to go basic with my order. Miso soup was solid, not the best I ever had. Tuna, salmon and Himachi sushi was excellent and very fresh. Ordered a spicy tuna crunch roll as well. So-so. Not terrible, but lacked something. Would not order that one again, but will go back.
(4)Hadrien D.
Very good sushi! Fair prices. Pretty atmosphere. I loved the presentation of the sushi rolls. The avacado salad was great!!
(4)Erica S.
Agi is the bomb.com . I like to order the hand rolls so I can shove all the sushi into my face with bare hands like a cave woman. Reasonable prices for high quality sushi and solid service. Its just a five minute drive from Newton Center and parking is pretty easy to find.
(5)Kim F.
Aji serves the tastiest sushi of the places we go to and makes a beautiful presentation of the meals. The tuna maki melts in your mouth. Exotic rolls with shrimp or salmon tempura are delicious. The Spicy Calamari appetizer is tender and spiked with fresh jalapeños and red onion - we order it every time. The staff are friendly and it's easy to call ahead for reservations to avoid the rush.
(5)LC P.
It's nice to find a little gem in a small neighborhood! Whenever we're back in town to visit, we love going here. The hamachi torch maki is my husband's favorite. And the sushi is always fresh. There's a lot of variety on the menu, so there's always always something for you, whether you're craving fresh sushi or cooked dishes. And service is excellent. Definitely a place to try if you're in the area.
(5)Dave M.
we went in for lunch and got the maki lunch special ($10.95) and the beef teriyaki lunch ($10.95). the maki was good and the presentation was clean. the beef could have used one more item on the plate for the price. it comes with salad, soup, beef, few veggies, and rice but the meat was a little skinny so something to fill the space would have been nice, but it tasted good and the presentation was clean as well. but the service was great and the place was well maintained. too bad we didn't have space for the actual sushi but the maki sample was a good indicator of their quality.
(4)Monique F.
Great sushi place that has delivery! Fresh sushi every time and has great spicy avocado salad. I always get the steak teriyaki - the sauce is amazing! Wait time is usually between 5-10 minutes. Has a sushi bar you can sit at or table seating. Fast service. Delivery usually takes 40-50 minutes.
(4)Lyndsey C.
Food was ok and fish was fresh but the place is quite small and service wasn't great.... The fish was good. But our dishes all came out at separate times and the waitress wasn't very pleasant. There are better choices around.
(3)Jean V.
I keep forgetting to check in.. Pros: Awesome food!! Awesome service!! Cons: One time I did pick up and they forgot my salad, waitress was nice enough to offer to walk to my place.. Of course I said no its ok :)
(5)Michael A.
We've been going to Aji for years and I've had sushi all over the US and will eat anything they have.. the more exotic the better and I must say Aji is consistently quite good. We go there I'd say once a month and it is always a positive experience. Personal favorites: Salmon Roe with a raw quail egg on top, Sea Urchin, Eel ..... The Saki Drunken Heart Cold compliments the sushi nicely. Prices are good and worth it.
(4)Robert S.
Best sushi we've had in Newton that you don't have to wait 30 minutes for a seat. Also love the great neighborhood of Newtonville. Get the warm baked scallop dish, and any of the more creative sushi rolls. And best part about it is the multitude of other restaurants around it if the wait is too long. Just hop next door and get a drink. Also good for takeout when you want something fresher than Whole Foods.
(4)Kate D.
I just moved to the area and was craving sashimi. I ordered delivery from Aji online, but had some technical difficulties. I would recommend calling to confirm your order if you use the online system (because you can easily order w a credit card that way) or just calling to order delivery and skipping the online system. Also, delivery only starts at 5pm, so if you want lunch you'll have to pick it up. They clearly felt badly about the mix-up, though, and quickly got my order delivered to me. The quality of the food was very good. I look forward to using them again and hopefully going there to eat-in soon.
(4)Carmen L.
Went out for sushi with my husband and found this little restaurant in a nice neighborhood of Newton. It was Friday night and the restaurant was full. We sat at the sushi bar and were promptly greeted and served. The restaurant was clean and nicely decorated. We ordered their specials that night and the food was great. Very fresh fish and beautifully plated. I'm giving this four stars instead of five because the wait staff is professional and prompt but not very personable.
(4)Lorraine C.
There are a few times in my eating experience out that I ate a meal worth remembering for a repeat visit. The Aji Restaurant can not be included in this experience. Unfortunately for them (It is not an authentic Japanese establishment), I lived in Japan for 8 years. Aji means "taste/flavor. This restaurant is a misrepresentation of that term. Miso: Good Salad: mama okay Chicken Katsu: taste like they used old oil Maki: really good (shitake and sweet potato) Philadelphia Maki: good Spicy Udon Soup: old scallops were used (there was hardly any seafood) and there no flavor, not even an udon soup aji/flavor Customer Service: There was a vast difference in the way the waitress treated us (the only people of Color) and the other customers. She was talkative, jovial and laughed with everyone else. It was so obvious that my 11 year old noticed it. My two adolescent sons, my husband and I wanted to celebrate my son's birthday today, so my son picked the resturant nearby. Hesitantly, we went. Avoid our $57 mistake. Sadly, all the experiences we have had where Chinese both own the restaurant and are making the meals, have been a disappointment. When I want to eat Chinese food, I will go eat at a Chinese restaurant...not everyone can make Japanese food, including myself.
(2)Pasquale B.
I'm literally writing this in my car out in front of this establishnent. I've eaten here plenty times before over the past 2 years. I love the wasabi shrimp plate here. I'm not on a name by name basis with the staff but I recognize them and they recognize me when I come in. Obviously being a loyal repeat customer gets you nothing but a slap in the face ( not literally ). I got out of work and had my girlfriend call to see what time they were taking seats until. They said 9:45, which gave me enough time to go home shower and change to make it by 9:30 latest. I literally walked in the door at 9:32 and they said - "sorry, we're not taking anyone else". I explained that we just called and she said the girl on the phone ( obviously girl at the front counter ) said 9:45. Mind you their hours say they close at 10. I repeated that we called and she said sorry again and walked to the back room and left me standing there dumbfounded. I would've given one star, but I've never had an issue in the past except feeling rushed when I lve come around later hours.
(2)Mike T.
Been here twice for takeout and tonight is my first time going in - really glad I did. Definitely would recommend for takeout and dine in - they deliver and the one time I got it they were fast. The sushi has been great all three times and the place has great prices. They have a solid menu of Japanese dishes outside of sushi and a good selection of special rolls - the Snow mountain, Phoenix, Crazy Fighter and all of their spicy crispy makis are awesome. It's affordable for sushi and the people are extremely nice and helpful. Service was great. All around good choice!
(4)Naomi B.
Love Aji! Definitely worth a stop if you are in Newtonville. However it's important to note that I don't eat 'real' sushi, only veggies or cooked seafood. Service = 5 stars...always greeted by a smiling employee...free nibbles from our favorite sushi chef...excellent wait staff Food = 5 stars...cucumber avocado maki, shrimp tempura maki, seaweed salad, california maki, miso soup and wasabi shrimp are delish! Extras = Take out is fast and convenient and tastes just as delicious as eating in. Restaurant and bathrooms are clean.
(5)Aindrea B.
WOW! Amazing food. The salmon skewers are a great appetizer.
(5)Cheryl C.
Got delivery from Aji recently - was definitely pleasantly surprised that delivery sushi could be this good. Ok its not as amazing as Oga (our go-to sushi joint) but for delivery, its definitely good. Spicy Crispy Mango Tuna Maki - a little overkill with the mango but good. Red Dragon Maki Roll - loved this roll Alligator Maki - best roll we had. Simple and a combination most people are familiar with but it comes together nicely. Total came up to about $50 with tip and the $2 delivery charge. Not a bad deal. Delivery took a while but they prepare you for that - they say it could take up to 60 mins. Will definitely be ordering delivery again!
(4)Kenny C.
Not bad selection, but not super freshest fish. I may just be a sushi snob, but I came here with coworkers for the lunch specials. I had the maki special (three different types- California, Tekka and Kappa). Also ordered a spicy yellowtail for good measure. It wasn't on the menu, but I asked the waitress and she said they could do it. It wasn't too spicy though, and for some reason they gave me and my friend's separate orders on the same plate, which was a little awkward. They also took a lot longer to bring our two other friends their plates, so we had our food and the other half of the table had to wait for theirs.
(3)Mike K.
Not sure what all the rave reviews of this place are about. I came here for lunch with my fiancee in the hopes of getting some sushi. When we walked in, the place was practically empty and there was a very odd fishy smell in the air. That ruled out any raw fish for us. From looking at the menu the place seemed way overpriced, especially given its location and the simplistic setting. The service was friendly enough and prompt but the food wasn't what I expected. I ordered Chicken Udon and expected it to come in a soup form. Instead it came as a plate of fried noodles and chicken - I didn't feel like arguing and sending it back so I just ate it. It didn't taste like anything special and had some resemblance of chicken lo-mein from a Chinese takeout. My fiancee got eel with rice and once again it wasn't bad but it wasn't particularly tasty either. Don't think we'll be coming back here soon.
(2)Taylor G.
High quality, fresh ingredients. Beautiful presentation... We got a take out order today and it was ready in 20mins. We have had delivery as well and it hasn't taken long! They include all the fixings, including cute soy sauce trays, and cool plastic japenese soup spoons with soup. Try the fried oysters ! Yum
(5)Kelly C.
Great restaurant! I'd recommend the ramen and sesame chicken- Delicious! I took a star off because the California maki was mediocre.
(4)B L.
I'll start by saying that I live on the Newton line of Waltham. Waltham is really devoid of a good sushi (or sushi that I feel safe eating) which is what brings me to Newtonville. I will be honest in saying that it's not my favorite place to eat in because of the poor acoustics. It can get very loud and the ambiance isn't bad, but it does leave something to be desired. As far as sushi goes, I think its really quite good. My experience is that the food is fresh and delicious. I recently had the Sashimi deluxe for take out and I thought it was outstanding. Really yummy and decent value to book. My sweetie is vegetarian and they have some nice veg sushi options too. Service here is fine, everyone is friendly. Give them a shot!
(4)Sabrina P.
If you think Aji is the best sushi restaurant that you can find, then you're clearly the type of person that thinks supermarket sushi is good. If you are someone like me who fortunately has had good sushi before then you would steer clear of this place. The fish is not fresh. Not only are the orders of sushi small and bland, but anything "outside the box" on the basics are severely over priced. I guess I've been lucky to have gone to restaurants that actually care about making good sushi instead of just trying to mcdonaldize the cuisine like Aji.
(1)Samantha P.
I'm a very loyal customer at Takara Sushi, but a few weeks ago one of my friends was visiting from DC and he wanted to have some cocktails while we had sushi, one of the other people we were with suggested Aji. To say the least I wasn't impressed by anything. It smells very fishy inside, it hit me like a smack in the face as soon as I walked in. I tried to recreate my favorites from Takara, which was a complete let down. The rolls were TINY. One of my absolute FAVORITES at Takara is the Sweet Potato Tempura, at Takara it is creamy and delicious, here the Sweet Potato was raw and hard. The tempura tasted greasy. The worst past was it is completely over priced. Small portions, over priced..honestly skip Aji and drive straight to Takara as fast as possible! You'll be extremely happy with that decision!
(1)Neil H.
This is a normal lunch spot for me. It's got good, reliable sushi. Don't expect anything too out of the box or different here. Aji is the sort of place you go to have classic sushi. The lunch prices are good, and it's always easy to get a seat here when you want one.
(4)Kevin M.
This is our go to sushi place. Rather, it's our get it delivered sushi place. We don't go out for sushi often and prefer to have it take out and the fact that this place delivers and relatively fast is a HUGE PLUS. We have eaten at Aji a few times as well and the meals are always consistently good. I've been very happy with most maki I've ordered from Aji. While the spicy tuna maki is a bit boring, I highly recommend the New Wave, Red Dragon and Phoenix. Other staples are worthwhile: Crazy, Rainbow, Unagi
(4)Frank M.
I absolutely love this place! You can never go wrong coming here for sushi! Everything is delicious here! You must try the wasabi shrimp and volcano!
(5)