Ai

Nadia Martins

Ai is an Authentic Japanese restaurant with excellent quality and atmosphere! The chef and owner is talented and dedicated, staff was hospitable, friendly and helpful. I went for my wedding anniversary and had an amazing dinner. Definitely recommended!

Marlan Warren

I have been coming to happily dine and enjoy the aesthetic ambiance of Ai since 1990. The chef is a master at the art of sushi, the regulars at the sushi bar never fail to interest or amuse, and I've always felt welcome. Since I eat alone quite often, I also enjoy eating out on the patio in the front with the bamboo and gentle breezes. I'm very thankful that they survived the pandemic slaughter of restaurants! The food is reasonably priced and the lunch specials can't be beat for economy and deliciousness! The tempura is hot and crisp, the teriyaki is plentiful and yummy, and the lunch combinations give you so much wonderful food on one plate that there's plenty left over if you want to take it home. I should also mention their miso soup has a healing effect on me. When I'm feeling down and foggy, one sip will start making me feel more energized and clear. It is a South Pasadena treasure!

Ceci Angelinni

This restaurant is a hidden gem in South Pasadena, CA!! I tried it for the first time last Saturday, and I have already been back!! The food is DELICIOUS!! I love the peaceful ambiance, the location and their prices are right. Yummy!!!

Kacie Parente

My dear husband suggested we go to AI. The food was remarkablely delicious. Service was warm and welcoming. I had the shrimp tempura. Oh oh it was heavenly. Big butterfly shrimp. Yum. We ordered shumai fried that was new for us. Or for my husband who did not want to share. Also, appetizer shrimp roll. Hubby had ? He ate it so fast I can't remember. Price was fair for lunch $50.00 would have been 30.00 and we'd be full. Valentine's Day we splurged spent a bit more. Parking in Pasadena not impossible but rarely easy. We did park behind the restaurant. So boys and girls go eat there. It delightful. And leftovers too.

Lyn

Love love loved this restaurant! Staff were kind, friendly, and our server was just so wonderful! I feel bad because I forgot his name but he was wonderful! My friend and I came here after a long day showing kimono. Loved the food. I got the yellowtail sashimi dinner, amazing.

Robert Adan Williams

I've been dining at Ai for more than half of my life — and in fact for more than 2/3 of my 63 years. Ai offers Japanese comfort food at its finest. The cozy home-like atmosphere is always welcoming, and the wait staff is always familiar. I cannot recommend it enough.

Just moved back from New York and this was our first time here. Came in for a dinner date with my wife and had a great experience. We ordered the salmon teriyaki with sashimi dinner and the chirashi. Everything was fresh, well-prepared, and very satisfying. Our server, Eric, provided extraordinary customer service. He was attentive, friendly, and genuinely made the evening better. We will definitely be back.

Didn't eat this time, but the old fashioned they made was tasty. I have eaten here b4 tho, and good quality food.

This is one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Pasadena. Amazing food, service, and my favorite sake.

Very good food and excellent service. The owners seem to have a knack for hiring excellent servers.

My favorite sushi bar in Southern California. I come here with my daughter and always sit at the sushi bar. Without fail it is the most delightful experience. The sushi chef, Fumi, brings out surprise dishes and deserts he doesn't charge for and the staff is like family, and the value of the meal is bar none. The staff treats us like family. They charged so little I ended up tipping over 50% and still feel it was a steal. Best kept secret around.

Vicente Correa

Just moved back from New York and this was our first time here. Came in for a dinner date with my wife and had a great experience. We ordered the salmon teriyaki with sashimi dinner and the chirashi. Everything was fresh, well-prepared, and very satisfying. Our server, Eric, provided extraordinary customer service. He was attentive, friendly, and genuinely made the evening better. We will definitely be back.

Taylor Moyer

This is one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Pasadena. Amazing food, service, and my favorite sake.

Joel Zucker

Didn't eat this time, but the old fashioned they made was tasty. I have eaten here b4 tho, and good quality food.

darren m

Very good food and excellent service. The owners seem to have a knack for hiring excellent servers.

Robert Braver

I'm in from out of state visiting my sister and an old friend. This has been our friend's go-to place for sushi for 30 years, and I can see why. This was a special occasion and Eric took great care of us. Great food and service.

Great value and portion. Nice atmosphere and courteous service. Beef Teriyaki & Sashimi Combo. Spicy Tuna and Yellowtail Rolls. Orion Beer

Ai combo prices are decent middle of the road and you get a good amount for the price. The taste is excellent. Salmon teriyaki is a good medium thick piece, unlike some places that slice it thin or have it small in size. Curry Rice was ok as I never found Japanese curry to be particularly exciting. Rolls provide good value.

mike moy

Great value and portion. Nice atmosphere and courteous service. Beef Teriyaki & Sashimi Combo. Spicy Tuna and Yellowtail Rolls. Orion Beer

w chia

Ai combo prices are decent middle of the road and you get a good amount for the price. The taste is excellent. Salmon teriyaki is a good medium thick piece, unlike some places that slice it thin or have it small in size. Curry Rice was ok as I never found Japanese curry to be particularly exciting. Rolls provide good value.

I went here for the first time this last week. The restaurant itself has a fun atmosphere, but they had a bunch of chairs stacked at the front of the restaurant which took away from the ambiance. We ordered a few sushi rolls and a $23 dollar crab roll (which was breaded and I can’t eat breaded items). It was probably my mistake, but when I asked the server about the crab roll, she just said that yes it’s breaded and walked away.she really didn’t offer any solutions. Since it was probably my oversight, I gave it to my friend since I couldn’t eat it. The server was not friendly in the least bit. She came to our table one other time only, didn’t say thank you when she brought the bill and never smiled. Very unfriendly. There was an older woman that was very nice and smiled when we left. Our bill was $85 with tip for two people and I just don’t want to spend that kind of money and have unfriendly servers. I won’t be going back sadly. The bar looked fun and the sushi bar looked very cool. I think going and sitting at the sushi bar may be fun for some.

Jennifer Farley

I went here for the first time this last week. The restaurant itself has a fun atmosphere, but they had a bunch of chairs stacked at the front of the restaurant which took away from the ambiance. We ordered a few sushi rolls and a $23 dollar crab roll (which was breaded and I can’t eat breaded items). It was probably my mistake, but when I asked the server about the crab roll, she just said that yes it’s breaded and walked away.she really didn’t offer any solutions. Since it was probably my oversight, I gave it to my friend since I couldn’t eat it. The server was not friendly in the least bit. She came to our table one other time only, didn’t say thank you when she brought the bill and never smiled. Very unfriendly. There was an older woman that was very nice and smiled when we left. Our bill was $85 with tip for two people and I just don’t want to spend that kind of money and have unfriendly servers. I won’t be going back sadly. The bar looked fun and the sushi bar looked very cool. I think going and sitting at the sushi bar may be fun for some.

It's an average Japanese sushi place. There is nothing unusually good or bad. I had Chirashi sushi, and it was good. The lunch special chicken teriyaki was also good, but nothing exceptional. The server was running around, but kept forgetting stuff. Maybe she's new? The place was a bit outdated, needing some fresh updates. The place was clean, but again, a bit old and needing some new stuff. The prices were average for Japanese in the area, about $30 per person for lunch without alcohol.

Los Angeles

It's an average Japanese sushi place. There is nothing unusually good or bad. I had Chirashi sushi, and it was good. The lunch special chicken teriyaki was also good, but nothing exceptional. The server was running around, but kept forgetting stuff. Maybe she's new? The place was a bit outdated, needing some fresh updates. The place was clean, but again, a bit old and needing some new stuff. The prices were average for Japanese in the area, about $30 per person for lunch without alcohol.

Pros: Amazing atmosphere for dates, family, night intimate vibes Great value for your money Great tea and appetizers Cons: the sushi, do not come for the sushi they may as well not even have it on the menu they are pretty poorly done, like others have said sushi is an art and its hard to trust sushi that looks like a mess....how do I know theres been care taken in the ingredients if the end result has no care? Overall, yes this establishment is fine for all the standard entrees and its one of the best ambiances for good price in my opinion. But get any sushi somewhere else.

Beatriz Aleman

Pros: Amazing atmosphere for dates, family, night intimate vibes Great value for your money Great tea and appetizers Cons: the sushi, do not come for the sushi they may as well not even have it on the menu they are pretty poorly done, like others have said sushi is an art and its hard to trust sushi that looks like a mess....how do I know theres been care taken in the ingredients if the end result has no care? Overall, yes this establishment is fine for all the standard entrees and its one of the best ambiances for good price in my opinion. But get any sushi somewhere else.

Oof. This is not the place to get sushi! I ordered a soy paper king crab roll and basically got a California roll with soy paper on the inside and rice on the outside. It cost $19. I also ordered the tuna sushi, it was not very fresh. Perhaps the cooked food is better.

Suzanne E.

Oof. This is not the place to get sushi! I ordered a soy paper king crab roll and basically got a California roll with soy paper on the inside and rice on the outside. It cost $19. I also ordered the tuna sushi, it was not very fresh. Perhaps the cooked food is better.

Rude chef, rude staff, overpriced, and questionable ‘authenticity’ of food. There’s better quality and friendlier options for Japanese food elsewhere

Raul Munoz

Rude chef, rude staff, overpriced, and questionable ‘authenticity’ of food. There’s better quality and friendlier options for Japanese food elsewhere