Welcome to I ai Sushi
I ai Sushi is a hidden gem in Tampa, offering authentic Japanese cuisine with a mom & pop shop vibe. Despite some service issues, the food is top-notch, with customers raving about the flavorful dishes like the katsu curry, spicy ramen, rainbow roll, and traditional cold soba. The menu is full of classic Japanese options, making it a go-to spot for those craving genuine Japanese flavors. The restaurant's ambiance may be a bit dated, but the cleanliness and attention to detail in the food make up for it. Overall, I ai Sushi is a must-try for anyone looking for a taste of Japan in Tampa.
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3691 W Waters Ave Tampa, FL 33614 Hotline: (813) 932-1111
Welcome to I ai Sushi, a hidden gem in Tampa, FL that offers a unique blend of Japanese cuisine, specializing in delicious ramen and sushi dishes. This mom & pop shop prides itself on serving authentic Japanese food, reminiscent of what you would find in Japan.
Customers rave about the menu filled with classic Japanese dishes that transport your taste buds to Japan. From the flavorful rainbow roll to the traditional cold soba, there is something for every palate at I ai Sushi.
While the ambiance may be a bit unconventional with a slight smell from the dated carpet, the focus here is on the food. The husband cooks in the back while the wife waitress tends to the front, providing an intimate and authentic dining experience.
Despite some reviews mentioning slim and non-attentive service, the quality of the dishes shines through. The katsu curry, spicy ramen, and assorted tempura vegetables and shrimp are just a few of the standout dishes that customers can't stop raving about.
For those craving traditional Japanese cuisine close to the real deal, I ai Sushi is the place to be. With a diverse menu, casual atmosphere, and an array of vegetarian options, this restaurant is perfect for a lunch or dinner spot in Tampa.
Experience the taste of Japan at I ai Sushi and indulge in a culinary journey unlike any other in the area. Make sure to ring the bell for service, just like in Japan, and savor every bite of the authentic Japanese dishes served here.
If you want authentic Japanese food this is the spot! The menu is full of classic Japanese dishes and tastes just like you would get in Japan. The ambiance was a little weird and the smelled like an old rug. The service could be better but I understand as English is not their first language. Come here if you want good authentic Japanese cuisine in the Tampa area!
Authentic Japanese food by a mom & pop shop. Service is slim and non attentive. Environment is a bit cold but similar to many of the best Japanese spots I know. Lots of home made signs posted conveying their interesting house rules. Very clean bathrooms. When you walk in, you notice a slight smell from the carpet which is dated. The wife waitress seems alone up front while the husband cooks in back. They speak real Japanese for sure and it's some of the best Japanese food I've had in Tampa. Most are Korean or Chinese owned and don't have such an authentic Japanese menu. Lots to choose from. I'd give it 5 stars but they need to work on the service a bit. Tasty food.
Authentic Japanese cuisine! I lived in Japan and it was a joy to get to try real Japanese dishes at this restaurant. Can't wait to go back!
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try on Monday night and everything was super good. The rainbow roll was my favorite, super flavorful!
From the looks when you're inside, not expecting what we got. Saw a bunch of post on Instagram, and we were in the area, so we gave it a try. A lot of people were saying how rude the service was. We did not experience that at all, granted we were the only people in there on a Saturday evening. We went with the katsu curry and the spicy ramen but can't recall the name. Both dishes were over the top, the flavor the spicy, the freshness was just simply amazing. The server e en brought us a bag of fresh magos that were so delicious. Def give this place a try it's one of those hidden gems !!!
Very traditional to small restaurants you would find in Japan! The server comes to you when you ring the bell (pretty common in Japan, especially in non busy tourist areas) witch is uncommon in the states, but nice if you don't like waiters hanging out at the table while you figure out what to order. I came in for traditional cold soba, and that's exactly what I got! I got the krab Rangoon to start, and they were pretty tasty! The real star was the cold soba! It was a good portion of noodles with the traditional dipping sauce. It came with a plate of assorted tempura vegetables and shrimp. The tempura was a little oily, but it wasn't heavily battered. (American tempura usually comes out heavy, but this was light and crisp)! I highly recommend them if you're in the Tampa area and want traditionally inspired Japanese cuisine close enough to the real deal!