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Aikan Sushi & Ramen
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Aikan Sushi & Ramen
7.9
Established in 2016, this high-volume favorite draws crowds with its early bird special for the first 50 guests daily. The combination of quality sushi and authentic ramen at accessible prices creates consistent lines of loyal locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Spicy Tuna Roll, Tonkotsu Ramen, Salmon Sashimi Platter
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Early bird special offers exceptional value daily
Who should go: Budget-conscious sushi lovers and families
When to visit: Arrive early for the 50-person special
What to order: Premium lunch sets, spicy tuna, ramen combo
Insider tip: Join virtual waitlist to avoid hour-long waits
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free strip mall parking with 40+ spots, fills up during dinner rush but usually available
Dress code: Completely casual - come as you are, families in sweats common
Noise level: Loud and bustling - expect cafeteria-style energy, difficult for intimate conversations
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without virtual waitlist, 30-45 min with
Weekday lunch: 15-30 min typical, arrive before noon to avoid lunch rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - vegetable rolls, tempura, veggie ramen available
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable rolls and modified ramen (ask for no egg)
Gluten-free options: Minimal - sashimi and limited rolls, no dedicated prep
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal - too loud and casual for romance, better for group hangouts or casual third dates
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations, but use their virtual waitlist system 30-45 minutes before arriving to minimize standing around
Is it kid-friendly? Very - high chairs available, kids menu with chicken teriyaki, crayons provided, and the noise level means crying babies won't bother anyone
Best For
Better for: Unbeatable value with early bird special, faster service than upscale competitors, best combo deal with both sushi and ramen
Skip if: You want omakase experience, date night ambiance, or premium cuts - try Sushi Enya or Osawa instead
Aikan Sushi & Ramen
7.6
All-you-can-eat sushi destination established in 2016 offering premium and regular menu options with early bird specials. The romantic, classy atmosphere makes it ideal for dates while delivering value through extensive selection and portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Premium AYCE Selection, Specialty Rolls, Fresh Ramen
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.3
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 6.9
What makes it special: All-you-can-eat premium sushi with romantic atmosphere
Who should go: Couples wanting variety and value together
When to visit: Early bird special for first 50 people
What to order: Premium AYCE menu for best selection
Insider tip: Arrive early to beat lines for early bird pricing
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Strip mall parking lot with ~40 spaces, fills up fast after 6pm on weekends - street parking on Colorado Blvd as backup
Dress code: Casual to smart casual - jeans and nice top perfect for date night vibe
Noise level: Moderate buzz - intimate enough for date conversation but lively atmosphere
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation, especially Friday/Saturday after 7pm
Weekday lunch: Usually seated immediately, max 10-15 min wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive vegetable roll selection, inari, edamame, veggie ramen options
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable rolls without mayo, edamame, seaweed salad, specify no fish sauce in ramen
Gluten-free options: Moderate - sashimi, rice-based dishes available, but no dedicated prep area, tamari available on request
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Perfect - the AYCE format keeps conversation flowing as you order rounds together, romantic lighting sets the mood, and sharing different rolls creates a fun, interactive experience without awkward menu decisions
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes, but weekends are risky - either arrive before 5:30pm for early bird special or expect 60+ minute waits. They don't take same-day reservations after 3pm
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than young kids - the romantic atmosphere isn't ideal for toddlers, but teenagers love the AYCE format and there's chicken teriyaki and tempura for picky eaters
Best For
Better for: AYCE sushi with date night ambiance - most competitors are either upscale à la carte or casual AYCE, this uniquely combines romantic atmosphere with unlimited value
Skip if: You want top-tier omakase quality or quick grab-and-go - head to Sushi Roku for premium experience or Kazuki for fast casual instead
Aikan Sushi & Ramen
7.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Birthday & Celebration Central
Premium all-you-can-eat concept offering vast variety across appetizers, traditional rolls, specialty rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Established in 2016, this spacious restaurant features ordering via tablets with quick kitchen turnaround. Early bird specials attract lines before opening, while the menu accommodates adventurous eaters seeking volume and variety over omakase-level precision.
Must-Try Dishes:
Premium AYCE Selection, Specialty Rolls, Fresh Sashimi Assortment
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: Premium all-you-can-eat format with extensive sushi and ramen variety
Who should go: Large groups and adventurous eaters seeking variety
When to visit: Early bird special (first 50 guests) offers best value
What to order: Focus on premium AYCE menu, try specialty rolls and sashimi
Insider tip: Arrive 30 minutes before opening for early bird pricing
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot behind restaurant with 40+ spaces, street parking available on Green St with 2-hour limit until 6pm
Dress code: Casual - athleisure and jeans perfectly fine, typical for AYCE format
Noise level: Lively/loud - families and groups create energetic atmosphere, not ideal for intimate conversation
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without early bird arrival (5pm opening), lines form at 4:30pm for discounted seating
Weekday lunch: 15-20 min typical, lunch AYCE runs 11:30am-2:30pm with lighter crowds
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie rolls, tempura vegetables, edamame, seaweed salad, miso soup
Vegan options: Limited - cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, edamame available but most dishes contain fish/dairy
Gluten-free options: Challenging - soy sauce contains gluten, request tamari and avoid tempura/imitation crab
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not recommended - high noise level and AYCE format encourages quantity over intimacy. Better for group outings or casual 3rd+ dates where fun matters more than conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for weekday lunch/early dinner, but weekend evenings expect 60-90 min waits. Best strategy: arrive 30 min before 5pm opening for early bird discount and minimal wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - tablet ordering entertains kids, chicken teriyaki and California rolls appeal to picky eaters, high chairs available. Gets loud so no judgment on noise. Perfect for ages 5+.
How does the tablet ordering work? Each table gets a tablet showing full menu with photos. Order rounds of 5 items at a time, food arrives in 10-15 minutes. System prevents over-ordering and waste while keeping pace fast.
What's the time limit for AYCE? 90 minutes from seating, enforced during peak times. Kitchen stops taking orders at 75-minute mark. Plenty of time to eat 3-4 rounds without feeling rushed.
Is the early bird special worth the wait? Saves $5-8 per person on AYCE pricing (typically $27 vs $32-35). If you're bringing 4+ people, arriving 30 min early saves $20-30+ and guarantees immediate seating.
Best For
Better for: Volume seekers wanting 30+ piece variety, groups splitting costs evenly, families with adventurous kids who want sushi exposure without per-piece pricing anxiety. Premium AYCE tier includes better fish quality than typical buffet competitors.
Skip if: You want omakase-quality fish or chef interaction, need quiet romantic ambiance, prefer a la carte pacing, or have dietary restrictions beyond basic vegetarian. Choose Sushi Enya or Bar Celona for quality-over-quantity experiences.
Aikan Sushi & Ramen
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
This all-you-can-eat sushi destination delivers remarkable variety with over 60 roll options alongside ramen and izakaya fare. Lines form before opening for their premium AYCE menu featuring specialty rolls like the Malibu Roll and salmon crunch, with attentive service keeping food flowing smoothly even during peak hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Malibu Roll, Salmon Pleasure Roll, Vegas Roll
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Premium all-you-can-eat sushi with extensive specialty roll selection at competitive pricing
Who should go: Groups and families seeking variety without breaking the bank
When to visit: Arrive before opening to beat hour-long weekend waits
What to order: Malibu Roll with spicy mayo, Salmon Pleasure with garlic chips, Vegas Roll with fried eel
Insider tip: Free two-hour street parking available; put your name on the waitlist early on weekends
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free 2-hour street parking available nearby; arrive early on weekends as spots fill quickly by 5:30pm
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirts perfectly fine, very relaxed atmosphere
Noise level: Moderate to lively - energetic dining room buzz but conversation-friendly at booths
Weekend wait: 60-90 minutes typical; arrive before 5pm opening or add name to waitlist early
Weekday lunch: 15-30 minutes during peak lunch hour, minimal wait off-peak
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie rolls, tempura, and vegetable-based appetizers on AYCE menu
Vegan options: Limited - cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, edamame available but selection is basic
Gluten-free options: Challenging - soy sauce and tempura contain gluten; request gluten-free soy sauce and stick to sashimi
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual early dates than romantic ones - the lively AYCE atmosphere is fun and interactive but not intimate. Choose a booth over counter seating for better conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first-come, first-served. Weekdays you'll likely get seated within 30 minutes, but weekends require arriving before 5pm opening or expecting 60+ minute waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly - casual atmosphere, high chairs available, and the AYCE format lets picky eaters try multiple options without waste. Popular with families for good reason.
How does the all-you-can-eat work? Order from premium AYCE menu with 60+ specialty rolls, ramen, and appetizers for one fixed price per person. Order multiple rounds - servers keep food flowing efficiently with minimal wait between courses.
What's the time limit for AYCE? Typically 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on crowd size, but servers don't rush you. Pace yourself to maximize variety - you can keep ordering until you're satisfied.
Best For
Better for: Unbeatable value for groups wanting maximum variety and volume - the 60+ specialty roll selection at AYCE pricing crushes typical à la carte sushi spots on both choice and cost-effectiveness
Skip if: You want omakase-quality fish or intimate ambiance - this is high-volume crowd-pleasing sushi, not artisanal nigiri. Also skip if you're dining solo (AYCE requires 2+ people) or hate waits.