Ai – Japanese
Ai invites diners into a sleek, intimate space where the vibrant energy of a modern izakaya meets the refined precision of Japanese culinary tradition. The air hums with conversation as plates of golden-crisped chicken karaage and zesty spicy tuna tacos arrive alongside delicate, silken agedashi tofu bathed in savory dashi. From the earthy crunch of kinpira to the succulent snap of fried soft shell crab, every dish celebrates a harmony of textures and fresh, ocean-inspired flavors designed for shared discovery.
1013 Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena CA 91030 https://aisouthpasadena.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price range: $
Dietary options: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, high-protein, keto, low-carb, halal, pescatarian, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-fat, sugar-free, mediterranean, diabetic, whole30, paleo, clean-eating, low-cholesterol, gerd, anti-inflammatory, high-fiber, atkins, south-beach, weight-watchers, low-fodmap, tlc, renal, volumetrics, detox, alkaline, raw-food, carnivore, aip, macrobiotic, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, pegan, lectin-free, candida
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its perfectly cooked and savory chicken dishes, guests love the inviting ambiance that makes for a memorable dining experience. Reviewers highlight the courteous staff and attentive service, often noting that the high-quality meals are offered at very reasonable prices.
Menu
Appetizers
- Agedashi Tofu - $12.2: Deep fried tofu in broth Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Steamed Asparagus - $10.4: Served with a miso-based dipping sauce Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Lectin-Free
- Chicken Karaage - $9: Japanese style fried chicken Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Edamame - $8.9: Steamed soybeans in pods Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Candida
- Fried Soft Shell Crab - $25.5: Cut in portions or served over small green salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Kinpira - $9.9: Burdock root cooked in soy sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic
- Shumai - $10: Pork dumplings, deep fried or steamed Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Spicy Tuna Tacos - $11: Spicy tuna on wonton tostadas Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
Salads
- Green Salad - $5 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Pegan
- Ocean Salad - $9.5: Seaweed salad with salmon skin Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, Macrobiotic
- Sashimi Salad - $17.5 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
- Spicy Tuna Salad - $19 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Atkins, South-Beach, Volumetrics
- Sunomono Octopus - $10: Marinated cucumber with octopus Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Lectin-Free
Main Courses
- Beef Teriyaki - $22.4 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Chicken Cutlet - $17.9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Pork Cutlet - $20.9 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Sukiyaki - $20.4: Thinly sliced beef and vegetables in a soy-based broth Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Salmon Fillet Grilled - $22.5: Seasoned with home-style marinade Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Carnivore, TLC, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida
- Yosenabe - $22.5: Seafood hot pot Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic
Sushi & Sashimi
- Sashimi Deluxe - $45: Chef's choice premium assortment Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Carnivore, Raw-Food, TLC, Detox, AIP, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Sushi Deluxe - $37 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Raw-Food
- Bluefin Tuna Sashimi - $24 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Raw-Food, TLC, Detox, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free
- Yellowtail Sashimi - $19.5 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Raw-Food, TLC, Detox, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida, Lectin-Free
- California Roll - $8.25: 6 pieces Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol
- Rainbow Roll - $31.7 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, Raw-Food
Noodles & Rice Bowls
- Beef Udon - $16.3: Tender beef with udon noodles Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Nabeyaki Udon - $17.5 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Volumetrics
- Soba with Tempura - $19.7 Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Unagi Don - $20.65: Freshwater eel over rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Pork Cutlet Curry Rice - $24 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
Sides
- Miso Soup - $2.95 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Halal, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, Macrobiotic
- Brown Rice - $2.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic
- White Rice - $2.59 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic
Desserts
- Cheesecake - $5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Green Tea Ice Cream - $4 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free
- Red Bean Ice Cream - $4 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
Beverages
- Ai Cosmo - $10: Ketel One Vodka, Cointreau, Cranberry and Lime Juice
- Ai Margarita - $13: Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, and Lime Juice
- Draft Beer - $8: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, or Stone IPA
- Japanese Green Tea - $2
- Soft Drink - $4: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange Soda, or Lemonade
Frequently Asked Questions about Ai
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular dishes include chicken karaage, spicy tuna tacos, agedashi tofu, fried soft shell crab, and various savory chicken preparations.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Customer reviews do not mention any specific concerns, instead highlighting the savory chicken dishes, attentive service, and reasonable pricing.
- What percentage of this menu works for vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?
- Vegan options include edamame and salads, while keto, gluten-free, and low-carb choices feature sashimi deluxe, sunomono octopus, and miso soup.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Ai has an average rating of 4.0/5, with guests praising the high-quality meals and attentive service.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Ai offers extensive options for mixed diets, including keto-friendly Sashimi Deluxe, vegan-friendly Miso Soup, and high-protein Chicken Karaage.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Ai offers a sleek, intimate modern izakaya atmosphere with a vibrant energy, inviting ambiance, and attentive, courteous service.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Ai is a budget-friendly ($) Japanese restaurant where reviewers highlight high-quality meals offered at very reasonable prices.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data does not include specific information regarding the hours of operation for Ai.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- Guests enjoy a sleek, intimate modern izakaya space with an inviting ambiance and a vibrant energy that enhances the experience.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- This budget-friendly Japanese izakaya stands out for its high-quality chicken dishes, attentive service, and extensive selection of specialized dietary options.