Aji
Aji ("pleasure", in Japanese) is a project of the founding partner Claudio Liu, a second-generation Chinese entrepreneur in Italy who over time has managed to define a very precise gastronomic trend, that of Japanese fusion, raising it to the highest possible level: in 2104 Iyo Taste Experience (founded by him in 2007) is in fact the only ethnic restaurant in Italy to have received a Michelin star.
Located a few meters from Iyo, Aji has the mission of reviving this gourmet experience at home: the idea is precisely to allow customers to taste the dishes that made Iyo famous but at a much lower price.
Personally I have been a customer of Iyo for years (both before and after the achievement of the star) thus having the opportunity to appreciate over time some of the dishes that made him famous and that it is possible to order from Aji. In fact, among the iconic uramaki, as Ebi Flò (shrimp tempura, spiced salmon tartare, strips of pumpkin flowers in tempura, sesame, tobikko and salmon eggs) and Yume Roll (pumpkin flower in tempura stuffed with shrimp, carpaccio of seared tuna marinated in soy and sesame seeds flavored with wasabi), as well as appetizers scampi with passion fruit or samurai sticks, oshizushi neghi toro (pressed sushi with tuna belly), numerous gunkan (Giò, in particular, with salmon, quail egg, ikura, tobikko and chives), carpaccio, sashimi, as well as warm dishes.
There are also mochi and fresh fruit as dessert, in addition to drinks and beers.
The restaurant, very elegant and cozy, has about ten seats. Due to the Covid-19 emergency, it is currently only possible to order with take-away formula directly from the premises or with home delivery by telephone or via the website. The delivery is really fast and is carried out by electric motors. A note of merit certainly goes to the choice of payment on delivery also with ATM.
Surely having a dinner directly at the restaurant is better: although the delivery is rapid, the freshness of the sushi is affected by the transport time. Despite this, the overall quality of the products remains high and this is also shown by the elegant packaging and the goodness of the wasabi that will be delivered to you together with your order.
My judjment is overall positive, even if, as my personal opinion, I must say that the preparations offer a perhaps outdated flavor: although delicious, Aji's sushi respects the stylistic code of a decade ago. Today a good part of the Milanese clientele is looking for the authenticity of simplicity in sushi (the recent opening of the Aalto Part Of Iyo Omakase is the confirmation) as it is eaten in Japan, without special sauces or mixes. However, those who have had the opportunity to appreciate Iyo in past years will find from Aji all the goodness and imagination of the chef that have made this type of sushi famous and widely appreciated.
📍 Via Piero della Francesca 17, Milan
💰 $$$$