Offering an alternative to Phuket’s many fancy, overpriced Japanese-hotel restaurants, Aoi comes with minimalist wooden decor, allowing the light to shine instead on the fresh, flavorsome food—no twists, just simple, real-deal Japanese classics at reasonable prices.

The menu offers a large selection of rolled-to-order sushi (B80-B130), sashimi (from B200), comforting donburi (rice bowls) and noodles.

Try the hefty pork katsu curry rice (B220) or the fancy grilled wagyu on rice (B710). To drink, besides from Japanese beer, they also have sake and umeshu (sweet plum wine).