Kiki on Ludlow — Restaurant in Cincinnati

With all the accolades, nominations, and a visit from Guy Fieri, I expected Kiki to knock our socks off. Well, this was not the case. We ate early on a Sunday and our server Joel was friendly and explained how the menu worked. I ordered a glass of pinot grigio, but they were out of that, so he suggested another white. We ordered the Curry Pan, which looked fun, but tasted bland and dry. The Inari Soba was a dish I've never heard of, so we ordered that. It was also bland and dry, and there was no where near enough dressing on the soba noodles. The "shell" was also mushy. It looks pretty in a picture though!

Next was Chicken Karaage. The tempura batter made the pieces super crunchy, but it really lacked seasoning. There is a choice of 5 sauces from which to choose at $1 each. The gyoza was the star of the small plate dishes. The presentation was unique with the apron of batter holding them together. You can taste that the filling is an original recipe of Chef Hideki and Yuko because it is unlike any gyoza we have tasted. The sauce was so citrus forward that, although we didn't enjoy it, must have been a perfect compliment to the gyoza.

Lastly, I ordered the Shio Ramen. It was good, the noodles were springy, and the pork belly and egg were cooked perfectly. After returning from Vancouver where there is a great ramen joint on every corner, this one to me was only good, not great. I wish there was more of it, and more toppings. There are also good ramen spots near me in...

A beautiful gem. I appreciate how they do not have a large menu, rather, a small menu of relatively simple Japanese dishes done just right. The ingredients are very fresh, for example, I got the tamaki plate (d.i.y sushi rolls) as an appetizer and the raw tuna was very light and fresh. The shio ramen was perfect, again, not trying to do anything new or crazy, just making this classic comforting dish perfectly and with care. The handmade noodles were so good and perfectly chewy. A large alcohol selection including several types of sake and Japanese beers (I got the Red Rice beer and really liked it). For dessert that day they were offering raspberry cheesecake with matcha crust and matcha ice cream with bits of Kit-Kat in it. They were both delicious and fresh tasting, with a pure but not overpowering matcha flavor. I especially loved the ice cream. :) The space is very clean, cozy, and airy with a very pleasing design and beautiful, simple dishware. In a truly lovely Japanese way, every detail is done with purpose and beauty is enhanced by minimalism. The staff were all very friendly and professional, and seemed excited about working here. It felt like a place where appreciation for good cooking and simple beauty is shared by customers and staff as people come to enjoy these comforting and lovingly made dishes in a lovely space. I am looking forward to coming back here with my family. Thank you to the...

KiKi in College Hill is one of those rare places where everything just feels right. What Hideki has created here is truly special—a carefully curated menu with seasonal dishes that highlight quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The atmosphere is calm, welcoming, and unpretentious, making it a place you can settle into and enjoy every detail.

The food is consistently excellent. The kimchi and pickles have the perfect balance of acidity and depth, the kushiyaki is grilled just right, and the pork bao buns are soft, flavorful, and satisfying. The ramen is always rich and well-balanced, and the oyster and wine happy hour is one of my favorite ways to start an evening. No matter what you order, you can expect it to be prepared with care and precision.

The service is just as impressive as the food. The staff are knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely kind, creating an experience that feels seamless and enjoyable. Great hospitality isn’t a given everywhere, but at KiKi, it’s clearly a priority.

Lately, my favorite way to enjoy KiKi is Friday happy hour at the bar with Joe. My husband and I can meet halfway, unwind from the week, and start the weekend on a high note. It’s something we always look forward to, and KiKi delivers every time.

If you appreciate great food, great service, and a place that feels effortlessly well-executed, you’ll...