Kiwami Ramen — Restaurant in Tucson

Nestled in a cozy, wood-themed nook, this charming Japanese spot is a pleasant discovery. The indoor area may be modest, but still allowing you to savor the ambiance of thoughtful decor punctuated by quirky, eccentric wall designs that bring a hint of Japan’s playful spirit. The al fresco dining offers a comfortable alternative.

The star of the menu is undoubtedly their ramen. With firm, springy noodles and a savory broth that’s delightfully gratifying. Adequately topped, each bowl feels crafted with care, striking a satisfying balance of texture and flavor. Their ramen menu, already close to perfection, comes with the bonus of customization, allowing you to adjust certain ingredients to suit your palate. For a starter, the Takoyaki are deliciously indulgent. The batter mixture has a superb flavor profile, while the sauce and toppings are plentiful—just one tweak would make them perfect: a touch fresher octopus.

The shrimp tempura was an interesting surprise. The batter and sauce deviated slightly from the traditional style, lending a unique twist that was still quite enjoyable. Rounding out the experience, the friendly and accommodating staff elevate the warm, welcoming vibe, making you feel right at home.

Moderately priced, this hidden treasure is well worth a visit. With its tasty offerings, approachable prices, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to revisit, whether for a solo lunch or a casual dinner...

Our family of 5 went to visit Kiwami today because our middle child really wanted ramen. The service was exceptional. Our host got us set up at a table, and went over the entire menu with us. We told him it was our first time visiting, so he gave us excellent recommendations.

Our waitress was just as great and attentive. She took our order, and the wait was not long before we received our order.

We ordered their chicken karage (fried chicken) and it was tasty. This was one of the recommended items. It went well with the sauce and cabbage that they served with the chicken karage.

The spicy tuna poke bowl had some heat and it was delicious. The host did say it was a light lunch dish, but we thought it was perfect. My husband was full from just the poke bowl.

The Kiwami Shiro ramen broth was flavorful. The host recommended we get the curly noodles for our kids because it's has more flavor. The kids ate just about every bite of their meal.

My oldest ordered the Kiwami Aka bowl which is supposed to be spicy. The broth is also flavorful, but the heat was just not there. We were told that we can ask for more spice on the side, so we will do that in the future.

I love that you can pick the broth and basically create your own ramen bowl if you want to be creative.

I have never had mango cream soda, and that was a hit for our family. I almost wanted to order a second one because it was that good and refreshing.

We will...

Disappointing Experience at Kiwami Ramen My recent visit to Kiwami Ramen in Tucson left much to be desired. While the taste of the ramen broth itself was decent, it was unfortunately marred by being overly salty. Furthermore, the dish was served at a temperature that was not hot enough, which significantly detracted from the overall enjoyment. The "spicy" element of the ramen was also a letdown. Despite adding all the chili provided (for which there was an extra charge), the promised heat simply wasn't there. The ambience of the restaurant was just okay. My visit was around 3 PM, so it wasn't particularly busy. However, the most disappointing aspect of the experience was the service. I was asked to pay twice. First, the server came to my table, and I informed her that I was still eating as I am a slow eater. Shortly after, the manager approached me, also pushing for payment while I was still working on my meal. This felt quite rushed and unwelcome. Considering the lukewarm and overly salty ramen, the lack of actual spiciness despite the extra charge, and the pushy service regarding payment, I would not highly recommend Kiwami Ramen based on this experience. There are likely better ramen...