Latest Reviews
-
11…
Go Kitajima
Kihachi Japanese
-
Bad service and Omakase dish. We made reservation for Omakase (chef's choice) a week ahead, but we found out that Omakse served was all from the menu …
Takako Iwamoto
Kihachi Japanese
-
Terrible. We visited this restaurant several times. Everytime we go there, we have to wait for 2-3 hours for all the plates.This is not dinner. Have t…
Ichiro Nakano
Kihachi Japanese
About
Kihachi Japanese serves Asian, Japanese and Sushi. Incorrect or missing information? Make a report, or claim the restaurant if you own it!Details
Reviews
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to post a comment.
8 Reviews on “Kihachi Japanese”
Bad service and Omakase dish. We made reservation for Omakase (chef’s choice) a week ahead, but we found out that Omakse served was all from the menu of today’s special. Also, we were told that there were no Oshibori. This restaurant is supposed to be a discriminating, distinguished, and authentic Japanese restaurant.
Terrible. We visited this restaurant several times. Everytime we go there, we have to wait for 2-3 hours for all the plates.This is not dinner. Have to be extremely patient for the next plate. They charge us $170-$200. We decided to get rid of this place from our list.
Best meal ever. There are no words to truly describe the meal we just experienced at Kihachi. Exquisite, awe-inspiring,and revolutionary come close, but don’t truly capture the sheer genius of Kihachi’s food. We are well-traveled and adventurous eaters, and our meal tonight at Kihachi was the best meal we have ever had, hands-down. Each dish was a revelation. While not inexpensive, it’s worth every penny. If you’re lucky enough to visit Kihachi while they have crispy marinated pig’s cheeks and/or tontoro, ORDER THEM — you won’t regret it. And be sure not to miss the barbecued eel with vinegar sauce — the perfect balance between rich and tart. Don’t miss this gem; who knew that the best Japanese food outside of Japan (and possibly in the world) could be found in Columbus, OH?
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, this is an excellent choice. There are items for both the adventurous and not so adventurous. Given that it was recently included as one of the top restaurants in Columbus, I was expecting a little more. As soon as we walked in, we were hit with the smell of smoke. I’m not sure if the smokers in the cigar shop right next door were causing it or if someone had been smoking in there before we arrived, but we left with the smell in our clothes and hair. The server was very good and friendly and translated some of the menu items for us that were only in Japanese. I’d go back, but fearing that it would smell like fairly intense smoke again.
True Japanese Dining. Choosing to either dine traditionally on tatami mats, at the counter, or at a table in the dining room a fantastic meal awaits you at Kihachi.I had wanted to visit last year on my trip but didn’t make it over in time, and I have to say it was worth the wait. We ate many small dishes from the ‘appetizers’ menu including quite few of the chefs specials. We had two rounds of 5 and six dishes each time picking all but one, and letting the chefs pick one of our dishes for us. We ate many things, baby braised octopi, saga dofu, hibachi duck in tamari, lotus ‘sandwiches’ deep fried and quartered. Oh the list goes on. However, the two chefs dishes were braised marinated pork cheek (simply divine) and burdock root that had been braised and then fried crispy. The burdock blew my mind. I had only ever had it in soups and stews.We sat at the counter and watched all of the dishes leaving the kitchen, including the beef tataki which looked simply stunning. Piles of grilled crab, shrimp heads, rice balls. Almost anything you could imagine.Love of good food, enjoying the art of conversation with your dining companion, and having a good night out are necessary to visit Kihachi, but your trip will be rewarded with many many blessings.
Know what you’re in for and enjoy the food.. Reviews of this restaurant are all over the place. It has peaked in popularity because of it’s appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. I’m not an expert in Japanese cuisine or culture but let me give you a layman’s point of view on this place. #1 Expect slooooooow service. It’ll be the worst service you’ve ever experienced but I tried to look at it as quaint and maybe cultural. If you can’t handle that, don’t go. Maybe someone who’s more familiar with the Japanese culture can answer that question.#2 Don’t expect a sushi restaurant. There is some sushi and what they do have is amazing and sometimes unique in Columbus. Cooked entres are what they seem to focus on. #3 If you’re asked if you want to know about the daily specials, say no. The list is in Japanese and must be explained to you. Painful process. I understood maybe every 5th word.#4 The drink menu is confusing and also mostly in Japanese. Stick with what you know. Ask for a Sapporo, a glass of wine, or some other simple beverage they might have. The $10 glass of cold Saki was also good and a new experience. I don’t know the brands so I chose the cheapest one. Yes, $10 was the cheapest one. You also have to ask for water and refills are rare and/or slow.#5 The food is amazing. If you can handle all the negatives, try it. You won’t be sorry.I don’t want this restaurant to change a thing. I found the entire experience (good and bad) interesting and different from any other place in Columbus. Next time I go I might make reservations for a semi-private room where the services seems a bit faster.
Best in town. The best place to eat in Columbus. If you are a fan of true Japanese food and culture- it’s not to be missed!