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Kihachi Japanese Restaurant
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terrible. We had reservation at 6:30 on Saturday night for family dinner. The first plate came after we waited for 1 hour. The last plate came at 9:30. One plate for 4 people every 30 minutes. Good food but this is not dinner we expected. NO RECOMMENDATION!!!!…
Not good enough for how bad they behave. Nothing extraordinary foodwise - but really rude - I got a feeling that you have to be of a certain class (or perhaps japanese?) to be welcome here.
At long last, a real Japanese restaurant!.
Unlike 99% of the Japanese style eateries in this country, this place caters to people who actually know and care about Japanese food. They get that you don't have to serve raw fish or toss shrimp
in the air at a grill. The food is authentic, delicious, and elegant. Just like you get at a nice restaurant in Japan.
We ordered off the seasonal menu written in Japanese, which our server carefully explained to us. We had boiled eggplant in broth, grilled matsutake (from Oregon), tataki-awase (boiled pumpkin, shrimp, and other things), saba oshizushi (pressed sushi with mackerel), and tekka maki (tuna roll sushi). We also ordered mozuku (seaweed salad) and agedashi dofu (deep fried tofu in broth). Nothing disappointed. The matsutake and mackerel sushi were standouts.
The all-Japanese group in the tatami mat room next door sounded like a typical work-buddy group gathering after work. For a split second I even felt like I was back in Japan, to my great surprise. But go for the food. If you want to know how a real Japanese person eats when s/he wants to go somewhere a little special, go here.…
Authentic Japanese Food.
One of the finest consistent dining experiences I've had in Columbus--delicious Japanese food is also very authentic. Hidden in the strip mall across from Chipotle, its something of a best-kept
secret.
Great place to go for noodles, tempura, etc. They have some sushi offerings as well, but this is THE place to branch out.
Expect a leisurely meal in an elegant atmosphere with the option of regular tables or tatami rooms. This very relaxing, Japanese-owned restaurant offers a holistic Japanese dining experience that will calm you and enable you to appreciate the textures of Japanese cuisine.…
Most authentic (and delicious) Japanese food in Central Ohio.
I'm a white Ohioan who lived in Tokyo for over a year, and recently moved back to Ohio with my Japanese fiance. I can say with 100% confidence that Kihachi is the equal of any upscale Tokyo
itzakhiya. Its by far the best (non-sushi-primary) Japanese restaurant in central Ohio- and my Japanese fiance enthusiastically agrees.
The clientele is almost all Japanese, but the waitresses speak English and are very friendly. The atmosphere is pure Tokyo- sit at the floor-tables in the tatami-mat rooms, or sit at the bar and watch the chefs work. Menus are in English and Japanese, but the daily specials are always in Japanese only- always ask for a translation! These specials are usually VERY Japanese (seasonal Japan-only vegetables, for example) and are always delicious.
The more well-known Japanese staples are present- edamame, udon, soba, etc.- and you can (and should) come here even if that's all you want. This isn't a sushi place, but there are always a couple of delicious sushi offerings that are (again) up to Tokyo standards.
However, Kihachi has dozens of menu items you won't find at any even slightly Americanized Japanese restaurant. Octopus tentacle with soy sauce. Blood-rare beef sashimi topped with Japanese seasonal vegetable. Lightly fried shiitake mushrooms. Pork cheek. Wash it down with the premium Sapporo, or a variety of other Japanese beers or liquors.
In summary, this place is one of Columbus's hidden treasures. Ignore the hibachi, head directly to Kihachi.…
