Kikuya Japanese Restaurant

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8105 161st Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052

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(425) 881-8771
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Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Redmond, WA
Reviews
( 14 )
( 12 )
( 9 )
( 6 )
( 6 )

Best

Excuse my brash and perhaps politically incorrect opinion, but if I'm making the decision to eat ethnic...

Worst

Flavor of the food was okay and the prices were relatively lower. I had a few complaints though: - meat parts were the cheap parts of the animal (i.e. NOT chicken breast, more...

Will never go back again.. DIRTY!! 5/12/2007

I used to love this place. Their tempura udon was delicious. However, I think they had a change in management and everything has changed. Last time I went, I ordered the tempura udon. I found a hair! I was disgusted, but thought it must be a one off thing. Then I found random piece of paper in my salad. I told my waitor about it and the chef simply scoped me more salad from the same source. Urk!\r \r I wonder when was the last time food inspection was done at this place. It was nasty! Cons: Dirty Food more
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Shameful behavior of management... 1/12/2007

The food was good though some of the sashimi might have been fresher. Overall the service was fine until we paid the bill. Apparently the gratuity we included on the bill did not meet the expectations of the head waitress/manageress who then proceeded to be openly critical of the amount from behind the screen in some sad attempt to embarass us. It is obvious these people are not Japanese as it is hard to imagine any Japanese person behaving in such a disgusting manner. If the management have a minimum tip threshold then perhaps they should include a service charge on the bill. Suffice to say we will never return to this establishment. My only regret is that I did not remove the gratuity amount from the final bill on the evening. Pros: Quality of food is generally good Cons: Management and service more
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New Ownership? What happened. 10/20/2006

I have been going to Kikuya for years and always thought it was great, until recently. I started noticing subtle changes and finally asked if it changed ownership. Apparently the rest. was sold about 1 1/2 yrs ago. The regular waitresses, all Japanese, seem to be gone. The prices were raised a while ago and now the portion sizes are getting smaller. Tonight, with my combo, I only got 2 shrimp when I used to always get three. I've always loved their teapot at my table, now you only get a cup that they refill. No more ""goodbye"" in Japanese from the cooks as you leave. A matter of fact, I didn't hear any employees speaking Japanese. That's why I loved Kikuya. I felt it was authentic. It used to be my favorite restaurant, now I'm not so sure. Atmosphere does make a difference. Pros: Best tea ever! Cons: Parking, expensive, portion size smaller more
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Consistently Good 10/4/2006

I've been eating at Kikuya for about 4 years now, including every week for lunch with my team. I've been to... more
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Consistently Good 10/4/2006

Jeremyah Provided by Partner
I've been eating at Kikuya for about 4 years now, including every week for lunch with my team. I've been to a lot of sushi places around the planet... more
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New Owners mediocre food 9/22/2006

My family and I have been eating here since 1982! The food was always fresh and cooked to perfection. It was my son's (now 24) favorite place to eat.....It was a very sad day indeed when the restaurant was sold. We my three adult children and I have all tried the ""New"" restaurant and we have found it sadly lacking in the quality and value it has had in the past. We tried it more than once (having always been loyal customers) and it is nowhere near what we had come to expect in quality or service. Nara will serve us better. more
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New Ownership - New things to try. 4/27/2006

I've been a regular here for the last 2 months. Not too shabby in terms of quality and the cut of fish. If you're looking for more of the cooked food types, those are also pretty nice looking (though I haven't tried any myself). The restraunt has undergone new ownership and has recently revamped the menu and kitchen. Its clean, quiet, and friendly atmosphere. I would recommend revisiting this restraunt with the new owner, he likes to experiment with food, if you're willing to let him. Good for a date at least! Pros: Fresh, Fast, Friendly Cons: No Sundays, Bad Parking more
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Sushi is great! 11/5/2005

I tried sushi assortment for lunch today and the price was only $9.95(6 sushis and 1 Tuna roll)! Very fresh, good quality fish (and ""nori"" also), and they served quickly. Being Japanese, I feel always weird to see that wasabi is served on a plate (not between rice and fish), but here at Kikuya, they put wasabi in between like in Japan! Next time, I will probably try Obento box. ;-) Pros: Good quality, Quick, Feel like in Japan more
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It is an OK Japanese restaurant 11/4/2005

I went to kikuya on a Thursday night. The restaurant is only half full and the service is not as terrible as the previous reviews. Although everybody is saying it serves large portion, but I am still shocked by the price. 16.95 per combination? You can pretty much order two entries at other restaurant by that price. We order a combination and a bowl of rice, and the food is enough for two of us. The food is not bad, but also not the best. However the rice is $2..quite expensive. Overall, if you go there at lunch, or you share a combination, it does not worth to make a whole trip there. more
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Good Neighborhood Japanese 8/11/2005

Kikuya is not (and doesn't pretend to be) a top notch, elite Japanese restaurant. It is, however, a decent neighborhood place serving fairly large portions for a reasonable price. Their bento box is one of the best dining deals in King County. True sushi connoiseurs will likely not want to dine here as they do not obtain top grade toro. This is a good ""California Roll"" type sushi place. Pros: Bento Box, Good Value more
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It's ok for lunch, service needs some improvement 8/8/2005

I am not surprised to see so many complaints about the service here, the attitiude really needs to change. For me it was always a good place for lunch at the sushi bar and the Friday bento with fish is probably one of the best lunches around. My neighbor knows the owner and she thinks the service really help. But seriously sharing your lunch with toddlers is fairly common. They pulled that extra charge thing on me and each time I just left no tip. I have been to Japan multiple times and maybe it is just a gijin thing. Just remember bad service can just mean no tip. Pros: Great Friday Bento, Udon soup is good Cons: Really bad service, Really bad service more
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The Best Bento Box 6/12/2005

I was surprised to see reviews about poor service. I bring my family to Kikuya quite frequently and we have no problems sharing a dish. In fact the food is served to faciliate sharing. Poor food quality? Hmmmm is that why there is always a line out the door at lunch time? You'll have to wait your turn to get the best Bento Box Special the eastside has to offer. And when you are through with your meal the staff will always take time to say thank you as you leave. Hidden away in a strip mail in Redmond Kikuya is tough to find, but worth the effort. Pros: Bento Box Lunch, Service, Value Cons: Finding it more
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Just like Tokyo 6/12/2004

My family and I have been going to Kikuya for more than 5 years. They have great quantities of food and the atmosphere reminds us of the teishoku shops we used to go to so often in Tokyo. (The only thing missing is a bunch of old Manga and a Tokyo Giants game or Sumo Wrestling on the TV) The sushi is fresh and the miso shiru is spot on. Pros: Inexpensive Cons: , tight parking more
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Dont' eat at Kikuya!!!!! 3/17/2004

Will never eat there again. Terrible, terrible service. The rude waitress refused to bring my 3-year old a plate. Said she had to charge $1.50 since we were ""sharing"". (My husband and I ordered 2 lunch entrees.) Not the first time we had bad service there, but this had to be the worst. I've seen restaurants having a ""sharing charge"" if 2 adults are sharing 1 entree. But this is a kid, does Kikuya expect him to order a full entree from the menu?? Cons: , Rude waitress!!!! more
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Exceptional Sushi for Exceptional Value 1/29/2004

The Sushi was Exceptional!! I dont know if it could be any fresher!. I think the restaurant has read these reviews and has improved their customer service. Both the Waitresses and Cooks were very friendly and had great service. Yes the location is not the best, but I would have paid 4X as much for the same sushi elsewhere. I got a sashimi plate for only $9.99. The same dish Downtown Seattle would be at least $30. Pros: Freshest Sushi, Inexpensive, Friendly Service more
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Good Food - Very poor service 12/12/2003

I won't eat there anymore. Although their food is pretty good, it varies. Tonight, our Beef Teriyaki was very rare and very tough. There service was pitiful. They are downright rude and judging from the lack of customers on a Saturday night, this rudeness is catching up with them. Pros: Good Food Cons: Poor Service, Rude Waitress, Treat Customers Bad more
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Waitress likes to refuse the take out cu 11/15/2002

If you dine in there, the service is OK. If you wanta take out, they will give you a very bad attitude and refuse you. Their food is so great, otherwise I won't come over again. They should respect the customer... Pros: very good food Cons: very bad service, refuse take out, bad waitress more
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Delicious and Filling! 11/14/2002

This place is one of my favorites for Japanese Food. The food tastes fantastic, the portions are huge, and the waitresses are friendly. I recommend the tonkatsu with large Otokoyama. Pros: Taste, Portions, People Cons: Parking more
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KiKuYa - Excellent Japanese around 20.00 9/13/2002

Excelent Japanese fare around $20 - pp. make sure you order a ""Dinner"" to enjoy the 2 different salads and the Miso soup. My favorites are Chicken Teriyaki and the Sushi Plate deluxe. The head chef is also the owner and has been making excelent dinners since before I was 4 years old (the age my folks discovered him). Pros: Excelent flavor, experienced chef, authentic decor Cons: parking scarce more
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good food without the flash 7/23/2002

Some may complain of a ""lack of atmosphere"" or perhaps even complain about the lack of interaction between the sushi chefs and those seated at the sushi bar (see previous review). But if you're looking for great, fresh sushi at decent prices, without the showy/pretentious/exoticized-for-the-american-audeince atmosphere, then this is your place. Kikuya doesn't need new customers who become frustrated with simplicity of their service and decor. My family waits long enough on a regular basis (we are, indeed, regular customers) indicating that Kikuya is not wanting for the young and cynical of the world to grace this simple restaurant with their presence. The delicious food and humble service reminds my fellow native sushi-eaters and me of Grandma and traditions passed. A truly excellent restaurant with a loyal clientele. more
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Menu for Kikuya Japanese Restaurant


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Editorial

  • Redmond Japanese restaurant specializes in large, shareable bento boxes for lunch or dinner and also has a full sushi bar.

  • 9/27/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Lunch: Mon - Sat, 11:30am - 2pm. Dinner: Daily, 5am - 9:30pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown
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