Kihachi Japanese Restaurant

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!!!! more

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. more

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. more

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. Pros: elegant ambience, authentic, delicious food Cons: expensive: you get what you pay for more

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. Pros: Delicious and authentic un-Americanized cuisine Cons: slightly pricey- but 100% worth it! more

My intimidation upon entering Kihachi the first time was immeasurable, but I stuck with it; I'm glad I did. Two years later, I cannot count the number of times I have eaten there. The food is fantastic. The atmosphere relaxes you. You won't even have a choice in the matter. When I sit at that sushi counter, my stress melts away. To all the folks who gripe about service, a few points: 1) Staff at all restaurants play favorites with ""the regulars"" at their establishment. Just because the regulars at Kihachi are Japanese salarymen doesn't justify spouting ignorant diatribes. 2) Service is slow because that's the pace of the restaurant. In the same way that a five-course meal at The Refectory will take longer than a hamburger from the drive-up at Steak and Shake, dining at Kihachi is suppose to be a pleasure. If you're in a hurry that night, eat somewhere else. 3) In all my experiences there, I have never seen anyone be unfriendly, unhelpful, etc. Be polite and patient and you will receive the same in turn. Enjoy! Pros: Everything! Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

Kihachi is outstanding. The decor is simple and tasteful. The atmosphere is pleasant, particularly at the counter on a cold winter night where you can feel the heat from the grill as you watch both chefs work their magic. If you believe that a meal is a race rather than an experience, or if you think that a meal is only good if it is inexpensive, or feel that good service is only rendered by a wait person who spends almost as much time at your table during the meal as you do, then this is not the place for you. If you believe that eating a meal consisting of only the finest quality ,freshest ingredients available, individually prepared by an expert, is something to be cherished, then Kihachi cannot be missed. You should be prepared to both wait, and pay, for the finest Japanese cuisine available. After all, the chef both waits, and pays, for the finest ingredients on the market. The staff can get busy, but have been friendly and professional to me every time that I have gone. The secret? Say hello, engage in conversation about what is fresh, and what the specials are. Tell them what you enjoyed. Pros: Best quality, seasonal ingredients, masterfully prepared-ask what chef recommends Cons: Staff can get busy- to avoid this, eat early and wait times are minimal more

Appetizers including sushi were excellent. The service was very slow and unevenly served with one meal finally served as others were finishing their meals. Three hours and 15 minute experience. Pros: Appetizers Cons: Slow service, communication problems, inconsistent timing of entres. more

There is no question, Kihachi is the best restaurant and dining experience Columbus, Ohio has to offer. Some hints to the best meal you've had this week: 1. Make a reservation, seating is limited (~40 seats, open 6-10pm). 2: Be courteous and curious. 3: Don't expect sushi or a Japanese steakhouse, expect wonderful food. 4: Forget fast food, relax and enjoy. The ikebana displays throughout the small, exceeding clean restaurant are a hint to the chef's attention to detail: courses are prepared to exacting specifications. Pros: Traditional Japanese food, superb chef, unsurpassed quality Cons: Total bill can be pricey if you go overboard. Courtesy is key and rewarded by servers. more

We just went to Kihachi under the guidance from Lisa at restaurantwidow. We sat at the bar and Chef Kimura was amazing to watch, almost like a magician. We also had really great service. I really felt like I could be at a great restaurant on the coast of Japan until I walked out of the front door. What a blessing to have this in Columbus, Oh! The menu is in Japanese with brief English descriptions, but waiter graciously translated it, explained the dishes, and made amazing recommendations. We had the best tempora I have ever had (Wild Mushrooms and Shrimp) and appetizer of baby octopi (which amazingly are very mild and were marinated in something great.) What I would describe as Japanese Mazaball soup, made with homemade tofu that was good and the best, most authentic Sushi and Sashimi that I have ever seen. Don't expect gimmicky rolls like a dragon roll, or anything with cream cheese, just the best, freshest ingredients prepared by a great chef. more

The wait staff here needs improvement. The old women need to be replaced with english speaking friendier people. The prices are incredibly high, for what is ultimately frozen fish. All the sillly people that thing these are fresh cuts off of live fish are terribly uneducated. The smug atmophere here is silly, and most definetly unexpected at this ""plaza"" shop. If you are impressed with fish because its name isnt tuna and salmon, and you feel better when you spend more money, then try this place. Many better options in Columbus. Pros: Nice looking place, unexpected from the plaza Cons: rude service, and overpriced. more

My husband and I wanted to try something different than the ""normal"" Asian food so I came on here and looked around and found Kihachi. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement! The wait staff was very friendly and accommodating. Took the time to answer any questions that we may have. We were seated in front of the cooking are so we were able to watch everything which was really neat. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. The restaurant is very small, seats maybe 40 - 50 people at one time, but I think that this adds the the allure of it. It was pretty pricey, with tip we ended up spending about $83, but it was well worth it! Pros: Very unique flavors Cons: A little pricey more

Some of the appetizers were very good. They didn't seem to offer ""regular"" sushi -- just sashimi. The beef shashimi was excellent. The service was very slow so only go with people you can put-up with for extended periods of time. Pros: good appetizers Cons: slow service more

I dined at Kihachi with a large group (none of whom were Japanese). We were very well accomodated by the chef with a nine-course tasting menu. This was one of the top five meals I've had in my life after having dined in many of America's and Europe's best. It was very traditional Japanese cuisine that challenged my western palate, engaging it with wholly new flavors and textures. Pros: Best food in town, Chef Mike Cons: Service more

If you are not belong in the high class society, they do not like to serve you nicely. If you are not in the higher business position, like president of the company, this restaurant owner is not well come to you. If you are younger, they treat you so badly, included with your partner. The serving time is very slow compare with such a VIP people. If you are the upper calss position in your business, they serve you faster than anybody. If you use this restaurant for not in business purpose, they serve to you different food. You can see they treat you differnt as they treat VIP. more

This is a traditional Japanese restaurant, I mean real traditional. The menu is mostly written in Japanese with short English description. If you don't speak Japanese, do not expect any good service. It seems that the way the lady how serve people. If you are Japanese and order dring/meals then it seems you will get desert and extra free food, otherwise you will wait for your food and the service. To orde a cup of water, you should wait for the lady until she completes the job with any Japanese guys in the restaurant. Pros: Tasty, Good shef Cons: Expensive, Bad service, Discrimination more

I had not expected a good services as I had heard stories about the lady owner who treated young student from asia unfairly. when I came with a few friends, there are also a group of Japanese guys in their 30s-40s in the restaurant. the lady owner treated them better than she treated us. our starters arrived Very late, while they had served lots of appetizers to the other groups. The food is no doubt amazing but very little on the amount. ONly one good thing about the restaurant, The CHEF, who is amazingly courteous. Pros: FOODs, ambience Cons: services more