Kyoto Japanese Cuisine
12082 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45249
Kyoto Japanese Cuisine Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salad
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Main Entrees
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Kyoto Japanese Cuisine
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salad
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Main Entrees
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Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
12082 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH, 45249 - Phone (513) 583-8897
- Website https://www.kyotosushibar.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Linsey G.
Date and I have recently taken to eating at Kyoto for lunch, as it is pretty convenient for both of us to get to from work. I'd even so much as say it's unofficially our go-to favorite spot for lunch, and that is largely in part to the wonderful lunch special I've become so accustomed to getting. Location: Situated in the parking lot of a small-ish strip center off of a pretty busy thoroughfare, I'd say that the parking and directional situations are pretty ideal. Kyoto is relatively easy to get to, and parking has never been an issue, as there is seemingly plenty of it to go around. Atmosphere: The restaurant itself is relatively small and pretty unassuming, albeit cute and quaint. It doesn't feel sterile like many Asian restaurants do, and it's perfectly comfortable yet intimate enough for a date (during lunch or even dinner, I'd assume). Thankfully there isn't cheesy, stereotypical Asian music either, as the soundtrack to every meal is instead the voices of its patrons. Food: Here's where Kyoto really shines. I would be hard pressed to find a better way to spend $11 for lunch anywhere in the city. For $10.95--brace yourselves--you are showered with hibachi chicken (while this is not made in front of you like at a "traditional" hibachi restaurant, the hibachi sauce in which the chicken is tossed in is to die for), rice, a spring roll, California roll, and shrimp tempura. I'm not lying when I say I need a nap after this fulfilling delicacy. (Note: I understand that $11 isn't terribly inexpensive--especially for lunch--but for the amount of food you get and for such a mid-day "treat", I believe it is an outstanding price.) If you can make it to Kyoto for lunch, you absolutely must try it. If not, get there for dinner. In the half dozen times we've been over the past 6 months, neither Date nor I have been disappointed with our meals.
(5)Harshal P.
My first review for Kyoto was incorrect; I had confused Kyoto with nearby Kyojin which is now closed. This review reflects my experience at Kyoto. The location, inside a strip mall, may give the appearance that Kyoto is a low quality restaurant; it definitely is not. Kyoto has some of the best sushi in northern Cincinnati at a very good price. The crab rolls are some of the best I have ever had. If you go with a big group, a boat of sushi is a very good deal and prepared quickly. One watch out is that Kyoto is very popular and my be difficult to get there for a large group during lunch or dinner.
(4)Chelle M.
It's hard to rate sushi restaurants these days. I got the yellowtail roll and samurai roll for lunch. The yellowtail was buttery in texture and taste - definitely the best yellowtail roll I've ever had. The samurai roll was on par with most other sushi restaurants, but was on the smaller side. I felt $19 (including tip) was a bit much to spend on lunch , especially when the specialty roll was so small. I would dine there again if with a large group of people, but probably not with one or two others. I gave it 3 stars simply cuz I didn't feel the portion justified the cost.
(3)Mei L.
Sorry Ohio, I've had better service and sushi elsewhere but if this is as good as it gets in Ohio I feel sorry for you guys. Salad and miso soup were bland. The salad dressing was not appealing. Sushi appearance was very poor and flavorless. The eel sauce was already dried up but the time it came to the table and it was not sweet at all. The traffic in the restaurant was not busy either. The most confusing part of this restaurant was when we asked to omit rice from our sushi rolls, it is an additional charge. We had two servers help us nectar the young man didn't understand what we wanted to order and he seemed nervous and rushed. Anyway, it was weird to begin with, that's why I said sorry in the first place. Other than that, the place was decently clean.
(2)Theresa C.
Family favorite. Great low key, easy access sushi place. The salads and miso soup are a total letdown but the sushi is fresh and consistently good.
(5)Randy Q.
Diamond In The Ruff...strip center sushi, don't judge by the outside..it's very good!
(4)Bill C.
My son just invented his own, custom roll! Cream cheese, shrimp tempura, crab, avocado, cucumber all covered with eel sauce! When you come here you must try the stuffed squid. It is amazing. This place has the best fish in our area. Extra fresh tuna, salmon and the white tuna is the bomb!
(5)Kristen D.
I had heard for a long time that the sushi was really good at this place. Finally decided to try some take out and it did not disappoint. Very good quality and reasonable prices for the rolls. My family really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to going back and having dinner.
(5)Gregory Edmundt V.
A MUST WHEN YOURE HERE Ive dined at a ton of Japanese restaurants from NYC to Hawaii and I have to give credit when due to little Kyoto here in Ohio. The food was so perfectly presented fresher than I could have imagined (hey Ohio is not on the coastline) and the prices for the level of quality..outstanding!! The only reason not a 5..decore! but hey I'm a New Yorker...In sum you guys ROCK!!
(4)Bradley B.
Wonderful Sushi experience. From the outside it looks like a hole in the wall sushi bar. Inside it is painted horribly and it looks like Orange and Purple paint was on sale at home depot. However, the sushi is phenomenal and the price is even better. I went there with a group of 9 and we ordered 3 Roll Boats (which is a killer deal, 7 rolls for $50). The boats came out within 15 minutes of ordering them which is amazing considering the place was packed. The servers were very attentive and quick to take plates off the table. I am a huge fan of this since I hate having empty places at my table while i am eating. The sushi was fresh and tasted amazing. It was not too spicy and did not taste cheap. The rice was cooked appropriately. I ate an entire Sushi Roll Boat with my wife. Every piece was amazing and made with perfection. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for some wonderful sushi.
(5)Kristie N.
Really really good fresh sushi, I'm a conservative sushi eater but I've ordered a couple things out of my league and have loved them. For example the pink lady is awesome especially if you order it with thin sliced lemon in top!
(5)Nancy K.
Have always loved their sushi.
(5)Célèste B.
I was quite pleased to find a place with good sushi (and a variety of rolls) that's affordable. At my brother's suggestion, my boyfriend and I tried this place last night, and we were impressed. I had the peanut avocado rolls, which I thought were very good, interesting, and creative. They were too sweet for my boyfriend, though. (They used honey roaster peanuts). The unagi was also good, as were the sweet potato tempura rolls. The miso and salad with ginger dressing were standard (read: good) We'll definitely be back next time we're in the area.
(4)S D.
I have been searching for good sushi in this landlocked place for a while now. I come from Southern California and most of the sushi, no matter how 'great' are far from fresh...But Kyoto is probably as good as it can get her. It's fresh, the chefs have a very good sense of what goes well with what and it's pretty cheap!
(4)Jeremy J.
Best sushi I've had in Cincinnati...love it every time. Dragon roll and Ninja Roll are legit!
(5)Paul K.
Consistently some of the best sushi in the Cincinnati area and a real plus for those of us living in the north eastern part. The sashimi and rolls are always good and I'd recommend the squid salad, it's excellent. The place isn't a sushi restaurant hiding in a Japanese restaurant...it's a sushi restaurant, sure they serve things other things but sushi is the highlight.
(4)Brent G.
You'd probably never notice this strip mall Japanese restaurant without hearing about it first, but they've got really good sushi and a really friendly staff. Casual restaurant and normal sushi prices. Nice-sized menu!
(4)Leif H.
Stopped here after recommendations from friends. Walking up, it looks like a run down store stuck in a mini mall. Entering, it reminded me of cheap chinese take out restaurant. The seating is jam packed, to utilize every inch, and the lighting is extremely bright. The food was actually really good. We had three different sushi rolls and all tasted fresh. I would try other rolls again, but because of the bad atmosphere, would chose the take out option.
(3)Michael D.
Amazing little sushi restaurant! I have to recommend the lunch special, salad soup and 3 rolls. It's a tough deal to beat. All the sushi is fresh. The restaurant itself has a sushi bar and full alcohol bar with daily specials.
(4)Rob F.
This place is AWESOME! Fresh quality food, friendly staff and not expensive for the amount of food. Great for lunch or a party.
(5)Scott N.
I knew I had to find a place in Mason. I checked out Google Maps and Kyoto Japanese Cuisine popped up with a 30 out of 30 Zagat review. I was excited! I LOVE sushi! I rolled up to the restaurant and realized I had been here before! I was a little concerned. The place obviously didn't leave enough of an impression for me to remember. Still, I was excited to have sashimi for lunch and there was no turning back. I ordered the sashimi lunch, which comes with 9 pieces of sashimi, miso soup, salad and a roll (regular or gourmet) of my choice! The amount of food for the price was a steal. The salad (I read some not so good reviews about the salad here on yelp) was delicious. It was small. It was very small, but small is good when one is trying to save room for sashimi! The miso soup (I read some not so good reviews about the miso soup here on yelp) was very good. I immediately noticed it wasn't as salty as most miso soups. For me, this was an excellent surprise. The soup was flavorful with a delicious undertone of fish. I don't know... is miso soup supposed to have the flavor of fish? Whether it is supposed to or not, I found the miso soup very tasty. Now to the sashimi. It was as fresh and melt-in-my-mouth amazingly delicious as any sashimi I've had anywhere. I took my time, interspersing each piece with ginger to clean my palate and switched between the sashimi and the roll. I was in heaven. It was a delightful birthday lunch! I wish Kyoto Japanese Cuisine was closer to home, but it is definitely worth the drive. YUM!
(5)Lauren M.
Kyoto is my favorite place for sushi in Cincinnati. A friend asked me when I moved back to Cincinnati over 2 years ago if I wanted to go with her to "McSushi," and I was like, "Whatever that is, heck yeah!" McSushi, as it turns out, is her pet name for Kyoto, which earned its nickname from its super fast service in addition to very reasonable prices. In some instances, it feels less like expedience and more like, "Eat faster, pay, then get out!" But I forgive them because the sushi is so freaking good, both for the tastebuds and the pocketbook. My favorites are two different crab rolls (one spelled with a K and one with a C). I usually order one of each. One is tempura battered with that spicy mayo stuff on it. I've just started drooling on myself as I try to describe it. The other one has a slice of lemon zest in it, and it's my friend's favorite order. I am also a big fan of their Philly Roll, and their vegetarian roll. Note they have an extensive menu for folks not into sushi, as well, so there is pretty much something for everyone. One time, a co-worker and I went here and we had "The World's Best Appletini." It was a red appletini with thin slices of apple on top. It has now achieved mythical status as on subsequent visits, they've served the sickeningly sweet green version. But I swear, one time, they did indeed serve the real thing, and that was truly a wonderful day. If you're having an attack of the sweet tooth while there, I recommend their ice cream, in particular the red bean flavor, though the green tea and mango flavors are lovely as well. One note about finding the place, it's a building in a parking lot of a small strip mall, nearish to the Montgomery/ Fields-Ertel intersection. There's ample parking, but it's easy to accidentally drive past this place if you don't know exactly what you're looking for.
(5)Stephanie B.
Everyone raves about the sushi here. Yes, it is amazing! But I feel a little bad for all of the sushi-fanatics out there, because they are seriously missing out... the hot entrees at Kyoto are even better than the sushi! I always order the Chicken Teriyaki dinner/lunch when I visit. It comes with miso soup, rice, crisp veggies, and of course chicken breast. The chicken is always tender, flavorful, and has a sweet glazed exterior that is to die for. Their teriyaki sauce they use is thinner than most other restaurants', but it is still so good that I literally want to drink it (and might have done so once before...). Definitely try Kyoto if you are in the area!
(5)Shannon D.
Really fresh sushi for a small strip mall restaurant. I went here for a dinner work meeting, and it was a great experience. Shared one of the sushi boats with several other colleagues. The prices were reasonable and they had friendly staff.
(4)Andy D.
A Hidden Gem It's nothing special from outside, or the inside for that matter....But, what they are lacking in their physical location and lack of decor is made up with the quality food that they serve. The fish is always fresh and full of flavor. The service is not great, but it is definitely not bad either. I would say that the rolls and sushi are just as good, if not better than that of the big players in the local sushi scene, AND their pricing is quite affordable for the quality. If you are looking for a casual dining experience where you can feel properly dressed by wearing a t-shirt and gym shorts, but still receive amazing quality food, then Kyoto is the place for you!
(4)Jeff R.
I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant as I stopped by for lunch. I am a person who loves Sashimi and this place had very good Sashimi and some fantastic sake. The staff and sushi chef were warm and welcoming. Although when you first drive up to it in the area it is located, you wonder if I am in the right place. I like to order Sashimi separately and compare the quality to my other experiences typically selecting mostly those items I like. First octopus. It was firm but not too tough or rubbery. Next White Tuna (Of course there is a lot of concern over is it White tuna or some other fish)....it tasted excellent. Next we come to Squid, which like octopus can be tough because these are both cooked sea creatures. It was firm and not rubbery with a good taste. I ordered sea urchin but they did not have it. Now we come to the Salmon Roe, you know fish eggs. They served them on the a slice of lemon which I really preferred to those that serve it on a cucumber...just give me the roe. It was fresh and good, but not plentiful like the other Sashimi. Atmosphere = 3 Older building renovated, probably a Mexican place sometime Location=2 I used to work in a warehouse down the street in the 1960's Service=4 Good but the chef was not as attentive as I needed Quality=4 Good fresh fish (If the Sashimi is fresh then most everything else should be) Knife Skills= 3 Good, but I have seen a lot better with the way it is presented Cost = 2 Just a little higher than I expected for the location and atmosphere, but within range THUMPS=UP
(4)Areole C.
I read great reviews on this resteraunt which influenced me to visit with my family. We are new to the area and this was our first sushi experience since we've moved to Ohio and it was horrible. The worst part about this experience was the service. I have never experienced as terrible as service as tonight. The waitress handed us our food and sped off, not once checking to see if we needed anything (which we did 3 times) or refilling our drinks. She seemed frustrated to answer any questions we had about the food which made us feel like we couldn't ask her anything. I understand them being understaffed but it was terrible. I ordered the bento box A, the miso soup was bland, the terayki chicken was ok, the dragon roll was really good it came with white rice which it was a 2.00 charge to change to fried. Also the salad dressing which I expected to be ginger was some type of pink sauce that did not agree with my taste buds. Overall the taste of sushi I did try seemed pretty good but I will not be returning.
(1)Tim H.
I really wish there were 1/2 stars, because this would get a 3.5 star review. But alas, there is none of ther half-ers out there so I am feeling like rounding up to a 4 star. Had dinner there last night, got there around 7:30pm and there were still a few folks dining there. Sat up at the sushi bar (go figure) and was promptly greeted by the waitress and the chefs. Bar was clean and in good order. One item I really liked was once I completed my order the chef took it and started making my selections. Some places the waitress has to pick it up and enter it in, but not here, so I really liked that. Ordered some sashimi, tuna roll, tobiko with raw quail egg, and uni. I was pleasantly suprised when they told me they had quali eggs and uni. Sushi was generously cut and very fresh. The miso soup that came with was tasty with small cubes of tofu and a small salad with ginger dressing was included as well. As I pen this review, i reflect back and would probably give it an honest 4 stars instead of the prior 3.5. Will be back next time I am in Cinci.
(4)Richard R.
Service is very good. The sushi is excellent, but the tempora was very greasy. The combo lunch was very good. The salad and miso soup was also very good
(4)Chad L.
I have been to Kyoto quite a few times over the years i have been travling to Cincinnati on Business. We stay in Blue ash so this is just a short drive and 4 1/2 years back we loved Kyoto and never had a bad meal. This was our 2nd trip this year back to Kyoto and I was really let down. The Miso was just average and the salad which i used to love was less than adequate. The iceberg lettuce was so wet it watered down the ginger dressing. The sushi was just ok, nothing spectactular, I'm not sure if we will make it back.
(2)Christopher G.
Everything about Kyoto is precisely what you'd expect from a Japanese restaurant. Even the name. It has the usual range of entrees (katsu, tempura, bento box), a pad-and-pencil sushi menu ranging from, oh, six to ten bucks. Meals come with ginger salad and miso soup. There are wall scrolls of mountains. If I had to draw you a picture of a sushi joint, it would look like this. But that doesn't entirely work to the place's advantage. Truth be told, there's nothing particularly standout about it. The food is good, but not so much that you'll feel compelled to come back. Prices are reasonable (I had a 7 dollar lunch), but not a steal when you consider the quality. The decorating is pretty bland, and the single room feels cramped even when it's nearly empty. And the service is... well, it's not rude, I'll give it that. Basically, if it's convenient for you like it is for me (five minutes from work), by all means go there. But don't go out of your way. There are enough Japanese places in Cincinnati (kind of a surprising number, now that I think about it) that you don't have to feel like you're missing much.
(3)Jordan C.
My family has gone to Kyoto Japanese a couple times, a restaurant that calls itself "the best Japanese cuisine, sushi and sashimi in Cincinnati." On the first visit it was packed, and you could tell that many were regulars because they knew the owner's name. You can watch them make sushi and you can even sit at the sushi bar, or just regular prices. Aside from the sushi and sashimi, they have a lot of menu items with seafood, grilled steak, chicken, fish, and lobster. At last summer's Taste of Blue Ash, Kyoto won an award for Best Entrée for their Sashimi Combo. They also have lunch specials from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., they have party trays, and they will cater too. I've gotten the Hibachi Combo, which is tender chicken and shrimp stir fried with vegetables in a hibachi sauce. It's pretty good, although it is not something I'm overly crazy about. I know my mom likes the Teriyaki Chicken. The portions are big, although they often have a little too much sauce on the entrees, and each comes with a salad, soup, and rice. I will say that my sister likes their sushi but it often falls apart, not to mention when we were in last month they brought it out 15 minutes before everyone else's entrée. Kyoto is a good restaurant with very good service and nice atmosphere. It's a casual place, and although they offer carry out, it's a fun place to eat in. Oh, and although the chopsticks are connected and easier to use than most, they still gave me trouble and forks are available on request.
(4)Emily L.
As an avid fan of sushi, I have dined at a plethora of sushi hotspots. I must say that in Cincinnati, sushi does not get better than this in terms of taste and price. What I love about Kyoto, besides their sushi....are their happy hour prices. Despite the fact that it's always happy hour, I think you need to ask them about it to receive the happy hour price. The sushi is always fresh, with a great selection of fresh fish. They always have complimentary miso and salad, even though it's not superb, it's complimentary, no complaints there. It is also a family friendly place, equipped with a nice giant flatscreen and a tank full of fishes to entertain the kids/make the adults feel guilty for eating their distant cousin. Overall, I'd say if you want a good, no frills, inexpensive place to eat great sushi, go to KYOTO!
(4)Lauren A.
Just went here the other night, it had been awhile. It will be our last. It's great how your order comes with miso soup and a ginger dressing salad. However, our soup was mostly broth and contained almost no seaweed or tofu. Our salads never even came out and I had to ask for them, when they did, it contained barely there wet iceburg lettuce and watery dressing, whoopty do. Glad I asked for it! (not really) Sushi was okay. The rice fell off the bottom of the sushi pieces as soon as you picked them up. The rolls had a sparse covering of rice on them. The rice wasn't that fluffy sticky rice you expect with sushi, it was hard and falling off! One of our rolls, I believe it was the "Spider Roll" didn't taste too fresh either. My guess is when the fish is cooked in the roll, they don't use sushi grade fish. Hey Kyoto, you might want to take down that 2006 Taste of Blue Ash award poster you've got hanging on the entrance door. Get over it, reevaluate your restaurant, and try and win another one.
(2)Ryan C.
We were kind of turned off as soon as we parked our car. It's a small little building right across from the Cheezburger Cafe. We should have known better. A little hole in the wall where my wife was one of the few non-asian people in the building, this is usually a great sign. So what, there isn't much room. So what, the ambiance isn't that great. If you want "Asian ambiance" go to a place like PF Changs. So what, the salad and Miso soup isn't the greatest. Who goes to a sushi place for the salad and soup? The Sushi is outstanding in my opinion. My wife and I have never had a bad roll here. The service is great, as long as you don't mind your server not being able to speak the best English, they are quick and courteous. This is definitely our favorite place to go to for Sushi in the Cincinnati area.
(5)Marcus J.
One of my favorite sushi places in the greater Cincinnati area. I come here at least once every other week. I can't recommend any one particular roll and I have the habit of ordering something new each and every time I go.
(5)Tim L.
Fast service, good value, bomb sushi.
(4)Susan L.
We love this place. They have a great selection of sushi. The restaurant is very diner like and fun. The service is very good and the prices are a little better than other area restaurants. This is our favorite place to get sushi in Cincinnati.
(5)Dennis H.
Was looking for a quick lunch spot near work and wasn't expecting to find much in the Cincy burbs but was pleasantly surprised. Good lunch value, I had a combo w two rolls and two pieces of sushi soup and salad for $15 incl tax and tip. Quality of food was ok, similar to what u would find at Whole Foods sushi station or a not ghetto Asian buffet. So if ure feeling like Japanese "style" food w good variety and value, Kyoto will probably suit ur needs. By the way, chefs are Chinese not Japanese but most J restaurants are owned by Chinese ppl so that wasn't too surprising LOL
(3)Tara S.
Kyoto is a great spot for sushi. It's always fresh and the service is fast. They have a full bar and you always get the standard salad with ginger dressing and miso soup with your meals. If you're not a sushi fan, we also love the beef negimaki, which is thinly sliced beef rolled around green onions and seared with a yummy teriyaki sauce or the chicken teriyaki. Great for a casual lunch or dinner.
(5)AC E.
Great sushi at fair prices.
(4)Jeff R.
Apparently some of the other reviewers of this restaurant are mixing up Kyoto, which is a tiny hole in the wall sushi joint, with Kyojin, a giant sushi/Asian buffet up the street. Common error, I am sure, since they're close to one another and so similarly named, but the places couldn't be more different. Kyoto, for example, is not a buffet. What Kyoto IS is exactly where you'd want to take a Japanese visitor for sushi if you wanted them to see the best Cincinnati has to offer. Kyoto is a small standalone building in a strip mall that faces 90 degrees away from the street, and the location being where it is it's easy to miss it as you're driving by. I happen to like this, because it lends itself to a "only the in-crowd knows about it" mentality, even if based on how packed it usually is there are a lot of people who are "in". The sushi menu here is enormous, and it's one of the few places where I'll try what I like to call "weird sushi" (i.e. sushi that contains something other than tuna, salmon, yellowtail, snapper, etc., basically everything non-adventurous). At the urging of the server I tried the Jason Roll (apparently named for one of the owners), which is a brilliant concoction of savory and sweet and mixed textures. I'm not even sure what's in it, though I can tell you mango is one of the ingredients. Frankly I won't even ask, because I don't want to find out it's full of "weird sushi" and stop loving it so much. Whatever it is, it's delicious. The nigiri is a little smaller in portion size than some other places I've been (Geisha Bistro in West Chester serves monsters), but in the dozen or so times we've been I have never been disappointed. The only reason I don't give it that fifth star is because of Geisha, which has equally impressive sushi, plus steak, hibachi, and chefs that spray sake into your mouth for 41 seconds (seriously, that's my record, don't try to beat it). But there's an inherent coolness to Kyoto that it's hard to match at any of the other sushi places in town. It's like the sushi version of your favorite little bar that everyone falls in love with when you take them there.
(4)Nancy P.
Fresh menu. Light on the rice and a lot of filling in the sushi. It is our favorite in Cincinnati.
(5)Michael H.
As far as midwestern sushi goes, Kyoto does it pretty well actually. In Cincinnati, you could spend more money and do a lot worse. It's certainly not anything close to the fare in "A" market cities, but it's always very fresh and certainly a very decent value for the money.
(4)Sean B.
There are plenty of sushi bars in Cincinnati but, save for a few, the freshness of fish and preparation is generally uneven. But then I found Kyoto. Located in an unassuming stripmall storefront in Mason on the corner of Montgomery and Fields-Ertel, Kyoto has some of the best sushi I've had in the city and tops many of the sushi places I frequented when living in Chicago and on the west coast. Innovative presentation and unique flavor combinations alongside traditional favorites accompany pricing that's easy on the wallet. The service is excellent. Try the Banana Roll (banana, eel, crab, and masago) or the Las Vegas Roll (steak, cucumber, and eel sauce). Sushi dinners (i.e. boats or chef's selections) come with miso soup, salad, and rice.
(5)S. H.
Kyoto is absolutely one of my most favorite restaurants EVER! Kyoto was the first restaurant recommended to me when I moved to Cincinnati and it has never disappointed me. In fact, I have never heard anyone say anything bad about the restaurant. The food is cheap compared to most restaurants, but the quality is amazing and you will never leave hungry. Their sushi is the best! They offer a wide selection of sushi; the menu also has food for people not quite ready to try sushi too. The owner's name is Jason. He is young, dedicated and you will probably see him when you go there. His staff is young, friendly and efficient. If you decide to go to Kyoto on an Friday or Saturday night at peak dinner time, be prepared to wait for just a bit, every other sushi-lover in Cincinnati knows about Kyoto too! Bon apptit!
(5)John B.
Kyoto is a little sushi bar and Japanese restaurant in Montgomery with fast and friendly service, affordable prices, and pretty good sushi. My fiancee and I used to live right up the street from Kyoto, and we visited every weekend. The staff was always very friendly and made us feel welcome the minute we walked through the door.
(4)Fuzzysaurus L.
i am so over kyoto. the last time i came, even the rolls weren't as good anymore. bland, unflavorful, soggy. ick
(1)Sadia A.
This sushi place is way over-rated, I've gotten sick here once. This is third class suhi, no quality. It's just below average ok. My sister left her wallet on the table, and when she called they told her they didnt' have it and asked her to drive back and check in lost in found. When she drove back, and looked through lost and found, she still didn't find it. On her way back home, they called her and said they found her wallet! The bottom line is, they didn't bother to look for it and just made her run-around!
(1)Amy C.
Service is a litle slow and smell of food will stick to you when you leave, but the food quality and options are very good. I"ve had sushi and their noodles, and been satisfied with both. Their sushi roll happy hour is a great value and would recommend that if you want to try many different things. Soup and salad are standard when sushi or full meals are ordered. I love their side salad...the dressing is just the way I like ginger salad dressing.
(3)Nicholas L.
I came here on a recent business trip hoping for something familiar but was sorely disappointed. Granted I am from LA so I might be a little biased but I've had quality sushi, none of that trendy Geisha house nonsense. As far as decor it was more than I expected from anything in Mason, it could have been a decent place around home. The place seems to be run by a group of thai people who don't know how to run a restaurant. I came at around 2:15p and upon entering, a young man who was sitting down eating came up and asked how many in my party. This guy looked like he was having lunch himself, not dressed in any manner that would have you believe he was the host. I sat down, ordered my food with a cup of hot tea then waited. My tea was in a bag, just regular tea you buy from the local supermarket. I ordered the lunch special (kyoto roll, 'surprise roll', tuna and yellowtail nigiri). The salad they served was bland and the miso soup very salty. A server actually came around and wanted to fill my soy sauce dish! Talk about awkward, I politely refused. The reason I ordered the surprise roll was because I thought the sushi 'chef' (I will refrain from using itamae) would actually surprise me and give me something different from the kyoto roll. He 'surprised' me by giving me another kyoto roll sans masago. Overall the food was not good; the rice was hard and the quality of the fish lacking. I would go so far to say that even Todai is better, I would have been much happier getting some nigiri to go from Nijiya or Marukai. I'll give this place two stars because maybe the owners believe they need to dumb their food down for their clientele. The table next to me had a sushi 'expert' in their party and everyone was referring their questions to this lady. "What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?" someone asks, which was met with, "Sashimi is the raw fish with rice and sushi is all the cooked stuff." If that's what the owners' clientele is, then I guess that's why their food is the way it is. Do not be fooled by the nice pictures on their website or their numerous accolades, this place isn't as great as it makes itself out to be. I should have went to the White Castle three blocks away.
(2)Stefan H.
For a tiny little sushi place this place is really good. I know one of the waiters who used to work at another place - Johnny Chan's II. I'd recommend the spicy shrimp roll. Cheers, Stef ShopDownLite.com
(5)Robert M.
Tiny they mean you can get about 20 people in here! Great sushi go early for happy hour :) Been several times never disapponited.
(5)J. N.
good food. clean, just need a little interior work. staff nice but need english skill (show them the picture in the menu just to make sure) i will be back.
(4)Nic Y.
My mom and I stopped into Kyoto on the Fourth of July while I was home for a visit and craving sushi. I suppose one would be impressed with this place if you enjoy flat, undrinkable soft drinks and miso soup that smells and tastes like disinfectant. Worse, I was seated facing the sushi bar, watching the chefs prepare the meals. The chef to the left was working on a plate that was sitting on top of the sushi bar. While I watched, two flies swarmed overhead and LANDED ON THE PLATE and began crawling around! The chef preparing this plate didn't seem to notice, but the chef in the middle not only noticed, but caught my eye and my semi-gagging reaction. He nudged the chef working on the plate, but to no avail. To our absolute horror, the waitress then brought the fly-tainted food to our table! We then paid for the "soup" and "drinks," and explained to the waitress why no additional "food" in their restaurant would be going into our mouths. She apologized profusely, offered to remake the food (as the flies swarmed over the sushi bar) and tried to get us to stay. The bright spot of the evening? We wound up driving a bit farther up Montgomery and wound up at another restaurant serving sushi that was not only fresh, delicious and artfully presented, but was served in a modern, lovely environment. Our meal there was phenomenal, and I will return to that restaurant and gladly give the name to anyone who requests it.
(1)emily e.
best sushi in the city. i love the selection that they offer. the fish is always fresh as well. i hate how places will have spicy tuna or spicy salamon rolls drowned in mayo. to me that defeats the point of eating sushi. kyoto doesn't do this and that alone makes them five stars. this place gets packed on the weekends. service has always been excellent.
(5)Jeffrey O.
NoBu Mason! About as close as you are going to get in the Cincinnati area. Good for Mason, but I wish this place was in the city. The best!!!
(5)Emma S.
This is some of my co-workers' favorite place for sushi so I tagged along when they went for lunch today. The lunch special is a pretty good deal. For just over $11, I got two rolls, 2 pieces of sashimi, a ginger salad and miso soup. I had two salmon rolls that I liked a lot (even though one was not what I had ordered). They were both spicy salmon. The fish was really fresh and not too spicy. The salad and miso soup were both good, pretty standard. The service was great - really polite and friendly staff. The menu was pretty expansive and I didn't get a chance to read all of it, so I am looking forward to returning!
(3)John N.
Found this place via urbanspoon. Great local joint with good sushi. Hole in the wall and family owned so don't expect yuppieness here.
(4)Mike B.
Kyoto has quickly become one of my favorite places to get sushi since I was introduced to it about a year ago. The sushi is very fresh and the unique sushi rolls they make have great flavor and tastes. The Jedi roll being one of my favorite rolls they offer. The dinners there are also great. A favorite dinner tradition I have there is ordering a few rolls and something off the dinner menu all for a very reasonable price. Already looking forward to the next meal I eat there.
(5)Keith W.
I had high hopes after hearing a lot of good reviews; but I was not impressed. Kyoto's menu looks large but it really is not expansive. Most of their rolls include spicy mayo and there are few other options. I think it really caters to the Midwestern type of thought on. I also got tuna sashimi and it was still frozen in the middle. Disappointing but I will stick to the coasts for good sushi.
(2)Caroline C.
Apparently I'm the only one not completely enamored with Kyoto. Everyone is correct by saying that this place is usually packed. That's usually a really good sign. Unfortunately in this case, it leaves a gaping hole in service and quality. Although the values are decent (get some sort of sushi combo set because it apparently comes with soup and a salad), you end up paying for what you get. The salad dressing is watery and the rolls are sloppy. I had a couple that fell apart when I picked it up - obviously the sushi chefs were in a rush. The one thing Kyoto has going for it is location. There aren't as many sushi joints in this part of town.
(2)Whitney K.
Seriously, how could you not love this place? For the quality of the sushi and the price, it is literally the best. Their rolls are amazing and fresh from the second they are plated and then presented in front of your face. The best rolls (in my opinion) are; Crispy Crab Roll, Caterpillar Roll, Spicy Tuna, and the 007 Roll (not on the menu). I probably crave Kyoto and have to eat there at least twice a week. I have tired a bunch of other sushi places here in Cincinnati (Dancing Wasabi, Teak, Aqua, Beluga, Wild Ginger (which is my second favorite), etc). Kyoto is the best! Presentation, Quality, Price, Taste, Atmosphere.......What is not to love?
(5)Emily S.
LOVE rolls! We went on a Sunday night which means: sashimi is probably not the freshest so rolls it is! We go the Bengal, Kyoto and the Jedi rolls. They were all quite good! The Kyoto roll was o-k. I've had better but for the price and quality of rolls, I'd go back again. Probably not a great place for sashimi if they have such a wide range of rolls. If you want sashimi, try Mei's in Montgomery.
(4)Lauren D.
This is a diamond in the rough, it doesn't look like much at all from the outside but the inside is very cute and well decorated. The staff is very friendly and they have a decent size sushi bar for the size of the restaurant. We ordered the Kyoto Don which was good the fish was fresh the rice was well seasoned this came with a salad and miso soup the soup was way under seasoned and the salad was only lettuce and dressing which was extremely lacking in the ginger flavor. Also we had the kani salad which was by far my favorite it was season perfectly it was crisp and really refreshing. Lastly we had the Sakula roll which was very good as well. I will definitely be returning this is the best sushi in this area.
(4)Raquelle Z.
The lunch special which included 3 sushi offerings, soup and salad was plenty of food and reasonable. The sushi was of a high quality and the service was friendly and efficient. I have eaten Japanese cuisine in Japantown in San Francisco so my expectations are set pretty high. I was impressed with Kyoto and I would return here in the future.
(4)Ron W.
Small place, decent sushi, great for lunch
(4)Edna S.
Delicious Green Caterpillar, Pink Lady & Philadelphia & many others including top notch fried rice & all plates come with soup & salad but the prices are random & the people sadly doesnt understand almost any english which can be difficult when trying to understand the menu.
(5)Tom P.
You've let me down this time yelp! The fish was not fresh, in fact a few pieces of sashimi that my buddy had were served semi frozen! On the other hand my shumai wasn't bad, and I had a "pink lady" roll that was good. Place looks like it used to be a gas station from the outside, and the inside is a bit cheesy. I was expecting more from a place with a 4 star average.
(2)Christi P.
In my opinion, Kyoto has the best sushi in the Cincinnati area, hands down. Please do not confuse Kyoto with Kyojin, which is another restaurant very close by with a sushi buffet (much lower quality than Kyoto!). Kyoto offers a huge selection of rolls. If you are a sushi fan, this is the place for you.
(5)Andy H.
The decor is not the best, but the freshness of the sushi is uncompromised. The price is very reasonable, and the quick service. I give only 3 star because of the decor and the lack of some items on menu. I've been here more than 5 times and will be back and hopefully 1 day, they'll have fatty tuna; or take it off the menu. On couple occasion the were also out of uni. But, that's why the sushi is always fresh. I'd rather not having it, than having bad or old sushi.
(3)Jens S.
Great sushi, good sashimi, and all at a fantastic price. I walk away with drinks and a good sized meal for ~$30/person. I have been a half dozen times and my only suggestion is to ask for their "special" they will deduct half price off the menu prices in places. Only if you ask though!
(4)Sara S.
Kyoto is my go to sushi spot when I'm home visiting the parents. Don't let the strip mall location fool you, this place is hoppin' and always has a steady flow of customers whenever I've had the chance to stop in. The waiters are friendly and willing to make a few recommendations if you can't make up your mind. As far as the sushi goes, I have always found it to be fresh and there are no pre-made rolls (like the Sunday Morning roll at some of the places downtown). They have a big selection, ranging from the basics to complicated speciality rolls. If you're looking to sample a few different rolls or you're with a couple other people, I would recommend getting the Roll Boat. 7 rolls plus miso soup and salad for $50 is a pretty sweet deal! My usuals include: pink lady, mango spicy tuna, and the dragon roll. I'm a big fan of inarizushi, so I was a little disappointed when I didn't see it on the menu, but they were nice enough to make it for me when I asked about it!
(5)Wendy R.
We are fans of this place but warning to those who are trying for the first time...it is less traditional Japanese sushi. If you want more of the traditional experience, head to Ando. That said, the food is great - fresh ingredients and great presentation. I've only had a few of their cooked entrees and tasty but not the reason to visit.
(5)Suli T.
The restaurant is small, but the food is exceptional. The service is wonderful, and you get what you pay for. Whether you order sushi or the dinner meals, you'll be pleased with the food. It's very authentic for what it is.
(5)Patrick G.
Reviews on restaurants are more specious than not..given that the human palate is a product of what one is typically prone to shovel in, unless you get paid to review these establishments - which I don't. I just like Sushi. That being said, when a place gets panned online (usually at Urbanspoon), but the parking lot is constantly full, and there is always a line out the door, it means that the food - for the most part - is good. The people have spoken, per se. And I agree. I hadn't had Sushi this good since I went to Kofusion in Champaign. DMuse had Eel, and Salmon skin rolls, and I had a Philadelphia and Salmon tempura style. Excellent. She had sake and I had a glass of Kendall Jackson Riesling. I recommend Kyoto. There may be a wait; and in the wintertime, that cold air near the door is a bitch, and it also hits you when you're sitting at the sushi bar. Be prepared.
(4)Trent T.
A bit pricey ($5 nigiri salmon- 2pcs) for a spot with no ambiance what so over, but the fish was fresh and it came in a reasonable amount of time. No complaints and would come back.
(4)Michael T.
Not what we expected. The spicy tuna and spicy salmon were terrible. So, finely pureed that it lost any flavor. It was fast and the servers were very nice, but the rolls were disappointing. Given the service and kindness of the owner or manager, we would try again and order different. Don't get the spicy tiny roll....
(3)Marisa D.
I want to love this place but cannot. It's just OK, nothing special. The sushi is OK. The spicy tuna is not great. Why can't spicy tuna ever be consistent - with Sriracha type mayo? 90% of places I've been are that way. This place has some weird kind of vinegary stuff. The tempura is bland & heavily breaded. A shrimp/veg tempura entree had 5 overbreaded shrimp, 2 sweet potato slices & one taro. Nothing green at all. I think it's pricey too.
(3)Elvie G.
Let me start by saying that I am from Toronto where there are many great sushi restos to be found. Sashimi was good in terms of portion size and freshness. Nigiri rolls are ok, depends which ones you order. I personally do not like that sweet sauce they drizzle over all rolls, so that was minus for me. Tempura rolls were slightly disappointing as they used tempura chunks versus tempura flakes as I am used to. Service was attentive and quick, casual ambiance and clean. Overall would have given 3.5 but there are no half points, so rounded down as the Tuna in the tuna tataki was slightly fishy and the uni was clearly frozen and defrosted. Reasonable prices though for what you get!
(3)Ian D.
Great Sushi at a Great price. This is one of my favorite places for Sushi. Very enjoyable and also love the take out! you wouldnt know this is a great place from the outside, but the sushi and the food is fabulous. Worth the drive from Blue Ash to get here!
(4)Andrew D.
Totally affordable and good sushi! While it looks like a "hole in the wall" when driving up, I relied on YELP to give it a shot and it was great. Large roll menu and some unique stuff as well. I ordered two rolls and they gave me miso soup and a small salad. Very nice service and exceptionally clean on the inside.
(4)Zack F.
Average food, somewhat bland flavors, low prices and late hours. Interesting combination.
(3)Tsyria T.
I had the Kyoto-Don which was 14 pieces of sashimi (4 salmon, 4 tuna, 4 white tuna, 2 stripped bass) with rice. It comes with salad with ginger dressing, and miso soup. For $15 I thought it was a great deal! + Sashimi was generous for the price. They were large pieces, and the presentation was pretty nice. + Service was good! - Rice that came with the dish was dry - felt like it had been sitting out for a while. - Miso was a bit lacking in flavor IMO, but I generally like things to be more salty, so that may be personal preference. - Salad wasn't terrible but nothing to rave about. It's just lettuce with the dressing, no tomatoes or anything else extra. For dessert, i ordered the fried cheesecake. It was a large portion that could easily be shared between 4 people and is nicely split into 4! The first few bites hit the spot, but it becomes soggy fairly quickly so I highly recommend splitting it! For $4 its a good dessert to finish off the meal. For Cincinnati, I think this was pretty good. Still not up to par with sushi in California, but it's not on the coast so it's understandable. It's not something I'd go out of my way for, but it's worth a try if you're in town and craving some sushi!
(3)Stephanie P.
Always a nice and fun place to go to for lunch or dinner. They have good food, great proportions, and music that any fan of anime and Japanese video games would enjoy.
(5)Randy L.
Good value. Got the B Bento Box meal and it was a lot of food. Tastes pretty good too.
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