Kiku

In the bustling heart of Manhattan, where exceptional dining experiences are a constant pursuit for locals, Kiku Japanese Restaurant stands out as a true "hidden gem." Tucked away on West 55th Street, this cozy establishment has garnered a reputation for delivering genuinely good Japanese food that pleasantly surprises first-time visitors and keeps regulars coming back. Kiku isn't just another sushi spot; it offers a comprehensive menu that goes beyond expectations, featuring a wide array of options from expertly prepared sushi and sashimi to comforting kitchen entrees and noodle dishes.

For New Yorkers seeking a relaxed yet authentic Japanese meal, Kiku provides an inviting escape from the city's relentless pace. Despite its modest size, the restaurant cultivates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Customers often describe the ambiance as "simple but it works and its clean," contributing to a sense of comfort that complements the delicious food. The attentive and friendly service is another highlight, with patrons consistently praising the staff for being "great and fast," and even noting that "the owner is really cool." This personalized touch makes every visit feel like dining among friends.

The culinary offerings at Kiku are diverse and satisfying. Whether you're in the mood for some of the "best sushi I’ve ever had," as one reviewer enthusiastically put it, or a hearty Japanese kitchen meal, Kiku delivers. Their menu is thoughtfully curated, offering "a lot of options for sushi and kitchen meals," ensuring that there's something to satisfy every craving. From classic rolls and fresh sashimi to popular teriyaki dishes, tempura, and flavorful noodle soups like Udon and Soba, the quality and preparation shine through. This combination of delicious food, efficient service, and a welcoming environment makes Kiku a highly suitable and cherished spot for a variety of dining occasions in Midtown West.

Kiku Japanese Restaurant is conveniently situated in the vibrant Midtown West neighborhood of New York City, making it an accessible and attractive dining option for anyone in the area. You'll find this authentic Japanese eatery at: 50 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019, USA. This address places Kiku squarely in a prime Manhattan location, surrounded by businesses, cultural landmarks, and residential buildings.

One key aspect of Kiku's accessibility is its proximity to New York City's extensive public transportation network. The restaurant is just a short walk from several major subway lines, including the F, N, Q, R, W, E, and B/D trains, offering seamless connections from various parts of Manhattan and beyond. This makes it incredibly convenient for a quick lunch break, a pre-theater dinner, or an evening meal after exploring the city's attractions like Central Park, Carnegie Hall, or the Theater District.

While Kiku is located on the second floor, a detail noted by some customers, its central address ensures that it remains a readily discoverable and reachable destination. For New Yorkers navigating the city, the ease of access via public transit often outweighs the challenge of finding street parking, which can be limited in Midtown. The bustling energy of the surrounding streets perfectly complements the cozy and inviting atmosphere found within Kiku, making it a desirable stop for a delicious and convenient Japanese meal.

Kiku Japanese Restaurant offers a comprehensive range of services designed to provide a satisfying and convenient dining experience. Their focus is on delivering authentic Japanese cuisine with efficient and friendly service.

• Dine-in Service: Kiku provides a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for guests to enjoy their meals directly at the restaurant. Despite being "quite small," the space is described as clean and comfortable, fostering an intimate dining experience.

• Extensive Sushi Menu: A major highlight of Kiku is its broad selection of sushi and sashimi. This includes classic rolls like California and Spicy Tuna, along with various special rolls, sushi/sashimi a la carte options, and comprehensive sushi/sashimi dinner entrees and platters.

• Hot Kitchen Entrees: Beyond sushi, Kiku offers a variety of hot Japanese kitchen meals. This includes popular choices such as Teriyaki (Chicken, Beef, Shrimp, Salmon, Tofu), Katsu (Chicken, Pork), Tempura (Shrimp & Veggie, Chicken & Veggie, Vegetable), and dishes like Beef Negimaki and Sesame Crusted Salmon.

• Noodle Dishes: The menu features both soup noodles (Udon and Soba, including Nabeyaki Udon, Tempura Udon/Soba, Tokyo Ramen, Miso Ramen) and stir-fried noodles (Yaki Udon and Yaki Soba with various protein options).

• Donburi (Rice Bowls): Kiku offers a selection of satisfying rice bowls, including Unagi Don, Tuna Don, Salmon Don, Yellowtail Don, and Chirashi specials.

• Appetizers and Sides: A wide array of appetizers is available, such as Gyoza (pork, vegetable), Shumai (shrimp, wasabi), Edamame, Crispy Fried Calamari, Soft Shell Crab, various salads (Seaweed, Avocado, Kani, Salmon Skin), and a range of sushi bar appetizers like Tuna Pizza and Yellowtail Jalapeno.

• Lunch Specials: For midday diners, Kiku offers appealing lunch specials, including sushi lunch combinations, sashimi lunch, various roll combos, and Bento Boxes featuring popular kitchen entrees.

• Takeout and Delivery: Kiku provides convenient takeout options and partners with major third-party delivery platforms (like Grubhub, Seamless, Postmates) to allow customers to enjoy their food from home or office.

Kiku Japanese Restaurant shines with several key features that contribute to its popularity among New Yorkers:

• "Hidden Gem" Status: Many customers consistently refer to Kiku as a "hidden gem in Manhattan," highlighting its unassuming exterior (being on the second floor) but surprising quality and value within. This creates a sense of discovery and appreciation among patrons.

• Exceptional Food Quality: The food is frequently praised as "very good" and "absolutely delicious," with many proclaiming it to be "some of the best sushi I’ve ever had!" The menu "has more to offer than it looks," providing delightful surprises.

• Diverse Menu Selection: Kiku offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes, from an extensive range of fresh sushi and sashimi to hearty kitchen entrees like teriyaki and katsu, and various noodle and rice bowls. This ensures "a lot of options for sushi and kitchen meals" for diverse tastes.

• Great and Fast Service: Reviewers consistently commend the "amazing and fast" service. The staff, including the owner, are described as "super attentive," "friendly," and "really cool," creating a welcoming and efficient dining experience.

• Cozy and Welcoming Atmosphere: Despite its small size, the restaurant is lauded for its "cozy and welcoming" ambiance. The "simple but it works and its clean" decor contributes to a comfortable and pleasant dining environment, making it "perfect for lunch or dinner."

• Affordable Pricing: While Midtown prices can be high, Kiku is often noted for offering good value, providing "reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of food."

Kiku Japanese Restaurant often features promotions and special offers, particularly catering to the lunchtime crowd and encouraging online orders, making it an even more appealing choice for New Yorkers. While specific deals can change, here are common types of promotions offered:

• Lunch Specials: A significant draw for Kiku, their lunch specials offer great value. These often include various sushi and roll combos (e.g., Any 2 Rolls for $13.95, Any 3 Rolls for $17.95, or specific sushi/sashimi lunch specials from $15.50), as well as lunch Bento Boxes with options like Chicken Teriyaki, Salmon Teriyaki, or Tempura for about $15.95, typically served with miso soup and salad.

• Online Order Discounts: Kiku frequently provides discounts for online orders placed through platforms like Seamless, Grubhub, and Postmates. Examples include a percentage off for first orders (e.g., 35% off on first orders of $50 or more, or $100 or more) or a fixed discount on larger orders (e.g., Spend $80, get $8 off).

• "Buy One, Get One Free" Deals (BOGO): These popular promotions are often seen on delivery platforms for specific items, such as Miso Soup, Salmon Avocado Roll, or Spicy Tuna Roll, providing excellent value for shared meals or larger individual orders.

• Roll Combos: In addition to lunch specials, Kiku offers various roll combination platters for dinner, such as "Salmon, Tuna and California Roll Combo" or "Spicy Tuna, Salmon-Avocado and Eel Cucumber Roll Combo," which provide a complete meal at a set price.

New Yorkers interested in dining at Kiku are encouraged to check their listings on popular delivery apps (Seamless, Grubhub, Postmates) and potentially their official website (if one is maintained) for the most current promotions, as these are frequently updated to provide the best value.

To experience the delicious and authentic Japanese cuisine at Kiku, or for any inquiries, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 50 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019, USA

Phone: (212) 582-8357

For New Yorkers constantly navigating a city overflowing with dining options, Kiku Japanese Restaurant stands out as an exceptionally suitable choice. Its designation as a "hidden gem" by countless locals is well-earned, offering an authentic and delightful Japanese culinary experience that often exceeds expectations. The prime Midtown West location ensures it's incredibly convenient, whether you're grabbing a quick lunch, meeting friends after work, or seeking a cozy spot before a Broadway show, thanks to its proximity to major subway lines.

What truly makes Kiku a local favorite is its unwavering commitment to quality. The sushi and kitchen meals are consistently praised as "very good" and "absolutely amazing," demonstrating a menu that offers both breadth and depth, from fresh sashimi to comforting teriyaki. The "great and fast" service, coupled with a warm and "cozy" atmosphere, creates an inviting environment that makes diners feel right at home. Even though the space is small, its cleanliness and welcoming vibe contribute to a relaxed dining experience that New Yorkers appreciate after a long day.

Furthermore, the value offered at Kiku, especially through its diverse lunch specials and frequent online promotions, makes high-quality Japanese food accessible. It's a place where you can enjoy fantastic sushi, a hearty noodle soup, or a satisfying bento box without breaking the bank. For any New Yorker in search of a reliable, delicious, and genuinely pleasant Japanese dining experience that feels like a true discovery, Kiku is undoubtedly a perfect fit.

Kiku

50 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019, USA