Overall rating: 4.7 Paid: $52 I think I came here from a friend recommendation and devoured the food. I went for lunch so it was very empty. I ended up getting a cocktail and it was delicious. I went to try their ramen, but their menu convinced me to get their chicken katsu. It was mouthwatering good. The food came out really fast and I really wanted to take some to go for my next meal. But I ate it all. Highly recommend and will definitely be coming back! read more

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Nice vibe and good Japanese cuisine at KEI. I ordered the Unagi Don ($32), which had tasty, well-cooked eel on top of soft white rice with a nice teriyaki style sauce on top. It was also garnished with nori (seaweed), and I appreciated the little flower on top which really elevated the appearance of the dish. Now that being said, I wouldn't say it was that much better than other good quality eel donburi dishes, but I certainly still enjoyed. The restaurant is decorated in a very chic and trendy style which is both casual and nice. During the warmer months, they open up the front so there is a nice open air breeze coming in. The staff are average friendliness and the service speed is decent. Overall, with solid food and a nice environment, I think KEI is a great option for good Japanese cuisine and can be appropriate for a variety of different occasions. read more

KEI - Unagi Don - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

This location has about 20 tables grouped for pairs or groups of 4, with hand fans posted on the wall and paper lanterns. Staff is very nice and friendly when you walk in. Doesn't seem busy, but I'm also here when it first reopens at 5pm. I actually walked in here because I saw their online menu had an unagi don (eel rice bowl) for $20, but it turned out to be a photo from last year, so maybe things have changed. I ordered it for $32 and was a bit sad about the portion size for the price; generally eel is served as a whole, but this was cut up into a few pieces spread around seasoned rice with cut up tamago (egg) and some nori strips. Probably better as a lunch portion or if you're not a big eater. read more

KEI - Eel don (rice bowl) with miso soup. $32 dollars, nicely grilled but smaller portion than expected - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

KEI @ NEW YORK Uber, carpooling, or taking the subway are probably the best ways to get here, but there is also some street parking available. I ended up taking the subway with a couple of friends. The location is pretty close to Chelsea Market about a 15-minute walk, so we just walked over from there. This was a random spot we decided to try, and it definitely felt a bit touristy. That said, it was really nice inside, and surprisingly not too crowded for a Wednesday night. There were five of us, and we were seated pretty easily. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, which was $24, definitely on the pricier side compared to most ramen I've had. Overall, it was good. The broth was super rich, thick, and milky with a lot of flavor. It leaned very heavy though, and the meat was tender almost looked like ham and they gave a decent amount. I also liked the mushrooms, and the noodles were really soft. That being said, I wasn't completely sold on it. The richness was a bit too much for me, and it didn't leave me feeling great afterwards. In the moment, it tasted good, and you can tell the broth was high quality like it had been simmering for a long time--but it was just a little too heavy overall. The ambiance was really nice though, super cute and perfect for a casual date night. The staff were also really friendly. They even offered free ice cream or a mocktail if you left a review on the spot, which was a nice touch. Overall, I enjoyed my experience, but I probably wouldn't go back just because the ramen was a bit too rich for my taste. If you love a super thick, milky broth though, this is definitely a place you'd enjoy. read more

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Sigh. Of course in Manhattan, an izakaya--which should be a casual, affordable spot to grab an easy bite or sip--is an overpriced, over-upscaled affair where cocktails cost (*checks notes*)....$20+.....and Happy Hour fries are still $8 for a tiny plate. Such was the case with KEI. We actually came here for their $40 three-bowl ramen flight--and I wish we'd just gone to a better ramen spot and paid full price for one bowl each. We got the Tonkotsu, Wagyu Miso Ramen and Fried Chicken Tantan (mazemen)--and they were in that order of tolerability. Meaning, the Tonkotsu was fine but forgettable. The Wagyu (a laughable $34 at full price) was wayyyyy too salty, and had very little actual 'gyu. And the Tantan was just plain gross--a waste of a decently breaded piece of chicken tossed in a gross concoction of peanut butter and sesame paste. The combo didn't work, and we actually ended up mixing the broth from the Wagyu with the Tantan, just to try to salvage both bowls. Aside from the aforementioned overpriced fries (they weren't even seasoned in any way), we also split the Salmon Carpaccio, which was the only decent part of our meal. Nice decor, if you like your casual watering holes to evoke Michelin memories. I don't. There aren't many real, authentic izakayas in Manhattan, but I'll stick to those few rather than....whatever Kei is. read more

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Pros: - staff are very friendly and helpful - food came out pretty quickly - I really liked that they put large pieces of octopus in the takoyaki - the crab croquette and mentaiko were pretty tasy - I also really enjoyed the Yuzu White Peach Sparkling mocktail Cons: - this is more subjective rather than a con but, I prefer my food more seasoned and flavorful (I know Japanese cuisine tends to be more mild but the flavors are still pretty distinct) - personally, I don't recommend the agedashi tofu Comments: - came on a Thursday around 6:40PM, we were seated immediately for a party of 3 - the music was pretty loud and it was kind of difficult for me to hear what the staff were saying - we only ordered quick bites and appetizers read more

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KEI might be one of the best ramen spots I've had in NYC. The tonkotsu ramen really stood out. The broth was rich but not heavy, and the noodles tasted like the ramen I had in Japan. The black garlic oil added a lot of flavor. Appetizers were solid too. Agedashi tofu was perfectly fried, and the miso black cod was my favorite starter. Yakitori was good, especially the chicken meatball. We also ordered the salmon ikura don -- fresh fish and really good rice. Small, cozy izakaya vibe. Good for casual dinner, ramen, and drinks. read more

KEI - Menu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Overall nice spot. The food was good but not inspiring. We enjoyed our meal but not enough to come back soon. The service was very good. read more

KEI - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Service: 3.2/5 Food: 4/5 Price: $30-$60 Came here for our monthly roommate dinner, the hot soups acted as a great hand warmer in the midst of this extremely cold winter. Self-identified as an izakaya, + while the decor matched, the menu isn't traditional + isn't different from any other Japanese restaurant. I also realized after, they use a new food menu which consisted of appetizers + 3 main sections of entrées (sushi, ramen + rice bowls). Would come back again, maybe when the weather is warmer. Our waitress was a bit curt, which didn't provide the best service experience. We later realized it wasn't anything personal, she treated all the customers the same way. What I Ordered: - Salmon + Tuna Tartare: crispy wonton chips, fresh seafood, adequate portion - Wantonmen: 4 juicy dumplings, broth was a little oily + salty - City Pop cocktail: foam tastes cheesy, cute read more

KEI - Wantonmen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Really wanted to love this place but the food is pretty mediocre for New York and it is so expensive. We got the bacon mentaiko creamy udon and it was subpar. Not very creamy, not much flavor, and very expensive for this small portion (priced as an entree, but it was an appetizer). The drinks are also mediocre. On paper they look delicious, but the execution was not great. Also expensive. The atmosphere is great though. Dark, ambient, and cozy, the restaurant is great for hanging out and meeting up with people (if you're ok with mid expensive food). Their staff is super nice and friendly though and super attentive. Just wish this place had better food! read more

KEI - Bacon Mentaiko Udon - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Originally, I was going to eat Vietnamese, but it was an hour wait and L wanted some noodles, so I found this place on Yelp. I got the Tonkotsu Ramen and Shoyo ramen for L. I didn't get anything else like appetizer or anything, because I was craving an appetizer from the Vietnamese restaurant. I was worried that would be too full to go to another restaurant just for something small. But nope, this place - portion was small. I didn't get to eat breakfast that day and so I was pretty famish and this guy did not satiate. Don't get me wrong, the Ramen was good but wish it was more standard size. Staff is great here and I felt bad for them, because there was a family here that had a very entitled attitude. They had a son who brought in his skateboard - he looked to be about nine years old and they let him skateboard inside the restaurant and both his parents and grandparents didn't think they need to say anything. The staff here were saints to let that happen inside a restaurant. Luckily, they didn't let their daughter ride her bike inside the restaurant because they also had a bike inside. It's a small restaurant, but luckily there wasn't a lot of people here at that time, but still that doesn't give the right for these people to let their kid ruin their hardwood floors. read more

KEI - Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I came a few months ago; they are relatively new. The service was friendly. I would say that the food is okay/solid - lots of really great Japanese spots elsewhere at similar price points, but the vibe is really nice inside, and great for a causal dinner out in a somewhat chic setting. It's cool they have a speakeasy in the back, and I would like to check that out next time. Food-wise I was wanting more unfortunately but maybe it's just cause they're new and ironing out some kinks. The yakitori skewers I didn't get but my friends did, and it looked good. The katsu sando looked like there was a lot to be desired. The drink with yuzu was interesting, and strong. read more

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Staffs were friendly. We didn't have any reservations on a Saturday night and there were seats. You get to dine in or outside. We ate Tonkotsu ramen. We added egg which was a separate order. Which cost $3 per egg. The ramen was delicious. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 read more

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I stopped in on a whim for the wagyu ramen and was pleasantly surprised. The portion size is very good and I was quite full. I'm not sure why others said the portions are small. The roasted corn included was excellent. There are little bits of beef in the broth to add even more flavor to the savory broth. You can definitely taste the Wagyu in the broth. The servers are all excellent. They are friendly and treat everyone nicely. The restaurant is decorated beautifully. A great date place or place to bring your family. read more

KEI - Wagyu Ramen with a soft boiled egg on the side - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Solid neighborhood spot for ramen. Easy to walk in. Something on the menu for everyone read more

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Okay I'm giving 4 stars because I'm not the BIGGEST fan of ramen at all so this is a personal reason. But I've tried better ramen for sure! Anyways the flavors were much better than expected! read more

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I was very excited to try Kei, but I'm a bit surprised that people have raved about this ramen. I tried the Wontonmen, and the noodles were on the soggier side and it was too salty for my liking. The chicken wontons were also just ok. I did really like the ambiance, and the staff was very friendly. If I were to come back, I would try other menu items. read more

KEI - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was good overall, and I really liked the cocktail we ordered. Unfortunately there was an appetizer that disappointed us, the hijiki salad that was priced at $15 and came with 2 ingredients: arugula with a seaweed topping, a bit of soy sauce dressing at the bottom of the plate. We asked the staff because the ingredients on the menu did not match to what was on the plate (it mentioned greens, seaweed, carrots, gobo). The staff simply said, ah the menu must be outdated. Overall the items are pricey. I'd recommend their happy hour menu of small bites and drinks if you are to dine here. read more

Absolutely insane flavors here. Chicken Shoyu Ramen were my teens' favorite. But the star for me was their Salmon Ikura Don: a deconstructed salmon roll that has raw salmon over rice topped with salmon row. No need for soy sauce. The rice was lightly salted as well. Wasabi and ginger on the side for palette cleansing and heat. Service was amazing. Very attentive and hospitality was excellent! "They're your tastebuds. Satisfy them!" -Allan Delacruz read more

KEI - Salmon Ikura Don - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Came in on a Monday evening for dinner. I have previous came here for a Yelp event and loved the food so I was looking forward to ordering the items I tried, but seems like it's a completely different menu. Maybe it's exclusive for the speakeasy only, but don't really know. I still made the most of the visit and explored a variety of items. For drinks, we got non-alcoholic and the drinks were surprisingly tasty while not being overly sweet like other bars that serve non alcoholic cocktails. We tried the Green Tea Mojito ($10) and the Yuzu White Peach Sparkling ($8). The drinks look quite simple, but are crafted really well. For appetizers, we ordered a variety of dishes to try. The Sashimi Carpaccio ($26) consisted of bluefin tuna, salmon, scallop, and yellowtail soaked in a yuzu shoyu vinaigrette. The pieces were fresh and the vinaigrette goes really well with the pieces. Takoyaki ($14) is a classic, which are octopus balls with bonito flakes and takoyaki sauce. Can't go wrong if you opt for this. Kushkatsu Set ($18) is a friend skewer set with one piece each of the chicken breast, pork loin, shrimp, and scallop. This to me is another hit and would recommend this. The final appetizer dish we also got was the Cod Roe Cream Udon ($14). This is an udon dish with cod roe cream dashi, shiso leaf, and nori seaweed. It was a bit too salty for me liking unfortunately. For entree, I ordered the Pork Cutlet Curry ($22) and this was as good as you could have imagined it to me. The curry was flavorful, the pork loin cutlet well battered and fried to perfection, especially dipped in the curry cause. Assorted Sashimi Don ($32) is pretty much similar to the Sashimi Carpaccio, but it's a rice bowl dish. I'd pass on this and just stick with the appetizer version. For dessert, our server recommended this dessert called Wa Banira Ice Cream ($15). I couldn't find this on the menu so not sure if this was something they're testing out or not. Either way, I really liked this as there's a variety of flavors, including Hokkaido vanilla ice cream, matcha sauce, charcoal crumble, kinako powder, and red bean paste. Ask for this if you're not feeling the other dessert options. read more

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Cute little spot with clean and well decorated. The tonkatsu ramen was very creamy and the ramen noodles had just the right bit of crunch. It was served with some wood ear, poor slices and some scallions. Adding an egg was optional. A perfect dish for a cold winter. Also got the unagi bowl. The rice was cold and hard when we first bit into it, so we asked the server if it was supposed to be served this way. They took the dish to the back and I guess swapped out the rice. Got the vegan matcha cheesecake for dessert. The "cheese" part was very fluffy and creamy. The strawberry jam was a bit overpowering though. Everything was nicely plated. Portions weren't over the top but seemed to be just enough. read more

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Cute izakaya and ramen spot. The service is fast. We got the salmon ikura and salmon saikyo. The portions were on the smaller side, but it was perfect since we weren't super hungry. They're quite basic, and there isn't particularly any flavor that stands out. However, the salmon on the salmon saikyo was overcooked and dry, and so my dinner guest didn't finish their food. I guess since they're also a ramen shop, maybe their ramen is better? read more

KEI - salmon ikura - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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This place has amazing tonkotsu ramen noodles. Super creamy and flavorful. The waiter is super nice. read more

KEI - Tonkotsu Ramen - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

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We randomly found this place for lunch on a Friday! The staff were super friendly and our water glasses were always full. The menu had a tone of choices including yakitori, handrolls, ramen, and rice bowls. Since they also offered a lunch menu, we went with one salmon and one pork katsu set. The lunch set was well presented with a little bit of everything perfectly placed on a plate - it definitely felt more classy and inviting than the typical box with different compartments. Everything we had tasted great and refined. We were able to take a sneak peek of the speakeasy (opens at 6pm)...would totally walk past it if I didn't know where it was located. read more

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Expensive for the quantity. It was a cute restaurant but I think the bang for the buck lunch special just wasn't there. For $20, you basically get a few small bites of food on a big plate. Service was good and it tasted ok, but was nothing great. We had the tofu hamburger and pork katsu lunch special. read more

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Dinner at this Japanese izakaya and ramen spot in Chelsea was bomb! It is vibrant inside with refreshing drinks, Japanese appetizers, curry, katsu sandos, and ramen. The mocktails were beautiful! I recommend the Green Tea Mojito. I really enjoyed the udon with the fresh cod roe. The sashimi was high quality and the crab croquette was lightly fried. For the entrees, you could taste that garlicky flavor in the broth and the noodles were nice and wavy. I could also eat that curry every day. The pork cutlet was nice and tender and the curry was flavorful and thick and has beef chunks in it. The desserts surprised me with how good they tasted and they weren't too heavy. The waitress was also really attentive and the food came out quite fast. read more

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KEI has super chill vibes with such fresh sashimi, and a menu that makes you want to try everything! My favorites consisted of anything fresh seafood, so my favorites were their handrolls and sashimi carpaccio. Their pork sandos are also amazing and definitely worth a try! Service was amazing and I love the interior of the restaurant. Super laid back and cozy design. I also heard their ramen is also super good but I haven't tried it. read more

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cute izakaya in chelsea -- the service is attentive with at least two people checking in on a very regular basis. between me and my partner, we ordered the salmon carpaccio, tonkotsu ramen, and wontonmen. salmon carpaccio was pleasant and fresh with some depth of flavor. both noodle soups were alright, standard ramen fare -- broths were a little on the lighter side for my liking but the noodles were nice and bouncy. not my favorite izakaya but would stop by again to sample more of the menu. read more

Came here for a work dinner, which basically meant sampling half the menu. No complaints there! The place was absolutely packed (always a good sign), and the energy was great from the get-go. With a crisp Sapporo in hand, we dug in: - Chicken Yakitori Set (4.5/5): Wing, thigh, and tsukune were all on point. Almost a perfect score, but I wish the egg with the tsukune was raw instead of poached for that authentic touch. - Takoyaki (5/5): Warm, fluffy, and easily one of the best I've had. - Crab Croquette (4.5/5): Creamy, crispy perfection that could've used just a bit more crab. - Salmon & Tuna Tartare (4/5): Super fresh fish with fried wontons. Tasty, but a bit mild next to stronger flavors from other dishes. - Pork Gyoza (5/5): Absolute winner. It was crisp, juicy, and full of flavor. - Corn Ribs (3/5): Meh. Portion was small and not quite worth the price. Have had better versions elsewhere. - Tuna Sushi Roll (5/5): Perfectly balanced with an incredible wasabi mayo touch on top. - Eel Bowl (5/5): Melt in your-mouth eel on wonderfully bouncy rice. Slightly sweet so would've loved the sauce on the side. Service was friendly. Great vibes, solid dishes all around -- definitely a repeat spot! read more

Unfortunate experience ordering from KEI. What I received did not match the description online. Described as "Chicken curry served over steamed rice, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in japanese curry sauce with vegetables like carrots and potatoes". What I received instead was 4 pieces of FRIED chicken (karaage), curry sauce in a separate container (chicken obviously not "simmered" in the sauce, and no vegetables, just some onions), and rice. This is misleading and disappointing. read more

We attended a show nearby and wanted to grab dinner before. Kei was conveniently located a few blocks alway. It was nicely designed with fans on the wall. The bathrooms were really clean and upscale. The menu was extensive. It seemed like people came for the sandwiches but we both wanted ramen. The black garlic ramen and tonkotsu ramen were phenomenal. We had to pay extra for eggs which may just be due to the current cost of eggs. The shishito peppers were good but small in portion size. I would definitely come back again to try the sandwiches. read more

KEI - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

The food here was actually great. While a little pricey because it is in Chelsea, I would definitely recommend giving this place a try. The service is good. The waiters come up and assist you when they can and are glad to answer any questions. This place seems almost a little romance as we noticed most of the seated tables were actually people on a date. read more

KEI - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Incredible lunch special on my day off! The ramen was the perfect temperature and very flavorful. Perfect sized portion. The salad dressing was flavorful and unique and. Was impressed with how thinly sliced the onions are. Lastly the tuna roll which was the most wonderful bite! Would definitely come back again! read more

KEI - Ramen lunch special - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I wanted to gatekeep this so badly but this new Japanese hidden gem in Chelsea is legit so good!! KEI Izakaya is a cute date night spot combining warm, friendly service with exceptional food and drinks. Every corner of the restaurant has been thoughtfully curated. The space feels cozy yet elegant. The food was so incredible that I would give them 10 stars out of 5 if I could. ＊Handrolls - Tuna Creamy $10, Salmon Yuzu $8, Scallop $12, Yellowtail $9 * Must get!! They offer fresh and premium cuts of fish, as well as plenty of vegan options. My favorites were salmon yuzu and scallop. ＊Kushikatsu Set $18 ＊Kushikatsu Vegetable Set $12** I was so excited to see kushikatsu (fried skewers/串揚げ) in NYC! The meat and veggies were deep-fried to a golden crisp, dipped in a sweet and savory sauce. I preferred vegetables esp eggplant and shitake mushroom. ＊Chicken Karaage $13 The caramelized sugar lemon took the karaage to a new level. It might be the juiciest lemon I've seen lol. Drizzle the lemon juice over the crispy karaage for a tangy, citrusy and umami flavor contrast. ＊Pork Katsu Sando $18 *** Star of the show was undoubtedly their pork katsu sando. The pork katsu was juicy and tender, sandwiched between fluffy shokupan. The pickles and coleslaw added a refreshing touch. The fries were surprisingly so addicitve and not overly oily. ＊Pork Cutlet Curry $22 * The curry was not your typical store-bought cube curry. It was rich and fruity, serving alonside shredded beef, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, grapes (yes grapes!!). A heavenly combo with katsu pork. ＊Tokyo Banana Creme Brulee $12 * It tasted exactly like Tokyo Banana, the popular souvenir snacks! The creamy custard was packed with a banana flavor. The caramelized sliced banana skewer complemented with the creme brulee beautifully. ＊Yuzu White Peach Sparkling $8 read more

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I truly hesitated writing a review for KEI because of its underrated ambience and slept on menu; their speakeasy in the back-more to come on updates which I can't wait to stop in for. We ordered: Salmon-Yuzu handroll Yellowtail handroll Tonkotsu ramen Spicy Vegan Tan Tan ramen Guava High Ball Strawberry Cocktail The appetizers aren't really anything to write home about, and I'd probably wait until they are more unique since they're the typical chicken karaage/agedashi tofu/shoshito peppers/skewers that you can practically order at any Asian restaurant in the city. The mains and cocktails though...worth trying almost everything in their respective category! read more

KEI - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

I really liked this place! The cocktails are more expensive than I'm used to but the service was exceptional and everything was delicious. They also have a speakeasy, I wasn't able to go in because it was closed the night I went but it's such a cute restaurant. They also have a happy hour, lunch set and everything on the menu is under $30 read more

KEI - Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - New York, New York

Been meaning to try this place out for awhile now, so glad I went tonight. Did a walk in with the family - no issues. Ordered a few appz to share - chicken karaage, tempura squid and gyoza. All were very delicious. For mains we ordered Shoyu ramen, tonkotsu and the udon with cod roe for a change. All were very tasty and made with care. The restaurant is a hidden gem. Service was awesome, place is clean and most importantly, decently priced too. read more

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They have so many vegan/vegetarian options, I really appreciated it. However, I would skip the vegan sushi options -- it wasn't my favourite and as a pescatarian myself, I would've preferred the real fish option. The ramen on the other hand was really good. The spicy miso ramen hit the spot, and my friend had the vegan chashu, which was also pretty decent. Although the chashu was nowhere close to what a real chashu would be, so lower expectations on that. The star of the show was the vegan matcha cheesecake. It was so fluffy and light -- we had to order another one after we finished the first one so quickly. read more

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Tonkotsu ramen was in sapporo style (yellow and thick ramen with kansui), not the hakata style as they showed in pictures (white thin noodle). Well, Ichiran is just steps away, so no brainer right? read more

Kei offers a large range of dishes from ramen to katsu curry to teishoku - so many that it was difficult to choose from. However, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we got. We ordered the kushikatsu set (fried skewers: chicken and shiso, pork loin, scallop, and shrimp), tuna creamy hand roll, pork katsu sando, and a teishoku set with salmon saikyo. The kushikatsu was fried well. My teishoku salmon was delightful. We love to come back and try their katsu curry and dons! read more

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