Really love coming to this place after a nice yoga session on Tuesdays. My go-to has been the Mt. Fuji Bowl with Tuna with half the serving of rice but my last time there I tried the black sesame ramen. It was really rich and flavorful. I want to say that it was just as good as Monta Ramen in Chinatown in Las Vegas. You walk up, you order then they text you when your order is ready. While you're waiting, you can grab a drink from the Westbound Bar (drink included with yoga) then find a spot then chill with your fellow yogis. After having had the ramen I would designate this place as the go to next time I feel like having it. read more

Out-of-towner visiting Tucson and, as someone who's obsessed with sushi, I was so excited to find this spot near our Airbnb at the super cute MSA Annex. The whole area is really fun--made up of shipping container shops--and has such a cool, laid-back vibe. It already set the tone before we even got our food. Coming from California, I definitely have high expectations when it comes to sushi, and this place honestly delivered. The fish tasted fresh, the rice was flavorful and well-balanced, and everything just came together really nicely. We also tried some ramen, which was surprisingly solid too. We grabbed our food and sat near the bar, and it made for a great, casual dinner experience. Between the food and the atmosphere, it's a really nice spot to check out, especially if you're visiting Tucson and want a good sushi fix. read more

Food: the broth was oily and noodles were hard, roll was nothing special Service: basically self service since you have to bring your food to a table and bus it Ambiance: it's lively at night read more

Kukai - Black garlic ramen, salmon avocado roll - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

My son and I went to check out Tucson Gem show and after we were craving sushi. I found this place very randomly and lucky for us it opened exactly on time when we were hungry. We absolutely loved it! So delicious! The price quality is amazing especially comparing with Phoenix prices. I loved the ambiance as well. It felt very artsy and after we were done with our delicious food we explored around. read more

Kukai - Mt Fuji bowl and spicy tuna roll with crunch - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Delicious vegan spicy miso ramen. I love the fried mushrooms on it. I wish it had more vegetables and/ or tofu. My general rating system: 1 star: I would stay away 2 stars: Has some good things about it but I generally don't recommend. 3 stars: Pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but a decent place 4 stars: Great place. I would go back. 5 stars: I highly recommend stopping whatever you are doing and making plans to try it out! An Evie favorite! read more

Kukai - Vegan spicy miso ramen - A close-up of a bowl of ramen with curly noodles, topped with seaweed, chopped green onions, black fungus, and pink pickled ginger. The broth appears creamy and slightly spicy, with some seasoning visible on the sides of the bowl. The bowl is placed on a dark surface, and the image captures the variety of toppings and ingredients typical of Japanese ramen dishes. - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We got the Kukai don, black garlic ramen, Hakata ramen, a Kakiage roll, and chicken kaarage. All of them were good, thought the chicken kaarage was too deeply fried for my liking. If you're used to traditional chicken kaarage with a less deeper fry, then this one is not going to be the same. Service was good and prompt, even with one person taking orders. The price is on-par with other offerings, in my opinion. The complex is a great walkable, urban environment and there's plenty of shade. Overall, if you enjoy all types of Japanese food and want something casual, then this place is great. read more

I have been to the MSA Annex before and possibly had a bite here forever ago. But Sunday night I had dinner with a friend here and really enjoyed our experience. Fast and friendly service and we were able to get covered seating which was good for the rain we encountered. It is all outdoor seating and there are plenty of spaces and a covered bar not far away. This whole annex is a cool place to explore btw ;) everything I ate (miso , eggroll, sushi and a few gyoza ) was delicious and really hit the spot! My friend enjoyed her onigiri that she got. It was a really pleasant evening! There is street parking and it is free on Sundays! Definitely check this place out if you're there ! read more

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Always great ramen and sides. This time we notice less pork on the ramen bowl and noodles are also smaller. I guess inflation prices are shrinking the bowl. We got there just in time for opening and started the line. After 5 minutes the line was very long. Their service is always great and the ambiance at the Annex is very enjoyable. read more

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Stopped by recently during a shift for a grab and go bite from Kukai and lived every bit of it. The space is cute I. The annex and I love being able to spend time if I can. It's got shops and drinks places too. The service was simple and kind, I enjoyed it. And the food was wonderful! I got to try the vegan roll and it was so delish. read more

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My first time in a place like this, located small food court with a nice small community like feel. Stopped by to grab a quick bite. I tried the takoyaki, service was fast and pretty good value for the money. It was really good with a perfect crunch outside and softness inside. My friends tried the hand roll i think and also the udon noodles. The portions were good for the udon noodles as well. read more

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Kukai has changed over the years. Food is pretty good, however overtime it seems like portions have gotten smaller, prices have gone up (understandably), and food seems to take longer to obtain. Most recently, we ordered a spicy tuna bowl, waited 20 minutes and when we went up to ask about it, it had already been waiting in the queue to be handed out...not sure for how long since there was a pile of orders and it seemed like the person in the front didn't know where our order was, despite having been handed a buzzer... Seating is limited at MSA annex, so just be aware of that. Not a bad place to grab some lunch and food taste outweighs some of the negatives. read more

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We came to the Annex and stumbled upon Kukai. The menu was extensive although the sushi rolls were not over the top creative. We ordered onigiri, spicy salmon roll, and gyoza. Despite the summer heat, dinner outside was hot but tolerable. The Annex is cool itself- I'd recommend checking it out. read more

Kukai - Grilled Salmon Onigiri , Tuna Mayo Onigiri , salmon roll, gyoza - The image shows three paper trays with Japanese dishes on a dark table. The largest tray features sushi rolls topped with sauce and crunchy toppings. The second tray contains gyoza dumplings with a small container of soy sauce. The third tray has rice balls wrapped in seaweed, with visible pink filling. Condiments and napkins are placed nearby, indicating a casual dining setting. - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The most authentic and traditional Japanese food i have found in Tucson. Sorry not sorry for bein smug, but i was born in Japan and this place when it comes to japanese food comes the closest to REAL. Remember in Ratatouille when the critic is transported back to his childhood after tasting the dish? this is what happened when i ate the gyu-don. read more

One of my favorite ramen joints in town. Flavorful, fragrant and fresh! I have likely tried almost every ramen dish on the menu over time and every single one of them are delish! We also got the chicken karaage which was the only thing that is 'ok'.,, the last 2 times I ordered this I found it over battered and dry. Unless you are lucky and get there early.. your general wait time is going to be 30 plus minutes... but so worth it!' The location adds to the experience as the MSA annex has such a cool outdoor dining vibe. read more

Kukai - Chicken Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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On our never ending quest to find good vegan ramen we stumbled across Kukai. Since then we've come back multiple times for the spicy vegan ramen. This place has a real hipster vibe and outdoor seating but don't let that discourage you from giving them a shot. The staff is friendly and the ramen is amazing. The spicy vegan ramen has a fried mushroom that is ridiculously delicious and an amazing broth with just the right amount of spice. My daughter got the regular ramen and loved it too. My only complaint was the ramen could come with more noodles but the last time we went I found out you can order extra noodles for a small charge. I was thrilled! read more

Kukai - Heaters on a cold night - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I have come here dozens of times and I'm never disappointed. My favorite items are the vegan spicy miso ramen and the Mt. Fuji don, but you can't go wrong with the rolls or the curry as well. We love Kukai and are so lucky to have great quality Japanese food in the area! read more

Kukai - Vegan ramen (right), curry with shrimp tempura (back) - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

First time trying and ordered to go. The salmon hand roll was perfect ratio in ingredients. The Tuna Mayo Onigiri had alot of rice. More rice than I expected... But other than that it was delicious. There are some things I've seen on the menu that I'd like to try so I see myself ordering from them again and order different things. read more

Kukai - Salmon Hand Roll - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I love, love love Kukai. Their onigiri (all of them!) are my favorite with a bowl of tonkotsu ramen. They never seem to have slow periods these days. So it's best to arrive early and be patient. Food doesn't usually take too long to turn out. And it's always so delicious! I wish I lived closer. Love this spot read more

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I have 3 fav sushi spots in Tucson and Kukai is definitely on that list. The takeout window is cute at the annex with tables right in front and around to eat dinner with a covering (in case it's raining). It gets very busy so if you're in a rush, you can call ahead to order. My personal favorite is the Mt Fuji Donburi which is delightful. I go weekly to get my fix because it's just too good. read more

Came here for lunch a while ago and I enjoyed all the food that I ordered. I highly recommend this place if you're ever at the Annex. Ordered: chicken karaage, pork belly onigiri, and gyu don! read more

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Kukai is our go to place for the best Ramen and sushi. They also make the best shrimp tempura that is super crunchy and oh my God ever so good dipping sauce. Their entire menu is simply delicious and well prepared! I am always welcomed with a huge smile and wonderful attentiveness! We always grab a spot over at westbound and take our grub there to enjoy. Those peeps at Westbound are our people as well but that's another review. You can't beat the beautiful weather, great cocktails and amazing Food from Kukai! Love love love! read more

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Nice atmosphere with storage containers came around 6:30pm. I ordered the Gyu Din Rice bowl and Onigiri Salmon. The Gyu Don was very sweet and savory and I really enjoyed it reminded me of a yoshinoya bowl ( California based restaurant) . The Onigiri was very dry I wish it would have had a bit of yum yum or eel sauce mixed with it to give it some sort of flavor. The only thing I did not like is that some of the rice bowls are pre-made and you cant get substitutions being someone who has dietary restrictions and cant have anything spicy that was the disappointing part. Overall the service was great. Seating was very limited you would probably have to get out there really early to grab a table. read more

Kukai - Grilled Salmon Onigiri Gyu Don - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I've been to this place a couple times, and the food is always great! This time, I ordered the Mt Fuji Don rice bowl and the Spicy Crunch Roll. The rice bowl is loaded with lots of tasty toppings, and is a filling meal. The staff is very friendly and accommodate modifications to your order, but my complaint is the wait time. It took about 45 minutes for my food to be ready. I'm sure going on a less crowded night than the night market night would have a shorter wait time, but overall a good option for some yummy sushi and rice bowls! read more

Kukai - Mt Fuji Don - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Service, Food, Atmosphere and vibes are all 10/10 here. Go wait in line cause it moves fast, I don't know how they do it. They accidentally put the eel sauce on my mom's bowl but the chef corrected it lickity split faster than jimmy John's and with a smile. I'm from Scottsdale, so glad I found the best Japanese in Tucson. We need one of these Kukai spots in Scottsdale please and thank you. read more

Kukai - Mt Fuji Don Bowl (hold the eel sauce) - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Got 2 onigiri (eel & tuna mayo), which were yummy but on the pricy side (though understandable since this is Tucson). Decently full with just 2 and each onigiri was well stuffed. The wait times are always pretty long here, but it's still my favorite eatery within the MSA annex. Their poke is also pretty good from what I remember, and their ramen is decent (but was served in a cup when I got it 2 years ago & may be different now). For those who haven't been to the annex, it's a pretty fun place to hang out given its open seating concept and use of old shipping containers for the stores. read more

Kukai - Onigiri - eel, tuna - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Love this little container restaurant, they have some amazing ramen and sushi. I have been to the Mercado a few times recently and this is the first time in a long while I made it while they are open. LOL. They close from 3 to 5 and I got there at 5 this time. The tempura is so amazing, everything is here, plus the location is very nice read more

Kukai - Pork Belly Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I love trying new restaurants but not all of my family are always willing to follow me down the rabbit hole. Luckily, my spouse will! I heard about Kukai and wanted to go for my birthday. Which is in February so it was freezing when we went for dinner. Obviously popular, we ordered and had probably a 20 minute wait for our food. The cashier was great and answered my myriad of questions. We were able to snag some seats next to a fire pit so I was nice and toasty by the time our food was ready. I ordered a potato korroke, a salmon onigiri, and tuna mayo onigiri. My husband ordered the Jakarta ramen. We also grabbed a Calpico drink to try. The Calpico is a lightly flavored citrus soda. Think Sprite adjacent. The korokke was beautifully fried, not super greasy, and crispy with a smooth potato filling. I enjoyed every bite. The onigiri were made fresh and still had crispy nori that softened kinda of quickly from the warmth of the rice. I love salmon but the filling was a little string. The tuna mayo was great and tasted as expected. My husband really enjoyed his ramen. The broth was flavorful, the noodles had a great texture, and he enjoyed the sliced pork. It was a perfect warm meal on a chilly night. We'll definitely be back. read more

Kukai - Ramen, korokke, onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Our go to restaurant for great food and outdoor seating! MSA Annex is a fun place to visit with a variety of shops and restaurants!

This place is not that good. The hot food (fried or ramen for example ) was OK. The "sushi " generically meaning anything with raw fish was awful. The scallops (which is one of my favorite raw fish items) looked to be previously frozen and sourced from Trader Joe's. Really all the cold items were tasteless and bland. Getting Sake from Westbound 5/5 place was fun. There is one that's actually served in a kid's juice box! read more

Located within the MSA Annex a perfect spot with some delicious Asian cuisine, they tend to be busy from open to close which tells you the food & service is top notch. Reasonably priced & the meals are well worth every dollar spent. The ramen is full of spice & flavor Must try the Onigiri ( rice ball with filling ) the pork & the Unagi (eel) so tasty & filling. I'd recommend to all Kukai is a must try! read more

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Never disappointed here! Love the Gyudon and all the sushi they offer. Staff is always friendly and positive

So much goodness in one spot!! Their spicy vegan ramen is BOMB! My son got the Tonkutsu and he loved it too. I haven't tried the salmon bowl yet, but my friend orders it every time and says it's the best. Seating is mostly outdoors and can be crowded on Fri and Sat, but The Annex features several delicious food and drink options and is perfect for families and groups too. I'm already planning my next visit. read more

This is a walk up order and pick up in the Mercado San Augustine Annex. Very cool concept of locally owned small businesses housed in old shipping containers. Food was tasty even though I'm not a fan of deep fried gyoza. I got over it pretty quick after my first bite. Young lady taking my order was pleasant and welcoming. Food took a little while but we'll worth the wait. I'm about to order take out to take home to the kids. I'll be returning read more

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Cute, casual place at the MSA Annex, inside a converted shipping container. You order at the window and get a beeper. Seating is outdoors with shade. The hakata ramen was pretty good - the broth was tasty and flavorful. The chasiu and half egg were good as well. The chicken karaage wasn't great - it seemed overcooked and the outer layer looked pretty dark. It was a little dry and the portion was also smaller than expected. read more

Kukai - Order window - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Another 5 star experience at Kukai. This time I had the Mt. Fuji don without masago. Wow it was incredible. My guest had the spicy miso tonkotsu ramen which was also amazing. We were able to snag a spot by the heater, as there is no indoor seating here. The food came out quick tonight and the guy working the window was super friendly. Highly recommend this place. read more

Kukai - What's left of the spicy crunch roll. 10/10 - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Kukai is consistently delicious! We are so lucky to have Kukai downtown, its fresh, thoughtfully made, and a great option for lunch or dinner. I have a business in the district and this is one of the perks of being in the neighborhood. I usually order to go, but it is so nice to stop for a delicious meal when you are out shopping or just craving some top notch sushi, ramen and other great options. There are also vegan and veggie options of course. I LOVE The Mount Fuji Don, but you really cant go wrong with anything on this menu. This is outdoor dining, within the Mercado Annex, and is next door to Westbound, where you can grab a cocktail or beer to accompany your delicious meal! read more

In February, we celebrated my birthday and I selected to have lunch at Kukai (Sky and Sea) for the occasion. Everything was wonderful. We ate here on a Saturday afternoon and the Tucson Gem Show was occurring simultaneously so I am unsure if it was more busy than usual. This was the first time I have been to this part of Tucson and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of eating alfresco. My understanding is that Kukai is the only place that has onigiri (traditional rice ball served with fillings and wrapped with seaweed. I selected the pickled plum filling. It was excellent. Everything was excellent. I would eat here every day if I could. read more

Kukai - Kukai Onigiri - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Yes, yes, yes. These Rice Bowls hit hard. Absolutely delicious. This is the place to visit while at the MSA Annex. There is always a line so come prepared. Mt Fuji Don was full of spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber etc. A mountain of food where each bit was savored. So fresh and the combo of flavors achieved is unmatched. Easily my favorite Japanese restaurant in Tucson. The one big downside of this restaurant is there is never enough seating; you will find yourself fighting to find a place to sit and enjoy your food. It might be better to do takeout and enjoy at home or walk someplace else to enjoy your meal. read more

Kukai - Mt Fuji Don - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I got the Vegan Miso Spicy Ramen ($16). The fried shitake was delicious. The broth was pretty spicy. I wish it came with more things. It was pretty much just the fried shitake and noodles. My husband and friend both got the Black Garlic Ramen and said the broth didn't have much taste. They wished it was spicy to give it some kick and flavor. My other friend got the Gyu Don Rice Bowl ($12.50) and Spicy Tuna Hand Roll ($6.50) and said they were both good! We got the Edamame ($4), which came with a generous portion. Overall, not the best ramen we've had, but decent option for food in the MSA Annex. read more

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The food is delicious. The service was friendly and prompt. The ambiance is unique. I recommend giving Kukai a try. I'll be frequenting Kukai more often. read more

Kukai - Tonkotsu Black Garlic Ramen, Grilled Salmon Onigiri (top right), Katsu Curry (bottom right). - Japanese Near Me - Tucson, Arizona