I'm picky about ramen - it has to be delicious, obviously, but also a good balance between quality, variety of options, taste, temperature, texture, and value. Kiwami comes pretty close to meeting my criteria. Quality: yes. 100%. Excellent ingredients, tasteful decor, sturdy serving bowls, whimsical ladles for slurping broth. Weird that the chopsticks are disposable while other utensils are not. Variety: erm. Yes for people who are not plant-based. I would love to see additional vegan options in all entree categories (tofu poke bowl, please). The veggie ramen was fabulous as was the edamame. Just more. Taste: A+. The broth was complex and glorious, the kale noodles lovely, the toppings (brussels spouts, broccoli, tofu, avocado) all prepared and seasoned perfectly. Temperature: yes. Nice and hot. Perfect. Texture: noodles were cooked perfectly with just the right amount of chew, however toppings were all pretty homogenous in texture. The raw greens on top were a little strange. It would have been nice to have a crispy or crunchy element. Value: I mean, Kiwami is a ramen place on Bardstown Road. I didn't expect a deal. I paid $20 for a bowl of ramen plus tip. Not ridiculous, but also not a price that allows me to visit as often as I would like. Overall, Kiwami has earned my respect and likely repeat business, especially if they add more vegan options and offer a repeat customer discount. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Vegetable ramen (#8) - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Nice interior, very good service. We arrived just before happy hour ended so we took advantage and ordered two appetizers, one pork and one vegetable gyoza. Both were very fresh and delicious. My entree was the Kiwami Shiro (pork broth, scallion, mushroom, bamboo, egg, pulled pork, sliced pork, noodles). The broth was incredible and pulled the whole thing together. I definitely want to come here again and try more items off the menu. read more

We really enjoy Kiwami Ramen, a great neighborhood restaurant. Great ramen, with many options to customize your bowl. Friendly, attentive service. Ask about appetizer and drink specials. read more

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Kiwami Ramen is consistently my favorite Louisville ramen shop! This time we ordered two different dishes: the #2 Spicy Ramen and the #5 Tsukemen Ramen. The Tsukemen comes w/ broth on the side, so you dip the noodles. It's fun for a unique spin and my Filipino girlfriend prefers that style at times. Feeling adventurous? Add the Ghost Pepper to the side for a legit KICK. I love spicy food & even for me, its' pepper infusion is strong! It enhanced the #2 Spicy Ramen with a few drops. Last tip: order the Takoyaki - the most flavorful appetizer there! read more

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Food was good. We got 3 bowls of the spicy curry tonkotsu, seaweed salad, and edamame. Service was great. read more

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Kiwami is a stylish casual ramen spot with friendly service and a nice vibe. They were also very accommodating in making vegetarian versions of the ramen for us. That being said, the food was very average. Good noodles with an okay broth, flavorful sauces/oils, and mediocre toppings. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Kiwani Ramen was our choice for lunch today. I ordered the miso tonkotsu and gyoza. The gyoza was perfect. Six pieces and loved the dipping sauce. All the appetizers are expensive based on portion sizes. I really, really wanted a bun but at $7 each, passed. The ramen we chose was flavorful. Loved having the seasoned egg included. They offer several sides for an up charge. No sauces on the table, which was really disappointing for my husband who appreciates adding things to his broth. We left not quite full or satisfied with the experience. Service was friendly and helpful. Items came out quickly. They have a nice size indoor seating area plus large group tables in the backyard. Glad that we visited a new spot - this one is not for us. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Miso Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Well went in for the favorite bbq squid and well.... The oven was broken. I hope it's fixed soon cause it is a whole vibe. But got the spicy tuna bowl! And the kid had her a pork chashu bun. Lovely and tasty as always read more

Kiwami Ramen - Spicy Tuna Bowl - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Comforting ramen, great service, and a beautiful space While passing through Louisville, I stopped by Kiwami and ordered the Shoyu Ramen--and I'm so glad I did. The ramen was well cooked, with noodles that had just the right bite and a broth that was flavorful without being too salty. It reminded me of the ramen from my hometown--simple, balanced, and deeply comforting. The egg was done perfectly, with that soft, creamy yolk that completes the bowl. Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared, with great attention to detail. The service was very good--attentive, friendly, and welcoming from the moment I walked in. The ambiance is also worth noting: the space is nicely renovated, clean, and modern, with an open view into the kitchen so you can actually see the food being prepared with care. I'd definitely come back again if I'm ever back in Louisville. A great spot for anyone craving authentic, no-fuss ramen in a beautiful setting. read more

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Finally got to stop by this ramen spot that opened in May of 2024. The atmosphere was very welcoming as the host and kitchen staff welcomed us as we walked to our table with a smile. The restaurant was very neat and clean and the bar looked as if it would be a cool hangout in the evenings. We had lunch here so we just sat in the dining area. Our server was very pleasant and got our orders and drinks taken quickly. I personally liked the food as the Gyoza was delicious and the ramen had a good flavor. I think it could have been a bit hotter however. It's a bit pricier than I expected as well but my wife and I were able to eat for $31 although she didn't get ramen. We shared one just to taste it because she's not a major fan of the broth. Great job to the staff and I'd recommend it if you're in the area to give this place a try! read more

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Friendly service. Awesome broth. Well cooked ramen noodles. Some of my toppings were cold (pulled pork). Clean restaurant. Attractive wall and window art. Limited parking. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Enjoying life's moments. - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Well, the food was great and service was good, but unfortunately the ambiance needs some work..... read more

Kiwami Ramen - Interior - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Amongst the best of ramen houses in Louisville! It's going to be hard to top this if they keep it up. Sat immediately on a Tuesday at 6:30. Food by 6:45. Great drink options but the broth is what makes a ramen, and it's superb! I think mine was probably three servings large, but there was not a drop left when I was done! It's a buttery-spicy mouth feel for the "Aka" and the flavors are so on point, I would have thought I ate in Japan(and I've spent two weeks eating in Japan!) Phenomenal job Kiwami! read more

Kiwami Ramen - Kiwami Aka - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

For a long time I've felt Louisville needed an great Ramen spot! This is it! I stopped in for lunch, service was fast! The waitress was super helpful! I had the strawberry milk tea. I'm not sure how you don't love milk tea. Strawberry isn't my fave, but this was good. I'd definitely have it again. I started with a pork chasu bun. So solid! I could have made a meal out of these! (Could very well come back just and do that). Don't you judge me!!!! I also had the Kiwami Shiro. I toyed with adding things, but decided to have it as is before I tried my hand at chef. This is a solid bowl of noodles! Great portion size, great flavor, and balance of ingredients. The broth got progressively better as I got to the bottom. I'd be curious to come feel the vibe of this place at night. During the day, very chill and quiet. I can see how it would be an awesome spot later in the evening. read more

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A friend wanted to try this place for lunch so we came by on a weekday. It had been on my list for a while. I had been following any updates on the Courier Journal since their opening date had been pushed. When we came in, it wasn't super busy. A few groups here and there dining in. Likely people who work nearby and had stopped in for lunch. We ordered 2 of the soft shell crab buns to share among 4 of us. But surprisingly, they didn't have knives for us to divide them...we had asked the staff and they simply didn't have any. I get that it's a ramen shop but... Anyway, the bao was very good! Something I would order if I went back! We also got ramen too. 2 of us got the spicy ramen, kiwami aka, while the other 2 got kiwami shiro. Not even spicy at all! Maybe something in between mild and medium but leaning towards mild. I love the Hell ramen at Ramen House and I was expecting something super spicy! Overall, it's not bad. It's nice to see other ramen shops in town. One con was that the back area was very warm. They had a fan on but it wasn't blowing towards us. Hopefully they can figure something out with that! read more

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Ventured in on a Saturday night around 8pm and we sat quickly. Service was good, very quick, friendly. We ordered BBQ squid for an appetizer and it was chewier than I expected. I ordered the Kiwami #1 and the broth was warm but not hot like I generally expect ramen to be. The portion size was decent but not large. The flavor was typical but nothing distinctly Kiwami. All around it was just okay. Beautiful space, but the biggest issue we had was the flies/fruit flies hovering around our table. When we first sat, they weren't there but the more food we ordered, the more came to hang around. It was annoying and definitely dampened our experience a bit. read more

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We will definitely be coming back to Kiwami Ramen! The service was so good and the staff were so friendly and attentive. I ordered the Miso Tonkatsu ramen and it was amazing. I also tried the milk tea which was a 100/10! We love Kiwami Ramen! read more

Kiwami Ramen - Miso Tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Some of the best ramen that I have ever tasted! The servers and staff were amazing and created a welcoming atmosphere. There was good music and intimate spaces for you to sit. Food came out in a good amount of time and was so delicious! I will definitely be coming back several times. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Ramen Menu - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

My wife has wanted to come here since they opened. I love Ramen so don't get me wrong, I was excited to go when we got the opportunity. Any new spot on Bardstown is always a gamble It seems like no matter what kind of food. The menu isn't very complicated and that's always a plus when you're ordering Ramen. Unfortunately the day we went they didn't have any of their hot spices so no dishes with any sort of heat were available. I found that to be kind of a bummer as I like spicy miso. The Ramen dishes we got - numbers one and four - were adequate. The food came out exceptionally quick, but the taste just didn't do it for me. It wasn't the worst bowl I've ever had, but it definitely wasn't as good as a trip to say...the Ramen House. Cool spot and in the middle of the afternoon, they had a fairly decent crowd. Their staff was friendly, and I was amazed how swiftly the food came out. So who knows maybe it was just me who didn't like it all that much? I'd go back to try one of their spicy dishes and my wife raved about how great the chicken fried rice was. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Their #1 on the menu with extra eggs - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Went and grabbed dinner with my brother the server was excellent Berlyn! She made the wait for my brother pleasant. He and i got vegan goyza and miso ramen! It was so good! They have a nice calm atmosphere and service was on point! We were stuffed by the time we left! Definitely will be back!! read more

Kiwami Ramen - Curry miso ramen with extra eggs - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Went for their soft opening, and the ramen was amazing! Everything else was what you'd expect during a soft opening- need more waitstaff, need to get liquor license, need to work on their timing...appetizers should probably come out before the ramen but, oh that ramen, best I've had in Louisville since Mirin closed and overall best since returning to the States. Looking forward to going back soon! read more

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Kiwami is a cute restaurant with a lot of potential to give Ramen House a run for its money. The food was good, I just don't think I was in the mood for a hot meal on a hot day. The inside is very cute and clean. They offer a bar area then extra space in the back. The staff is kind and attentive. I hope to be back in the winter time! read more

Kiwami Ramen - #3 no egg, no mushroom, no bamboo - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Beautiful area, never dined at this place before! The water to start off was perfect. I knew exactly what I wanted to order, and I'm sure the food is spectacular, but our night was cut slightly short by a car driving through the wall. Can't wait to visit again once they reopen! read more

Kiwami Ramen - Side entrance I guess - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Gyoza was delicious and ramen was tasty! This spot has quick and friendly service with good and decently priced food! I liked all the customizable things you could add to your ramen. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Really 2.5 stars. I'm really sad because we came in with such high hopes. We came in on a Sunday for lunch shortly after opening at noon. Got drinks pretty fast but then service slowed way down and getting food took ages. Started off with spiked (vodka) Strawberry Milk Tea boba ($12) -- Wow! So so sweet. We nursed that drink for the duration of almost 2 hours and still couldn't finish it. The fried chicken appetizer was very salty & dry and only comes with a dab of tasteless aioli. Didn't finish that either. The ahi appetizer dish was the only good thing -- $10 for 4 bites. The ramen bowl we shared also was not finished because it was so salty. The women's rest room was okay, but the floors were slick and there's no paper towels. Won't need to come back. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Ahí tuna appetizer - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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This was hands down the best ramen I've had in louisville. You can see everything be prepared fresh just beyond the counter. The broth was complex and full of flavor and the toppings added tons of depth and flavor. Our server was incredibly pleasant and kind despite being super busy. Our orders came out staggered which I would have appreciated them coming together but it worked out and the server apologized. read more

Fast service. Looked beautiful. And the food was great and not to pricey. The sauce was truly something special, definitely give it a try. read more

Kiwami Ramen - BBQ Squid - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I have been on a quest to find good ramen in Louisville that has left me feeling like Sisyphus--performing a task with no satisfying end. Today, I am freed from my labor and my quest comes to an end, because Kiwami Ramen actually has very good ramen and is easily the best ramen place in Louisville by far. They have only recently opened but I have already been twice. I got the takoyaki and Kiwami Shiro and Kuro. The food is amazing. The takoyaki is good and is just what you'd expect. I want to try some of the other appetizers and sides because I'm sure they're good as well. The ramen is delicious. You can tell that the broth has been cooked for a long time, because it's thick with flavor that isn't salty, and that's exactly what I've been looking for. It comes with good potions of chasu pork as well as other toppings so you don't feel cheated out of it. The food is heavier due to the thick broth, but that helps fill you up so that even a big eater like me is satisfied with one bowl of ramen. On top of the stellar food, the environment is excellent. It's in a good location on Bardstown Rd and the place is a lot bigger than you would imagine. It has a very clean and simple aesthetic, and the space builds a nice atmosphere that can seat any party. There is a bar section that you can sit at if you come alone, tables that can seat classic groups of 4, as well as longer tables that can house larger parties of 8+ people. The servers are all friendly, and I didn't have to wait long to be seated. The food also came out pretty quickly considering how busy and popular it is. Kiwami Ramen has left a grand impression on me and I have loved both visits and plan to return very frequently. This is no doubt my go-to ramen place, and probably just one of my favorite places in Louisville now. Kiwami Ramen is an excellent choice for anyone! read more

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Round of applause for this new ramen spot! I've been here multiple times now and each time they haven't disappointed once. The food was very good, I cannot wait to come back to try the rest of the menu. There is such a variety it's perfect for coming with a big crowd and please everyone. The food highlights I liked the most was the Soft Shelled Crab, Chicken Karage, Takoyaki, Crispy Fried Shrimp, and the BBQ Shrimp.. for ramen the best as someone who likes a bit of spice is the Kiwami Aka and the Spicy Curry Tonkotsu but out of the two I liked the Spicy Curry Tonkotsu. Next for me to try is the Spicy Gyokai Tsukemen which is so new to the Louisville area. There isn't anyone in the area who offers that yet! The service was quick and very helpful with the menu. I know there are more kinks for them to work out and I cannot wait to come back and experience it when they figure it all out. Absolutely love this spot! The parking is as we know in Bardstown a little bit of a headache when it comes to busy times, there is a small parking lot in the back and on the side of the building, also street parking which I normally opt for when being in the area. Definitely give this place a try when you're feeling ramen or rice bowls. Cannot go wrong here. read more

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This place just opened up! This used to be where Wild Ginger was. I would say it's a small place and getting crowded. I got there around 7 and had to wait 30 mins. I got the kiwami spicy ramen and my friend got the salmon poke bowl. I thought it was good ramen but had a lot of scallions. I didn't know if it was the dipping ramen or not, too. I was starving by the time I ate my food so I ate it all. I would definitely come back and try the dipping ramen! I would say chik n mi, ramen house, and Hokkaido are my top places still. read more

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Portion is small. You will get surprised if you compare food in the picture in the menu and actual food. Really disappointed. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Beef bowl and black fried rice - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We came in for a quick dinner around 5:30 on a weekday and were seated immediately. The servers were all knowledgeable and friendly. It's a casual place and if you sit at the bar you can see the kitchen staff working hard! We ordered the takoyaki and for our entrees the Kiwami Kuro and the Spicy Curry Tonkotsu. Everything was fantastic! we especially loved the Spicy Curry Tonkotsu. We will definitely be back read more

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Wonderful ramen had a good price. We sat at the bar, seatings a bit cozy and a tad uncomfortable backed seating might be better than stools however this did not distract much from the wonderful food we had. I picked the #2 Kiwanis Aka and the crispy pork dumplings a must try. Perfect flavor and crispness with just a hint of refreshing ginger accentuating its freshness. I look forward to trying them all. Service : fast and accurate and pleasant a d friendly even tho very very busy Atmosphere : crowded, busy but not chaotic. Clean new and pleasant the bar seating g isn't for everyone. Comfortable but crowded stool seating isn't for everyone get a table. read more

Kiwami Ramen - Menu - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Place is a must visit. Making some top tier ramens and apps. Food is great, service is on point. The atmosphere is very friendly and inviting. read more

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Out of the few ramen places I've been, this is my least favorite. The food was decent, but the staff I had felt stiff and off putting and quite honestly annoyed that they had to deal with a customer. The food, while good, felt like I got about two noodles and hardly anything other than the broth. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be returning to this restaurant again. read more

Highly-anticipated ramen shop with other Japanese foods like curry, teriyaki, and the usual things like gyoza, karaage and bao buns. They also have poke bowls. It's located in the old Wild Ginger building on Bardstown Rd east of Bonnycastle. The kitchen and wait service were running pretty well for being in a soft opening when we went last week. The food came out at different times and they were out of a couple things (like the pork katsu), but that's okay. The dining area is more open and bright than I anticipated, and makes it feel like a more casual meal spot. We tried both the Aka (spicy) and the Kuro (black garlic oil) ramens. The noodles had a good bite to them. If you're used to the spicy miso at Ramen House, note that the Aka does not taste like that, it's more of an acidic spicy. It's good, but I actually liked the Kuro's flavor better. They do have miso and shoyu ramens and a few others too, the menu kinda underplays them. The gyoza, edamame, and Japanese curry bowl were also good. My wife was fairly sure it was Golden Curry, if that matters to you. Overall happy with our meal and that Kiwami is finally open! We'll be back for sure. read more

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Had the opportunity to try the food when we were living in Arizona and we loved it. We now live in Columbus OH and we haven't found a place that was good enough or could compete with them. Recently we found out they were going to open a new restaurant in Louisville KY and I just knew I had to drive down to get myself a number 3 (ramen bowl), and their bbq squid (to die for). My expectations were far exceeded on taste alone. On top of great food, the service was fantastic!!! We were greeted as soon as we walked in by Chef Duc and the rest of the crew (felt genuine, like they were legitimate happy to see clients coming in), we were quickly assisted, provided a seat and cared for with genuine care by our amazing server Jillian. Our drinks never ran low, she provided stellar recommendations, treated us with kindness and respect and made sure we were all satisfied. I am SO excited to have been able to try this place as soon as they opened and cannot wait to go back and see the amazing growth they are sure to accomplish - 10 out of 10 would recommend this place, for their Ramen, for their appetizers, for their service and for the soul filling vibes that is Kiwiami's ambience!!! Kudos to a job well done ! read more

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The noodles by itself were plain disgusting. Please don't get me started on the egg, absolutely trifling. I got rid of all the toppings due to me being a picky eater and it was still disgusting, trifling, tantalizing. DON'T WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. read more

This place has a nice vibe and I've been excited for more ramen places here. That being said, the portions are very small for the price. I will say the Japanese curry is very good though. read more

This place was awesome! I always drive by it and it's really close to my favorite bar, so I finally decided to stop in and woaaaaaaah it's awesome. I love eating by myself and this place is great for that with the bar seating. I had the Kiwami Kuro and the pork gyoza and oh man, I'm still thinking about it. The broth was so flavorful and warming, especially on a rainy, nasty day. And the gyoza was perfectly crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside. There appeared to only be one waitress, but she was doing an amazing job. Very kind, very sweet, non-judgmental when I asked for a fork (though I ended up not needing it since my chopstick skills are improving!) Go here! They have happy hour too but I have yet to visit during that. read more

Kiwami Ramen - porky Gyoza - Ramen Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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