Kanji OTR

You can’t make a bad choice here! If you look at my other reviews, it’s very clear I am a huge fan of sushi and only post reviews for those I feel are the best around! I’ve been to Kanji multiple times and the beef bulgogi and sushi are always drool-worthy. They have a large selection of beverages and of course, sake. I like the location due to its proximity to various venues, including Findlay Market (across the street), Memorial Hall OTR, and Cincinnati Music Hall.

Street parking was available. Our server was very polite and told us the popular menu items frequently ordered, Wings along with something else. We decided to try thr wings, ugh, I'm glad he told us because they were perfectly cooked, seasoned and the sauce is finger licking good. Our server came over with 4 small dishes with roots/veggies seasoned very well for us to get and if wanted, to add to our meals. The shrimp fried rice was good but could've used more seasoning in it. The galbi, I couldn't stop eating this (beef) because it's seasoned so well 😋 . This is a place I'd definitely come back to.

We came for lunch on a Saturday and had no issue a being seated right away. Everything we tried was delicious and our server, Abigale, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Definitely check it out!

Nice location, great food, friendly service. From the host to our waitress Abigail who recommended the seol wings. A great first time experience. I'll see you all again soon💜

We were staying up the street while in town for a work trip and were trying to decide on dinner the first night and we found Kanji with great reviews so we decided to give it a try! The AC was broken that day but that did not change our experience- our whole experience was amazing! Between the 4 of us we ordered a good amount of sushi rolls, mixed drinks, and more. The waitress was very friendly and helpful in her recommendations for not only what she finds best as we asked her, but other local things we could do since we’d never visited Cincinnati before! We did not have a single roll that we didn’t love! Everything was amazing and we will definitely be back the next time we’re in town! The rolls pictured: Red devil roll Volcano roll Cha cha roll Tsunami roll BTS roll Joe burrow roll Bee stinger roll Stay with me roll no asparagus Sunday morning roll

Love Kanji & Abigale! Always come back here when we’re in town and it was our first time having Abigale as our server. She was phenomenal! Great energy.

Edit: I had a small mishap the last time I went, but the owners were kind enough to reach out to me to resolve the issue, and I always appreciate when businesses put in the effort to do that. It shows they really care about quality and have high standards. The fish katsu and sushi (Juanito roll) was good

Every dish was superb! We devoured the sushi so fast and had an order in for seconds before the entre orders arrived. The Korean fried chicken wings were delightfully satisfying! I have been trying Korean dried chicken everywhere but no one has delivered until now! Double fried for crispy crunchy sweet glazed wing that does not lose the crunch with the tossing in the sauce. The “Seoul Wings” had Flavor and pleased my soul! You gotta try them.😊👍🏻

We were staying up the street while in town for a work trip and were trying to decide on dinner the first night and we found Kanji with great reviews so we decided to give it a try! The AC was broken that day but that did not change our experience- our whole experience was amazing! Between the 4 of us we ordered a good amount of sushi rolls, mixed drinks, and more. The waitress was very friendly and helpful in her recommendations for not only what she finds best as we asked her, but other local things we could do since we'd never visited Cincinnati before! We did not have a single roll that we didn't love! Everything was amazing and we will definitely be back the next time we're in town!

Sushi was okay, but for half-price it's 5 star What I really enjoyed was iced matcha! It had an amazing hint of honey, and looked really nice in the cocktail glasses Service was high-tier! We've been seated fast and got enough attention from the waitress. The closest parking lot is 2 minutes away, $3 per hour

What delicious sushi! After a week long service trip, we were able to go to Findlay market, others who had been before mentioned sushi and since it is my favorite food, I had to try and! We came during half price hour which is also a nice treat. I had the Joe burrow roll, because when in Rome. I also had a the tsunami roll that was raw delicious and fresh! Just like I love! Check this place out; if you are in the area! I can't wait to go back!

Street parking was available. Our server was very polite and told us the popular menu items frequently ordered, Wings along with something else. We decided to try thr wings, ugh, I'm glad he told us because they were perfectly cooked, seasoned and the sauce is finger licking good. Our server came over with 4 small dishes with roots/veggies seasoned very well for us to get and if wanted, to add to our meals. The shrimp fried rice was good but could've used more seasoning in it. The galbi, I couldn't stop eating this (beef) because it's seasoned so well . This is a place I'd definitely come back to.

I absolutely MUST STOP BY here anytime I'm in Cincinnati! Found it last year while at the Findlay market and now I ALWAYS have to go! The kimchi soup was perfect for the cold weather, the Seoul wings are PERFECT! Crunchy, sweet Korean flavor, and the sushi is always 1/2 off so I always have to get a few rolls! Soo good!!! We just parked somewhere and took the Connector cable train that stops right in between Findlay market and Kanji!!

Overall , the meal was average and I feel like I am rounding up. The sushi rolls were standard and I enjoyed them as well as the chicken wings. Both entrees left much to be desired. The chicken katsu was dry, the breading was detached and it needed seasoning and a more substantial sauce. The bulgogi beef also lacked flavor and sauce.

Great service. Good menu lots off choice for that picky sushi eater. I would highly recommend stoping by for a visit. The space is very clean, wide open and lots of light great place for lunch.

Kanji almost never disappoints when it comes to sushi! We did takeout this time, but Kanji OTR is a whole vibe--perfect for a summer day or one of those "I'm feeling spontaneous but also hungry" moments. The atmosphere is chill, though it can get busy if there's a game or if Findlay Market is poppin'. But hey, that just means more people making good life choices. Now, let's talk about the Kanji Chicken Wings--easily some of the best Korean wings in the city. They come out fresh, hot, and so crispy you'd think they were double-fried by angels. That first bite? Crunch so loud you might scare the person next to you. Service? It's... service. They take your order, bring your food, and check on you just enough to make sure you're alive and still vibing. No complaints there. Back to the sushi--Kanji's sushi always looks and smells fresh, and the flavors usually slap. Every once in a while, the seaweed wrap might get a little chewy, but that's just the universe reminding you that nothing in life is perfect. Still, it's easily one of the best sushi spots in Cincinnati. So if you're visiting Cincy or just looking for a solid sushi spot, Kanji is a must. Just be warned: once you try those wings, you might start measuring all other wings against them--and most will fail.

The sweet potato roll set us off well for our NYE brunch. From there, my husband loved the Seoul Chicken. The server warned it was very saucy- and it really was- but he LOVED it. I had the Dolset Bimibop with tofu in a hot stone bowl and the rice was just the right crunchy. It did need a heavy dose of Soy Sauce to perk up the flavors, but the massive portion meant we took some home to play with seasoning.

Put some respect on this place! My wife and I have been coming here for years. We now hear people talk about it like it's new (which is great) but just know the quality here has been long lasting and the service is always quality. Check it out. Takeout travels well! Bulgogi - a fan favorite!

Kanji was my go-to spot for sushi when I lived in OTR. They have great Korean food and sushi, as well as wonderful cocktails. My personal favorites were the Fish Katsu (breaded fish with a delicious mustard sauce and a generous amount of traditional Korean sides), any of their sushi rolls (best sushi in Cincy!), the shrimp shumai, hamachi carpaccio, tuna tataki, and takoyaki. The Elm Street cocktail was also stellar. Great for date night or for takeout, and most definitely the best sushi spot in town.

I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! I've only been twice and both times didn't disappoint. Parking in OTR is usually in a lot that you pay per hour. The service, cleanliness, and half off sushi is always amazing. The last time I went with my mom and we shared everything. We got the spicy pork bimbimbap which was so flavorful and hot with so many topping and sides. The kimchi Rangoons were a special in the summer that I knew I had to try. They were delicious as expected. I could have eaten a million of those. The tsunami roll was so fresh and light which I loved. Everything was perfect and this restaurant is a must anytime I'm in Cincinnati!!!

Great spot! Sister restaurant to Drunken Bento in Clifton but alot less college students. Great location, but parking can be rough.

Jap chae was so rubbery I had to swallow the noodles whole. I didn't eat it and left it on the table. The chunks of chicken were so dry they were not edible. The sushi presentation was horrible. At least cut it nicely. Giving 2 stars because the signature drink was good and the bartender was friendly.

Tried kanji for the first time on a girls night out- and I cannot wait to come back already. The cocktails to start out were so amazing! So refreshing and unique. The shrimp shumai was perfect all around and so were the rangoons. I was struggling with what to order because I'm not a big fan of spice and our waitress suggested to get the Ramyun but sub the spicy beef broth for miso broth- and it was delicious. The rice cakes added in were great too. Truly loved this place and want to come back soon! Great cute area too right across from Findlay Market.

Kanji is my go to sushi restaurant. I travel far and wide because everytime, it's perfect! Kanji does no wrong in my eyes and the food is always fresh and delicious! I don't have one bad thing to say. The staff are always nice and polite as well.

Greatly enjoyed our dinner at Kanji on Friday night. We didn't have to wait for a table, but would make a reservation if more than four people. Everyone was super friendly and had great service. We definitely over ordered. The tempura was fried perfectly, super flavorful shrimp. Enjoyed the dipping sauce it came with. Sushi was delightful. Would order every roll again, and was hard to narrow down the order. Loved the bibimbap and it was awesome leftover. All the kimchi it came with was delicious. Vibes were high. Clean place. Couple of tvs over the bar. Draft beer was $2 off which is a great deal on a Friday.

Kanji is always great. My server was amazing. The Thai Iced Tini was a fantastic drink and I think I found a new favorite sushi roll in the Bee Stinger. So glad I stopped in before the concert I attended down the street. Only regret was I didn't bring a cooler for my leftovers

This is one of my favorite, if not the best, sushi place I have been too. The quality is exceptional for the price. The service can be hit or miss but all my servers have been kind. This is a great place for lunch after shopping at Findlay Market or dinner with friends and family. I do think this place is better for smaller groups due to the table arrangements, but Ive sat comfortably with a group of 5.

Great place to for Korean food. Service is amazing. The wings so good the kimchi ragoons delicious. Great sushi and Bulgogi was tender and so yummy.

Fantastic Korean wings (think Korean Fried Chicken) and delicious hamachi nigiri. The Joe Burrow role was well executed as a jalapeño popper inspired sushi role, but wasn't my favorite.

The food was very delicious! My favorites were the Seoul wings and bulgogi. Staff were super friendly and hospitable and the restaurant itself was clean and spotless. It's right across the street from Findlay market and parking was not difficult. There's a garage right around the corner the restaurant and my friend parked on street (meter).

Meh . I hopped in this place to get a quick sushi fix . I wouldn't say it was the worst sushi I've ever tried - but it was pretty darn lackluster . It was disappointing because I was really craving it . The service was just alright.... they also overcharged my card . .. I left and went down the street to get more food because I was STILL hungry . $30 and still hungry doesn't sit well with me . Won't be back :

Good food and great sushi with a nice outdoor patio overlooking the market. The space they're in is cool with big windows and natural light.

On vacation and wanted sushi to celebrate! This place didn't disappoint. Small world the host went to high school down the street from where I went. The sushi was amazing and 1/2 off. Asleigh did an amazing job and kept the drinks full and was a blast to have as a server. You have to try the deep fried cheesecake! Come here you won't be disappointed!!!

This is the place if Korean food is your thing! The service was fast, friendly and attentive. The food was flavorful and came out quickly.

The taste was on point! I felt like the Seoul Chicken wings had the Korean flavor I've been missing, and the Dolsot Bibimbap stone bowl warmed me up completely for the cold walk through Findlay Market. You have to remember to occasionally stir the stone bowl ingredients to get just the right amount of rice crisp without burning loved all of the sides. Highly recommend!

Recently came here for happy hour, it was a nice way to get a small selection of yummy apps for a good price. Great cocktail list, and good sushi as well! Can't go wrong with an order, or two, or the Gyoza. We didn't love the Agedashi Tofu, I prefer smaller tofu cubes and a crispier and/or more sauce-y exterior; the breading was very thin, fell off easily, and didn't have a ton of flavor.

Food was delicious and came out super fast. Interior was nice but the Christmas decorations were still out? The bartender served us and was nice, too.

Always have a solid experience at Kanji. My most recent visit was 3:30PM on a Saturday and there were more people inside than I expected, but was happy to see that there were patrons here supporting the business! The menu is marked with food allergens which is super helpful, and they have Gluten Free Soy Sauce if you need to ask for it. Our server was super helpful in confirming things allergens in the food which was greatly appreciated! We opted for the Spicy Tuna and Spicy Salmon rolls as they were both Gluten Free. We started with Edamame, that without the Chili sauce is also gluten free. The staff did a great job in spacing our food items and making sure everything came out fresh. The only reason I am giving 4 stars is because the sushi rolls were falling a part a little bit, and the rice was not as sticky as I would have expected, but everything had great flavor and our service experience was great.

I always love this restaurant. The food, the atmosphere and people are wonderful. I have nothing but good words for this place. Findlay Market is right across the street too, and the Cincinnati Connector can get you here if you decide to visit after a Reds game.

This place is owned by the people who own Drunken Bento. Nothing really wrong with the food, but it is a little pricier than bento while the quality is the same. Ambiance is great, good vibes in the restaurant. I appreciate their menu items outside of sushi- namely their wings, and different soups. The Korean food there is great. The sushi is mid tier though. Service has always been great. Fun seasonal cocktails, and good vibes in there. Again, if you go there.. get the wings. You won't regret

Food was good and the service was awesome. Great place to get lunch and dinner. Will come here again some day.

I've been to kanji OTR on multiple occasions. This place offers a casual upscale ambiance and decor with assorted 1/2 off sushi rolls and traditional Korean dishes. The service can be hit or miss depending on the hours. Usually you can get seat without reservations. I actually prefer the bulgogi here which is a large enough portion to split between 2 people and is perfectly seasoned with a semi sweet marinate. Some of the common sushi rolls I get are the playboy, crunch munch, stamina roll, cha cha. Although, no specific sushi roll is exceptional, it is fresh and good enough for a 1/2 off sushi restaurant. What kanji does so well is balance ambiance with menu variety. It does this by tending to both Korean and Japanese palates and because of that it remains one of my staple places to take friends and dates looking for both types of cuisine.

Well prepared, fresh, balanced food makes this worth visiting; but service is mediocre. I had an ika salad followed by a Korean-style rice roll made with spicy pork. The food was attractively prepared and well balanced. We didn't arrive till after 1 pm on Friday, so the lunch crowd was mostly gone. Despite this, we had to keep calling for, or walking to find, the server after waiting for several minutes each time. The main server, who seemed to double as hostess, seemed to be sitting in conversation with another employee much of the time. Also, we were seated up against an original building column with badly worn paint. I understand OTR buildings are very old; but the appearance of worn, peeled paint right next to food (see photo) arouses fears of lead poisoning, even if there is no danger.

The food was delicious the service was on point our waitress was very attentive. The ambience was ok the cleanliness was lacking. The floors needed to be swept and the condiment jars were dirty and the menus need to be sanitized. Otherwise I would recommend this restaurant and would go back but bring some sanitizing wipes

Great price, great atmosphere, and great sushi (for the midwest). Would definitely eat at it again. The sushi is half the price of what is on the menu making it super affordable.

Food is good and the service excellent for an unexpectedly busy day because of the special event at Findlay Market. We began our mean with a bowl of Kimchi Soup each. This was delightfully spicy, warming one's tummy, in expectation of the entree. Kani Salad A melange of Crab, cucumber, textured tempura was an unexpectedly delightful crunch, distinct from the matchstick cucumber. Beautifully seasoned and presented. Triple Tuna Roll exquisitely assembled. Spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado, tuna, super white tuna, spicy crab, masago, eel sauce. The Seafood Dupbap is savory, steaming hot and just an explosion of flavors married in a seafood mixture of marinated mussels, shrimp, crab, and octopus atop white rice and fresh salad greens. The hot bowl crusted the rice redolent of sesame oil ...unspeakably satisfying and out of this world. Lucy our server is a sweetheart! Despite the frenetic pace and burgeoning crowd, she was a pro and was cool as a cucumber, making helpful suggestions Will definitely return!

Kanji is a great sushi spot in OTR. There aren't many options for sushi in OTR so whether you are going to Findlay market or hanging out in Washington Park, this will be your sushi fix. All the sushi options are great, but our favorite menu item is actually their Seoul Wings! I highly, highly recommend getting them if you stop in. They are just so crispy, and the sauce matches so perfect. The service is always attentive and quick, and we've never had to wait to sit. Ambiance is great as well, lots of natural light and plants.

I was a bit unsure about this place but the ratings were good so had to give it a try. As we walked in, we were seated but it really took a long time for someone to even come and give us water and take our order. I was a bit surprised. They were busy but there was plenty of staff around. I had to use the restroom and in notifying one of the staff members that the paper towels were out, they were a bit rude. I'm sorry if I caught them off guard but I'm just trying to be a good citizen. My friend and I shared a good chunk of sushi. Everything was just most excellent and I think the Sunday Morning roll was my favorite. However, I would choose them all again. I also had the Runyan bowl because I was craving something soupy. It was very warm and full of flavor and I would definitely get it again. After a good evening, I was very satisfied with all the food!

Service was good, ambiance beautiful, but quality of sushi roll, freshness and flavor, were not ok. After dinner I looked up reviews and saw that this place was fined for poor handling of food- as in the health department had to get involved. I hate to say you can taste 'it' in the sushi- but perhaps you can.... After seeing the numerous attempts of correction by the health department, in addition to my own experience, I can't say I'll go back.

Some of the best Korean fried wings in the area! They're Crispy with not too much heat but enough to where you feel it. Located next to Findlay market, get your grocery shopping/ farmers market fix in and then hit this delicious spot. They have amazing drinks and Fresh sushi as well. Has yet to disappoint!!

I have been here many times both with my larger family and with a friend for dinner and with a large group of friends for lunch. Overall, my family loves it. The dolsat and Korean wings are always a favorite. I enjoy the Tempura Udon Soup, though it is very 'seaweedy', and you either like it or you don't. They were very helpful when it came to someone in our group having a long list of allergens they had to avoid. The restaurant has large windows allowing a lot of natural light during the day and city lights in at night. They also have a creative use of live plants throughout the dining room, making it cozy and comfortable.

Before coming to Kanji recently, I hadn't actually sat in at a sushi place in Cincy yet. Kanji certainly did not disappoint and I'm glad I finally stopped in! It's right next to Findlay Market, which makes it a great location from the start. They have a fun little patio area right out front, and plenty of indoor seating as well. Upon entering, the host was friendly and gave us a table in the corner near the windows. The whole space is filled with plenty of natural light, and is really colorful on the inside. Our server was great! She was attentive and informed us that it was half off all sushi when we came, which was a steal. Fairly inexpensive for the quality of sushi you receive. Almost every roll looked too good, that it was hard to choose. We ended up going for the sweet potato roll (a classic), the Crunch Munch, Red's Roll, and the Anna Marie roll. All were FANTASTIC. If I had to pick a favorite, I think the Crunch Munch was my favorite due to the spiciness, but everything was delicious. We cleared the entire plate! I'm really glad I was finally able to sit in at a sushi place in the Cincy area, and to have enjoyed such a good meal here. I will definitely be coming back to Kanji soon!

Visited Kanji in OTR with the family today and it was a great little lunch spot! Right by Findlay Market, well-lit inside and lovely staff. The service was great and the food was delish. Got the Sunday Morning Roll and the Sweet Potato Roll. Would recommend both, as well as the Miso Soup!

Went here on a Sunday night with DD and DH. We sat outside in the beautiful evening weather. Miso soup was delicious. We got the 4 rolls: Cha Cha, Playboy, Triple Tuna and Dragon. All were excellent. Our favorite was the triple tuna. Service was friendly and efficient.

Love, love, love KANJI OTR. One of the few places we actually frequent. The bar manager, Frankie is wonderful. His service is a 20/10, and the food never misses. The prices are stellar, and it's such a cute little spot to come have a meal. One of our favorite restaurants in Cincy.

Kanji is a staple in OTR for a reason: it is constant and consistent good food. You step in to a palette of side dishes (that are free with entree!) and are presented with all that is spicy and savory. Also the sushi is usually half off.

The food was so good but the service was actually laughable. It was two of us dining. We decided to sit outside to enjoy the live music that was playing at Findlay market. I ordered the Bulgogi and my friend ordered two sushi rolls. My food came out pretty quick, which was which was surprising, considering it was a hot entrée, but they did not bring out any silverware or utensils with my food. After 5 minutes of not seeing our server and my food sitting there getting cold, I decided to go in and get silverware to which I was met with attitude by the hostess. We get the silverware, and total of 10 minutes go by, my friend's sushi rolls had not been brought out. I don't know about everybody else but in my culture it's extremely rude to eat when your guests doesn't have their food so I sat and waited for almost 15 minutes with my food getting cold and her food still not out before we started getting irritated and staring down any staff that walked by (which was basically no one) . probably about total 20 minutes after my food came out, her food FINALLY came out and all we got was a "sorry about that". The server was rude, the hostess was rude and the sushi was extremely slow. I saw probably 10 carry out orders come out before her food even came to the table. The food was awesome, but imagine how great this experience would be if our server and hostess were, I don't know, good at their jobs. Next time I'll just go to one of the many other sushi joints in the area bc for the $30 i spent on food for one and tip, i felt like i was dining in at a mcdonald's.