KUKAI

Some of my favorite Japanese food in Tucson!! I love the takoyaki and hand rolls but I've never had anything I didn't love. They have a vegan ramen option which I also appreciate, as well as some vegan onigiri (and probably other stuff)!

Love their menu! Simple but full of delicious apps and noodles. I am a big fan of the onigiri (rice balls). They’re made fresh and well seasoned. Can’t wait to come back to try more of their dishes.

Highly recommend!! Staff were super friendly. Ambiance was nice. Ramen broth was super flavorful. Pork was not too fatty and had good texture. Egg was perfectly cooked. Noodles were nice and chewy. Will be dreaming of this dish! Can’t wait to go back.

My favorite place in Tuscon! Coming from NY, I was thrilled to find a sushi spot that I come to every week. The food is incredible every time I go- I get Mt Fugi Don, the dumplings and the pork ramen which is by far the best I have ever had hands down (especially the ramen). My boyfriend gets the spicy crunch roll which he loves as well. We met the owner a couple of times and he is very welcoming. I couldn’t recommend this place enough, truly a gem.

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.

I love the complex, with cute boutiques, fire pits and a beer bar. Got karage and meitaigo ramen from Kukai, the fried chicken are a bit too small for me. The ramen is great tho :) Its also amazing that you can eat the ramen at the beer bar near the fireplace !

Kukai was absolutely delicious!! I had the sushi with salmon and eel sauce on top with ramen and my friend had the katsu chicken curry. The sushi was soooo good and the salmon was fresh, the broth for the ramen was top notch! Seriously, on of the best I have had. Both of us really enjoyed our meals!

Always have to get food at Kukai when we're at the Annex around dinnertime. Their rice bowls (specifically gyūdon, Kukai don, and Mt. Fuji don) and their black garlic ramen and curry ramen are some of my favorites. Excellent sushi as well.