Kizuki Ramen Izakaya - Bellevue

This charming little restaurant in the mall serves up some truly delicious food. The portion sizes are just right for the price. The Japanese fried chicken was fantastic, and the kids' size ramen was plenty when paired with a few appetizers. We were seated very quickly, and our food arrived in no time. The service was excellent; everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy their work, which is a nice change. Overall, it's one of the best dining experiences I've had in a mall. It might be a bit on the pricier side, but the quality makes it worth it.

The service for kids was lacking compared to other Kizuki locations. The prices are increasing, and the minimum tip of 18% seems excessive. However, the food was good. Rating: 4/5 for food.

Visit Kizuki for their small plates, particularly the takoyaki and croquettes. However, I recommend steering clear of their ramen and rice dishes. I ordered the vegetable tempura rice bowl, expecting a mix of lightly battered, flash-fried vegetables served over flavorful rice. Instead, I received a mound of overly battered, poorly fried vegetables that looked nothing like what was shown on the menu. My partner and I both felt unwell after sharing half of it. I have been a patron of Kizuki since it was known as Kūkai, and I've noticed that their ramen has become sweeter and less balanced over the years. If you're in search of a more satisfying and authentic bowl of ramen, I suggest heading to Santouka just down the street.

The tonkotsu broth here isn't quite as rich and flavorful as the one at Ramen Santouka down the street, but there is a wide variety of ramen options available (some of the lighter soups might be better). The ramen is served with thick noodles. The chicken karaage, on the other hand, is incredibly juicy!

As a returning customer, I am quite disappointed. I used to enjoy this place a few years ago, but things have changed. The prices have increased, the taste has declined, and the portion sizes have shrunk. I spent over $20 on a ramen, and it came with just one tiny slice of pork and no other toppings. It felt like I was mostly paying for the noodles. I won’t be coming back. While the service was good, it doesn’t matter to me; I'm here for the food. Food rating: 2/5.