The Best Japanese Food in Cincinnati
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The best Japanese food in Cincinnati, according to the experts: the James Beard Awards, Bon Appétit, and The New York Times have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Cafe Mochiko comes out on top.
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Kiki and Chili Miso Udon, Café Mochiko hold the next two places. Cincinnati Magazine and the James Beard Awards show up on more of this list than any other guide.
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Rank 1. Cafe Mochiko
Japanese
The sweet corn bibingka is topped with what looks like white chocolate but turns out to be Cheddar, which tells you everything about how this all-day cafe operates. Mornings run on Asian-American pastries and a line out the door; evenings pivot to Japanese-inflected yōshoku cooking. The team earned a James Beard nomination for Outstanding Pastry Chef and a nod from Bon Appétit's best new restaurants list, and the Cincinnati chili ramen has developed its own local mythology.
The awards
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2023 · Nominee · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Elaine Uykimpang Bentz
- Bon Appétit Bon Appétit: America's Best New Restaurants
- The New York Times The New York Times: 22 of the Best Bakeries Across the U.S. Right Now
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Nominee · Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker · Elaine Uykimpang Bentz
- Bon Appétit America's Best New Restaurants
- The New York Times 22 of the Best Bakeries Across the U.S. Right Now
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Rank 2. Kiki
Japanese Noodle Shop
The awards
- AAA Approved
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Great Lakes · Hideki and Yuko Harada
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Rank 3. Chili Miso Udon, Café Mochiko
Japanese Noodle Shop
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2024 · Appetizer as a Main Dish · Best of the City
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Rank 3. Kanji OTR
Japanese
The awards
- Cincinnati Magazine Cincinnati Magazine: 2024 · Alternative Fish Fry · Best of the City