At Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, diners can choose from 13 ramen dishes and customize with 15 toppings. Courtesy photo.

The first Texas location of Washington-based Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya is coming to 23220 Grand Circle Boulevard in Katy. The soft opening is later this month (March 2022). Attending the soft opening is by reservation only, and you can request one online. Guests can look forward to the restaurant’s self-described “most authentic ramen experience” and a menu of traditional dishes made using labor-intensive processes. Grand opening month specials include a free kid’s meal for children 8 years old and under on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and guests whose names start with K, A, T, or Y are eligible for free appetizers during select weeks. These will be announced on social media . 

The restaurant first opened in Bellevue, Washington in 2012, and has since expanded to multiple locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, Illinois and Indiana. It has received recognition from a number of media outlets, including numerous “Best Ramen” awards.

The house ramen broth requires a 10-plus hour process, starting with roasting the pork bones to release an aromatic flavor and provide a clean scent. Noodles are made using Japanese techniques, and guests can choose from five types of noodles with varying tastes, lengths, widths and firmness levels. There is even a vegan kale noodle and gluten-free yam noodle for those with specific dietary preferences. 

Signature ramens include Garlic Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen with Yamaguchi soy sauce pork broth, fresh garlic and black garlic oil, Yuzu Shio Ramen made with French sea salt and kelp, and Miso Ramen that combines pork broth with Hokkaido miso and garlic paste. There is also a chicken-only variation, Chicken Rich Ramen, that is topped with chicken chashu. 

Customize with a choice of 15 extras, such as wood ear mushrooms, tofu, scallions, fish cake and roasted seaweed. Choose from two kinds of roasted pork, or chashu: one is seared, marinated, roasted and grilled, while the other is a soft and fatty version for a “melt-in-your-mouth” texture. Soft-boiled eggs are another multi-step process at Kizuki, with quality control measures that require an overnight marinating period and six inspections before being served.

In addition to ramen, there is top-selling chicken karaage, Takoyaki Octopus Dumplings, geso karaage (squid tentacles), gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), Japanese Pork Bun (tender pork belly), potato croquette, prawn cutlet, spinach goma-ae (boiled spinach) and vegetable tempura. A number of rice dishes are available, too, with chicken, pork and a tempura vegetable/shrimp combination.

According to the press release, guests can expect a welcoming atmosphere and attention to detail including modern Japanese art, wood fixtures and an open and interactive kitchen.

Make reservations online for the soft opening later this month.

Editor’s note: this article has been updated, as the opening time frame is slightly delayed.