KYOWA in Plymouth

Lovely little restaurant, friendly staff and welcomed by the chef. Great selection of food that was delivered quite quickly, all served up fresh. Not many tables so book to avoid disappointment, will definitely be visiting again next time I am in Plymouth.

What a fabulous find! Small, intimate, authentic and relaxed setting with warm, welcoming staff! We felt accommodated being a group of 7 for my daughters 16th and we were very well looked after. Couldn't recommend this little gem enough 🙂

Booked table as aware small restaurant and gets booked up quickly. A little cold inside for me but I had jacket on so was alright. Waitress was quick to serve us nice and friendly lots of choices on menu we decided as it was our anniversary we had the two pieces of wayu beef sushi with caviar £18 food, would definitely be going back, ensure you book a table to guarantee a space.

Absolutley amazing food. Best Ramen in town. Thank you.

Visited for the first time for a 50th celebration tonight. What a fantastic place, the staff were very friendly and helpful, the food was absolutely amazing, full of flavour and the presentation was awesome. Can't wait to go back. Thank you everyone for making my husbands 50th birthday extra special. Matt and Deb.

Fantastic food, we had vegan / veggie ramen and sushi platter and was amazing , can't recommend enough 😋

Amazing food. We had the vegetarian ramen and the vegan sushi platter, both were out of this world! Friendly staff and great service, feel very lucky to have found such a great place on our short visit to Portsmouth. 😊

Love this place. Very limited number of tables/seat, definitely need to book! Limited, authentic menu but more than enough to choose from. Stunning presentation and genuine service. Love this place; cannot wait to come back!

Our family of three had the pleasure of dining at Kyowa, a hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant in Plymouth. It was truly a next-level experience for our taste buds. I ordered the beef bento, which came with six different ingredients, each bringing its own unique flavor, texture, and depth. From the fresh salad and earthy mushrooms to the tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice, every element was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully balanced. The ramen, sushi, and gyoza were equally exceptional. As I enjoyed my meal, I took a moment to observe the sushi chef, who I believe is both the owner and the master chef. His focus on every dish, his meticulous quality control, and his deep respect for the food were truly inspiring. Watching him regularly wash his hands after each sushi preparation reassured me of his dedication to hygiene, a fundamental practice in food handling. I was also fascinated as he used an open flame to sear the sushi, giving the torched mayo a rich, smoky depth that elevated the flavours even further. Having dined at numerous Japanese restaurants across the UK and East Asia, I can confidently say that Kyowa is the best I have experienced so far. If I were a Michelin inspector, I would undoubtedly award it at least one star. A must-visit for Japanese cuisine lovers!.

Went here with friends and played it safe with soft shelled crab tempura and chicken kaysu curry, which i have tried at other Japanese restaurants in London. Firstly the food was amazing and way better than London, the chef and staff were excellentband attentive without being obtrusive, secondly, I wish I'd been more adventurous as all the food looked amazing. I will be going black to try the rest. No pics as I like to live the moment...

A small cozy place, very nice service, we waited a bit but it was worth it, we really liked everything, I can't compare the flavors because it was our first time in this place and the first time I tried Japanese cuisine, after all it was tasty... I don't know about other dishes but I will definitely come back to try in the future. Thank you👍😉

The best Japanese food I have ever tried and I’m usually a very picky eater! I don’t like fish but I tried the octopus starter balls and I was amazed by how well all the flavors were combined, the vegetarian sushi rolls were delicious and the chicken ramen had an excellent flavor!! Staff was also very nice and the atmosphere felt really cosy and inviting! I cannot get enough words to describe how remarkable this restaurant is!!

Really good food in a nice relaxed environment. Already looking forward to our return visit

The best restaurant in Plymouth by far. Unbelievable food and dining experience

Authentic, mouth-watering Japanese food and the best we’ve tried (we used to live in London so have tried a few). Perfect set up and decor. Welcoming, friendly and efficient staff. This is a new favourite for us! Recommend to book as it’s a small family-owned restaurant and fills up quickly

Third time eating here. Fantastic food, good atmosphere, attentive service. 10/10

Amazing food and service. The staff are friendly and the dishes are sublime

The food was delicious and the staff were wonderful. Would 100% go again and recommend! Thank you

Superb food and service. Good prices too. Recommended for anybody.

Friendly staff, really welcoming. The food was amazing

Friendly staff and exceptional food. Highly recommend!

5* is well deserved.  Small, intimate, authentic Japanese.  We were warmly welcomed and thanked on leaving.  The staff and service were fantastic and the chef is a true artist. Each dish a masterpiece with so much attention to the smallest of details. We loved each and every morsel and have to return to sample their complete menu. What a treat in Plymouth - thank you for spoiling us

Unbelievable! I can’t recommend this place enough. Everything was spot on. Friendly staff, who were swift and polite to The chef creating the sushi who welcomed us in. We had the sushi to start and it wasn’t just the best sushi I ve eaten, but the best meal! Mind boggling how much flavour was packed in. Katsu curry for main which was just outstanding in every way. 1000% will be returning with more people.

What a pleasure to eat this kind of delicious food, especially knowing it belongs to a small business owner.. the food was incredible, just so yummy and fresh and prepared with much care. Hopefully we can come again soon

Amazing! True Japanese culinary experience. The chief truly takes his time with every dish to make sure it has the signature Japanese - va va voom!

Kyowa was fantastic! The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, with beautifully presented dishes that truly impressed. The sushi and ramen stood out as some of the best I’ve ever had. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience so enjoyable. The chef’s attention to detail and passion for the cuisine really shone through—it was a pleasure dining here. Highly recommend Kyowa for anyone looking for a top-notch Japanese meal in Plymouth. I’ll definitely be back!

The food is incredible, I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, soft shell crab tempura, and the spicy tuna makimono. The highlight for me is definitely the ramen, hands down the best bowl of ramen I've had in the UK thus far, flavourful, perfect pork, and the plating is gorgeous. That said, the other dishes are no slouch either and are equally delicious! Although it may seem a little expensive, it's worth every penny, and I would definitely be returning in the future to try out more of their their sushi selection, a table next to me ordered the Wagyu nigiri and I salivated just from the smell of the meat being torched and prepared. 100% would recommend, but you should call in beforehand to make sure there is spaces in the restaurant as it doesn't seat too many guests, but they do have take out options that are equally just as nice! The service is also great from the staff!

Honestly WOW! I saw the reviews for this place and had to try it and when I say it was incredible I mean it was THE BEST FOOD IVE HAD ALL YEAR. Every single dish tasted exceptional I literally have nothing negative to say. The chef is next level and the whole atmosphere gives a very authentic Japanese experience. This is now me and my boyfriend’s favourite restaurant in Plymouth and we plan to go back and try more of the menu!

I genuinely wish I could give this place 10 stars, the owner managed to squeeze us in between bookings and I can see why they are booked out every day. The food was the best I’ve had in a very long time, cosy atmosphere and attentive staff.

Went here for a birthday meal after eying it up for a while and trying to book previously when it was fully booked, but I'm so glad I remembered to come for my birthday, was a real treat, beautiful food, lovely staff and a relaxing atmosphere. Will definitely be back to try some more items on the menu. 10/10 best Japanese food I've had in Plymouth so far!

Best Sushi we ever had. Well presented, good portion sizes, incredibly delicious. Not surprised the place is fully booked. Came all the way from Exeter for this and will be back.

Me and my wife had an amazing meal to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Every dish hides a little bit of magic.

Had an amazing meal og mixed sushi last night. Brilliant... cosy, intimate, amazing food, great service and a really cool vibe

It was our first time in Plymouth, and we were craving Japanese food. I called ahead to ask if their meat was halal, and fortunately, everything except the beef is. The restaurant is quite small, so it’s best to reserve a table about two weeks in advance. Since we were staying just a 3-minute walk away, we decided to order takeaway instead. The ordering process was smooth—you call to place your order, receive an SMS link to pay online, and they let you know when it will be ready for pick-up. On Saturday at around 5pm, we ordered a beef bento, unagi bento, and soft-shell crab tempura, and it was ready in just 15 minutes. They packed our food with such care, and every dish was absolutely delicious and authentically Japanese. It really reminded us of our time in Japan. We’d happily eat here again!

What an absolutely stunning restaurant, beautiful place, wonderful service, superb food. We really enjoyed that the owner who was preparing food in the semi-open kitchen (lovely touch!) welcomed every customer in throughout the evening. These people really care about the food they offer and the experience we have :). Looking forward to going back!

I've come here quite a bit. Got takeaway ramen tonight and it was perfect, as per usual. Best place to eat in plymouth.

The the pork belly in the tonkotsu ramen was literally life changing, couldn't even get photos because the food was too good

My partner and I went to kyowa and ordered a few different dishes, each one of them was amazing (better than food double the price), the chef obviously takes pride in his work and the staff are very friendly. I'd say this is the best Japanese restaurant I've been too in the UK and highly recommend going.

Me and my friend recieved a very warm welcome upon entry. The restaurant is small and quirky with a mellow and authentic ambience. I had the Tonkotsu ramen which was absolutely delicious, the pork belly was melt in the mouth and the broth was creamy and super flavoursome. Reasonably priced and great/speedy service. highly recommend, we shall be back!

Probably the best Japanese restaurant in the South West. The food, service and atmosphere were excellent. Book early to avoid missing out!

I’ve been to kyowa many times, I would say the best Japanese restaurant in Plymouth! Really cute and intimate environment, staff is super welcoming and attentive.

One of the best spots in Plymouth. I have been here a handful of times with my boyfriend for date nights and the food has been fantastic every time. We have tried the ramen, curry and plenty of the different sushi options! The staff are friendly and attentive too. Although it's a bit spenny, I highly recommend

Best sushi experience I’ve ever had!

Both the food and the service was incredible. Some of the best tasting sushi I've ever had. I didn't try the curry but friends at the table said it was amazing. Highly recommend this spot and I will be returning. It's a very small spot, which isn't a problem to most but if you're booking for a full table, it may be a bit crammed.

I've been coming here several times over the course of the last 2 years. By far the best Japanese I have ever been to, a feeling unanimously shared by friends and relatives. Impeccable service, fast and friendly; sushi are handcrafted by the very dedicated and applied sushi master, and everything on the menu is a treat. 100% my favourite spot in Plymouth and a loyal customer ❤️

Excellent food in a great environment

High-quality Japanese food, one of the best places in Plymouth, now it's one of our favourite 😍 😋

Had an amazing experience here. Great food and lovely atmosphere

Authentic, delicious food coupled with an attentive and efficient service - this is hands down the best Japanese restaurant in Plymouth.

I’ve visited Kyowa on three occasions the first by far being the best of all three . On this recent occasion I was rushed only had 1hr to eat and yes they did tell you that beforehand but none the less was rushed for sure if we had longer would’ve brought more food but since only had an hour only had two dishes , so I had the seafood Ramen and the chicken gyozas both were very different to the first time trying it from here . The waiter didn’t ask us how the food was which is a simple gesture to be given . The atmosphere we were placed in a corner and my partner is very tall so it wasn’t very comfortable for him let alone me . It was very cramped , we would’ve rather waited to be seated elsewhere but there was no where else it’s like we had the last picking of the table even though we did book . Overall felt very rushed and the food wasn’t too previous standards . I won’t be returning again .

WOW! Just WOW! My partner and I ate here this evening for our anniversary and everything was just perfect. The food was so good we could barely speak to each other, I think we even closed our eyes at some points haha! The staff were so lovely and kind, the chef was incredibly skilled and the atmosphere was intimate and relaxing. The Wagyu beef was like nothing I’ve had before, my partner and I are huge foodies and have eaten Japanese food at many restaurants but this was ASTOUNDING and by far the best sushi I have ever eaten. Not overpriced at all, I would even pay twice over for the experience we had this evening. Purely perfect. I can’t wait to keep coming back until I’ve tried the whole menu! :)

Kyowa deserves all the 5 star reviews. The food, service, and ambience of this tiny modern Japanese restaurant exceeded our expectations.

Kyowa deserves each and everyone of the 5 star reviews! Our first visit and we were glad we had booked, we went early as a pre theatre meal and it was perfect. We cannot add much to the already descriptive reviews, the ambience, staff and food lived up to and beyond our expectations. We chose a selection of dishes with recommendations from the very helpful waitress, each dish was beautifully presented and enhance by homemade soy sauce and wasabi. We hope to return in the not to distant future.

Outstanding! Food, service and atmosphere were fantastic. The beef sushi was the stand out dish

First-class service from the two very helpful and knowledgeable front-of-house team, and first-class food from the head chef and his team. Our first visit to this restaurant, and I would certainly want to go there again. Booking highly advisable — they understandably get very full. There is an official "Ebrington Road" car park conveniently close, just to the north of Ebrington Road in Trafalgar Street which we failed to spot, which appears to charge a very reasonable £1.20 per hour.

Went with a group of friends who had raved about this place, and they weren't wrong. They provided a tasting menu for us, amazing dishes kept on coming, each one as fabulous as the previous one. You can really tell the love and effort that goes into all of the dishes, with great service as well. I'll be returning very soon!

Sensational food, amazingly fresh and beautifully presented. It is a coozy place so book, highly recommend

It was our first time here, booking is recommended. They allocate your table for a set time and you’re expected to vacate it. Didn’t mind this at all - it’s a small, popular restaurant. Overwhelmed by the menu, the waitress was fantastic at guiding us through our menu choices. All the food we had was delightful. We will definitely be back to try more.

Great food. Very friendly staff. Very small venue, but this makes it feel very cosy.

What a lovely place. Staff were wonderful. Everyone was happy, food was great, definitely be returning.

Amazing food and service. Incredible presentation, really attentive friendly staff, highly recommend. Only recommendation, but this is being exceptionally picky, would be to dim the restaurant lights a bit. Great place 👍

Great spot for dinner in Plymouth - food was excellent, staff friendly and welcoming, small & intimate venue. Will certainly be coming back.

I cannot recommend this place enough. We’ve been twice now - the first time we were already thinking about when we could come back whilst eating. Everything they make is incredible. I’ve never been so excited by a restaurant - we’ll find any excuse to go back and try the whole menu! I rarely bother to write reviews - this place is special.

Delicious beautifully presented food with high quality ingredients, in a setting with authentic attractive interiors, prepared quickly and expertly with warm service. The best Japanese restaurant in the South West! This is the only Japanese restaurant we go to as no other gets anywhere near Kyowa.

Cosy, welcoming restaurant! We hadn’t booked but were so lucky that they set an extra table and fit us in. Food was amazing! My daughter said it is the best restaurant she’s ever eaten in!! If we are ever back in Plymouth we will be sure to book and return.

First time in Plymouth and found Kyowa by chance. The salmon sushi and chicken karaage were fresh and prepared to perfection. Then came the Tonkotsu Ramen and Bento Box. For the former, the broth was rich and flavourful and the Bento had many wonderful ingredients. All rounded off with great service. Thank you to the team for finding us a table (make sure you book in advance), we will be back.

Update: In my last two visits, the sushi was delicious, and the takoyaki was some of the best I've ever had. Fried evenly and to perfection. They changed their chef in the kitchen, so I look forward to eating more of the cooked food. Previous review: I'm very happy that we have a restaurant like this in Plymouth. I've ordered takeaway here twice, and the sushi is amazing. The seafood ramen was not bad but wished they had packed the tempura separately since it was soggy when we got home. The beef in the beef don is delicious, but it was a bit salty. Typically, this dish is a bit on the sweet side, so it should add Mirin and sugar in the sauce in the future. The beef don used to be 10 gbp but now 15, so the price almost went up by half of the original price. I understand inflation and costs going up, etc, but I was surprised by that amount of increase.

Best place you can eat in Plymouth

Such attention to detail and care put into the sushi at Kyowa. I had the Kyowa roll and friend had the spicy salmon roll. Both were excellent. Chicken karage was good too.Haven’t been a fan of sushi until recently and this meal has definitely turned me into a sushi lover :))

Amazing dining experience. The chef/owner is passionate about the dishes he creates and it shows in the presentation, attention to detail, creativity, and complexity of the flavors. I didn’t want to touch the soy sauce! It was amazing watching him work! It also has such a lovely and intimate atmosphere with friendly staff.

Absolutely incredible. After hearing a lot of positive things about Kyowa we finally gave it a try ourselves and I can say it’s worth the hype. Incredible food, friendly service and cosy, intimate restaurant. Highly recommend the ramen - the broth is yummy! There’s only 5 or 6 tables in the restaurant so be sure to book ahead.

Went to KYOWA for lunch, was blown away. Clean and with great atmosphere, service was great. Food was delicious and unique, the whole soft shell crab tempura was a highlight. Quite expensive, but definitely worth the money.

I loved this place. Both the waitress and chef/owner were immediately so nice and welcoming. Hands down the best restaurant in Plymouth. They accommodated us even with quite late notice for a booking. The food was incredible and so many vegan options! Such a cozy atmosphere too and reminds me of my trips to Japan with my family. As we paid the bill we booked another table for a few days later. Would highly recommend!!!

This is, by far, the most amazing food I have ever eaten. The presentation is incredible, the staff are amazing, and the taste is unbelievable. If the seats are full, they still do takeaway, so you never miss a chance to try it!

I'm leaving the UK tomorrow, and what I'll miss the most is this restaurant! It's the best sushi restaurant in the world! My favorites are the A5 Wagyu sushi and the top-notch tempura! Both the chief and the staff are very friendly and provide excellent service!

A small but very high-quality Japanese restaurant, which I will count as one of my top restaurant tips.

One of the most welcoming places I've been! Food was delish-i-o to boot!

I think the other reviews do this place justice. Was in the area and thought I'd go try some ramen. Unfortunately they were fully booked but did me a takeout. Best ramen I've ever had If your in the area and looking for something extra special then book a table and go check this place out

Excellent food, staff & service, drove up from Truro to go and it was well worth it 😊 went for some of the more expensive options as a treat, will definitely be back

Finally found a place in England where you can happily eat real Japanese food. Wagyu nigiri and ramen are definitely worth trying, great meat. We ate at the establishment and took some more with us to enjoy the evening. We'll be back.

One of the best places in England. Wonderful food, very friendly and lovely staff. I would like to come back here again!

best vegan ramen and sushi i've had in a very very long time. Superb and friendly service. BEAUTIFUL and DELICIOUS healthy food. I can't recommend highly enough - wish I didn't live 6 hours away or I'd be there all the time! Thank you to the Kyowa team

A small but personable setting nice deco, service and food. The art of the presentation was fantastic.

Quite simply the best sushi experience I've ever had. Very attentive, lovely atmosphere and mind blowing food. Couldn't believe the value for money, fantastic.

The food is so tasty and very delicious and the ambiance is cozy. How I wish they will make the place bigger as they are always full.

This place is fantastic. The wagyu is divine

Superb quality and service highly recommend

Wow, wow, wow! Second time here and it certainly didn't disappoint. The staff are lovely and the food is exceptional. Will definitely be returning ☺️

Definitely the best and most authentic Japanese restaurant in the south west with amazing food at a reasonable price. One of the best meals I've had and the staff are very helpful and lovely. If you want to eat in I would book to avoid disappointment as there is a limited number of tables but definitely worth it.

OMG! The food was amazing and the service was brilliant. The staff were so helpful and attentive. I'm so pleased we went and I can't wait to go back. We got the medium sharer and a copy of extras. The staff are happy to offer advice. I even enjoy sake, for the first time ever! It was the cheapest one but so tasty, no nasty after burn. They even make their own soy sauce! The prawns katsu were some of the best prawns I've ever had. The wakame was delicious, and I was disappointed I had to share the edamame; they were so good. I will be back with friends. The main thing is to book as there are only a few places and you will be disappointed to miss out!

Absolutely love this restaurant! I always like to try a different sushi (favourites being the wagyu and their truffle rainbow one) and my partner's favourite is the Kamo crispy duck. Their Tonkotsu Ramen is so good, especially if you add some of the chef's chilli oil to it! All the staff here are incredibly friendly. The service is brilliant. Highly recommend here! Our favourite place!

Food here is probably the best Japanese Cuisine I have ever had. The staff where lovely and the chef is clearly extremely talented and dedicated to authentic Japanese food. I cant wait to go back. A real gem in Plymouth and a must try if you are here

After hearing loads of amazing feedback about Kyowa we thought we would give it a go and I am so glad we did! The food was absolutely incredible. I loved that the restaurant is only small, the whole experience felt more personal, especially with the chef preparing everything in-front of you. We tried many amazing dishes but my personal favourite was the A5 wagyu sushi, we weren’t sure about everything that came with it, however it was a taste sensation, the tempura prawns were the best prawns I have ever eaten, they were melt in the mouth. The staff were amazing and service was great. I really cannot wait to return again! Just out of this world and such an incredible place, you can tell how much love has gone into Kyowa and all of it’s beautiful food. Thank you for a great evening!

Without a doubt, THE best sushi in the South West. Incredible

Great Ramen best one I eat so far. Delicious wagyu sushi and amazing customer service. The best Japanese restaurant. Worth of try and visit. When you visit Plymouth that's the place where you need to go!!!

Excellent food. Beautifully presented. Friendly staff.

Wonderful! Small but beautifully formed. Being small you need to book but it is so worth the effort.

I can’t believe this restaurant is in Plymouth. I’ve eaten in Nobu quite a few times and I honestly think the best sushi is here. The chef is very humble and very open. When I come back to plymouth this is the number one place I will book.

The service was great and the vegan sushi platter and vegan ramen were both exceptionally tasty.

This place is AMAZING 😍. I lived in Japan for a number of years so I know what Japanese food should taste like. Kyowa is a piece of Japan in Plymouth. Honestly I don't have words for how fantastic it is. The food is so beautifully made with obvious love and presented so beautifully too. But the food pushes boundaries. One of the dishes I ate was wagyu sushi. I'm a bit of a purist 😀 so was intrigued to try it. I thought it would be overpowering, it wasn't, it was delicate and so full of flavour. The tempura is the best I've had in the UK and finally authentic ramen 🍜..... possibly my favourite ever food. I can't wait to go back and work my way through the menu 😆😍. The chef clearly adores his job, it's art. Thank you for a wonderful experience.