Kawa Ramen and Sushi Provides Fresh and Flavorful Eats to Milwaukee’s East Side [REVIEW]

Kawa Ramen and Sushi

Address: 2321 North Murray Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211

Phone Number: (414)-800-7979

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11:30 AM-10:00 PM, Friday: 11:30 AM-10:30 PM, Saturday: 11:30 AM-9:30 PM, Sunday: 12:30 PM-9:00 PM

Cuisine Type: Japanese

Price per Entrée: $11-$32, they serve two different sushi boats costing $49 and $73

Attire: casualR

Payment: cash and cards accepted

My best friend and I love to eat. Now, I know mostly everyone loves to eat…but he and I really love to eat, and we really love to eat together. We’ve spent a lot of time with each other in the last four or so years, and there’s no doubt that much of that time was spent eating food. We definitely enjoy cooking our own meals at home, but there’s something undeniably wonderful about the restaurant experience. Especially when we’re visiting a city we’ve never or rarely explored before, we try to take our taste buds outside of their comfort zone and make the most of our time and our money. Julius and I will try anything, and we’ve tried to try most things. However, despite the hundreds of incredible meals we’ve either made or have had made for us…we always come back to our favorite out-to-eat treats: ramen and sushi.

So, back in March when he visited me for a weekend, we went out to eat a lot, which is customary when he comes from Madison to tour the The Mil with me. The past couple of times he’s visited, he’s pointed out a small place hidden off the bustling North Avenue on Murray Avenue with the words “ramen” and “sushi” posted plainly and proudly on the storefront. As I mentioned, ramen and sushi are kind of our thing, but those other times he visited called for other flavors.

However, this time on that Friday evening in late March…we were ready to try the lowkey spot just a 10-minute walk from my Murray Hill apartment called Kawa Ramen and Sushi. Spoiler alert: it was delicious. So delicious, in fact, that he slurped up his spicy ramen and I devoured my 17 pieces of sushi in what seemed to be no time at all. It was one of those memories of food that you’ll never forget, and one of those restaurant experiences that will stay on your mind until you go again.

I hadn’t stopped thinking about that sushi for weeks. I had to have it again. So, on a Saturday in April that finally felt like spring, I decided to go to Kawa for round two; this time, by myself.

I skateboarded a few minutes southwest until I reached my destination. As I mentioned, the storefront showcases beautiful light wood and lots of windows (including a glass garage door that can open up to the sidewalk once spring decides to show its face indefinitely), with bold and bright light-up signs sharing with Milwaukeeans exactly what they should expect once they walk in: ramen and sushi.

Right as I stepped inside, I was attended to by the hostess. She asked me if I wanted to sit at their cozy bar or in their just-as-cozy dining area. I chose the dining area and I was seated right away. Although it wasn’t busy for a Saturday night, there were multiple tables filled with people having conversations, laughing, and watching the two televisions in the place that were playing basketball games.

My waiter brought me a glass filled with water, as well as a water-filled carafe, and gave me time to look over the menu. I have to say, their menu is large, perhaps too large for some customers. They have a lunch section, an appetizer section, an extensive entrée section, dozens of different sushi rolls, and an a la carte section; serving a total of 131 different dishes.

Thankfully for me, I already knew I wanted sushi, and it didn’t take long before I figured out which kind. After I placed my order, I decided to take in the setting in all its glory.

Like the outside, the inside features stunning light wood with touches of black décor that combine to create cohesive and simple styling, which match the fresh food. In the background, you could hear late 1990s and early 2000s music, including hits from both Britney Spears and Shania Twain, to add an interesting, fun, and casual tone to the environment.

I should note, while there was a language barrier between the servers and most of the customers, I noticed how attentive the servers were. My waiter made sure my glass was always full and made sure to not leave me wondering when he would check on me next. I also noticed how other servers took empty dishes away as soon as they became empty. So, while guests shouldn’t expect to have in-depth conversations with their server, they should expect to be given sufficient service.

Speaking of service, you know your food will be coming shortly when your server brings out a small dish and a small vase filled with some of the richest and most delicious soy sauce I’ve ever had. After only around 10 minutes of waiting, my sushi was brought to me laid out on a wooden tray.

I snapped a couple photos of the artwork, dipped a piece of sushi in the soy sauce and plopped the whole thing in my mouth; and my decision to come back was justified in that first bite.

I got two rolls: the calamari roll, filled with fried squid and cucumber and served with eel sauce, and the California roll, filled with crab sticks, avocado, cucumber and tobiko. Together, the rolls came out to only $10 and some change after tax, a price I would say is absolutely worth it.

Both rolls were what I would define as perfect sushi. The best word to describe them is “fresh”; fresh seaweed, fresh rice, the most delightfully crunchy cucumbers, the creamiest avocado, and fish that was tender and tasty without being too fishy. The eel sauce, like the soy sauce, was rich and sweet and added great contrast to the rest of the dish. I was sad to take my last bite.

Overall, I would rate Kawa Ramen and Sushi 4.8 chopsticks because of its sufficient service, clean and contemporary setting, and, perhaps most importantly, fresh and flavorful food. Kawa opened up shop in September of 2017 and I think over time it will rightfully become an East-Side staple. While I treasure going out to eat with my best friend Julius, he’ll have to miss out as I continue to enjoy what Kawa Ramen and Sushi has to offer.

Rating System: 1-5 chopsticks

Service: 4.5

Setting: 5

Food: 5

Overall: 4.8 chopsticks