Nihonryori KEN 日本料理 謙 Japanisches Kaiseki-Restaurant in Frankfurt am Main

Autumn Gourmet Weeks 2022 booked the 4-course autumn menu for 2 people via Frankfurt city events in the Nihonryori KEN restaurant on October 20th, 2022 and paid for it directly. Full of anticipation and friends for a culinary evening on the way to Sachsenhausen. There are no parking spaces or only on public land on Wallstrasse, so directly into the parking garage. The 14 day old reservation for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening November 3rd, during the week. The restaurant with its 46 seats is not completely full, but certainly well attended. Estimated to be perhaps 2/3 full. We give our name and present the reservation. After searching for something at reception, the jackets had already been accepted, the lady told us that there was no reservation in our name. There are already some confirmations of Frankfurt city events on display at the reception. The same confirmations we hold in our hands. First in German, then the conversation continues in English. No problem, but still unusual. After some back and forth, the lady calls a gentleman on his cell phone and has a short discussion in Japanese. The cell phone is passed to me. The other side apologizes by saying that not all reservations were transmitted through Frankfurt city events. Is it true?? Well, it's not my problem either way. I offer voluntarily or ask the gentleman on the phone whether it's 20 or 40 euros more, which I'm happy to pay later. NO, it's not that. It just doesn't work. Why ?? Strange, seats can still be seen, an additional charge was offered. Further discussion and the Lord suggests that I come again another day. Super gracious. Do I get an audience with the emperor or what?? The conversation gets louder and I ask whether the evening with this result should be reflected in an appropriate rating? The cell phone now switches back to the lady from the beginning. A conversation follows, again in Japanese. The lady goes to the chef and apparently checks whether there is enough food left, perhaps also whether the 4-course menu can be realized. Whatever. At this point the decision has already been made on our part, the feeling is that we are not wanted as welcome guests but rather as supplicants. In a miraculous way, after almost 20 minutes of discussion, it is now possible to offer us a place. We decline and leave the restaurant. We are no longer in the 80s where some bouncer at a posh discotheque refuses entry with a concerned but determined expression. They are service providers. We did everything on our part to experience the evening as it was intended. There are thousands of other restaurants in Frankfurt, including a dozen other Japanese restaurants, some in the same price range and also Kaiseki. So why should I beg for an agreed/confirmed/paid service?? At this point to the gentleman on the phone, presumably the managing director. If the sales are not right for events of this type, simply do not take part. If the fault lies with Frankfurt city events, it doesn't matter. As a customer, I am the only one who should be paying attention at this moment. Crisis management a smooth 6- What's left is almost 2 hours of driving across Frankfurt, pointless discussions, a parking garage and a completely ruined evening. Thank you for NOTHING and definitely never again.

It aims to be a high-end restaurant. But you are "greeted" (after long wait) by an unshaved, rough guy in scruffy shirtsleeves and trainers who tells you there is a problem with the reservation and you have to pay double (it was their fault). You then get treated a bit like an idiot (even though I've been to Japan regularly for 20 years) and get what is put in front of you (the japanese group somehow managed to get something else). You get the same soy sauce for tempura and sushi. No sake menu (because idiot foreigners wouldn't understand). So you have to open/pour your own mineral water (9€). The food tasted nice though

We had the Omakase Deluxe menu and left feeling completely thrilled. It was an all-around perfect evening here at Cagla. A very friendly and relaxed atmosphere thanks to the truly outstanding service. The food was amazing! The chefs know their craft! 🙏 The quality and dedication to the food and its preparation is evident, both in your eyes and your taste 🥰 The service guided us perfectly through the evening and served a fantastic selection of wines to accompany the meal. The whole thing comes at a price, but it was worth it for us! We'll definitely be back. ❤️

Semi omakase was really amazing. Staff are so kind and food quality is best!! Best sushi premium place in Europe

The best sushi of my life. Friendly staff, wonderful food. Perfect location.

The food was correct but nothing amazing at all, especially for that prize. We were very disappointed by the very slow service and the light of the restaurant that didn't felt very premium. We came mentioning during the reservation that it was for a birthday but were surprised to not see any special attention in that regard. Maybe we were unlucky as it was not the usual chef making the food that day, but that was still a pretty disappointing experience.

The fresh raw fish that you can't easily find in Germany and all the food were very delicious and the service was also very good. I came here for my birthday, and it was nice to be able to make such happy memories.

It was truly the best sushi omakase I've had in Germany. Caviar sushi melts in your mouth. The sushi course gets tastier the more you learn about the owner's funny jokes - highly recommended! And the ingredients imported directly from France and Japan are truly fresh.

This omakase restaurant is amazing! The ingredients are fresh, the presentation is beautiful, and every dish is full of surprises. The chef's skills are superb, the service is attentive, and the whole dining experience is very pleasant. Whether it's sushi, sashimi or other dishes, it's all delicious. Definitely worth visiting again!

The boss is very enthusiastic. The sushi he makes is also very good. It can be seen that he treats the guests with great care. The fish is very fresh and the people are very nice. He sang happy birthday to his friends (bel canto version). The service is really super considerate. The taste melts in your mouth. I feel super full. It is worth going back countless times 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

The boss is proficient in various languages ​​and is very enthusiastic. When celebrating a friend's birthday, he sang a high-pitched version of happy birthday. The food is also very good and fresh.

The boss is very enthusiastic! ! Fresh ingredients recommended!

Authentic and hearty Japanese cuisine with wonderful insights into the Japanese art of cuisine

Our experience at the new restaurant under Cagla was disappointing. As big fans of the original Ken Restaurant, we were disappointed that Cagla no longer offers the same quality. The prices are too high in relation to what is on offer. Most of the positive reviews seem to come from the Ken Restaurant era. We thought that only the name had changed and made a reservation at Cagla. Unfortunately the menu served did not correspond to that stated online. The accompanying wine, originally advertised online at 50 euros per person, was charged to us on site at 100 euros per person - an unpleasant surprise, although the price has since been adjusted online. The wines seemed randomly chosen and didn't match the dishes. We were particularly unimpressive with the ramen dish, which was nothing special. We will not visit the restaurant again.

Ended up here by chance. Very friendly manager who brought a lost wallet to our hotel after closing his business. Food was excellent. The operator was proud of his product, and rightly so. Recommended if you like quality Japanese cuisine!

This is far from being an outstanding or authentic Japanese restaurant, and the food does not justify its price. In January 2025, I spent €150 on one Deluxe Omakase menu and an total €295 to try five different wines and five types of sake and 10% tips. Honestly, it was not worth the money. If you’re from East Asia, you’ll immediately notice that the Japanese cuisine offered here is very mediocre. From the menu combinations and the quality of ingredients to the taste of the food, everything is just passable at best. In cities like Shanghai or Tokyo, you could enjoy similarly uninspiring dishes for a fraction of the price. However, it seems Germans are easily impressed by such superficial offerings. The chef tonight was Korean. While I don’t think Koreans are incapable of making great food, tonight’s experience failed to leave any lasting impression. That said, the chef is multilingual and interacts well with German patrons, who clearly enjoyed the atmosphere here. Now let’s talk about the food: 1. The steamed egg custard served first was completely underwhelming. 2. The assorted appetizer platter—including tofu salad, oysters, and marinated black beans—was nothing special. 3. The sashimi and rice featured very basic salmon, just one or two slices of tuna of poor quality, and mediocre white fish. 4. A few slices of veal steak were served, but the texture and flavor were ordinary. 5. A large portion of noodles was included, but it tasted bitter and was unappetizing. 6. The dessert of fruits and ice cream was very basic. I’m not sure if the Deluxe Omakase is always limited to just these dishes, but it didn’t include any nigiri sushi. I even confirmed with the chef that all courses had been served. These dishes were clearly very ordinary and not worth €150 at all. Additionally, the Korean chef seemed flustered throughout the evening. The pacing of the dishes was chaotic—he would bring out the next course before I’d finished the previous one. This applied to the drinks as well; he would urge me to finish them quickly. In the end, I waited nearly an hour just for my dessert. It felt like he was unable to deliver high-quality service to multiple guests simultaneously and appeared to prefer engaging with the German diners. This was truly a wasted evening. If you’re German and haven’t experienced much exceptional food, you might enjoy this place, feeling delighted by the chef’s flattery and the novelty of unfamiliar dishes. However, if you’re from East Asia, €295 could easily buy you countless better options. Situation Update（26.01.2025）: After seeing my feedback, the Korean chef contacted me multiple times to apologize and admitted that he did not serve me the dishes consistent with the deluxe omakase menu I had reserved that evening. Instead, he provided me with dishes from the semi-omakase menu. However, I still do not understand why this happened. I even reminded him during checkout that I had reserved the deluxe omakase, to which he confidently replied that all my dishes had been served and that my menu included nigiri sushi. I received a partial refund from him, including the price difference between the two menus (€55) and the full amount of the tip. In total, I was refunded €81.40. As a gesture of apology, the chef invited me to dine at the restaurant for free (excluding Friday and Saturday evenings).

Lovely place and the brunch deal is amazing

Great service, great authentic Japanese food, delicious wines and nice music. Above all, the owner impressed us with his description of the food and his polite manner. We were alone in the restaurant as a small group and enjoyed his full attention. So it's also worth a visit during the week 😊 It was absolutely worth the money!

If I could give more than five stars I would. An all-round experience, a journey of flavors in which you can let yourself be guided by the fearless chef (who speaks fluent English and Italian). Best restaurant in Frankfurt.

Incredible experience! High level cuisine and unique hospitality. A union of flavours, colours, textures never tried before. The omakase experience is highly recommended! Everything extraordinary, from the appetizers, to the sushi, to the top quality wines. The chef also speaks perfect Italian!

Very nice and competent. Thank you for the great experience

The service is very attentive and the food is very filling. Highly recommend!

The best Japanese in Frankfurt! Absolute must-go restaurant - highly recommended and super friendly service!

Best omakase in Frankfurt and amazing service!!!

The food was great! The service could have been better, there was no menu, we weren't asked if we wanted something to drink and the starter plate was left out of our course meal. The service staff seemed to be very stressed and were running back and forth hectically, hence a star deduction for the ambience.

Wonderful evening with extraordinary pleasures. A varied and exquisite menu. All we can say is 🙏!

I made a reservation for a semi omakase and visited, and it exceeded my expectations! I could tell that a lot of care was put into creating the ingredients and taste of each appetizer, and the sushi was fresh and delicious. And the owner not only explained things but was also so friendly that I felt truly treated. I plan to visit again!

can hardly be put into words. The sushi in particular was an absolute highlight: from the perfectly tempered, warm rice to the fresh, outstanding quality fish. You can't find this quality in Frankfurt. The Wagyu was also exceptional - the finest A5 quality, imported directly from Asia. It's the best Wagyu has to offer and you can tell how much attention is paid to every detail - you can taste it in every bite. Even a seemingly simple potato becomes a culinary miracle, completely unexpected in its intensity and sophistication.

It was delicious. ^^ The recommended sake was also really good! Recommended.

Arigato, thank you, mulțumesc! The best experience I had in a restaurant in Frankfurt! Beside good food, it was also a great experience

Very good food for a good price. More than enough to eat and the quality is also excellent. Staff speaks almost all languages. I can only recommend it!

The quality of the food was 10/10

Boss super friendly and entertaining! Menu is more than filling! Thank you for this experience

Outstanding Japanese cuisine in the center of Frankfurt. The sushi and sashimi are above every expectation. Starters are very interesting too. Strongly recommended!

The best ambience with very exclusive and enjoyable food and drinks. 100% recommendation! The service is indescribable!

We stumbled upon this wonderful Japanese restaurant on a whim, and what followed was nothing short of magical. The host, a true master of his craft, crafted an incredible menu for us, brimming with Japanese precision and artistry. Every dish was sheer perfection: from the flavors that danced on our palates to the exquisite presentation that left us in awe. The quality of the ingredients, the meticulous attention to detail, and the authentic ambiance truly made this an unforgettable experience. It felt like we were taken on a culinary journey straight to Japan. We wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a genuine and extraordinary dining adventure. 最高のレストランです。心から感謝します！ (Saikō no resutoran desu. Kokoro kara kansha shimasu!) – This is the best restaurant. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Great services and authentic Japanese cuisine. Highly recommend for any occasions

The restaurant is under new ownership. It's good, but unfortunately no longer authentically Japanese with the special attention to food and presentation. However, the host is very accommodating and friendly.

I wanted to eat Japanese food for my birthday, so I made a reservation for the semi-omakase course and visited! Overall, all dishes were of the highest quality in terms of freshness and quality. In particular, the chirashi rice bowl, which I was most looking forward to, was really delicious, and even the final dessert was perfect. I also really liked that the owner is Korean, so I was able to comfortably ask questions about the menu 1:1! It was the best choice to make a special day even more special🥹✨

The only place in Germany where you can experience authentic Japan! It's the best.

Excellent meal and service will recommend 200%

I've been to several omakase places in Frankfurt, but this one was the most satisfying. First of all, it was good for my family that unnecessary decorations that could not be eaten were cut down and the focus was on the original taste of the food. I will definitely come back and recommend it to many people. The owner is especially fun.

The atmosphere is good, the food is good, and the wine mariage is especially excellent.

Very nice boss and conditions! Very good Japanese food.

The host, Mr Kang, was very informative. We chose the sake pairing over the wine and it was delicious. We definitely come back for the higher menu options. Come out and dine with Mr Kang.

The food was really delicious, and when it comes to the quality of German raw fish, it's top notch. I really enjoyed it. Definitely going back for food! However, it's a bit disappointing that they didn't tell you the price of the sake pairing. There's no menu, and the pairing, which comes with five drinks in glasses no bigger than half a really small soju glass, costs 85 euros. The semi-omakase is 90 euros and the full omakase is 150 euros... hahahaha. The sake is poured in a very small sake cup (about 1/2 a soju glass), so please give me 5 glasses. It's 17 euros per cup, so just take a bottle of sake. I think it might have been better to order it separately.

semi Omakase 95 euros, very delicious, very fresh food, will definitely come again.

Great quality of food. The staff takes time to explain different aspects about the food

I had the weekend lunch special today and it was really delicious!! It was a great value-for-money menu for insiders that included stewed Geummuntae, fresh raw fish, and dessert as well😆 I'll come again!!

I really enjoyed it :) Kinmedai also came out and it was so delicious!!! Quality that is hard to find in Europe!!

Food was fantastic. Sake was as well! Best sushi in Frankfurt!!

Top service and food, also highly recommended for lunch.

Very interesting and excellent dishes and Sushi! A lot of small courses, very exclusive one on one experience. Minimalistic classy interior which let's you Focus on the experience 💖 definetly recommend

A fantastic dinner, excellent quality. Exceptional service

Very high quality Japanese food with excellent fish that you rarely get. The owner provides information about the ingredients behind the bar and guides you through the evening. We'd love to come back. You just need to bring time.

Exceptional evening with delicious food and great service. Certainly not a restaurant for every day, but definitely recommended if you want to treat yourself and like Japanese food!!

It's so, so delicious~! The owner's kindness and the taste are amazing! Top-class Japanese food you can’t find anywhere else in Germany!!!! I recommend the set lunch menu~!! ♥️♥️ Good luck, boss :)

It was great time with fresh, well organized fancy food. Definitely will visit again. All the best~!

I picked it spontaneously for my friend's birthday. At first I was a bit skeptical about the location, but the ambience, the food was wow! Totally delicious and recommended!! The fish tasted really fresh and generally it was very tasty. I can recommend it to anyone who likes Japanese food.

Food is very very tasty I don't eat fish but I tried it here for the first time and it was so delicious and everything was very fresh Everyone is super friendly and really nice I am impressed and would highly recommend

Amazing courses, and wine! Chef Soon was amazing and so warm! We had a brilliant evening- excellent tuna, Hamachi and overall seafood quality! We loved it, and will be back again!

Very good omakase with very high quality ingredients and very friendly service

It was a gastronomic experience better than any Japanese food I had in Korea or Japan. The best restaurant you won't find in Germany Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take pictures because I was so impressed while eating.

The ingredients carefully selected and paired by the chefs are very fresh and delicious, great Omakase😊

This place was the best Japanese restaurant we've visited so far in Frankfurt!! High quality ingredients are very well put together. We would definitely visit again.

I went here for lunch on the weekend and it was so delicious! Fresh fish and a set meal to suit your taste! The owner was also very kind. I’ll come back again~!!

The lunch omakase menu offered a perfect culinary selection of seasonal sashimi served with attention to detail. There is a nice atmosphere at the counter, which makes the experience even more personal.

Very nice experience! I particularly enjoyed the fish: it's very hard to find such fresh good quality fish. All of this at a very good price as this was a special event. Would recommend!

I had sashimi for the first time since coming to Germany and it was delicious!! The owner is cheerful and kind. I think I'll come again next time I feel like sashimi. ◡̈

A two-part experience. The completely overwhelmed service totally failed that evening! The reception was already sobering as our booked candy voucher was initially not going to be accepted that evening. Only when we agreed to book the planned wine accompaniment was the voucher accepted. What I expect from a wine pairing is that the wines are served on time and appropriately selected in advance by a sommelier! In some cases we were allowed to choose the wine ourselves. Apart from the egg custard, the menu that evening offered no surprises. The sashimi was impressive due to its fine quality. In my opinion, the ambience is Japanese sober and appropriate. The seats at the counter were comfortable enough to last about 3 hours. Now to the disastrous service. One course was “forgotten” and added later. Even one more glass of wine didn't make up for the chaos. We still had fun looking at the mess. The 20-person Japanese company present had a clear advantage. Apparently he received the most attention from the service that evening. So pay attention to the seating when you visit this restaurant! All in all, our visit didn't live up to our expectations and the price-performance ratio just wasn't there. We have enjoyed every visit to a Michelin Guide BIP better so far.

All the food was so delicious! The service spirit was excellent and the food explanation was very good. Thank you!!

The sashimi was very delicious.

Very fresh Japanese cuisine. Very friendly! Fish and seafood specialties that you can't find everywhere. Insider tip!

The line before opening was a bit long, but I really enjoyed the amazing food. Although it is originally an expensive omakase restaurant, they occasionally hold cost-effective events for insiders. A feast of Japanese food of incredible quality unfolds. You can feel the sincerity of the Japanese chef's cooking. The udon soup was surprisingly bonito dashi. I have never seen udon made with bonito broth in any Japanese restaurant in Germany. Incomparable quality. I have visited several times and have not been disappointed.

It's the best. I've been to many Japanese restaurants here and there, but there's no place like this one. I think it's better than the Japanese restaurant in Düsseldorf. The menu was a special course for kidney opening ~ I also had omakase before moving and it was really delicious ♡

Unique, authentic, an experience!!

This review was written 4 years ago for the previous restaurant. We had the 10-course menu and were absolutely thrilled. Every dish was at the perfect temperature and tasted great. Of course everything was very nicely prepared. I have never eaten better in Japan. The recommended wines were delicious and went well with the respective courses. Rounded off by friendly, professional service, we spent an evening here that will be remembered for a long time and was worth every penny! We'll definitely come back.

Minimalist and therefore an experience for all the senses. We went to this restaurant for the first time. Your wines/sake match the food of the fine cuisine. It's not an everyday experience, but for special occasions or just to spend time with dear friends.

An unforgettable culinary experience, we would love to come back. Thank you very much, see you soon

We were thrilled! The food, the staff and the location – everything was perfect. It was just a fabulous experience. We would definitely like to come back!

Fantastic Japanese cuisine of excellent quality and sophistication with interesting own creations. Warm and friendly service. The standard menu was completely sufficient for us in terms of quantity.

An absolute hidden gem recommendation! Outstanding traditional Japanese cuisine and a must for everyone who likes and appreciates it!

The food and hospitality were absolutely top notch! A little trip to Japan

I visited many sushi restaurants in Frankfurt, but this was the highest quality Japanese sushi restaurant. The chef is like an artist and prepares each and every menu item with great care. The team I work with provides a very high level of service! It is said that different courses are prepared every month. We visited for an anniversary and it was the perfect dinner! I'm looking forward to seeing what menu will be served on my next visit! Highly recommended :)

We ate here for the first time today and certainly not the last time. The menu was prepared by the chef in front of our eyes with a lot of love and know-how. The boss is a true artist! The food - all courses - were excellent. The recommended wine for the courses was very well selected. Very friendly and unobtrusive service. An absolute pleasure and an enrichment for Frankfurt. We will be back definitely! <3

Delicious. Unforgettable experience. The service is very friendly. The chef is a real artist!

I had the omakase sushi lunch. From appetizers to sushi, miso soup to dessert, each dish was carefully prepared, pleasing to the eye, truly delicious and filling. I think 45 euros is a good value for this content. We were able to spend an elegant time in a special space.

I think it's the best restaurant in Frankfurt. The sauce of the ingredients was all handmade, and the plating, the texture, the combination of the taste, the quality of the food, and the service were perfect. I think this is the reason to go to Frankfurt only for visiting here. If it comes out on the menu of Shimesabazushi in winter, I will definitely revisit it. I was touched by the chef's passion for cooking and his talent. I think it's the best restaurant in Frankfurt. I liked that all the ingredients, even the sauce, were homemade, and the plating, texture, harmony of flavors, food quality, and service were perfect. At this rate, I think I could go to Frankfurt to go here. If Shimesaba Bousushi is on the menu in winter, I will definitely come back. I was impressed by the chef’s passion and talent for cooking.

Fine cuisine with good service. Even though the service was very friendly, the ambience could be a little more comfortable with a warmer interior.

Excellent natural and tasteful experience, friendly service and authentically Japanese. A lot to learn!

Amazing food! One of the best „a la French style“ Japanese restaurants! The pictures speak for themselves! Also wine combination is chosen very exquisitely. Pricey? Yes! But totally worth it!

We tried the 5 course June menu. It was very delicious, special and creative. Especially the composition was very impressive. Our favorite was definitely Wagyu nigiri and fried lotus flower. Wine selection is also extensive. People are extremely friendly. 5 courses made us actually quite full. We left with very pleasant feeling and will surely come back. Thank you!

It's such a shame that this restaurant can't bring itself to offer vegetarian options. The cuisine, the products and the style would be absolutely predestined for this. Especially in a city like Frankfurt and if you are enthusiastic about modern international cuisine, this is a bitter setback. The restaurant is still fairly new, so I hope they catch up soon.

Very special restaurant with fantastic cuisine. Highly Recommended.

Cagla is a very nice sushi real omakase restaurant. The chef is a sushi master and knows very well how to prepare sushi dishes. Fish is of excellent quality as the rice. The place is very respectful of japanese tradition and being there feel like to be in an omakase in japan. Highly suggested also for lunch where the price is very competitive.

Very fine menu with well-selected products. The Wagyu sushi is a MUST! Very nice and courteous service and a great sushi master who could tell a lot about the individual courses. Gladly again!

An excellent meal. High quality food, from ingredients to the craftsmanship. Adorable and authentic Japanese service. Highly recommend for all sorts of events from business dinners to couples.

High quality service, first-class food and reasonable prices! Thank you to the team at CA G LA for making our wedding day so memorable. I recommend it to everyone who loves Japanese food. 100% intention to visit again. I will be back soon for lunch for sushi! ご馳走様でした😆

We were very happy with our visit. I was called in advance and asked whether the reservation was current and whether we had any allergies; We were also asked about the reason for the visit and whether we would like to sit at the bar. I have now gained some experience with Japanese cuisine. I really liked the combination of Japanese and Western dishes. The service on site was great and accommodating. She spoke mostly English to us, with a few words in German, which was perfectly fine with us. She even gave us a little Japanese language course. Every dish was explained to us by her and the sushi chef. The food was delicious and beautifully prepared and the presentation was great. When reading the other reviews, I had the feeling that the employees took the criticisms to heart and tried to implement them better on site. So all in all a worthwhile visit!

Even as a Japanese person, I was very satisfied with the taste, service, and style. Another Japanese restaurant was registered at the same address, and we were able to accommodate 5 people without a reservation. Despite this, they have courteous customer service, a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, and the best sushi! It was wonderful. The clerk is beautiful.