KIBOU, meaning ‘hope’ in Japanese, first opened its doors in Cheltenham in 2014, and has since expanded to six more locations, the most recent being KIBOU Birmingham, newly opened in October. Since first opening, KIBOU has won dozens of awards for its adventurous and accessible food and drinks menu, from the English Asian Food Awards’ UK Japanese Restaurant of the Year in 2019 to SoGlos Lifestyle’s Restaurant of the Year in 2021.
Although I’m a self-proclaimed Japanese food connoisseur, KIBOU is only the second Japanese restaurant I’ve been to in Birmingham so far. And its menu, especially the inclusion of A5 Joshi wagyu from Japan’s Gunma province, made me very excited to give KIBOU a try.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of KIBOU Birmingham
There's a neon glow to this new Birmingham opening.
Need To Know:
- Address: 61-63 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5LS
- Area: city centre
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: I found the space quite eclectic, with both industrial and upscale elements in the decor. The main dining room was furnished with cushioned seats, upholstered with traditional Japanese art, while neon lights lined the walls and contemporary pop hits played over the restaurant’s speakers. This diverse assortment of decor contributed to a very lively atmosphere, one that was enhanced as the after-work crowd rushed in.
- Perfect For: after-work dinner.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For
Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £110 for two, including six dishes and two drinks.
Try out vibrant Japanese dishes from the KIBOU menu.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yasai volcano roll (£18.10) - after our waiter told us that KIBOU is known for their volcano roll, we knew we had to try it. Ten pieces of futomaki sushi were lightly fried in tempura batter, stuffed with sweet red pepper and avocado, and covered in a spicy mayo. While already delicious, this sushi would’ve been perfect if it had a crunchy component to break up the monotony of the soft textures.
- Dynamite cauliflower (£9) - my friend and I agreed that this cauliflower was our favourite dish of the night. It was deliciously tender, and the sweet shichimi glaze paired perfectly with it, adding a slight kick.
- Kaboche korokke katsu curry (£14) - crispy pumpkin croquettes were served alongside a tasty katsu curry in this dish. Although not the most dynamic katsu I’ve ever tried, it was definitely a solid curry.
- Wagyu donburi (£32) - with beautifully pink strips of wagyu, a butterfly-shaped carrot, and a generous helping of ruby-coloured salmon roe, this rice bowl was definitely a showstopper. The texture of the wagyu was perfectly soft and melty, but it could’ve used a stronger and more savoury yakiniku sauce, as the meat itself didn’t impart much flavour.
- Mochi ice cream mix (£7.50) - the dream dessert, this flight came with three ice cream-filled mochis. The selection changes seasonally, but we received raspberry, coconut, and chocolate, with the tart and zingy raspberry mochi being our favourite.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Sake Colada (£11.60) - a delicious take on a piña colada with a strong pineapple base, light notes of coconut and a smooth base of Akashi-Tai sake.
- Ichigo Cooler (£6.80) - my friend opted for something from their low and no alcohol menu, and this drink, reminiscent of a strawberry lemonade, did not disappoint. The addition of aloe to the drink also added a chilled quality to the already refreshing cooler.
Our Overall Experience At KIBOU Birmingham
DesignMyNight Review Out Of
5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found my meal at KIBOU to be a fun, vibrant take on Japanese food; after each bite I took, I was inundated with powerful flavours. This amazing taste was matched by incredibly attentive and kind service, leading to a great dining experience. This was not the most authentic example of Japanese cuisine, but I enjoyed the well-crafted dishes and would definitely return for the brilliant dynamite cauliflower.
