Kenichi has been Austin’s downtown sushi spot for quite some time (8+ years?), but with the recent additions of Imperia (a personal fave), Yu Sushi Igazyu, and coming-soon Piranha sushi and the stiff competition from heavily-discounted-happy-hour-hitters Kyoto, Silhouette, and Maiko (also a fave), the venerable spot is ramping up its image and offerings.
There’s a new happy hour menu with 50 items under $5–including rolls, plates, snacks, and booze. Sake sangria? Yes, please.
When we went for a sampler, we didn’t get any rolls. Instead we got an array of tiny bites, some better than others. We started with a fantastic amuse bouche of melon curry soup–not very melon-y, very flavorful. Yum.
After that arrived a fan of yellowtail with serranos: I hogged the fish from everyone else at the table and ate two.
After that, another delicious raw fish …
Then a disappointing tofu bite (although in its defense, I’m not a big tofu fan) and a scallop that was fine, but not divine, which is what I was hoping for. A seared tuna bite was pretty delicious, flaky and peppery.
They did introduce me to something new: the shshshshs (can’t remember the name) pepper, a grilled pepper served as a snack in Japan. Crispy and mild, 
it was very tasty.
Kenichi is doing some exciting stuff: happily accommodating requests like brown rice rolls or no-rice rolls, plus this summer they’re partnering with charities and donating sushi and their cool mobile sushi bar. Like …
The Grand Opening of Bikram Yoga Downtown on Thursday, July 16, 6-9pm
The Bikram Yoga Downtown studio is on the ground floor of the new Gables Pressler residential development at 507 Pressler Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Kenichi will be providing food for the opening, which will also feature healthy drinks from Daily Juice and gift bags from By George, W3LL People, and more for the first 100 guests. This is where I practice Bikram Yoga (currently out at Davenport Village), so I CAN’T WAIT for this studio to open. The people are amazing, friendly, and supportive, and the yoga is HOT!
So back to Kenichi: The bottom line at Kenichi is that the raw fish was great. If what they’re trying to compete against is an influx of sushi restaurants rather than the Chinatown next door, they’re in good shape. I need to go back and try some more rolls. But their non-sushi offerings didn’t cut it for me. Which is totally fine, since I’d be going here for sushi anyway. 🙂
Lastly, just for you, lucky readers, we have a virtual coupon. Enjoy a free app of edamame or dynamite shrimp any time (not just happy hour) when you mention This is Life in Austin. Enjoy!
Also, have a good laugh at this:
“Best Happy Hour in Austin. Voted by Kenichi Staff.”