Those looking for authentic ramen should look no further than Kiko Ramen at 26 School Street in Glen Cove. The restaurant offers customers the full experience, from the ambience to the food and drinks, everything perfectly curated to reflect Japanese culture and cuisine.
Kiko Ramen opened its doors on Sept. 1 with celebration for friends, family and City of Glen Cove employees who aided in a smoothly and timely opening of the restaurant. The Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District organized a larger celebration on Oct. 20 to allow additional organizations to welcome the restaurant to the city. Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck, Deputy Mayor Donna McNaughton, City Councilwomen Danielle Fugazy Scagliola and Marsha Silverman, Councilman Jack Mancusi, Glen Cove BID Executive Director Jill Nossa, representatives from the offices of Leg. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine and members of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce came to show support for Kiko Ramen and present citations.
Mayor Panzenbeck thanked Li for investing in Glen Cove, and Fugazy Scagliola noted how it was nice to see a new type of restaurant downtown, as well as new life in a long-vacant storefront.
“It’s wonderful to have a new restaurant downtown, especially one with so much character,” Nossa said. “The space is beautiful and unique, and the food is delicious. I’ve heard nothing but praise for Kiko Ramen so far and wish Kenny lots of success.”
The menu offers a variety of ramen dishes, donburi (rice bowls) and salads, as well as beverages like bubble milk tea, jasmine tea punch, smoothies and homemade lemonade.
Owner Kenny Li opened his first Kiko Ramen in Garden City two years ago, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We flew in professionals from Japan to train our chefs to make the broth and sauce,” Li said, noting he and his partners invested a lot in the start-up costs to make the restaurant authentic. It proved to be successful so they began expanding, with plans to open the third Kiko Ramen location in Manhasset in several months.
“I like main streets and active downtowns,” Li said of his choice to open in Glen Cove. “Glen Cove has a movie theater, a hospital and is close to colleges.”
Originally from China, Li moved to Stonybrook with his parents at the age of 17, more than 20 years ago, and has been working in the restaurant industry ever since. After several years of working for others, his entrepreneurial drive kicked in, and he opened his first restaurant in 2007. He said he found the hibachi restaurant too stressful and left the partnership after about 10 years. Since then, he has taken on different ventures and currently, Li co-owns a variety of businesses, including a poke bowl restaurant in Stonybrook and a liquor store in Suffolk County.
Li purchased the building last spring and spent several months renovating the space – formerly the Bleu Clarinet, which had been vacant for nearly a year. Li praised the various city departments he worked with for getting the required permits, as well as the customers who have been supporting him for the past few weeks.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from customers, and business continues to pick up,” Li said. “Glen Cove is great, I love the people here. I have a lot of restaurants and this is the best one.”
Mayor Panzenbeck thanked Li for investing in Glen Cove, and Fugazy Scagliola noted how it was nice to see a new type of restaurant downtown, as well as new life in a long-vacant storefront.
To order visit kikoramen.com or call (516) 200-9806.
