Hawkers Alley, Cincinnati OH

The food is so good! We have liked everything we have had especially the curry and the skewers!

The owner is really nice and the staff is friendly but the kitchen and waitstaff don’t seem to have a system down yet

Greatly disappointed by this place. Started out with the menu being very different online than in person so things I was looking forward to weren't there. Wouldn't have mattered much, though, as the food we got was not good.
Server seemed very new and my partner didn't even get their right order. Probably the blandest and most over-cooked rice I've gotten from a restaurant - almost rice pudding if I'm being honest. All skewers were overcooked and underspiced. The oyster mushroom one was not appetizing but thankfully the shrimp skewer was the most edible. I am glad I got the cucumber salad side, though. That was a much-needed highlight. Needless to say, not worth the money.
Oh, and this is kind of funny, but I've never seen a restaurant try to stretch $1 handsoap by putting water in it before.

Absolutely fantastic. Very friendly staff and the food was like being back in SE Asia!

A welcome change from my typical lunches!

Found this to be an average restaurant. Service was great. Waiter was friendly and accommodating. The food however was just average and not worth coming back. Tasted similar to anything you could find at any chain restaurant. The tables were also crammed, making it hard to get up and walk around if you needed to use the restroom or go outside.

Updated 10/2/23:
We ordered the skewers - they were so delish. I recommend to get the rice and cucumber salad for the sides. The pot stickers were also delish.

Original post:
We came for lunch. I didn't realize that's an Asian restaurant from the name. The service was great. We ordered seafood tempura, and potatoes skewer for appetizers. The chicken cutlet Japanese curry was delish. Overall was very good.

I don’t leave reviews hardly ever, this place was so unbelievably good I had to. Try it and get one of everything it’s that good.

This used to be the lobster bar but now they serve Asian Street foods. Meats on sticks, tornado potatoes, ramen, really great chicken sandwiches. We also went during wing week and tried three different flavors, all great.

Absolutely amazing food. My partner and I loved the Tornado Fries, Curry, and skewers. Service was quick as well.

Partaking in Cincinnati Wings Week, my friend and I opted for Hawkers and ordered the Spicy Korean BBQ wings, Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), and lychee martinis (my favorite). Everything was theeeeeee bomb!
The wings were perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the martinis gave my favorite in the city some stiff competition.
I especially loved that one of the owners visited our table to speak to us, discuss the menu, and make personal recommendations.
The location is where the lobster bar was located, and the owners did a fine job with the decor. I look forward to the day when this location is bustling, similar to OTR, because small, local, family-owned businesses such as this one deserve so much shine.
I'm rooting for you, Hawkers!

They pretty much have all the best things you could get from a hawker in South East Asia! But get the lava Katsu sandwich! There is melted cheese inside of the Katsu. It will be the best sandwich you have ever had!

Excellent lunch with hot and tasty food. Attentive and friendly service from a great staff.

One of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a long time. It’s like a hidden gem. The service was top notch, food was delicious, and drinks fantastic. Everything was just done to perfection. We had the skewers, fried eggplant, tornado fries, and the cucumber salad. The food was so good we ordered some to go and brought it home to the kids!

Incredible food, even better people! Skewers are excellent. I even left my water bottle at a table and the waiter ran a block to catch me and give it to me!

Food was impeccable. Service was fast. Small interior lends to personable service. Expansive menu but not too big. Enough options to want to come again and try other things. Not expensive. Covenient location. Highly recommend.

New favorite lunch spot, the skewers are absolutely delicious and the quality is fantastic. Service is friendly and super quick.

5 stars / the Best Crispy Chicken Katsu Cutlet I've ever had. Second visit I had perfect chicken skewers. They also serve burgers in addition to Japanese specialties.

Their full bar includes draft beer (Sapporo was refreshing), sake and wine. Service was friendly and attentive. The decor is very nice, too. Note that they close 3-5pm between lunch and dinner.

Amazing food, great variety and awesome service. Pork skewers with black peppercorn, fried eggplants and tornado fries!