Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By NOAH WORTHAM | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – Alabaster residents were able to try a variety of flavors and dishes as Kiku Asian Express opened its doors in Alabaster.

Kiku Asian Express held a grand opening in Alabaster on Monday, Dec. 18. The business is located in Alabaster at 390 S. Colonial Drive 35007 in the former Steak ‘n Shake building.

“It’s pretty busy,” Assistant Manager Teresa Zhang said. “It’s much more busy than we imagined.”

The Alabaster location of Kiku Asian Express marks the first to come to Shelby County as the company’s original business is located in Dothan.

According to the business’s website, Kiku Asian Express strives to provide its customers with authentic and delicious Asian cuisine in a fast and convenient way.

As customers enjoyed the restaurant’s offerings on its first day open, the staff communicated with customers to see if they enjoyed their meal.

“We asked, ‘What about the food? What about the taste,’” Zhang said. “They liked the food (and) that is good.”

Kiku Asian Express features a self-service style ordering system where customers can access a kiosk to place an order. Customers may also utilize the business’s drive thru.

The restaurant’s menu features a wide array of poke bowls, teriyaki bowls, ramen, appetizers and boba milk teas.

“In this area, there is no ramen, no poke bowls—none of this kind of food,” Zhang said. “We think that people are going to love this kind of (food).”

Customers may order from a selection of featured menu items or craft their own favorite beverage or dish.

The restaurant features the following drinks on its menu:

• Brown Sugar Milk Tea
• Strawberry Milk Tea
• Taro Milk Tea
• Brown Sugar Matcha
• Mango Smoothie
• Passion Fruit Tea
• Classic Milk Tea
• Coffee Milk Tea

The restaurant features a variety of ramen dishes, including:

• Sapporo MisoRamen
• Chicken Wonton Ramen
• Tokyo Ramen
• Shrimp Tempura Ramen
• Mizu Chicken Ramen
• Spicy Vegan Ramen
• Tonkotsu Black Ramen
• Kimchi Ramen

Kiku Asian Express also features the following signature poke bowls in addition to the ability to create your own:

• Eel Bowl
• Crispy Bowl
• Volcano Bowl
• Hawaii Bowl
• Salmon Lover Bowl
• Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
• Land and Sea Bowl
• Vegetarian Bowl