Plate with four fried chicken sandwiches with white buns and green lettuce, accompanied by three small sliced radishes and pickled ginger.

Text that says 'Little Kiki' with an orange dot over the letter 'i'.

Illustration of a hand with pale skin tone against a black background.

Illustration of a hand with long, pointed fingers and a beige, mottled appearance.

Jidori Chicken Sando

A digitally illustrated hand with four fingers extended against a black background.

Beige floral pattern on a green background

A cartoon illustration of a cat wearing a polka dot diaper labeled "Little Koko," with a bow around its neck, sitting on a moon-shaped surface, holding a fork with a fried egg, and surrounded by flowers and leaves.

It all started with a curious cat.

At Little Kiki, we bring that curiosity to modern Asian-style katsu, good food, and warm hospitality. Our small, cozy space feels personal—perfect for friends, date night, or a quiet meal. Come curious. Leave satisfied.

reservation

Japanese meal featuring sliced fried pork cutlet on a wire rack, a bowl of miso soup with seaweed and a spoon, a bowl of steamed white rice, a small dish of sesame seeds and a pestle, and a bowl of shredded cabbage salad topped with shredded cheese and dressing.

What is Katsu?

Katsu is a beloved Japanese dish featuring a panko-breaded cutlet fried to a light, golden crisp. Traditionally served with rice, cabbage, and sauce, katsu is known for its satisfying balance of crispy texture and rich flavor.

At Little Kiki, we honor this classic dish while elevating it through premium ingredients, careful preparation, and modern techniques.

Three layers of green and white sandwich, with fried chicken inside, on a black plate with pickles and tomatoes. A small bowl of dipping sauce with crushed peanuts is next to it on a wooden surface.

see our menu

Exterior of a modern restaurant with a black facade, illuminated sign reading 'LITTLE KiKi katsu & more', and large glass windows showing the interior.

Store

Inside a modern cafe with a wooden ceiling and walls, large windows, a bar with stools, and a seating area with tables and chairs.

Where to find us

Hours

Mon
5:00PM – 9:30 PM

Sun,Wed,Thur
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Fri–Sat
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Tue
Closed

Lunch Last Call 2:30PM
Dinner Last Call 9:00PM (Fri–Sat 9:30 PM)

*We do not offer lunch service on holidays

(760) 637-5020

2958 Madison St #101 Carlsbad, CA 92008

Our Ingredients

We believe exceptional katsu begins with exceptional ingredients. At Little Kiki, we proudly serve Berkshire Kurobuta pork, Jidori chicken, and Certified Wagyu, each selected for its distinctive flavor and quality.

To further enhance texture and depth of flavor, all of our proteins are dry-aged in-house using a dedicated dry-aging refrigerator.

By combining premium ingredients with thoughtful preparation, we create a katsu experience that is both refined and memorable.

A commercial meat fridge with multiple shelves stocked with various cuts of beef and pork, labeled with tags indicating different types of meat.

Dry-Aged Berkshire Kurobuta Pork

Dry-aged for enhanced flavor and tenderness, Berkshire Kurobuta pork is renowned for its abundant marbling and superior eating quality.

The result is exceptionally tender tonkatsu with a rich, buttery flavor.

Plate of four chicken katsu sandwiches with pickled vegetables at the bottom

Plate of assorted sashimi with slices of tuna, yellowtail, and other fish, pickled vegetables, wasabi, and dipping sauce, alongside tempura shrimp and vegetables with a side of wasabi and dipping sauce.

Jidori Chicken

A premium Japanese free-range chicken known for its tender bite and concentrated flavor, offering a more refined taste than conventional chicken.

Certificate of authenticity for a Japanese black cattle, with details on carcass weight, grading, birth date, and identification number.

Certified Wagyu

premium Japanese beef known for its exceptional marbling, rich flavor, and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.