Extremely Disappointing Experience -- Poor Customer Service My wife and I recently moved to Raleigh and were looking forward to finding a new Japanese restaurant that we could become regulars at. Unfortunately, after our experience at Kanki, we will not be returning. When we arrived, we were told there was approximately a 45-minute wait. Rather than wait, we decided to sit at the bar. We ordered drinks, appetizers, soup, salad, sushi, and our main meal, which was filet steak, shrimp, and rice. We specifically told our server that we did not want our main course brought out until we had finished everything else. We even asked them to put a 15-minute delay on the main meal so that everything would not arrive at once. This was a very simple request. Despite that, our main course came out before our sushi, before our appetizers, and essentially before we had even gotten through the beginning of our meal. We sent the food back and simply asked that it be remade when it was actually time for us to eat it. We weren't asking for a discount, a free meal, or anything unreasonable. We just wanted the meal we ordered served at the appropriate time. A few minutes later, our server came back and told us they couldn't remake the meal and would simply have to reserve the food that had already been sitting there. At that point, I asked to speak with the manager, assuming he would understand the situation and simply correct the mistake. Instead, the conversation became an argument about why they shouldn't have to "waste" the food. I explained to the manager that the food being wasted was not our responsibility. We had specifically communicated when we wanted our meal served, and the restaurant chose to bring it out early anyway. We weren't asking them to throw away food for no reason--we were asking them to correct a mistake that was made by the restaurant. The manager refused to remake the meal and offered to either remove it from the bill or let us keep it at a discounted price. At that point, I told him to simply take it off the bill because we were done and would not be finishing our dinner there. What was most disappointing wasn't even the mistake with the food. Mistakes happen. It's how management handles those mistakes that matters. Instead of apologizing, taking ownership, and trying to find a reasonable solution, the manager seemed more interested in explaining why the restaurant shouldn't have to take responsibility for the mistake. For a restaurant that depends on repeat customers and word-of-mouth, this was an incredibly poor display of customer service. We were new customers who were genuinely trying to find a place we could come back to, and instead we walked out feeling like our business simply wasn't important. We weren't demanding anything. We weren't looking for free food. We simply asked them to remake a meal that was brought out at the wrong time after we had specifically asked them to wait. Unfortunately, Kanki lost our business over something that could have been resolved with a simple apology and a willingness to make it right. First visit, last visit. There are plenty of other Japanese restaurants in Raleigh that understand what customer service actually means. read more

I had the pleasure of dining at kanki tonight with my boo thang. We only had to wait a little bit for the grill meal- so of course, we decided to wait and do this dining option. What's better than watching steak, chicken, and shrimp fly into the air? Nothing. Also, they basically perform cooL cooking moves in front of you while you eat. Flying meats, and chef magicians. Perfect meal deal. We started off the night with calamari, which was super delicious. Sprinkle lemon juice on the top, and bam, you've got citrus flavor that elevates the calamari. Not to mention, it's served with their classic white sauce. This pairing was BOMB. Before your entree even comes out, they offer soup and salad to start off. This is a great beginning to a meal, especially because the soup and salad is refreshing, which is what you need before you stuff your mouth like a monster. Now, for our entree, we shared the Tokyo meal for two. This was a buffed up plate, which includes ribeye steak and chicken. This is also served with a ton of rice and vegetables. The portion size is bigger than my future. Which is great because this dish makes the perfect leftovers. But beware, the white sauce they serve is addicting. I forgot to mention the sauce, but let's talk about it. It's so creamy and delicious. Like I don't exaggerate when I ask for like six cups of this stuff. You can never have enough sauce, so make sure you pour it all over your entree. Anyways, our service was good, and overall I had a great time at Kanki. Thank you, Kanki, I can't wait to open my fridge tomorrow and see you waiting for me to eat. read more

# of visits: 3 The Good: Some of their rolls were pretty good. I like the variety they offered as far as the types of rolls. The rolls were not over sauced like some places either which is very good. I have walked past by this place many times going shopping but I was always hesitant about it being a hibachi restaurant. I have sampled some hibachi restaurant in the area but so far all of them were pretty much trash....sorry... The Bad: Their sushi was mediocre...wasn't bad but wasn't that good either. I noticed that one of their sushi chef was Japanese and maybe I had my hopes up too high. He wasn't very friendly either, a little grouchy which made the experience even worse. Summary: I thought their roll menu was pretty good with lots of variety but the few of the appetizers that we tried was not very good. Sushi and sashimi was just mediocre at both visits. If I am at the mall and craving some rolls, this will not be a bad choice but nothing that I would go out of the way for. read more

Kanki was a recent choice for a family visit, and while it's not a frequent dining spot for us, it's always a pleasant experience when we go. Their lunch is consistently good and generous. Upon arrival, we encountered their policy of seating parties only when everyone is present, which meant a short wait for my husband to park. The front desk staff, however, lacked enthusiasm, coming across as purely transactional. Our server and the hibachi chef, while not overly effusive, were both very kind and highly efficient. They performed their jobs effectively, ensuring timely service and a smooth dining experience. The food itself was, as always, really good and substantial. Overall, we had a positive experience. While a bit more enthusiasm from the staff would be nice, it certainly didn't detract from our visit. I'd happily return to Kanki. read more

Me and my family went here during lunch after shopping at crabtree. I have to say that the service was fantastic and the guy that was our chef gave us a great show and was very attentive and overall made my entire evening enjoyable. He did marvelous tricks like a beating heart and broken heart with the rice, flicking food into our mouths (^-^), and cracking the eggs on the side of the spatula and trying bowls into his hat. Not only was the entertainment good, the food was fantastic. I got the hibachi steak well done and I have to say that it was delicious as well as everything else. I had a wonderful time and plan on going back to this one again in again, when I get the money that is. It was expensive, but for what you get it was a fair price. read more

Have been to this restaurant quite often because I used to work at the mall. Unfortunately it's usually hit or miss with the quality of their hibachi meals. Due to lack of time I usually end up dining near the sushi bar area. Their sushi is pretty good but well overpriced versus the competition. Sadly they don't have any reward program for repeat customers, I have been going there very often for many years. Best part of that place is unparalleled service from Lisa. I have never met anyone in the restaurant industry who truly cares about the customer experience. She is absolutely outstanding, very polite and professional. True asset to that location. I hope she gets well deserved recognition. read more

I went to Kank in Crabtree Mall to celebrate a friend's birthday, and overall the experience was just okay. One big issue was the heat and ventilation. Once the grill flames get going, the area becomes very hot, and it feels like all the oxygen gets sucked out of the room. It made the meal a little uncomfortable, especially if you're sitting there for a while. The food itself was fine, but nothing stood out or wowed me. It did the job, but it wasn't memorable. On the bright side, the cocktails were delicious and definitely the highlight of the visit. Kanki can still be fun for group celebrations, but better ventilation and more standout food would really improve the experience. read more

The food can be tasty and can be cooked properly most times, but Kanki typically has very slow service on any given night (at least 2/3 locations I have visited), but corporate is less than helpful. Don't bother telling Kanki about areas they can improve on, because they won't do a thing about it. Management is extremely rude and not true to their word. They essentially told me that they do not need me as a customer. Kanki's response tells me that their business model is not made to retain customers, and that they do not value their customers. I will NOT be returning to Kanki. read more

I love Japanese food! But every time I go to this kanki I get sick after! Like very sick! My husband gets sick to! Every time we say it's the last time... but keep On giving the place chance after chance! Last night was my birthday and I couldn't even continue celebrating it. I was again sick until the next morning. read more

Classic Raleigh staple. Try the sushi and the tempura vegetables. The hibachi shrimp is not very good, but for a slight upcharge, you can purchase the jumbo shrimp instead, and they are delicious. The chefs are very entertaining. Don't forget the glazed bananas and some sake for dessert! read more

The food was mediocre at best, and the sushi was overpriced and unfortunately my sushi was not the most fresh. The food is decent if you're in the area and looking for a last minute place to grab a quick bite, but you can definitely find better quality food around Raleigh... read more

I've been coming here for years on my birthday, since I was a kid. I love the performance every time I go. The food is always amazing, too. The ginger sauce has been one of my favorites since I can remember. Over the years though, the service has seemed to have been lacking. read more

I have never understood why people like this place so much the service stinks. I am only giving them 2 stars instead of one because their house soup is great. read more

A little overpriced but the food is always good and there's always food left to take home! Went for my girlfriends dinner and had a great time :) read more

Sushi was good but the service could've been better. Also it was kinda weird bc we didn't know if we were supposed to tip the suschi chef or not. read more

Love the food! Love the food! Love the food! Love the food! Love the food! Love the food! Great place to come with family! read more

portions getting smaller but prices are the same. if not higher. i barely got any fried rice with my DINNER portion..

This place is amazing I can't look at it without my mouth drooling... you SHOULD DEFINITELY consider going

I was told I couldn't place a to go order because they were short staff. Mmmm read more