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    Kanpai

    3.8 (498 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Ramen
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Kanpai Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    KANPAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Kanpai

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    Reviews With Photos

    Curry Rice
    Calina N.

    Service is quick and the restaurant feels like a family owned establishment. It gives off the vibes that a lot of locals come here to eat as the atmosphere is very friendly. They have a pretty good selection with a lot of Japanese foods that you don't commonly find here in the states. Not to mention the prices are on the lower end when it comes to Japanese food! Always a plus in my book. The curry was delicious. I could have added Katsu to my curry but I didn't want to eat too much since I just needed a quick bite. The regular curry rice has some beef slices already in the sauce so it was good enough for me.

    Church
    Shirley S.

    Friendly and respectful service as we waited for a friend to join us. My parents came here often years ago and this was my first time! I ordered one of my favorites that I haven't had in a long time #Chirashi (Japanese style). It was fresh and good but I am use to a larger portion, with more pickled condiments (just had pickled ginger) and salmon roe. Good thing we ordered #Gyoza as an appetizer. It was tasty and my entrée also came with miso soup and a small salad. However, I was still a bit hungry so I had a piece of tempura from the #KanpaiSpecialBento (my friends ordered this ) and the unwanted crab salad that came with it I would come back but would try something else or in addition to the chirashi. There are lots of menu options.

    Laura M.

    Kanpai has been one of my family's favorite Japanese restaurants for at least 2 decades. We dined here tonight for their Beef Sukiyaki. It seems like Kanpai is the ONLY Japanese restaurant in Chula Vista that I know of that has Beef Sukiyaki. The ambiance: From their wooden pendant lighting fixtures to their modern wooden chairs . Kanpai has some booths lined up near the windows... Their Beef Sukiyaki has a lot of flavor, although they're lacking meat. For the entrée costing almost $22, I was expecting that there would be enough thin slices of Sukiyaki Beef. My Beef Sukiyaki seemed like it had an entire onion head that was mixed in with SOME clear Shirataki noodles and small pieces of carrots & cabbage. To Kanpai restaurant- For a suggestion -- Why can't we have the option to order MORE meat À la carte for like $7- $8 more. ** Kanpai, I HOPE you can fulfill my request of being able to order more Sukiyaki Beef... Kudasai/Please... Thank you!!!

    dragon roll
    Lindsay N.

    Visited this sushi restaurant because we didn't want to drive 15-20 minutes to get to a sushi restaurant. We were greeted right away and seated immediately. Customer service was good and one of the workers (can't remember her name) was extremely nice and friendly. In my opinion, this restaurant is overpriced for basic rolls. However they get a point for their fish being fresh and not using a crazy amount of rice. While we were eating, we noticed a small hair like it could've been an eyebrow hair or something. One of the waitresses took it back for the chef to see and they couldn't find it. So they brought it back to us so we pointed it out and showed it to the waitress and they took it off our tab.

    Sushi Combo B
    Ailleen J.

    Hubby was craving Japanese curry and didn't want to drive too far, so thankfully we stumbled across this place. Feels like this establishment has been here for years, and you get a sense of family when you walk in. The servers are all so kind and welcoming and there seems to be many regulars, as the servers address them accordingly. There is a good amount of parking as this is in a small plaza. We happened to come right before the rush on a Friday night, so luckily we were seated right away. Hubby ordered his Japanese curry and was very happy with the serving. It's very large, and flavorful - and for those who can't tolerate too much heat, this is considered a mild for us. I ordered the sushi combo B and loved how fresh the fish was. We also ordered some of the nigiri specials and appreciate the freshness of the fish. Overall, I'm not quite sure why the low rating, but I definitely want to be a regular here. Loved the food and even more so, the hospitality!

    Unbelievable fish
    Elizabeth R.

    One of my favorites sushi restaurants in Chula Vista. I came here 10 years ago and I almost walk away because of the exterior looks but Surprise surprise FOOD is phenomenal. Even the California Roll is amazing Oysters are so fresh, love it My favorite item is the whole fish raw then they cook the bones, it's unbelievable. Service is good if they are busy so I try to go as soon the open for dinner 5:00 or go on Mondays and Tuesday so I can enjoy my food Sooo Recommend

    Cold Ramen
    Angela M.

    I've been visiting this restaurant for over 20 years. A hidden gem in South Bay Chula Vista, serving authentic Japanese food at very reasonable prices. They also offer seasonal menu items like Cold Ramen in the summer and the Shabu shabu during the winter. The staff are super friendly and they'll get to know you like family. There's plenty of parking in the lot and they also offer out door dining under a covered tent. Their Hakata Ramen is out of this world delicious and their bento boxes are fantastic. They make the best Sesame Chicken in town! I also find their Sukiyaki and Nabe Udon amazingly delicious.

    Seafood salad

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    2 months ago

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    29 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    Great food, nice friendly staff, and been around for a long time. We love to sit at the sushi bar. Ramen soups are delicious.

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    7 months ago

    Always the best meal for our family night out we love the service and the food Hakata Ramen and Dragon roll are my favorites

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Always the best! The food in authentic, the staff are always friendly and courteous. The prices are really reasonable!

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Ive been coming here for the past 25 years and love it. The people are amazing and the environment hasn't changed.

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    2 years ago

    Food is authentic and delicious, it's busy but the service is fast and it's worth the price

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    4 years ago

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    Kanpai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kanpai

    Do you have an Omakase option?

    Yes, our chef can prepare you a course dinner!

    Happy hour menu?

    Yes, we have a happy hour menu! Everything on it is $3.95, excluding drinks. We serve happy hour from 5-7 pm daily, dine-in only.

    Do you have gift that I can buy?

    Hi Vivian, yes, we sell gift certificates for our restaurant in $5, $10 and $20 denominations.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Izakaya Naruto

    4.2(1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    A good little Sushi/Ramen hidden gem in Chula Vista. Heard a lot about this place so I finally came…read more& yes I'm a fan. First let me start with the customer service, it was great, from the door to getting seated to the waiters checking on us & the cooks smiling & the speed & quality of the service was all great. And the prices are very reasonable, they don't open till 5 tho, for dinner basically, weekends can get busy so get there early. The food was very good, I got the Chula Vita Ramen & I'd get it again, very filling & flavorful. The sushi was very fresh & good & filling as well, Abre La Boca Mucho was our fav roll, it can be shared with another person for sure, Viva Chula Vista was a good roll too. Miso soup was ok & no garlic edamame they have lemon butter edamame, if you like lemon & butter flavor you'll like it, it was ok but it lack a bit of flavor for me. My fav item here was the Jalapeño Popper as an appetizer, 8 pieces & man let me tell you, it was mouth watering & on point, it's a must to start with. Overall I good little spot & we come again for sure, keep up the good work Naruto & see you soon :)

    1st time here and we enjoyed our dinner here The food was…read moredelicious all made to order, sushi is top notch, I will try the ramen next time Service is friendly and accommodating... shout of to our sushi chef, salamat po The vibe here is hole in a wall kinda vibe, clean space organized and friendly staff Def coming back again.

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    Kanpai - sushi - Updated May 2026

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