Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Kanji Sushi & Ramen in Palo Alto

4.8 (53) 4131 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306, United States

Categories

Restaurant
Asian restaurant

Location on the map

Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, US

Phone: +1 650-485-2996
Site: https://kanjisushiramen.menu11.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–2:30 PM
Tuesday:7–10:30 AM
Wednesday:7–10:30 AM
Thursday:7–10:30 AM
Friday:7–10:30 AM
Saturday:7–10:30 AM
Sunday:7–10:30 AM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.8

53 Reviews for Kanji Sushi & Ramen 2024:

Review №1

2024-06-29 04:26:16

This is undoubtedly one of the best family-style Japanese restaurants in the Peninsula area. From the moment you step in, youre greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly encapsulates the essence of traditional Japanese hospitality.The highlight of this restaurant is undeniably the seafood. Whether its the intricately crafted sushi or sashimi, or the comforting bowls of chirashi with chunks of seafood, the quality of the ingredients shines through.But what truly sets this restaurant apart is its excellent service. The waitstaff is attentive and friendly, always ready to recommend dishes or explain the nuances of the menu. They ensure that each dining experience is not just a meal, but a delightful culinary journey that leaves diners wanting to return.

Review №2

2024-06-30 22:31:58

The space is very comfortable and the service is friendly, but the air conditioning isnt cool enough on hot days. We ordered the TORO sashimi, which wasnt priced on the menu; it costs $8 per slice before tax. The fish was mushy, and the slicing technique was really poor. The ramen broth was neither rich nor oily, more like what youd find at a typical Japanese street stall. The tempura udon was nothing special.They have a variety of rolls, but I didnt try any since I dont eat them.

Review №3

2024-06-20 19:18:11

New Sushi Spot Alert in the Bay Area! 🍣🫶As someone who has become a sashimi fan and experienced high-quality raw fish from Omakase, lve become quite particular about quality and freshness. What surprised me here was how affordable everything was, from their sashimi, sushi, ramen, to bento boxes--while still maintaining high quality. I got their sashimi platter which came with thick-cut pieces. Although I usually prefer thin cuts, this was an exception because of how fresh it was. Usually, tuna isnt my favorite and I have to smother it with a lot of soy sauce, but this time I didnt have to use any for the sashimi pieces. I liked how each piece had a bit of lemony flavor and a little bit of wasabi (not too much).Besides the sashimi, we also tried the Toro Heaven Roll which actually tasted like heaven--by far one of the BEST sushi rolls lve ever had. There wasnt too much rice; it had more filling, and the toro piece on top was literally melt-in-your-mouth.For their bento boxes, they let you choose three items to customize--I chose the fish katsu, gyoza, and assorted tempuras.All of them were crisped to perfection, and they served house-made sauces with each of those appetizers. The tartar sauce was my favorite and paired so well with the fish katsu, kind of reminiscent of fish and chips.Lastly, their tonkatsu ramen broth was not too salty and light. I liked the pieces of pork-it was super thinly sliced and melt-in-your-mouth.The owner, Rita, was so nice and welcoming. I will definitely come back here again for their sashimi, sushi, and bento boxes.Honestly, if youre looking for affordable and high-quality sushi, I highly recommend checking out this new spot in the Bay Area!

Review №4

2024-06-24 20:24:21

Very friendly, delicious food, nicest and hard-working people! Very good vibe and very good food! If you like sushi and good success stories, you should definitely visit. This place is the result of American dream come true, and a good one! Woman-owned!

Review №5

2024-05-16 19:46:31

Just opened and the sushi was amazing, service and atmosphere were great. They offer brunch and am excited to try it out next time I come in . Highly recommend stopping by. Great to see a new sushi place here in Palo Alto that has amazing service and food.

Review №6

2024-05-16 21:46:23

Food was great. The sushi boat had a good selection of fresh sashimi, rolls, and the fried shrimp heads were particularly delicious. Our table also got three other rolls and a tempura udon. The service speed was slightly lacking, perhaps because it was a soft opening, but the manager and waitress were very nice and accommodating. It’s nice to have this local joint back!

Review №7

2024-06-05 02:25:56

This restaurant is an absolute treasure. I was lucky to witness its soft opening, since I’m sure it will become very popular in time.I had miso soup, the kanji salad, the butterfly roll, edamame, and a hot tea. Although everything was great, the sushi was really the star of the show for me. The butterfly roll is a must-get; the fish is very fresh and high quality; the textures mesh well together and the sauce is the perfect accompaniment. The miso and tea were very satisfying, and the salad has a generous portion of tofu and a nice light dressing.Kanji is tucked away off El Camino Real, on a quiet tree lined street with its own parking lot. The interior is welcoming and spacious. The employees are warm and accommodating, and make you feel very welcome.In short, come here for the sushi and the vibes.

Review №8

2024-05-16 20:38:58

Amazing experience at Kanji Sushi. Service was perfect. The sushi tasted fresh and amazing. Everything was plated beautifully. The manager was extremely courteous and took the time to come greet us. Super excited to come back and try their brunch menu! I 100% recommend to come try.

Review №9

2024-06-09 18:42:10

Used to be Sushi Tomo and now reopened. The space is very inviting. I missed some of Tomos dishes like the veggie sushi combo and chirashi. The Nigri was very good with generous portions of fish. The avocado roll didnt look very good ... avocados can be too brown, but tasted ok. Best of luck to the new owners!

Review №10

2024-06-21 15:28:20

I work across the street and was pleasantly surprised to see this newly-opened Japanese restaurant open at 7AM for breakfast. Online ordering was intuitive and fast, with an estimated ready time that was very accurate. Rita, the owner, kindly handed me my order and obviously cares about providing a great service.I ordered the 2 eggs meat breakfast, which included house potatoes and toast. The potatoes were golden crisp without being too greasy, and lightly seasoned - just right.Although I ordered takeout, I saw that the restaurant space is clean, bright, and exudes a happy vibe. Parking is easy.I think a cool thing to add to the breakfast menu would be Japanese-style breakfasts.My co-workers and I will for sure check out the lunch menu.

Review №11

2024-06-08 19:46:02

Came during soft opening. Everything is so great. Place is bright and clean. Staff I friendly. They have brunch 7-10:30am, which is a nice surprise. Will definitely try it next time. We arrived for lunch(12). Chirashi is fresh and full of flavors ( including two toros and uni and other common fishes). They also gave us complimentary soup and edamame because it was our first visit. Will be back.

Review №12

2024-06-05 21:39:27

On May 25, 2024, I had the pleasure of enjoying breakfast at Kanji Sushi & Ramen in 4131 El Camino way, Palo Alto, and it was an exceptional experience. The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, making each bite a delight. The dishes were expertly prepared, showcasing the high quality of ingredients and the culinary skill of the chefs.The environment was clean and comfortable, providing a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere perfect for a morning meal. The minimalist decor and thoughtful layout contributed to a serene dining experience, allowing me to fully savor the delicious food.What truly stood out was the friendly and attentive service. The staff was warm and accommodating, ensuring that all my needs were met promptly and with a smile. Their genuine hospitality added a personal touch to the meal, making it even more enjoyable.Overall, breakfast at Kanji Sushi & Ramen was a fantastic way to start the day. With its fresh and tasty food, clean and comfortable environment, and friendly service, it’s a spot I highly recommend to anyone in Palo Alto.

Review №13

2024-06-26 01:37:29

Best sushi place this year. The sashimi is so fresh!! The size of the roll and sashimi box is amazing, inside the sushi roll it’s filled up with fish, most fish I’ve seen within sushi rolls

Review №14

2024-06-30 00:15:24

We discovered Kanji Sushi during their Soft Opening while passing through Palo Alto on a Saturday afternoon and are glad we did. We enjoyed edamame, the Kanji house salad, mixed tempura, three special rolls, and two regular rolls. All the food was fresh and tasty and presented in an appealing manner. The dining room and restrooms are very clean. This is a must. I also enjoyed the music. We had an opportunity to speak with Rita the owner and Matt. This is a great spot. We look forward to stopping by again.

Review №15

2024-06-11 04:09:05

I popped in during their soft opening and was pleasantly surprised! Everyone who worked there was so friendly. 🤗 My sushi came out super fast, and the jalapeño bomb was awesome!

Review №16

2024-06-19 02:24:17

Our company team went there and have a team gathering! It’s awesome there was a room for group! Food are yummy and great! Really nice place!

Review №17

2024-06-26 02:46:44

Loco moco skillet was good. I have eaten the regular loco moco and it was good too. My son had the chocolate chip pancakes with banana and he enjoyed it.

Review №18

2024-05-26 03:52:29

Pros: The entire restaurant was well-lit for dinner. The waitstaff was friendly and accommodated me with getting a tonkotsu ramen despite them being out of chashu pork. I asked to substitute chicken.Cons: The broth came out tepid with little to no flavor. The noodles tasted like Doll noodles ramen slightly overcooked. There were a few toppings—green onions, onions, and thin-sliced carrots, corn, bamboo shoots—decent choices most of them, but the first three were almost raw and the broth wasn’t remotely hot enough to allow you to have them cook to your desired level. The grilled chicken was typical but nothing to write online about. (This was during their soft opening and they said they had sold out of the ramen because of the chashu earlier. Perhaps that was part of the reason, but not too excited at the moment about returning to try their ramen again..) I left it unfinished.

Review №19

2024-05-17 22:11:44

This Japanese restaurant is truly outstanding! The food is fresh and delicious, especially the sushi and sashimi, which are very authentic. The service is warm and attentive, and the environment is clean and comfortable, providing a very pleasant dining experience. Whether for a meal or a gathering, this place is a great choice. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves Japanese cuisine～

Review №20

2024-06-23 21:17:11

They’re in soft launch under new management ().Bento boxes excellent; my mackerel portion was surprisingly large. They gave us a bowl of edamame on the house which was a lovely touch. Service is attentive and engaged.

Review №21

2024-05-17 04:58:26

I recently had the fortune to visit this newly opened Japanese restaurant, and it truly was an unforgettable dining experience. First off, their sashimi was astonishingly fresh, each slice perfectly cut and deliciously flavorful—a real feast for the taste buds. Additionally, the unagi don was another highlight, rich in flavor with tender eel that perfectly complemented the rice. The other dishes at the restaurant were equally impressive, each one a meticulously crafted work of art. I highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys Japanese cuisine.

Review №22

2024-05-20 02:47:50

The atmosphere is welcoming, light and spacious! The food and service are wonderful. I like the decorative dishes the Agedashi Tofu and the Vegetable rolls were served on. And the prices are very REASONABLE !!

Review №23

2024-06-13 03:09:46

OMG, the new management owned by Rita is a great eat!!! Her story to dream to be an owner of her own restaurant comes from hard working non-stop from when she was young and then having children who did homework using a flashlight in the car whilst momma, Rita working hard as a waitress in restaurants 16 hour days. This is a very friendly positive atmosphere place to eat. Today is my birthday and her bff Matt asked everyone to come sing to me. It was a great time. Next time you crave Japanese, please stop by Kanji. Her sauce is great! And so is the food.

Review №24

2024-05-21 06:20:12

We went here for their soft opening at lunch.The sashimi and the sushi rolls were very fresh, and the presentation was great.Looks like they are in the process of getting a liquor license.Parking was easy, they have their own parking lot.We will update our review in the future when we get a chance to hopefully try their ramen, and check out the place at dinner time.

Review №25

2024-06-28 01:19:21

In town for the night from Monterey. Was a cute little spot. The service was great and the food was amazing! So fresh and delicious! Will definitely go again when we come back to town!

Review №26

2024-06-16 22:48:43

We had graduation dinner here last night and what a great experience. The service was top notch, with the food being even better. We had a couple different sushi rolls, along with some of the best and freshest tasting sashimi weve had!! The tempura was hot, crispy, and fresh. The gyoza were delicious. The only minor weak link was a copy of our party got the seafood udon soup and felt it could have used more seafood, and a little more flavor. Maybe a 4/5. However, the sashimi was a 6/5 so it all evens out. And the service felt like we were really appreciated. 10/10!!!

Review №27

2024-06-24 20:01:27

Wonderful sushi restaurant. Friendly staff,highly recommended, Rita, owner is very nice and friendly. Sushi fresh,and tasty. Will be back again

Review №28

2024-06-11 02:48:31

Truly five stars on all fronts. Had sushi, apps and ramen. All very thoughtfully presented and cooked.The atmosphere though was really standout! It’s open, bright - a really good event space.

Review №29

2024-06-27 03:23:06

Satisfying sushi and gyoza after a long travel day. Friendly, attentive service. Lovely people. Will come back on next trip.

Review №30

2024-06-13 03:24:29

We greatly enjoyed our time there. We used to frequently visit the restaurant that was in this location previously. And I must say, right now food, service and the overall vibe of the place is way better than it used to be under the old banner.

Review №31

2024-06-29 03:44:23

The food was so fresh! I love the o-toro, it melts in my mouth! Everything tasted delicious and super good.

Review №32

2024-06-24 20:04:23

My wife and I have been here several times already sushi is fresh and excellent highly recommended Rita is the owner and is very friendly and helpful

Review №33

2024-05-25 02:46:19

We just ate at kanji for dinner and loved it! The rolls were unique and delicious and the service was wonderful. Cant wait to go back!

Review №34

2024-05-20 20:18:03

I had hoped to like this place as it is within walking distance from my house but the quality of the sushi was so-so. So Gong Dong Tofu House and Fuki Sushi nearby are both better.

Review №35

2024-06-06 05:08:43

Ive been there before and service was okay, but now with new owners.service was excellent...The waiter named Alexis was very nice and helpful..I would definitely go back.. good job staff.

Review №36

2024-06-21 01:39:59

Best sushi spot ever, the tuna and hibachi tataki is superb everything here is delicious and Fresh:)

Review №37

2024-06-11 03:01:20

Great sushi and wonderful service, the owners were so kind and sincere! Definitely worth trying out if you’ve never been

Review №38

2024-06-11 02:35:28

Beautiful location with exceptional food to match! Met the owner who was so friendly and helpful. A great spot to check out! Will be back!

Review №39

2024-06-11 03:03:19

This is a hidden gem of a sushi restaurant. Food was excellent and the service was fast and super friendly! Can’t wait to come back and dine again!

Review №40

2024-05-30 17:41:08

Service was friendly and food was delicious with excellent presentation. Prices and portioning are fair as well. Will come back for sure!

Review №41

2024-06-15 03:14:07

Soft opening, still a lot of rough edges. Enjoyed our meal. No alcohol yet.

Review №42

2024-06-10 02:25:43

Service was great for our large party which put in orders of various dishes.

Review №43

2024-06-19 04:01:36

A very friendly and unique restaurant- wonderful atmosphere and helpful staff

Review №44

2024-06-16 01:35:09

Great food, generous portions, and incredible customer service. Highly recommend!

Review №45

2024-07-01 01:36:33

Really enjoyed their California roll.

Review №46

2024-05-27 19:28:01

High quality sushi and tasty, flavorful sukiyaki

Review №47

2024-06-25 03:56:15

Delicious sushi and delightful servers!

Review №48

2024-06-13 23:37:56

Good sushi and sashimi!

Review №49

2024-07-06 23:30:34

Very disappointed. Not from the area- we live in san diego and was excited to try this place. They forgot half our order didn’t apologize. Couple behind us got served quicker. They ordered, ate their food, paid and we were still waiting. Very sad. Could have gone somewhere else. Do not recommend at all. Was so excited to try this place. Please go to a place with better service.

Review №50

2024-07-06 08:03:01

Good taste, food is fresh, good price, will visit again

Review №51

2024-07-03 09:12:04

The food was incredible here! The fish is very high quality and directly from Japan and the rolls were delicious. The Toro Roll was my favorite, but everything else was good too: Kanji box, Kanji roll, Unagi Don, etc.And the service was amazing. Everybody was so kind and extremely helpful with recommendations and attentive. Highly highly recommend everyone to come try this place soon because it definitely stands among the top for sushi restaurants and will be very popular after its grand opening.

Review №52

2024-05-17 03:45:04

The store with an unassuming appearance is full of surprising dishes. The sushi tastes very good and the rice is used very well. The sashimi is very fresh, and the most amazing thing is the steak, which melts in your mouth and is very tender, completely different from the rough American style. Worth reviewing

Review №53

2024-05-16 22:10:55

This is one of the freshest sashimi I have ever eaten. The last time I had sashimi with a similar texture and freshness was in Tokyo, Japan. The sushi also tasted very good. The decoration was ordinary and not as luxurious as in China. Fortunately, the hygiene was better than that of ordinary American restaurants. But the food was a bit slow, but the 10% discount given to me during the trial opening made up for it. I will come here again to eat Japanese food in the Bay Area in the future.