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Welcome to Kanpai Santa Monica

At Kanpai Santa Monica, we celebrate the essence of Japanese cuisine in a vibrant izakaya setting. Our story begins with a passion for fresh, flavorful dishes that cater to all palates, offering an extensive menu of savory ramen, delectable sushi, and tantalizing small plates. Located in the heart of Santa Monica, we pride ourselves on a casual yet trendy atmosphere, perfect for families and friends. Our commitment to quality ensures every bite bursts with authentic flavors, while our generous happy hour specials make it an ideal spot for gathering. Whether you're enjoying vegetarian delights or savoring our authentic ramen, every experience at Kanpai promises to delight.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Kanpai Santa Monica, a vibrant izakaya-style restaurant nestled in the heart of Santa Monica. Located at 2212 Wilshire Blvd, this culinary gem specializes in ramen and a delightful array of sushi, offering a taste of Japan with a modern twist. Whether you're in the mood for a casual lunch or a classy dinner, Kanpai delivers an experience that is both trendy and comfortable, perfect for groups and families alike.

The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by an inviting atmosphere complemented by good music and attentive service. The casual yet classy decor makes it a fitting spot for any occasion, whether you're grabbing a quick bite or celebrating with friends. The option for outdoor seating adds to the charm, making it a favorable choice for those who enjoy dining al fresco.

At Kanpai, the menu shines with a variety of delicious options. The standout ramen dishes are a must-try, as noted by customers who rave about the rich flavors, generous portions, and quality ingredients. Take, for example, the spicy miso ramen—a dish that encapsulates the essence of comfort food, with deep, satisfying flavors and a tender piece of pork. Other favorites include their sushi rolls and handrolls, which customers praise for freshness and presentation.

  • Happy Hour: Don't miss out on their incredible happy hour specials, featuring 50% off handrolls and delectable appetizers such as gyoza and vegetable tempura that come piping hot.
  • Vegan and Vegetarian Options: Kanpai caters to diverse dietary needs with a multitude of vegan and vegetarian choices, ensuring everyone finds something to enjoy.
  • Family-Friendly: The restaurant is not only good for kids but also welcoming to pets on the outdoor patio, making it a friendly neighborhood spot.

The restaurant's commitment to quality is reflected in customer feedback, with many noting the excellent service and the welcoming vibe created by the staff. As one reviewer emphasizes, Kanpai isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a local favorite that promises a genuinely Japanese experience with every visit.

With convenient services such as delivery, takeout, and even catering, Kanpai Santa Monica stands out as a versatile choice for your next meal. Prices are reasonable, especially given the quality of the dishes, which makes it a fantastic value as well.

In summary, Kanpai Santa Monica is more than just a restaurant; it is a culinary destination that brings the vibrant flavors of Japan to California. With its exceptional offerings, welcoming atmosphere, and stellar service, it's easy to see why locals and visitors are falling in love with this extraordinary izakaya. Whether you're indulging in ramen or sharing sushi with friends, each visit promises a delightful and memorable experience.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Kanpai Santa Monica
Sunny B.
Sunny B.

I was waiting for my friend in surgery at St. John's Hospital and was looking for someplace good to eat nearby and boy did I hit the jackpot. They have a lunch special for $20 that's amazing. It includes Ramen a tiny bit of salad tuna with rice and a dessert and it's all delicious. I tried the spicy Ramen and I was very happy with it. It was very flavorful and had a generous piece of pork. Service was great and the ambience was fine especially for lunch with my friend.

Daniel G.
Daniel G.

Food was delicious,place looked great and had good music, and the service was quick, polite, and helpful. Have come here before and will come again. Happy hour was great.

Lara P.
Lara P.

Great local sushi spot! We came here on Sunday evening for dinner and were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and the excellent service. We started with their cocktail specials - mine had shochu, sparkling water, and ginger and my husband's was the same but with lime instead of ginger. Both cocktails were unpretentious, reasonably priced, and very refreshing! For food, we shared the garlic edamame, shrimp dumplings, fried octopus, spicy yellowtail roll, and calamari tempura roll. All was very good but my least favorite was probably the fried octopus - the octopus was a little tough. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be back!

Norman R.
Norman R.

Found this little gem across the street from Whole Foods in Santa Monica and it's quite the find! Sushi, Ramen, and Sake too! Dropped in to have a little snack before heading to our hotel, and the food was great Ordered the eel hand rolled sushi and the tuna hand rolled sushi; hot sake and a ice cold Sapporo beer in a frosted mug Everything was delicious and perfect and I could not believe how reasonable the price. Great customer service and a truly Japanese experience. I will return.

Eriko P.
Eriko P.

Update: Happy Hour review! Their food selection for HH is amazing! If you like handrolls, these are 50% off regular prices! My friend ordered a Spicy Tuna and a Tempura Handroll. Nicely presented and my friend loved it. She also ordered the Gyoza and she said it was yummy! I ordered the Salmon Skin Salad and it was very very tasty with plenty of Salmon Skin and Gobo( burdock root) mixed in with the baby lettuces. I will order this again! I also ordered the Vegetable Tempura which came piping hot and it was delicious! I will order this again too! I could of ordered more from their HH menu, but my friend and I had another place to go. Kanpai is now my favorite Japanese restaurant in Santa Monica!

Brooke M.
Brooke M.

It's really surprising I've never stepped foot in this place! The food, service and ambiance was amazing. The sushi chefs greet you the moment you come in. Friendly vibe. This is what we ordered; Coke Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura App Edamame Yellowtail Sushi Sampler Creamy Lobster Hand Roll 7.50 20.00 30.00 [7 items] Sub Total Sales Tax 86.50 8.87 Total Due $95.37 By accident they gave us two creamy Crab Handrolls instead of lobster and they were so kind to comp it to us in addition to our creamy Lobster Handroll which was very nice. Will definitely come back here in the future. Excellent fresh sushi and extensive menu! I absolutely loved the Yellowtail sushi it's my favorite!

Mari H.
Mari H.

Not sure why this place is empty. The food is fresh and amazing. Waite staff is cool very accommodating. We have been here many times always consistent.

Lou L.
Lou L.

Good food. Nothing to complain but the scary people outside. Not the fault by the restaurant though

Colleen R.
Colleen R.

Good food, friendly service, and a menu with so many different options - what more can you ask for?! Pretty chill ambiance since im usually the only person there when im on my lunch break. I love that i can enjoy a peaceful meal. With that being said, Kanpai is a go-to for lunch! I have yet to try their sushi, but their ramen is yummy! Good serving size, amazing food quality and great flavor. The spicy miso ramen is my favorite. Cant wait to try their sushi - I've heard great things!

John K.
John K.

Great fresh Sushi! Very impressed with the selection of fresh sushi they offer. Everything we tried was incredible. Only ordered from the daily specials they had, and it did not disappoint.