Kampai Japanese Restaurant

Sushi done right

I used to live in the neighborhood of this restaurant and would frequent it often. It is certainly not the least expensive Japanese restaurant in the city but I'd be hard pressed to find a better one. The sushi is always fresh and well made, Maki rolls are seasoned with chives and wasabi. Gyoza and Miso Soup are good, as expected, two things that can't really be done wrong. In the past I've had their lunch bento boxes which are a good value and are of the same quality as their dinner menu. Only complaints I'd have about this restaurant: Parking is not provided so you're at the mercy of the local pay lots. Also, when the restaurant gets really busy it gets very tight as it is a small place, and service gets really slow, But with that being said the owners are very kind and friendly. Overall, a very good restaurant with excellent food.

Excellent food!

I love the food at Kampai. I always leave planning my next visit. I also love the big smile from the Chef when you first arrive.

Kampai is the best sushi restaurant in Hamilton . I always take food home as the helpings are so huge.

Sushi Bliss - SO GOOD!

Just enjoyed a beautiful sushi boat with my date. We were impressed by the lovely presentation and . fabulously fresh, high quality fish. Perfect amount of food, absolutely delicious. Service was perfect (prompt, polite, thoughtful) Thank you Susan! Definitely will return soon.

Feast for the eyes and stomach

I love the sushi here! Super fresh and tasty with wonderful service - we've kept going back for more! It's the best I've had, particularly the unagi. We've eaten many items off the menu including the largest sushi platter, tempura, miso soup - all of it was deliciously tasty. It can be expensive depending on what you order but it's very worthwhile.

Great Sushi

This restaurant is my favourite in Hamilton. I have been 5 times so far, every time the food has been outstanding, delicious sushi and sashimi and the presentation is beautiful. The desserts are great too, try the tempura bananas! I love the neat not too extravagant decor here and the service is among the friendliest I've experienced, even the sushi chefs smiled and greeted us and the waitress we always have is very nice, attentive without being in the way. A must visit for sure, in my opinion.

Good and Bad

I'm new to Hamilton, and I noticed that a lot of Japanese places are cruddy all-you-can eats. So it was nice to find a half-decent normal place. I got an elaborate, Unagi-based maki roll, that was really good, nicely balanced. My girlfriend, however, got the tempura, and I'd say it wasn't technically up to snuff. Not crispy enough, and the vegetables seemed a touch bland. The salad was also a bit dull. The miso soup was ok. I'm from Peterborough, which had two little sushi places that are really quite good, so my standards are pretty high. Some people think that going to a big city will yield better food -- I'm fairly sure Kampai is one of Hamilton's best, but it couldn't compare to Peterborough's worst. But you can tell that this is a good place. NO PRIVATE DINING ROOMS. If you want this experience, GO ELSEWHERE. However, the service is much better than I'm used to at other Japanese places, and it's a far more casual atmosphere.

awesome food, No1 service

I tried many sushi places in toronto and north america. this restaurant is cozy and small. but in japan , most sushi restaurant is this size. they have wonderful service and authentic japanese food. sushi was really great. tempura shrimp was really crisp and big. we will be back for sure.

Good but not great!

The sushi was okay, but the sashimi platter fish were not really fresh. Miso soup was okay, a little more taste would be better. Tempura was okay. service was slow and below standard.

The best Japanese in Hamilton, hands down. I had a day off and decided to try this place for lunch and was completely impressed by the food, service and presentation. There's at least three all-you-can-eat Japanese places downtown, but if you want a proper Japanese meal, you have to go to Kampai. It was worth every penny. The soft shell crab appetizer was cooked perfectly crisp and beautifully presented. I always order the soft shell crab at Japanese restaurants as a way of gauging the quality of their food and I was completely impressed. The teriyaki salmon bento was gorgeous, fresh, and delicious. The unagi (eel) sushi was made with big, thick slices of grilled eel. Authentic style, not like the skinny slices they give you at all-you-can-eat places. 100% worth the price. I can't wait to go back again some time soon.

we had never tried a place like this before and...

we had never tried a place like this before and were pleasently suprised! they welcomed us with open arms and the other customers were friendly too - everyone helped us with our chopsticks and now we are pro. the food was excellent and the chefs/employees/hostesses were very nice and helpful in helping us choose what to order! we are going to go back soon because we loved it.

Awesome

I'm naturally a picky eater, especially with my sushi. Been to Asia and had sushi/sashimi and to be honest, this place ranks up there with the best. Highly recommend this place for both expert sushi eaters and first timers. Great service and top quality food.

PERFECT 10!

PERFECT! Amazing food, even more amazing sushi and grade A service. The Teriyaki Chicken Box is amazing and the most amazing Miso soup is included with your dish...Ive yet to have the perfect dinning experiance but I would say, this would be it! Service is fairly good and also gets a 10. Decor is authentic and really makes you enjoy your experiance. The food is pricey, but super fresh! Im really excited to go back and literally, eventually try the ENTIRE menu! Its funny that I cant find enough things to write about Kampai...but its a must try for any sushi lover...or even the health concious.

My boss brought me here today. Very, VERY good...

My boss brought me here today. Very, VERY good sushi! The Volcano maki roll was so delicious. I can't wait to go here again!

Friendliest, most courteous service in town (very...

Friendliest, most courteous service in town (very refreshing compared to the lack of proffesionalism in the service industry these days). Food is impeccable, and made to order. Overall a great evening with friends, even those who assumed Japanese just means sushi! PS, I lived in Japan for a year and this was impressive.

Best sushi and Japanese food in Hamilton. Very...

Best sushi and Japanese food in Hamilton. Very cute and clean restaurant with super friendly service. Always greeted politely upon entry and many thanks received when leaving. Service is always prompt. The food is amazing. Always fresh, always great portions of good quality. I've visited many times and not been let down yet. The last time we visited we had our meal for take out and even the way things were packaged, everything was kept very hot and fresh by the time we got home. The avocado rolls are simple and refreshing and by far the best I've ever had of all the maki I have tried elsewhere. If happy had a flavour, it would be the food of Kampai, because I always leave that restaurant feeling great. Thank you Kampai!