Kanpai Introduce
Nestled in the heart of Palo Alto, California, Kanpai is a cherished Japanese restaurant that has long been a local favorite for its exceptional cuisine and inviting ambiance. Conveniently located at 330 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Kanpai offers a culinary experience centered around delicious and fresh sushi, alongside a variety of other Japanese delicacies. The restaurant can be reached by phone at (650) 325-2696 or mobile at +1 650-325-2696.
Operating within the broad scope of the "Doctor Near Me" platform category, which typically highlights local services and goods, Kanpai perfectly fits by providing a readily available and highly beneficial service to the community: high-quality nourishment and a delightful dining experience. While the platform name might suggest a medical context, its application here extends to any local provider addressing community needs. In this sense, Kanpai functions as a "culinary well-being specialist," offering fresh, healthy, and satisfying meals that contribute to overall happiness and health. For those in Palo Alto seeking an excellent and accessible Japanese dining option, Kanpai is presented as a prime choice within their immediate vicinity, much like a doctor provides accessible healthcare.
Kanpai is renowned for its lovely atmosphere that combines comfort with traditional Japanese aesthetics. Described as "quieter and cozier than most sushi restaurants," it provides an ideal setting for various occasions, from casual meals to more intimate gatherings. The environment is widely praised by patrons for its family-friendly feel, making it a welcoming spot for individuals, couples, and families alike. While specific details about the interior design are not extensively documented, the consistent positive feedback on the atmosphere suggests a well-maintained, clean, and pleasant dining space. It's often referred to as a great place for a first date due to its cozy nature. The central location on Lytton Avenue, just a block away from the bustling University Avenue, allows for both accessibility and a slightly more relaxed pace. Additionally, Kanpai offers outdoor dining, providing an alternative for those who prefer to dine al fresco and enjoy the Palo Alto weather.
Kanpai is dedicated to providing comprehensive and convenient services to its clientele. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, accommodating various schedules. Lunch is available Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, while dinner is offered Monday through Saturday from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. This consistent availability throughout the week ensures that patrons can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes at their convenience. In addition to dine-in service, Kanpai facilitates enjoyment of its cuisine at home or elsewhere through delivery and takeout options. The restaurant partners with popular food delivery platforms such as DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats, making it incredibly easy for local users to order online and have their meals delivered directly to their doorstep. For those who prefer to pick up their orders, phone orders are also readily accepted. The staff are described as "extremely friendly," further enhancing the overall service experience and contributing to the restaurant's reputation for warmth and hospitality. The emphasis on a "family establishment" reinforces the idea of attentive and personalized service.
The core feature that consistently draws patrons to Kanpai is its delicious and fresh sushi, which is highlighted as a primary reason for its high recommendation. The quality of the ingredients is paramount, with reviewers consistently praising the freshness of the fish. Beyond sushi, Kanpai offers a diverse and extensive menu of Japanese fare, including sashimi, teriyaki, udon noodles, and various appetizers. Review details indicate a wide selection of nigiri, rolls (both classic and special), and sashimi options, with popular items like the 49er Roll, Dragon Roll, and a variety of tuna, salmon, and yellowtail preparations. The menu also features hot dishes from the grill such as beef and chicken teriyaki, salmon teriyaki, and even broiled black cod. For those seeking lighter options, a range of salads, including a "Kanpai Special Salad" with tuna, salmon, white tuna, avocado, and asparagus, are available. The restaurant also offers an Omakase (chef's tasting menu) option, providing a curated experience for adventurous diners. The menu also includes a selection of beverages, including a big sake list, allowing patrons to pair their meals with traditional Japanese drinks. The fact that the staff and menu from a previous location were seamlessly transitioned to the current 330 Lytton Avenue address (its sister restaurant, Kanpai Sushi) underscores the continuity of quality and beloved dishes, assuring long-time customers that their favorites are still available. This move was clearly communicated to loyal patrons, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining their customer base.
While specific, time-limited promotional offers are not explicitly detailed, Kanpai's reputation for offering good value for a good price is a significant draw. The consistent positive reviews regarding the quality-to-price ratio effectively serve as ongoing promotional information. Being listed on major delivery platforms like DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats often means that customers can benefit from platform-specific promotions, such as discounts on first orders or free delivery deals, which can indirectly promote Kanpai's offerings. The continuous stream of positive reviews, with many customers expressing satisfaction and strong recommendations, acts as powerful organic promotion. Long-time patrons, some having visited for over 14 years, highlight the restaurant's consistency in food quality and the friendliness of the staff, emphasizing a strong sense of community and loyalty. The seamless transition to the new location and the assurance that the "wonderful staff and menu are moving" with it further builds customer confidence and encourages continued patronage. The general sentiment points to Kanpai being a reliable choice for authentic and enjoyable Japanese cuisine in Palo Alto, consistently delivering on its promise of delicious, fresh food in a pleasant setting. For those searching on a "Doctor Near Me" platform, Kanpai offers a consistent, high-quality, and enjoyable "prescription" for Japanese food cravings.
Kanpai Menu
Appetizer
- Edamame US$3.50
boiled soy beans
- Horenso Goma-ae US$4.50
spinach with sesame sauce
- Horenso Oshitashi US$4.50
spinach with soy or bonito based sauce with sprinkles of seaweed and bonito flakes
- Softshell Crab Appetizer US$8.00
deep fried softshell crab with a dipping sauce
- Gyoza US$4.50
pot stickers, six pieces
- Shumai US$5.50
seaven pieces
- Yakitori US$6.50
chicken on skewers cooked with teriyaki sauce
- Agedashi Tofu US$7.50
deep fried tofu in special sauce topped with bonito flakes
- Hiyayakko US$7.50
cold tofu served with green onion, ginger and bonito flakes with a dipping sauce
- Yudofu US$7.50
hot tofu served with green onion, ginger and bonito flakes with a dipping sauce
- Grilled Shiitake Mushroom - Plain Shiitake US$6.50
grilled with teriyaki sauce
- Grilled Shiitake Mushroom - Stuffed Shiitake US$8.00
with minced fish, grilled with teriyaki sauce
- Yaki-ika US$8.00
whole squid grilled with teriyaki sauce
- Negimaki US$7.50
green onion rolled with thinly sliced pork
- Karei No Kara-age US$12.00
deep fried sole with a dipping sauce
- Shrimp Tempura US$7.50
Salads
- Goma Wakame (small Seaweed Salad) US$4.50
small bowl of seasoned seaweed with sesame oil
- Small House Salad US$1.75
iceberg lettuce and tomato with sesame-miso dressing
- Fresh Green Salad US$6.50
large plate of salad with avocado, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and spinach with sesame miso dressing
- Combination Seaweed Salad US$7.50
variety of seaweed on a bed of lettuce with sesame-miso dressing
Rice & Miso Soups
- Steamed Rice US$1.75
- Asari Clam Soup US$5.00
- Tofu And Seaweed Miso Soup US$1.75
- Nameko Mushroom Soup US$5.00
Chirashi
Bowl Of Sushi Rice With Slices Of Fish On Top. Include Green Salad With Homemade Dressing And Miso Soup
- Regular Chirashi US$13.00
7 slices of fish and fish powder over sushi rice
- Special Chirashi US$15.00
9 slices of fish and fish powder over sushi rice
- Maguro Chirashi US$12.50
sushi rice topped with 8 slices of tuna and pickled vegetables
Assorted Sushi
Include Green Salad With Homemade Dressing And Miso Soup
- Regular Sushi US$13.00
7 pieces of nigiri and a cucumber roll
- Special Sushi US$15.00
8 pieces of nigiri and a tuna roll
- Deluxe Sushi US$24.00
12 pieces of the best selections of nigiri
Sushi Menu
Per Piece
- Maguro (tuna) US$2.00
- Shiro Maguro (albacore) US$2.00
- Shiro Maguro Tataki (seared Albacore) US$2.00
- Hamachi (yellow Tail) US$2.00
- Hamachi Hara (yellowtail Belly) US$2.50
- Ebi (shrimp) US$2.00
- Amaebi (sweet Shrimp) US$3.00
- Ika (squid) US$2.00
- Sake (salmon) US$2.00
- Sake Hara (salmon Belly) US$2.50
- Hotate (scallop) US$2.00
- Unagi (eel) US$2.00
- Hirame (flounder) US$2.00
- Hokkigai (surf Clam) US$2.00
- Koika (baby Squid) US$1.85
- Saba (mackerel) US$1.85
- Tobiko (flying Fish Egg) US$1.85
- Wasabi Tobiko US$1.85
- Tako (octopus) US$1.85
- Tamago (egg Omelet) US$1.85
Sushi Roll
- Tekka Maki (tuna Roll)
- Negi Hama
y. tail w/g. onion
- Spicy Tuna Roll
spicy tuna & avocado
- Spicy Ebi & Avocado Roll
spicy shrimp & avocado
- Spicy Hotate & Avocado Roll
spicy scallop & avocado
- Ebi & Avocado Roll
shrimp & avocado
- Sake & Avocado Roll
salmon & avocado
- California Roll
crab & avocado
- Yasai Maki
mixed veggie roll
- Ika Tobiko Maki
squid & tobiko
- Saba Maki (mackerel)
- Unagi Maki
grilled eel roll
- Kappa Maki (cucumber) US$3.50
- Avocado Roll US$3.50
- Oshinko Maki (pickled Daikon) US$3.50
- Ume Maki (pickled Plum) US$3.50
- Jumbo Futomaki US$20.00
Special Roll
- Soft Shell Crab Roll US$7.75
cut in 4 pcs
- Soft Shell Crab Hand Roll US$7.75
2 hand rolls
- Shrimp Tempura Roll US$6.50
w/avocado & tobiko
Desserts
- Ice Cream US$2.50
green tea or red bean flavor
- Mochi Ice Cream US$1.75
choice of green tea, red bean, strawberry, coffee or mango ice cream covered with thin rice cake
Kanpai Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Toilet
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Free of charge street parking
Kanpai Photos










Kanpai Location
Kanpai
330 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
Kanpai Reviews
Delicious and fresh sushi, wonderful family and lovely atmosphere for a good price. 100% recommend if you're in Palo Alto!
May 01 · Kat BroderAll around amazing! Absolutely delicious and the staff are extremely friendly! Truly heart broken to find out they are moving, have been coming for more than 14 years. But the wonderful staff and menu are moving to there sister restaurant Kanpai Sushi, at 330 Lytton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301
August 22 · Evariste DepreyA neighborhood staple, Koma Sushi is the quintessential family restaurant. It's got the aged carpet, storied walls and employees who are friends or related. The sushi is good, not mind-blowing, but solid. My favorites were the cooked/seared nigiris and hand rolls. The waitresses are really sweet and the chefs are always having a fun conversation. There's a decent amount of parking and it wasn't too busy when we went at 5pm. Worth coming by if you're looking for a safe sushi option.
January 05 · Andrew JaruHaving tested every sushi restaurant in the area, this is my go-to sushi in Palo Alto. The restaurant is family run. They love their regulars and always treat me, my family, and friends with great service.The sushi is reliably fresh. I especially love the Salomon sampler.The setting is intimate and approachable. You won’t be disappointed!
November 07 · Lisen StrombergThe owners were looking at my partner's Hatsune Miku Ita-Bag enraptured by its fluffy twintails and gigantic Miku mouth. I chatted with them in Japanese asking about the bag and the sushi chef responded, "Hatsune Miku? I know her! The Vocaloid!"that's 5 stars from me
June 29 · Watson Tungjunyatham
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