Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica Introduce
Nestled on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, Sushi Kanpai has earned a reputation as a true "hidden gem" among locals seeking an elevated Japanese dining experience. In a city brimming with sushi options, Kanpai distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to noticeably high-quality ingredients, artful preparation, and genuinely attentive service. For those in California with a discerning palate for fresh, authentic, and innovative Japanese cuisine, this restaurant offers a truly exceptional culinary journey.
Sushi Kanpai is more than just a place to eat; it's an experience where the freshness of every raw ingredient is paramount. Diners consistently rave about the superior quality of the fish, with particular highlights given to the creamy uni and the fantastic flavor of dishes like the baked scallop roll. Even the nuanced details, such as "well-steeped green tea" and "aromatic sesame seeds," contribute to an overall impression of meticulous care and dedication to flavor.
What truly sets Sushi Kanpai apart is its ability to impress even the most difficult critics, as one review charmingly notes about a "germaphobic and difficult to impress" Korean mom who "enjoyed her meal very much." This speaks volumes about the restaurant's high standards of cleanliness, quality, and taste. Coupled with "great service" and a fantastic happy hour menu, Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica emerges as a highly recommended destination for both special occasions and regular cravings for extremely fresh Japanese food, promising a delightful experience that leaves no grain of rice behind.
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica is conveniently located at 2212 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA. This prime address places it on one of Santa Monica's main arteries, making it easily accessible for residents and visitors alike. Wilshire Boulevard is a major east-west thoroughfare connecting various parts of Los Angeles and the Westside, ensuring excellent visibility and ease of navigation to the restaurant.
Its location within Santa Monica provides good accessibility from neighboring areas like Brentwood, West Los Angeles, and even further east. For those driving, street parking is often available in the vicinity, and there may be nearby parking lots or structures typical of a commercial boulevard in Los Angeles. The restaurant's prominence on Wilshire also means it's well-served by local bus routes, offering convenient access via public transport. This combination of a well-known address and various transportation options contributes to its appeal as a readily accessible dining destination in the heart of Santa Monica.
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica offers a comprehensive range of services designed to deliver a premium and enjoyable Japanese dining experience:
- Dine-In Service: Enjoy your meal in a welcoming setting that, while potentially a "hidden gem," maintains a high standard of cleanliness and comfort.
- High-Quality Sushi & Sashimi: A core offering featuring noticeably high-quality, fresh ingredients. This includes classic sushi (nigiri) and sashimi selections, with a focus on premium fish.
- Innovative Specialty Rolls: Beyond traditional offerings, the menu includes creative and delicious specialty rolls. Examples from customer reviews include the "baked scallop roll," "spicy Japan scallop roll," and mentions of unique preparations that make the sushi "interesting with different ingredients / prep."
- Omakase Options: While not explicitly detailed as a primary service in all reviews, the mention of "omakase here" indicates that chef-selected tasting menus are available, showcasing the chef's artistry and the freshest seasonal ingredients.
- Diverse Menu Offerings: Beyond sushi, the menu encompasses a wide range of Japanese dishes, including appetizers (e.g., oyster/uni, sea cucumber), main courses, and potentially ramen and udon, providing a comprehensive Japanese culinary experience.
- Fantastic Happy Hour Menu: A highly praised feature, offering "super delicious and fresh" items, including sushi rolls, tamago, and salmon sushi, along with drinks, all at a great value.
- Attentive and Great Service: The staff is consistently lauded for providing "great service" and being "attentive," enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Takeout and Delivery: Sushi Kanpai offers takeout options, and partners with major third-party delivery services (like DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats), making it convenient to enjoy their food at home.
- Beverage Selection: Offers a variety of drinks, including green tea and other beverages to complement the meal.
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica distinguishes itself with several key features and highlights that contribute to its glowing reputation:
- Noticeably High-Quality & Extremely Fresh Ingredients: This is the most consistent and emphatic highlight. Customers repeatedly praise the "high quality ingredients" and the "extremely FRESH Japanese food." The "raw ingredient looked and tasted fresh," with specific mentions of "creamy uni" and the superior taste of seafood.
- Exceptional Taste and Flavor: Every dish is described as tasting "fantastic." The subtle nuances like "aromatic sesame seeds" on a spicy roll and the overall deliciousness of items like the baked scallop roll contribute to a truly enjoyable culinary experience.
- Impressive Happy Hour Menu: A significant draw, offering "super delicious and fresh" items at a great value. This makes high-quality sushi more accessible and encourages repeat visits.
- Great and Attentive Service: The service is consistently lauded as "great" and attentive, enhancing the overall dining experience. Friendly staff who provide excellent care contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
- "Hidden Gem" Status: Many refer to Sushi Kanpai as a "hidden gem," indicating that it might be less outwardly flashy than some other establishments but delivers exceptional quality that surprises and delights those who discover it.
- Ability to Impress Discerning Palates: The restaurant has a track record of impressing even "difficult to impress" diners, suggesting a consistently high standard that appeals to seasoned sushi connoisseurs.
- Cleanliness and Presentation: While not explicitly detailed, the ability to impress a "germaphobic" customer implies a high standard of cleanliness and presentation, which is crucial for sushi restaurants.
- Versatile Dining Option: Recommended for both "special occasion" dining and when one "crave extremely FRESH Japanese food," showcasing its adaptability for various needs.
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica is notably praised for its valuable happy hour offerings, which serve as its primary and most highlighted promotion. This makes high-quality sushi and Japanese dishes more accessible to local diners.
- Fantastic Happy Hour Menu: This is a major draw, with customers consistently highlighting its availability and quality. The happy hour menu includes "super delicious and fresh" items, such as a variety of sushi rolls (including salmon sushi and tamago), appetizers, and drinks.
- Great Value During Happy Hour: Patrons report getting a significant amount of food and a drink for a reasonable total price (e.g., around $50 for multiple hand rolls, tamago, salmon sushi, and a drink). This "great bang for your buck" during happy hour makes it a popular choice.
For the most current information on their happy hour times and specific menu items included, it is always recommended to check their official website (if available), look up their menu on popular food delivery platforms like Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats, or call them directly at (424) 744-8934. Restaurants often update these details seasonally or periodically.
To experience the highly-rated sushi and Japanese cuisine at Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica, here is their contact information:
- Address: 2212 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA
- Phone: (424) 744-8934
- Mobile Phone: +1 424-744-8934
For current operating hours, to make a reservation, or to inquire about specific menu items, it is always best to call them directly. Their hours typically include both lunch and dinner service, making them a convenient option throughout the day.
For the discerning residents of Santa Monica and the wider West Los Angeles area, Sushi Kanpai is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended dining destination. Its appeal to locals is deeply rooted in its unwavering commitment to premium quality, a fantastic happy hour, and an overall delightful dining experience that resonates with the community's preferences.
The foremost reason for its local suitability is the "noticeably high quality ingredients" and the "extremely FRESH Japanese food." In a competitive culinary landscape like Los Angeles, finding a sushi restaurant where every "raw ingredient looked and tasted fresh" and where dishes like "creamy uni" truly stand out, is invaluable. This consistent excellence ensures that locals seeking genuine, top-tier sushi will find Sushi Kanpai to be a reliable and satisfying choice.
Furthermore, the "great happy hour menu" is a significant draw for the local populace. Offering "super delicious and fresh" items at a great value allows residents to enjoy premium sushi more frequently, whether for a casual weeknight dinner or a relaxed gathering with friends. This balance of quality and affordability during happy hour makes it a practical and appealing option for a wide demographic.
The "great service" and attentive staff further enhance the local appeal. A friendly and efficient dining experience contributes significantly to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth within the community. It's the kind of place where you feel welcomed and well-cared for, which transforms a meal into a truly enjoyable occasion.
Finally, its convenient location on Wilshire Boulevard, a central artery in Santa Monica, makes it easily accessible for many locals. Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica is not just a restaurant; it's a cherished "hidden gem" where quality and customer satisfaction are paramount, making it an ideal choice for anyone in the area craving an exquisite and genuinely fresh sushi experience.
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica Photos










Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica Location
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica
2212 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA
Sushi Kanpai Santa Monica Reviews
Hidden gem. Noticeably high quality ingredients and great service. Even my Korean mom, who is germaphobic and difficult to impress, enjoyed her meal very much. Will be coming here again.We ordered the oyster/uni (!), the baked scallop roll (!), the chirashi bowl, the sea cucumber, and the spicy japan scallop roll. Everything tasted fantastic and we didn't leave a single grain of rice.In my opinion, it's rare to encounter Japanese food in America that I end up loving. Every raw ingredient looked and tasted fresh. Uni here was creamy, the green tea was well-steeped, and the sesame seeds on the spicy japan roll were aromatic.I highly recommend that you come here for a special occasion or whenever you crave extremely FRESH Japanese food.
Jan 03, 2025 · Emily ShinGreat happy hour menu! Everything was super delicious and fresh. I had (i think lol) 3 more hand rolls, tamago and salmon sushi. With a drink the total came out to around 50.
May 22, 2025 · Amberly BonillaMarch 2025Happy Hour review7 days a week 12noon-6pm ( kitchen closes at 3pm- 4:30pm)Fantastic food choices for HH! I love their Salmon Skin Salad and vegetable tempura, as well as the agedashi tofu. If you like lemony fish, their salmon collar with lemon is heavenly!Their choices for alcohol for HH is either beer or sake. I love Kanpai Sushi for authentic Japanese food.October 2024.Last night I came for dinner. My friend and I had a quick dinner. She ordered the salmon sushi plate. The presentation was beautiful. Each salmon was described well by the staff. She also ordered an a la carte chicken teriyaki, which she said was very tasty. I ordered the Volcano Ramen at level 2. It was spicy good! I don't think I could handle a level 3, but those who really like spicy hot dishes, go for it. The Volcano consists of ground pork, egg and more. The Volcano Ramen comes in one size, the large bowl, which I wasn't able to finish because I got full. There is a disclaimer on the menu that one cannot take home any leftover ramen. Overall, our dinner was simple and delicious. The staff here are all Japanese and many of the menu items share the origin in Japan where it comes from. This makes Kanpai very authentically Japanese.---------I am back after 2 weeks and I brought a new friend!We both ordered from the Lunch Set menu. There are lots of options during lunch and reasonably priced. Generous portions. The ramen broth is so delicious! The mini donburi bowls are filling! I have had the Unagi/ eel and the Salmon Ikura and both are really really good! The small salad has a wonderful unami dressing and the panacotta dessert is a wonderful palette cleanser.We both ordered the RAMEN SET and shared a hot sake ( small ) from the Happy Hour menu. We both loved our meal and the shared sake and we will definitely return!There is a small parking lot in the back. Make sure you read the painted marked spots for Kanpai.September 2024My friend stumbled across this authentic Japanese restaurant on Wilshire ( 22nd- 23rd block) and was very impressed! My friend lives part time in Tokyo and part time here in LA. She was reluctant to try this Japanese restaurant because she has high standards of the quality of what Japanese food should taste like!The menu is vast, but we ordered from the Lunch Menu $20 we both chose a ramen: Miso Soy or Yuzo Shio and then we both chose a Don bowl. She chose the ikura ( salmon eggs) and I chose the Eel. The broth on both were sooooooooooooo tasty and flavorful. This meal comes with a salad with a miso dressing and wonderful panacatta dessert with a berry sauce. YUM YUM YUM!!!There is also a Happy Hour menu that looked like something to try in the future.
Mar 25, 2025 · eriko pDelicious sushi, fresh ingredients, and neat presentation. Fast and friendly service, cozy atmosphere. Definitely coming back!
Feb 26, 2025 · Viktoriia Gomez EstradaOpen on Thanksgiving, huge selection! Spicy yuzu ramen had a very unique and tasty flavor. Sushi sampler was good and they were able to sub the California roll for spicy tuna. Staff were very personable and attentive! Planning on coming back to try other things on the menu!
Nov 28, 2024 · Michelle Jang
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