Kanpai Japanese Steak & Seafood House

Visited this restaurant with a party of 12. A few too many for one side of the table so our party was separated, but we worked it out. We had a reservation for 5:30 pm on a Sat night and we were all there on time. We did wait probably 15 min to get a table, but not much longer than expected at a hibachi style restaurant. This place was packed! I am glad we had a reservation! Service was good and waitress was attentive. Food was good, but we were there for a kids birthday and our chef was kind of a dud. The chef on the other aide (cooking for the rest of our party...no kids) was much more fun and into it. He even helped play into the kids behind him who he wasn't even cooking for. We made it through just fine and food was great. They do have some daily specials and combos as well as giving the option of a smaller portion meal at a lower price point. All on all it was worth the shortish drive to Winston to visit.

Visited this restaurant with a party of 12. A few too many for one side of the table so our party was separated, but we worked it out. We had a reservation for 5:30 pm on a Sat night and we were all there on time. We did wait probably 15 min to get a table, but not much longer than expected at a hibachi style restaurant. This place was packed! I am glad we had a reservation! Service was good and waitress was attentive. Food was good, but we were there for a kids birthday and our chef was kind of a dud. The chef on the other aide (cooking for the rest of our party...no kids) was much more fun and into it. He even helped play into the kids behind him who he wasn't even cooking for. We made it through just fine and food was great. They do have some daily specials and combos as well as giving the option of a smaller portion meal at a lower price point. All on all it was worth the shortish drive to Winston to visit.

We had a good chef and waitress for our table and the food was fine. But the food is no better than a quick Japanese restaurant you can pick up or dine in. This place took an hour and a half to seat us. Sat us facing the wall which sucked. Then it took another 20-25 minutes for the chef to come start cooking. They don’t do any flare anymore, just one singular fire display. Nothing else fun at all like they used to. Seems like they can’t get chefs because although the place was slammed there was only three chefs working the tables. I’d say this place has gone down hill. Not only that the bartender stuck his bare hands in my fruity alcohol drink when pushing the fruit down into the drink. I felt sick and overwhelmed in there. It needs a deep cleaning and reno, and they need to train their chefs to do a bit more show which used to be fantastic.

We had a good chef and waitress for our table and the food was fine. But the food is no better than a quick Japanese restaurant you can pick up or dine in. This place took an hour and a half to seat us. Sat us facing the wall which sucked. Then it took another 20-25 minutes for the chef to come start cooking. They don’t do any flare anymore, just one singular fire display. Nothing else fun at all like they used to. Seems like they can’t get chefs because although the place was slammed there was only three chefs working the tables. I’d say this place has gone down hill. Not only that the bartender stuck his bare hands in my fruity alcohol drink when pushing the fruit down into the drink. I felt sick and overwhelmed in there. It needs a deep cleaning and reno, and they need to train their chefs to do a bit more show which used to be fantastic.

Wonderful hibachi experience! Highly recommend. Delicious! High quality food, also, I love the fact that they give you noodles in addition to rice and then the fried bananas at the end are an iced treat as well! Will definitely be back.

Wonderful hibachi experience! Highly recommend. Delicious! High quality food, also, I love the fact that they give you noodles in addition to rice and then the fried bananas at the end are an iced treat as well! Will definitely be back.

Kanpai is a very popular restaurant in Winston Salem. Prepare for a wait on the weekend. We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night and still ended up waiting quite a bit, but the service is great and the entire family loves eating here. Plus, we always come away with leftovers!😋 Saturday is busy, therefore very loud, so be prepared for that as well. Each table seats eight. It's fun to talk with the random people seated at your table and the chef is usually very engaging. We've been coming here for roughly 20 years and it remains a favorite.

Kanpai is a very popular restaurant in Winston Salem. Prepare for a wait on the weekend. We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night and still ended up waiting quite a bit, but the service is great and the entire family loves eating here. Plus, we always come away with leftovers!😋 Saturday is busy, therefore very loud, so be prepared for that as well. Each table seats eight. It's fun to talk with the random people seated at your table and the chef is usually very engaging. We've been coming here for roughly 20 years and it remains a favorite.

A family favorite for years, and for good reason! The food is consistently delicious, and unlike other Japanese spots in town, they include noodles with your meal rather than charging extra—a small detail that makes a big difference. The drinks are tasty, and our server was friendly and attentive, even with the restaurant being so busy. Speaking of busy, we did have a long wait time even with a reservation, which was a bit frustrating. That said, the restaurant is relatively small, so it’s no surprise it’s always packed. The ambiance feels slightly outdated—not sure if it’s an intentional nod to a traditional old-timey Japanese aesthetic or if the place could use some updates. Either way, it doesn’t take away from the overall experience. One of the best spots for a fun, flavorful, and memorable dining experience.

A family favorite for years, and for good reason! The food is consistently delicious, and unlike other Japanese spots in town, they include noodles with your meal rather than charging extra—a small detail that makes a big difference. The drinks are tasty, and our server was friendly and attentive, even with the restaurant being so busy. Speaking of busy, we did have a long wait time even with a reservation, which was a bit frustrating. That said, the restaurant is relatively small, so it’s no surprise it’s always packed. The ambiance feels slightly outdated—not sure if it’s an intentional nod to a traditional old-timey Japanese aesthetic or if the place could use some updates. Either way, it doesn’t take away from the overall experience. One of the best spots for a fun, flavorful, and memorable dining experience.

We go here every sunday! Great food (if you have a good cook) don't let them rush thru cooking, and tell them to take their time ensuring not to cross contaminate. Great service, waiters, waitresses, always getting topped off for what you need..bartender is chill, and they have great drinks.

We go here every sunday! Great food (if you have a good cook) don't let them rush thru cooking, and tell them to take their time ensuring not to cross contaminate. Great service, waiters, waitresses, always getting topped off for what you need..bartender is chill, and they have great drinks.

I called to try to make a reservation and they said they only take walk ins at that time , we get there and they asked if we had a reservation, so I was kinda annoyed by that , overall the wait was roughly around 30/40 minutes (it was very busy ) . While we were waiting the door would blow open (it was cold and raining ) and everyone in the waiting area would freeze . Once we were sat we still felt the freezing air (everyone at our table was complaining about how cold it was ) Besides that the only thing else I can say is that the portion of chicken the chef gave my husband ( chicken was split into 3 servings ) was very small compared to mine and the other gentleman at our table (I provided a picture so you could see the comparison) the ranch for my salad was not good , it wasn’t homemade ranch it , tasted like hidden valley but everything else was delicious, the steak was super tender and cooked exactly how I wanted (medium rare ) , the sauces provided were also very yummy and paired great with everything we ordered . Overall the experience was nice , the chef wasn’t very entertaining but we honestly didn’t mind bc we just wanted to eat . For my husband and I our two meals and two drinks we paid 67$ not including tip . We have SO MUCH leftovers so it’s definitely worth the money and experience. Will be returning .

I called to try to make a reservation and they said they only take walk ins at that time , we get there and they asked if we had a reservation, so I was kinda annoyed by that , overall the wait was roughly around 30/40 minutes (it was very busy ) . While we were waiting the door would blow open (it was cold and raining ) and everyone in the waiting area would freeze . Once we were sat we still felt the freezing air (everyone at our table was complaining about how cold it was ) Besides that the only thing else I can say is that the portion of chicken the chef gave my husband ( chicken was split into 3 servings ) was very small compared to mine and the other gentleman at our table (I provided a picture so you could see the comparison) the ranch for my salad was not good , it wasn’t homemade ranch it , tasted like hidden valley but everything else was delicious, the steak was super tender and cooked exactly how I wanted (medium rare ) , the sauces provided were also very yummy and paired great with everything we ordered . Overall the experience was nice , the chef wasn’t very entertaining but we honestly didn’t mind bc we just wanted to eat . For my husband and I our two meals and two drinks we paid 67$ not including tip . We have SO MUCH leftovers so it’s definitely worth the money and experience. Will be returning .

I really don’t like to complain but when it comes to making my food I expect it to be great. My shrimps were raw, my hot sake was cold. So I was totally turned off by this place. I would never go again.

I really don’t like to complain but when it comes to making my food I expect it to be great. My shrimps were raw, my hot sake was cold. So I was totally turned off by this place. I would never go again.