Open since 1994, Kanpai Japanese restaurant (301 Palomar St., Chula Vista) has titillated the taste buds of local diners with authentic cuisine from the far side of the world.
Kanpai translates as “cheers.”
“Good name,” said Kanpai sushi chef Gansan.
“We make good Japanese food,” explained Gansan, who has been with the restaurant since its opening. “Most Japanese restaurants (in this country) are Americanized. We continue to serve traditional Japanese food.”
The restaurant has attracted a regular clientele. “We have three or four customers since the beginning,” Gansan noted.
The menu is quite eclectic — sushi, sashimi, tempura, gyoza (pork and vegetable dumplings), ramen, rice bowls, entrees and hot pots. Dishes can be ordered with five types of noodles.
Pricing is inexpensive to moderate.
Japanese food is traditionally not spicy but the staff can spice up dishes at customers’ requests. Customers can also use pepper shakers (with a blend of seven chile peppers) available on tables.
The hand-shaken pepper flakes go especially well to help flavor the chanpon, one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
The soupy-like chanpon hot pot ($10.95) comes in a very large bowl chock full of mounds of noodles, fried pork and seafood (shrimp, fish and squid) with vegetables (cabbage, bean sprouts, green onions and corn).
A regional dish in Nagasaki, chanpon is very filling. It contains something for everyone.
The broth is warm and just right to consume; all the meat is tender.
Adding a dab of pressed garlic adds a pleasing aroma to the hot pot.
The restaurant offers 10 varieties of sushi.
Chicken or beef teriyaki bowls are $8.50. The curry rice with fried shrimp bowl is $12.50.
Also popular with customers are the combination trays. The trays are served with rice, soup and salad. Two individual items cost $10.95 while three individual items are priced at $12.95.
The trays are a bargain especially when sushi is included.
There is a happy hour menu for $3.95 (5-7 p.m.). Sake (rice wine) can be served hot or cold and is available in both small ($4.25) and large ($6.95) serving sizes.
Traditionally, Japanese beer is dry. The restaurant offers several varieties in bottles, glasses ($4.95) and pitchers ($15.45).
There is a carbonated drink for children. Ice cream is also available for dessert.
Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served Monday through Friday from 5 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Visit the web site at www.kanpairestaurant.com or call (619) 426-1200.
