Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi - Durham

Came from my son's 10th birthday and had a good time the food was good our server was absolutely wonderful very attentive very sweet and kind. Unfortunately to say our experience was very lackluster. We ended up having the table to ourselves which was nice but the chef at our table was lacking to say the least. I wouldn't usually write a review like this but it's kind of upsetting when just one table over you see people having an amazing experience with a wonderful Chef the interacts with the table versus someone that barely says anything to you and barely interacts with the people at the table. We even made sure not to bring our phones as not to be on them so we could enjoy the show at the table. It's kind of frustrating when my kid has to watch someone else's table have a great time and a wonderful experience and the person we get couldn't care less. Unfortunately needless to say that we probably won't be back to this establishment and look for other restaurants that do the same.

Our chef was fun and excellent! Our dinner was delicious as were our drinks. However our server was VERY slow. He was very nice to talk to and helpful when he was around but it truly took more than 20 minutes for us to get our drinks from the bar.

It's been a lot standing tradition for my family and I to get hibachi after Christmas. I love that even after several years going to Kanki I can expect the same flavor, experience and quality of food no matter the chef. Plus it's good entertainment for the kids.

Today I was so excited to take my daughters boyfriend to experience Kanki. I have been here many times with my business and politicians years ago. I made reservations and was completely respectful. The waiter was pushy about how fast we ordered. We had not even had time to look at the menu (5 minutes - look at the video) but was pressing for our drink and appetizer order. We complied anyway as I looked at the menu before I arrived there at the establishment and just wanted to show my guest a good time. Yet, our appetizer never came and we had to ask for it after the food main course was underway. I also had to ask for every refill of drinks I paid for on a individual basis. The chef was amazing and we shared conversation about my travels in southern Asia. He was Vietnam and I was telling him about my plans to travel there in 2026 (May 14th). It was fun but before we had finished even 1/4th of our meal the server was forcing the check on us. It disturbed me because its not like this is not a $200.00 dinner for three and a place of this perceived caliber this would never happen. Everyone at the table should be able to finish their food before a check comes. What if we wanted soethingelse? I decided to go to main desk, discreetly leaving my guest at the table unaware, and asked for the manager. I prefaced the conversation with I do not want anything other than to share my experience and told her everything. I gave her my card to pay for the meal and went back to the table to finish my food. I ate a few bits and my guest could feel and see that it was a bad experience. We then went back to the front desk and had to wait for the manger to return (5ft ISH Asian lady). After 5-10 minutes she came back and gave me the check and said nothing. I looked at her and said you have nothing to say not even Im sorry. She said nothing and I walked out the front door. My guest were behind me, unbeknownst to her, and when they joined me in the car my guest said that as I was walking out SHE CALLED ME A RACIST. That hurt, as I am not, but am a white male. The only person that I am sorry to is the chef that did not get a tip. He deserved it. I would have gave him cash but it was better I leave. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone as It has changed to a place that the price and service does not align. I WILL NEVER RETURN.

Food and service were good. The chef seemed to not want to be there. He had no energy and put forth little effort to entertain

My food order was not cooked to order. Server was inattentive and ghosted us and we had to go to the bar for our drink refills. I have to add that we sat at the tables at the bar and not at the tables with a hibachi chef cooking our food in front of us.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Great tasting food, but small portions considering the cost in To Go Order. I visited 3 times during my 3 week stay in Durham. One eating in, twice to go.

Service: 4

We usually have a very nice time at this restaurant but this time we got a cook and waitress that seemed to be in a bad mood. We ran out of tea before the waitress ever showed back up and the cook seemed to cater to the other end of the table. I don't usually eat a large portion and I always have food left on my plate to take home, but not this time, the lady at the other end of the table asked for extra rice so he immediately gave her enough for three people before he served the rest of the table, therefore cutting our end of the table short. Usually, you go to Kanki to not only eat but for the cooking show they put on, this visit was lacking the entertainment part big time. I like Kanki and will still go to the restaurant, but not at this location.

Very kind and sweet staff, good food. Enjoyable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It was cool..Atmosphere was great and Love the Livery and Fish Tank in the Floor at this Location..Going to try the Raleigh Location Next to see how it is there

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

I got the Kanki special color which included lobster and steak the lobster was very overcooked, and not very fresh.
My wife's chicken was also overcooked and tough.
The steak what's cooked very well along with the vegetables and rice.

Other than that the experience was decent.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

My usual Japanese place was closed and decided to try out Kanki. I'm glad we did! Did was great and portions were plentiful. I think I have a new Japanese place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had a fantastic 10th birthday celebration for my son and the food and hi a hi performance was awesome. Flames, egg tossing, knife wielding and even a heart shaped rice cake. A great performance and the whole family had delicious fun. My only critique is that it took 30 minutes to get pretty simple drink orders of wine, beer, sodas and waters (no mixed drinks) and so we all were sitting for a good while and never saw the server in the whole time in between to try and find her or have her check on us. So, perhaps this was not her fault but just would say- even if the bar was backed up, it's very nice to simply get an update from a server to just say, “your drinks are on the way, we're a bit backed up.”- but basically, we had a wonderful time and it's a great way to celebrate and have an awesome, fun meal!!!

We just left a couple minutes ago and it was AMAZING! We were there for my 17th birthday and we got there right at opening time, so it was just us. Fayas was our Hibachi chef and Muhammad was our server and they were both great. The tricks Fayas did were awesome, he was really talented. He tossed a peice of chicken up in the air and I caught it with my mouth! They even brought plates for my birthday cake and they sang happy birthday to me, and they even had a drum. The food was amazing, and I would rate this restaurant more stars of I could!! ❤️❤️❤️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was great and they diligently packaged my food to to go. Great job!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5