I really wanted to like this place because it carries a certain hype around it. I hope the owners get a chance to see this, because I don't want to see anyones business fail and maybe they can correct the errors that they didn't know were happening.
I made a reservation for a Tuesday evening (which required a $20 charge on my credit card) and was greeted at the front door by a sign asking me to wait outside on the curb. Once I was granted access into the establishment, we were lead to our table and menus all of which felt stickier than fly paper to the touch, along with a flood lamp above our heads that was visibly raining dust and lint onto our dining area.
Our waiter eventually made his way over and promptly informed us that they had run out of several fish options for the evening and the substitution would include a more generous portion. Well, once our three sushi rolls arrived, I was convinced they may have began rationing all the ingredients for the rest of the night and substituted some of the ahi tuna with canned tuna. Four bites later our “meal” was complete and I swiftly paid the $105 dollar tab and headed home.
There are far better sushi options in town that offer a much better ambiance, quality, service and portion size for the cost.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Doug Marrone
The rolls are small, the prices are definitely on the high, and they charge customers a processing fee for using a credit card. Wow!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
Hami Chan
Extremely disappointed with this place. The prices are way overrated $35 for a small bowl of salmon poke with just a couple of deep-fried chips on the side. The poke itself was missing any real flavor or seasoning, just plain fish tossed together with no balance or freshness to the taste. And to make it worse, there was no rice which makes no sense, since poke traditionally comes served over rice, especially at that price point.
The sushi rice we did try in the rolls was honestly the worst I’ve ever had. Completely dry, undercooked, and flavorless. Sushi rice is the foundation of good sushi it should be soft, slightly sticky, and melt in your mouth with that perfect hint of vinegar. This had none of that.
My partner ordered a ramen bowl, and that wasn’t any better. The broth was undersalted and flat, lacking depth or umami. The only thing we could taste was the aftertaste of fatty, slow-cooked pork and not in a pleasant way.
For the prices they’re charging, the quality and flavors are nowhere near worth it. There are plenty of other sushi spots that actually care about balance, flavor, and proper preparation this place, sadly, isn’t one of them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
VeganLD
Kanpai offers a variety of vegan sushi options. We usually get the Shogun and Akira rolls. We have been coming here for years and the sushi is always great, the service is great and the outdoor seating is nice (weather permitting) They do get busy so be sure to make a reservation.
OG, Inc
Everyone complaining isn't a real local...im reading people whining about waiting times and whatnot, if you don't like good food, don't go to busy places, I grew up here In bend. The quality and passion at kanpai makes it a local institution, everything I've had here has been phenomenal, aside from the clear tourists that sat next to me discussing the pains of their inheritance. Bend has changed but the love that goes into kanpai hasn't. Please don't be a tourist and show some respect. The real locals love kanpai
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherri
Not the best Sushi I’ve had. We’ve been here before and the sushi was great, definitely not the case this time. Nick our server was perfect, but that was the only shining star. Back to Chi…
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
CT Crísdean Trevor Wike
The sushi was good but not worth the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Bree
We came here with my family to celebrate my mom’s birthday and were really disappointed with the experience. Our reservation was for 7:15, but we weren’t seated until 7:40 — even though there’s a deposit required to book. I understand the need for a deposit, but I think at the very least a table should be ready at the reserved time.
After we finally ordered, it took a little over an hour for part of our food to arrive. We noticed that every other table around us — even ones that arrived and ordered after we did — got their food before us. My dad spoke with the manager, who insinuated that the free green beans we received were enough to make up for the delay — even though we were originally told they were due to a kitchen error. The manager wasn’t helpful, and we still waited another 30 minutes for the rest of our food, which didn’t come out until around 9:00 PM.
I work in this industry, so I understand that delays happen and I don’t mind waiting — but waiting over an hour with no communication and no real resolution from the manager is unacceptable. I was born and raised in this town and try a new restaurant almost every week, and this was simply not good service compared to any other restaurant I’ve visited.
For a $300 bill, we expected far better service, communication, and timeliness. Unfortunately, this was not the kind of experience we were hoping for on a special occasion, and we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jeanna Mccarthy
Omakase here is a joy! The fish and preparation are excellent! Great friendly service and well crafted cocktails
Service is quite good, but the food doesn't exactly match the price in terms of quality or value. Omakase menu featured interesting items bit a bit unimaginative and classic dishes were not executed well.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Cassandra Price
I’ve dined here a handful of times now with medium sized groups of family and friends, and always leave feeling giddy from an exquisite meal and wonderful service. If you’re looking for incredibly fresh sushi and unique flavors, this is the spot.
Get the Hamachi kama! 🤤
William Deemer
Really, really good sushi! Sat at the bar and had prompt service. Got the edamame which was also really good. Overall a great experience.
Mark Johnson
Great waiter ~ Nick Delicious fish!! 5 stars across the board. I will definitely return next time I visit Bend.
Very tiny restaurant but food is really good!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I really wanted to like this place because it carries a certain hype around it. I hope the owners get a chance to see this, because I don't want to see anyones business fail and maybe they can correct the errors that they didn't know were happening.
I made a reservation for a Tuesday evening (which required a $20 charge on my credit card) and was greeted at the front door by a sign asking me to wait outside on the curb. Once I was granted access into the establishment, we were lead to our table and menus all of which felt stickier than fly paper to the touch, along with a flood lamp above our heads that was visibly raining dust and lint onto our dining area.
Our waiter eventually made his way over and promptly informed us that they had run out of several fish options for the evening and the substitution would include a more generous portion. Well, once our three sushi rolls arrived, I was convinced they may have began rationing all the ingredients for the rest of the night and substituted some of the ahi tuna with canned tuna. Four bites later our “meal” was complete and I swiftly paid the $105 dollar tab and headed home.
There are far better sushi options in town that offer a much better ambiance, quality, service and portion size for the cost.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
The rolls are small, the prices are definitely on the high, and they charge customers a processing fee for using a credit card. Wow!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
Extremely disappointed with this place. The prices are way overrated $35 for a small bowl of salmon poke with just a couple of deep-fried chips on the side. The poke itself was missing any real flavor or seasoning, just plain fish tossed together with no balance or freshness to the taste. And to make it worse, there was no rice which makes no sense, since poke traditionally comes served over rice, especially at that price point.
The sushi rice we did try in the rolls was honestly the worst I’ve ever had. Completely dry, undercooked, and flavorless. Sushi rice is the foundation of good sushi it should be soft, slightly sticky, and melt in your mouth with that perfect hint of vinegar. This had none of that.
My partner ordered a ramen bowl, and that wasn’t any better. The broth was undersalted and flat, lacking depth or umami. The only thing we could taste was the aftertaste of fatty, slow-cooked pork and not in a pleasant way.
For the prices they’re charging, the quality and flavors are nowhere near worth it. There are plenty of other sushi spots that actually care about balance, flavor, and proper preparation this place, sadly, isn’t one of them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Kanpai offers a variety of vegan sushi options. We usually get the Shogun and Akira rolls. We have been coming here for years and the sushi is always great, the service is great and the outdoor seating is nice (weather permitting) They do get busy so be sure to make a reservation.
Everyone complaining isn't a real local...im reading people whining about waiting times and whatnot, if you don't like good food, don't go to busy places, I grew up here In bend. The quality and passion at kanpai makes it a local institution, everything I've had here has been phenomenal, aside from the clear tourists that sat next to me discussing the pains of their inheritance. Bend has changed but the love that goes into kanpai hasn't. Please don't be a tourist and show some respect. The real locals love kanpai
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not the best Sushi I’ve had. We’ve been here before and the sushi was great, definitely not the case this time. Nick our server was perfect, but that was the only shining star. Back to Chi…
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
The sushi was good but not worth the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
We came here with my family to celebrate my mom’s birthday and were really disappointed with the experience. Our reservation was for 7:15, but we weren’t seated until 7:40 — even though there’s a deposit required to book. I understand the need for a deposit, but I think at the very least a table should be ready at the reserved time.
After we finally ordered, it took a little over an hour for part of our food to arrive. We noticed that every other table around us — even ones that arrived and ordered after we did — got their food before us. My dad spoke with the manager, who insinuated that the free green beans we received were enough to make up for the delay — even though we were originally told they were due to a kitchen error. The manager wasn’t helpful, and we still waited another 30 minutes for the rest of our food, which didn’t come out until around 9:00 PM.
I work in this industry, so I understand that delays happen and I don’t mind waiting — but waiting over an hour with no communication and no real resolution from the manager is unacceptable. I was born and raised in this town and try a new restaurant almost every week, and this was simply not good service compared to any other restaurant I’ve visited.
For a $300 bill, we expected far better service, communication, and timeliness. Unfortunately, this was not the kind of experience we were hoping for on a special occasion, and we will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Omakase here is a joy! The fish and preparation are excellent! Great friendly service and well crafted cocktails
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Was ok
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Service is quite good, but the food doesn't exactly match the price in terms of quality or value. Omakase menu featured interesting items bit a bit unimaginative and classic dishes were not executed well.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
I’ve dined here a handful of times now with medium sized groups of family and friends, and always leave feeling giddy from an exquisite meal and wonderful service.
If you’re looking for incredibly fresh sushi and unique flavors, this is the spot.
Get the Hamachi kama! 🤤
Really, really good sushi! Sat at the bar and had prompt service. Got the edamame which was also really good. Overall a great experience.
Great waiter ~ Nick
Delicious fish!!
5 stars across the board.
I will definitely return next time I visit Bend.
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