KINKA IZAKAYA ORIGINAL in Toronto

398 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, Canada

★★★★☆
(2585 reviews)
Categories: Authentic Japanese restaurant Bar Izakaya restaurant Sushi restaurant

About

KINKA IZAKAYA, a popular izakaya-style restaurant now most famous for its bustling atmosphere, was established in 2009 in downtown Toronto. When you walk through our doors, you will feel as though you're dining in Japan. KINKA IZAKAYA offers an authentic dining experience of popular Japanese eateries, and is a pioneer in introducing Toronto to the world of authentic izakaya fare and superior Japanese-style hospitality. Executive Chef Ippei Iwata brings forth a menu boasting a variety of traditional and modern specialties made for sharing. KINKA IZAKAYA guests will also enjoy a large beverage selection that supports the philosophy of an izakaya; pairing tapas-style dishes with a collection of premium Japanese sake, craft beers and cocktails.

Website
kinkaizakaya.com
Address
398 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, Canada
Plus Code
MJ6C+59 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Sunday
5–10:30 PM
Monday
5–10:30 PM
Tuesday
5–10:30 PM
Wednesday
5–10:30 PM
Thursday
5–10:30 PM
Friday
5 PM–1 AM
Saturday
5 PM–1 AM

Services

From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Healthy options Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Paid parking lot Paid street parking

Photos

Reviews

4.4
★★★★☆
2585 reviews

Most Mentioned

sake bombs (81) tapas (50) noisy (43) patio (39) bibimbap (30) yelling (28) small plates (11) carbonara udon (9) salmon tataki (9) oshizushi (7)
5 stars
1600
4 stars
652
3 stars
171
2 stars
78
1 stars
84
★★★★★
October 26, 2024

Came in for my bday dinner with friends. Staff gifted a free matcha cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday. That’s not all. They even took a Polaroid photo for us! It was so unexpected but wholesome. Food was great, loved the karage chicken and curry bibimbump. Highly recommend.

★★★★
October 10, 2024

Craving of getting some skewers at Izakaya but we were told that's not on the menu.... Orders some other food which was ok. Beef udon tasted bland. Truffle fries was good. Aburi sushi, Karaage and Prawn Tempura were all good.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Servers are kind, good modern atmosphere alike Japan. Opened kitchen is busy but foods are good. The only matter is the portion‘s are small. I recommend karaage, nasu + tofu, and mentai udon.

★★★★★
August 9, 2024

Amazing food (especially loved the aburi sushi, karage and curry beef bubimbap!!) Our server Phuntsho was so kind, attentive and always came by to make sure we were ok. Thank you so much for an incredible experience. We will definitely be back again.

★★★★
August 6, 2024

Great savoury and umami flavours. But nothing uniquely different than any other japenese restaurant. Still a great place to try!

★★★★★
July 16, 2024

Amazing food and outstanding service! My friend and I went and didn’t say a word to each other the whole time we were eating because we were so absorbed in our delicious food. I highly recommend eating here!

★★★★★
July 8, 2024

Lovely spot for drinks (and food). Atmosphere is on the louder end, and ‘rowdy’ in a good way. Drinks are delicious and decently priced. Food is more on the expensive end. Decently spacious seating although the seats itself are not the most comfortable. Worth a visit if you are looking for a spot for night time drinks.

★★★★★
May 17, 2024

We ordered the assorted sushi, chicken, octopus, carbonara udon and the creams brûlée and black sesame ice cream. All of it was delicious but our least favourite was the octopus. It was good - just too sweet for our personal taste. But highly recommend the place!

★★★★★
December 17, 2024

Amazing experience

★★★★★
December 17, 2024

Amazing experience, love the food and vibe

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 30, 2024

This was some of the best ramen I have had. Great, clea place, cozy, and friendly staff.

★★★★★
November 30, 2024

Rena was really good!! Food was also good!! Food

★★★★★
November 30, 2024

This is the perfect sushi spot to go to before a game or concert at Scotiabank arena. It s really pretty inside and the food is very fresh. Parking: Paid parking garage right beside the restaurant.

★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Great spot for the izakaya. Highly recommend the Fukumitsuya Tradition Junmai sake

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Went for our friends birthday last night and our server was so amazing, she made the entire night. Yuhay was... no no, Yuhay is iconic! I will 100% return just to have her lead my friends and I on a table round full of sake bombs. I literally said to the guys, I said - hey, we should like come back here just for Sake Bombs! 10/10 recommend. Go there.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

We were a group of eight celebrating an anniversary for dinner. The food, service and atmosphere were excellent! Portions were good and taste as well! Highly recommend and will definitely return!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

The salmon sushi is delicious. I tried the Kinka rolls and the salmon, but the salmon was easily the best.

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Food was amazing, affordable, and service is on point. Need to reserve early as it gets packed fast.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Food and drinks were really good. Got the lychee chu-hi, salmon bibimbap, takoyaki and truffle tokyo fries. Just a heads up, you have to juice your own grapefruit if you get the grapefruit chu-high which I thought was really funny. We also got sake bombs and it was really fun. Service was quick and they will even mix your bibimbap for you. I will say the tables are really close together so once you sit down you better not get up again. Overall, very lively atmosphere and a great time with friends.

★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Love the food

★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Food and drinks were good. The atmosphere used to be a lot more fun, they used to do some sort of chant to welcome everyone and say goodbye. We went on a Friday night and it was weird that they closed the patio at 10pm and wouldnt serve us outside anymore.

★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

A lively shop with some working holiday Japanese staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Great Japanese restaurant in Downtown Toronto Very good, cool atmosphere

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

HAPPY HOUR DEAL BEST IN THE CITY !!! my go to is Spicy Nasu, Tokyo Fries , Takoyaki btw glass of Saporo only 7$ like what ??? Food

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Food was good and service was great!

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Incredible meal

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Great small plates. We enjoyed everything we tried. Our server was very kind and attentive as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

One of my favourite izakaya places. Everything from the food items to the drinks are spot on. This is an izakaya (Japanese bar), so expect the noisy atmosphere. I dont like loud, noisy, but their food and drinks surely make up for it.

★★★★
October 21, 2024

premium japanese food- but worth every dollar. perhaps the best sushi ive ever had bcs everything is just a step above the rest. a must visit.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Well this was amazing! Wonderful service, wonderful drinks, wonderful food! Highly recommend

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Amazing food, amazing staff, and great vibes! Overall, a perfect place to spend a good evening!

★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Shockingly small proportions. Food flavor and prep fine. Good service. Noisy, drafty, loud music.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

We tried everything on their menu; we enjoyed it so much except for the noodles, we werent big fans of that. Excellent place, nice vibes, nice music, nice food. Food

★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Our search for vegetarian ramen led us here on a weekend for lunch. Its a cute ramen spot, ideal for casual hangouts or a quick bite. While their broths are absolutely delicious, I wish their noodle to broth ratio was better. Ramen s as good as its broth, and filling up on too many noodles feels lacking. We tried their original chicken ramen, spicy vegetarian ramen and sake. Service is good, they have a bar as well. Their menu is very well thought out and offers everything to satiate ramen cravings. Vegetarian options: Plenty!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Fun and yum! Get the bonito flake fries. Everything was great, second time back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Celebrated my birthday here. Food was outstanding, service was great and very affordable!

★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Izakaya is nice in Toronto, but the portions are small and the taste is average. Pitcher beer was good value. I had never eaten Tokyo fries either, so it was strange.

★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

I had a great experience dining in this izakaya, it also first my time. Differently going back. cheers!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Nice and loud.. the menue was authentic Japanese dishes.

★★★★
August 21, 2024

Me and 3 guys were ordering a lot of food, waiter said it was too much so we let him choose for us. Great food, he just didnt order enough for us

★★
August 21, 2024

I ordered the fried chicken and it was under cooked. Fries and sushi were not bad. Generally not happy with this place.

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Excellent food and service!! Its hot sitting next to the grills but still worth it

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Good food

★★
July 21, 2024

I was honestly disappointed by not only the service but the food as well. My partner and I had come here for my birthday (this is important later for the review). We had picked this restaurant thinking the food would be great and the service would be awesome too, judging from other reviews. However, this was not entirely true. We had both ordered the set menu which was $39 each. It came with 4 or 5 smaller dishes/appetizers and 1 main Kinka Cheese Bibimbap. The first dishes that came up were the miso soup and the salad. The salad was simple which is okay but there was barely any dressing. The tofu was unseasoned completely and It felt like eating raw vegetables. But fair, that is okay. I think the most disappointing thing was the cheese bibimbap. I really hoped that they tasted prior to serving. It does not taste like anything and we could not really taste the cheese either. It just felt extremely under-seasoned. The MOST disappointing thing is: we saw someone else being cheered on for having their birthday at the same time as us, yet we received nothing. It made me wonder why we had received different treatment. Additionally, as we would normally think, when someone celebrates their birthday in a restaurant, they would perhaps receive a free dessert but we also did not receive anything. My partner specifically reserved this spot indicating that it would be my birthday, however, they dismissed it completely. Further, when my partner asked if they did anything special for people celebrating their birthdays, the server replied with uh... We usually put a candle on for customers who purchase a dessert. This was especially awkward because we were in the middle of eating our dessert and there were no candles at all. She did not apologize and she did not say anything else further to mitigate the issue. We had put a lot of time and effort to this reservation but it felt like we were treated unfairly and completely dismissed. It also felt disappointing when we paid over 100 dollars for two people for a birthday. That being said, the salmon tataki and the oyster were great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Great food a little slower due to pride. But the food was so tasty

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

This place is an experience with amazing food. Hey the sake bomb

★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

The server forgot our table and we had to ask for our food and we had to ask for our drinks.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

My husband was here 6 years ago and ever since I met him he has been wanting to take me here. We finally dined here on Saturday after a long drive from Michigan. This place is awesome, from the welcome till the end everything was amazing. Their sake bomb experience is something I had never imagined I would experience. Their food was so delicious, I wanted to eat more but I was so full. Urging the management to not change this please. Will definitely come back soon

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

TRY THE SAKE BOMB!

★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Lets go Sapporo and see how much you have been doing today sir good

★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

The workers are great! Food was alright but the drinks were very very light

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Have visited this wonderful Japanese restaurant a handful of times within the last six years and it never disappoints. Had dinner here with the family while visiting from Chicago and had a blast. Great food, great people, and great ambiance.

★★
July 21, 2024

Terrible location. It s small, service is really bad - the servers would look at you and not mind you even though you re calling them. The environment is more of a bar than an actual meal place. I absolutely don t like this location. Horrible!

★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

The food here is very authentic, probably the best Izakaya in town. Recommend here if you want to have drinks and have good food with your friends. One star off cuz it s a bit pricy and the chair isn t comfortable.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Visited on a Saturday evening. Half past five and the place is very quiet the restaurant got busy from seven oclock. Friendly greeting and staff were polite and knowledgeable. I came for tapas and sake and I was not disappointed. There are plenty of items on the menu (this is the old kinka izakaya menu at the moment expect future changes to align with the other establishments). The food was good, presented well and pretty fast service (when its early). There are weekly specials which appear interesting. Service was really good and there was the opportunity to order in Japanese. Prices were reasonable. In the summer there appears to be tables outside. Well maintained facilities.

★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Located next to Kinton Ramen on Church St. they have a nice little terrace if you want to have more quiet dinner as the main dinner room was noisy! We had a cocktail with finger food before going there, so we were not very hungry. However everything we ordered was excellent quality and great taste. We got the salmon and scallop sashimi which were very fresh! We also ordered the miso glazed black cod which was amazingly good! The garlic karaage chicken was also tasty. We ll go back to taste other items on the menu, since they also have a location in our hometown. We will post some pics when we go back since I forgot to take pictures this time. Vegetarian options: Looked like they had a few items on the menu, but usually this type of restaurant should be able to accommodate

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Upscale izakaya with a great ambiance. Okonomiyaki was good but tasted even better with the soy sauce I requested. Limited selection of Japanese beers (Sapporo) available. I was in a group of 8 people but they do not split the bill in more than 4 parts. Will visit again to try their sushi and sashimi.

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

Food was Ight no cap

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Sushi is very high quality and tasty here. Restaurant has a very cozy and welcoming atmosphere, loved how adorable the cocktails cups are Overall, a very good place to enjoy a yummy meal

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Great atmosphere and amazing food. My wife and I went here for a date night a week ago and had a great time. Service was excellent and I recommend a saki bomb for everyone.

★★
May 21, 2024

Overpriced, way way overpriced for small portion of food, not enough to feed a kid. After we paid around $420 for 4 people we literally went and had a hamburger combo. I ordered the variety plate my friend order the king shrimp plate we were expecting to get a a normal plate, instead we got each 1 thin long plate with six pieces of sushi on it !!! Thats it. Will never go there again and I do not advise you to go there.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Tasty sushi, good udon, nice sake recommend for late night dining, thank you to Lilly for an awesome dinner experience

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

I love this place. The ambiance, the food, the service is always great. It s a perfect combination of cozy and elevated. There are way too many fine dining places that take away from the real experience. I m so happy Kinka isn t that. They are a perfect place for a date or a friends gathering or a solo meal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Amazing atmosphere, loved the authentic Japanese cuisine. Do try the sake shots, duck and their sashmi platter!!

★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Great options for small bites and drinks.

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Had an amazing time! Nick gave exceptional service :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Been here twice and the food is always lovely. Great spot in Toronto for izakaya with many traditional dishes such as tataki, takoyaki and torch pressed sushi. We love the stone bowl dishes and the assorted torched sushi. The seating is a little crammed but the atmosphere in general is great.

May 21, 2024

The cherry blossom cocktail tasted like diluted cherry juice, the food was beyond terrible. They brought me salmon tartar instead of the tuna one, they never served the soy sauce for sushi, they lacked taste and fell apart. It was also super cold and some weird 2010 music was playing. Don t waste ur money here (service was bad too)

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Amazing food, and amazing staff! Especially Kat! She was very helpful and friendly! Would definitely come back! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Excellent staff. Excellent food. Doesn t get much better than this!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

A very nice place for lunch, dinner, happy hours, or anything else for that matter. Energetic and friendly staff, diverse drink menu, and decent food with large enough portion to satisfy.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

It was a very snowy day. We went. Enjoyed the moment. Customers were amazing and friendly. Staff was creating the mood for the place. Food was so-so

★★★★
April 21, 2024

Amazing service amazing food only thing i didnt enjoy was having to get up to let someone be able to leave its a very tight seating arrangement.

Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Had four different dishes and all were very poor. Normally I never leave a bad review but was very disappointed. Overpriced flavorless sushi, chewy undercooked chicken.

★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

The food was ok I guess. The only dish that kind of stood out was the sashimi but even then... The service was quite slow. I feel that it is not really worth the money.

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Japanese quality. Its so delicious. You can choose thick or thin noodles based on pork bones. Thick noodles are the answer!

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Amazing experience and food!

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Delicious food, highly recommend the agadashi tofu appetizer and rice bowls. I love black sesame desserts and enjoyed the black sesame ice cream. The matcha ice cream had a good matcha flavor too Vegetarian options: Agedashi tofu appetizer was great, but very limited vegetarian options for mains, lots of seafood

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Great atmosphere, food, and friendly service An entree never came but we were actually discounted from the bill Food : 4/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

The tapas menu was great value for high quality ingredients. The tuna tataki and beef carpaccio are out of this world.

February 21, 2024

I was disappointed that they were very unfriendly to walkin guests. We went to there at 5:30pm and there was no one in there and plenty of empty seats. However, the clerk did not allow us to sit at a table and only offered us a seat at the bar. I dont think its reasonable to refuse to offer a seat when its empty. This is the second time this has happened to me and I will not go back next time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Nice staff and awesome food!

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

I was very pleased with the atmosphere, menu, prices and service!

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Exceptional. Have been 10 times, and it s a 10/10 every single time. Absolutely worth waiting for.

Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Extremely long wait for food and non apologetic staff. Waitress did not apologise for the delay nor get back to us after we inquired how long our food would take after we waited for the first 25 mins. First plate finally served to us after 45 mins, this was out of the 3 plates we ordered togther. 2nd plate followed another 15 mins after, the 3rd plate after a total of 1hr 5 min wait time. It was a terrible experience. We were offered a 15% discount after we brought it to another servers noticed. They forgot to put in the 15% promised when they brought us the cheque. Overall it was disappointing and we completely lost our apetitite.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Vibes are immaculate but food is a pass. Its fun and good times when very specific conditions are met with the right people.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

What truly steals the show is the effortlessly chic ambiance. It strikes a balance between lively and cozy, making it an ideal spot for friend chats. If you crave an excellent atmosphere, great food, and an overall fantastic night out. The menu is a feast for the senses. The attentive staff guides you through a culinary journey, ensuring every bite is a flavor-packed delight. The sashimi paired with a delightful kick from wasabi mayo a tasty combo that hits the spot! Parking: Street GreenP parking avaliable, Impark Parking 20M away.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

My go-to authentic Izakaya when I am in GTA. Service is always good. Carbonara Udon and Tako wasabi are delicious. The various beverage and cocktails are also delicious. Keep in mind that dishes are similar to tapas style, and approximately $60 to $80 of food is probably required to fill two people. For an even better experience, I highly recommend ordering sake bomb for the table.

★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Fun place:) Go with a bunch of friends.

★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Service was good and I liked the ambience. However the food wasnt authentic, especially from what I felt as I just came back from Japan. The Karrage Chicken didnt feel as crispy as many others Ive had, the Mentai Udon has small portions for the price, toppings/ingredients felt store-bought quality, the Octopus in the Tako-Wasabi was not fresh/crunchy and felt small in portion, the oyster was normal in quality but again small in portions. Overall, I expected better

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Still going strong, this place broke open the izakaya scene in Toronto, and doesnt disappoint. The food is the standout, but the Japanese inspired cocktails are excellent, and service is attentive and cheerful, its all wrapped up in a spectacular dining room thats cosy and casual, like dining in an upscale barn. Order the miso black cod, tuna and salmon tataki, shrimp tempura, chicken karaage, beef short ribs, and one of the bibimbap options for a full tour dinner. Be sure to let them know if its your birthday for a special treat!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

An amazing experience, truly some of the best sushi and sashimi I have had. The JFC was wonderful and light, and the Oyster Kakimayo was a surprisingly delicious and comforting dish. Great for small sharing plates, a wonderful dining experience with friends. I would highly recommend coming here if you re looking for great food at a fair price.

★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

The vibrant atmosphere of this place is truly captivating, radiating with exuberance. The staff extends a warm and welcoming embrace, creating an environment where it feels like everyone knows you. The lively cheers during sake bombs add an extra layer of enjoyment. The menu boasts delightful dishes, with the prawn tempura standing out for its generous portion. However, some items were a bit over battered for me and the seating, albeit initially comfortable, became a bit cumbersome over time my only reason for deducting one star. Despite this, I would have happily prolonged my stay if not for the seating discomfort. Will come back!

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

We had a great time. We ve been here several times over the years and the food and atmosphere has always been excellent. The waitstaff are particularly very attentive without being annoying. Would like to point out though that the Open Table link from the google page directs you to another restaurant on Bloor St with a similar sounding name. If booked this way you may unknowingly have booked the wrong one and show up to Kinka Original without a reservation. The booking reservation from the Kinka website works.

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

Great ramen to have! Especially on a cold winter day like today

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Had an amazing experience at this Japanese restaurant! The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, creating a warm and inviting vibe. The food was outstanding, delivering authentic flavors that left a lasting impression. A definite must-visit for anyone looking for a delightful dining experience in the Toronto area.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Everything was tasty, service was good and staff were nice. Parking: Right across the restaurant Public parking lot. Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Stop looking, this is by far the most beautiful Japanese culinary experience... Extremely delicious for all the dishes we tried. In a most pleasant atmosphere

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I got the takoyaki and eel bibimbap! The takoyaki was so good, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside :) Eel bibimbap I expected more out of-- it seemed like it was just rice and veggies and not much eel/eel sauce... (I do know bibimbap is essentially rice and veggies but there is usually sauce like gochujang, etc.) The servers were very attentive and kind and the atmosphere was great !

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great price food and drink, my go to if I dont know what I want to eat because everything is so good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Enjoyed a great dinner here with friends. Prices are very reasonable. Informal, relaxed atmosphere. I reserve 5 stars for Michelin restaurants, so this is definitely a recommendation, and I will return for another sake bomb.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Never disappoints you

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Good atmosphere

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Eating here is an absolute vibe. The waiters and chefs all yell a greeting and farewell to entering and exiting customers. Then every 30 minutes or so, the entire restaurant does a chant and drinks to it. The food was excellent too.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

We were in Japan a few months ago and eating here brought us right back there.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Had a lovely dinner with friends from abroad. What used to make this place special was the loud welcoming not last night unfortunately. Surprisingly last call for food and drinks was 10:30pm. For future visits is better to make an early reservation.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The food was fairly good, with the exception of the ramen which was basically instant with toppings. The karaage, edamame, fries, sizzling beef and mentai kimchi udon weren t bad at all. The service though was pretty poor. We sat inside and the staff were slow and inattentive. When we got there, they seemed more interested in talking to each other than serving and taking our order.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great food and atmosphere. Just a little loud indoors but in a good way. If you want a quieter dining experience try the patio.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Music was sooooooo good!! Great taste! Food was awesome! We will be back

Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Had a terrible experience at this place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Always a great time coming here. Food is great, drinks are great and you cant go wrong with the energy in the entire place when someone orders a sake bomb!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

This is a great izakaya that actually has main menu options for reasonable sizes for the price (for a bar/izakaya) and all the food tastes really good. The atmosphere is very lively and the servers are all super energetic and kind. Definitely recommend asking for a sake bomb!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Every item on the menu was delicious!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I LOVE the atmosphere of this place, the staff was so friendly and welcoming. Food and drinks were both delicious. I will definitely be back!

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Food is nice. The indoor area is filled with that izakaya-vibe and music. Yet we preferred the patio area for a quieter environment for our long-awaited chats. Not too crowded and we could enjoy our time there. Food

December 21, 2023

The noodles? Hard. The broth? Flavourless. The service? Mid. Food : 1/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Ive been wanting to go here for quite some time. The food is great but the atmosphere is even better, especially when youre with a group. I had such a great time and I cant wait to come back again!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

had a super fun birthday here!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

This place is fantastic, it s been quite awhile since I found a place that serves Sapporo Big Mugs and the food was also amazing. Out of everything I tried, there was nothing I didn t like.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

We attended on a Saturday night without a reservation and was advised the wait would be about 30 minutes. We were happy to wait and it was worth it! We enjoyed the set menu which allowed us to sample a variety of dishes, it was a great experience. It was rowdy the night we went, not sure if it is like this all the time, but it was quite a vibe. There were about three tables of lads celebrating birthdays and one large group out for someones bachelor party. The atmosphere was quite something!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Kinka is a lively restaurant that is excellent for groups. The food comes as small sharable plates that come out at a good pace. The food itself is delicious. Whether its new friends or old, kinka is a great spot for a good meal and a good time!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Fun, authentic, and delicious Izakaya. They have a great set of grill options and an immersive atmosphere. Will come again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The food came out very fast and tasted great. We ordered okonomiyaki, takoyaki, JFC aka karaage, salmon tataki, Tokyo fries, and sizzling beef short ribs. The karaage was very fatty in a good way and the okonomiyaki tasted just like Japan. Salmon tataki was also high quality. Overall very good and we were in and out within 45 minutes.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The food is really good. They have shared plates and also entrés. There s a nice patio too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Definitely enjoyed the selection of food. Would love to go back to try the sushi next time.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The Kinka Restaurant is undoubtedly the best Asian restaurant in all of Toronto! From start to finish, our visit was a wonderful experience. The service staff greeted us warmly and bid us farewell at the end of our meal, adding a personal touch. The speed at which our orders were served was impressive, and the taste of the food was simply delightful. We tried various tapas, and each of them was a true explosion of flavors. Whether you have a small or a big appetite, youll always find something to your liking here. The open kitchen signifies transparency and freshness. All in all, the Kinka Restaurant comes highly recommended and deserves more than just 5 stars. The 4.4 stars it currently has are truly an injustice! We will definitely be back.

★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

If you are looking for an authentic Izakaya, this isnt it, which is why Im only giving this 2 stars. Every review, every personal recommendation, even the maps description reads, authentic. I went there expecting authentic Izakaya fare and was giving the most american Japanese food you can imagine, down to the garlic mayo on sushi that kept falling apart as you picked it up.. and the Takoyaki was deep-fried... Why? :( The food wasnt terrible, but it wasnt good either, and for someone looking for authentic food it just was a complete let down. And on top of that, ok food, it was all priced as if it was a high class restaurant. The staff was great, the atmosphere was great, but this is not even close to authentic Izakaya food and not even close to worth the price. I had 6 pieces of mayo sushi that kept falling apart, a few takoyaki and a beer, for nearly $50. So incredibly disappointing. And this is Torontos highest rated Izakaya...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

We loved this place, the service is really fast and nice.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Lovely ambiance and food was great. We tried the set menu for $39 per person and I had a glass of Sapporo.

December 21, 2023

Horrible service, the restaurant had no one in it, they acted like they were the most fashionable busiest place in town.... Kinda sad how this place is run... this used to be my favourite place to come... I will no longer recomend this place to anyon...

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Love this place to the max. Food, service, ambience. Nothing beats Kinka. All the food ingredients are super fresh. Sushi and sake is just too good to resist. The staff is very friendly and welcome you with a big smile and greetings. The overall vibe is very positive and weve enjoyed every time we visited this place. Sake Bomb with them shouting i say sake you say bomb is a must try.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

really liked this place!!!! i stopped by with some friends and we were indecisive about what to order - the server, i think his name was nick, was so friendly and gave us a number of suggestions from the menu. we ended up getting the gyoza, beef carpaccio, tokyo fries, karaage, roast duck and tiger shrimp oshizushi. i found the service was very quick and the amount of food we got was perfect. also quite reasonably priced in my opinion. i would love to try their other toronto location as well. will be coming back!!!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The flamed torch pork belly was so good, and the staff was nice too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great atmosphere, and friendly staff. The food not only tasted fresh and delicious but also was presented beautifully. Very recommended! The fried shrimp and Yuzu cocktail are one of my favourites.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

This right here is real Japanese food

Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The place was really nice. We got the set menu; while this had a strong start with the beef shabu salad and the tuna tatake, everything that followed suite was an utter disappointment Please - if you value your taste palates - avoid this place. The servers could care less about their guests and we had to flag down a waiter for every request .if we could even grab their attention beef shabu tuna tatake service bibimbap cheesecake salmon tartare baked oyster aburi (this was just ok)

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The food is very good, the decor is very nice and the service was quick and good. Great experience!

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Overall, the food is okay. The oyster is good. However, the udon and bbq eel are plain. The takoyaki didn t meet my expectations.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The food here was really good. We got stashed into a hard to see seat behind the coat rack and had issues with service for our entire visit. If we didn t try hard to flag someone down there was an expectation that the staff was not going to come to our table. That said the food was quite good. I think coming here with a larger group and sitting at one of the long tables would be really fun as an experience. I would have liked to see a more traditional Izakaya all you can drink experience as opposed to needing to spend 10 dollars a pint though. Especially when other restaurants nearby sell the same pints of Sapporo for 7 dollars. Kinka Izakaya is also a bit tucked back. To the point that my party actually walked into the Ramen place next door thinking we were at the right place as it sticks out a lot more and is much better lit leading to it outshining the Izakaya. The food at Kinka is significantly better and I recommend it over the the food next door though.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Can get busy during peak times. Known to be rowdy and noisy, so if youre looking for a more private, quieter place, dont recommend here. Good for larger crowds. A good variety of sake at decent prices considering its downtown. Service may be slow when its busy, so recommend ordering a bunch of things in advance to reduce the wait times for the kitchen.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Excellent food and even better service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Honestly food at kinka is kind of passable but the energy is very good. Always fun to take sake bombs in this place because they make it very fun! Dietary restrictions: Will accommodate allergies Wheelchair accessibility: not very convenient for wheelchair

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Small place to get a nice healthy meal! Good options and great taste.

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Service and atmosphere were amazing, also the food looked amazing. The food was good, but not extremely delicious

December 21, 2023

My waiter was busy clearing the table and didn t have any manners to ask whether we finished the plate or not. There was one shrimp tempura left in the plate and she cleared it from the table as if it s empty. Very rude .

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great atmosphere. Dietary restrictions: Nut free Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Josh is our server and the asian girl they are very helpful it was my bday . The food is great , good price . I love evrything . Highly recommend Food

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Quality of food: 5/5 - delicious izakaya style food, this is our go to spot on a recurring basis and they do not disappoint. Try the scallops, oshizushi salmon, and the mentai udon. Consistently tasty. Giant Sapporo mug is very nice as well Cleanliness: 4/5 - clean restaurant Service: 5/5 - great service, generally need a reservation before if you want to sit at the table. Can always sit at the bar as walk in. Value for money: 4/5 - relatively on the value side for a downtown restaurant. They often have specials. Recommendation: 4/5 - This izakaya deserves a visit if you are in the area. Try the oshizushi and the giant Sapporo mug. The dishes are meant to be shared with others. Make a reservation ahead of time if not do not worry can always sit at the bar during a busy evening. Nice environment for friends gathering.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Good ambience. Good food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

It was packed and the crowd was lively. Fun place for dining out with friends.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Nice establishment. The staff is young and maintains constant contact with visitors. I was pleasantly surprised by the service and the resolution of embarrassing situations. Thank you, it was delicious.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Omg this place is SO good! Food 10/10, service 10/10, ambiance good!! Highly recommend.

December 21, 2023

The chairs are so uncomfortable and personals dont know english which makes it harf to communicate

★★★
December 21, 2023

Had to give a 3 star because of an unexpected min. spend that was sprung on us when we arrived. We made a reservation for a party of 14. We were told that we would be outside in the heated tent. When we arrived they told us each of us had to spend a min. $55 because we booked a big table. Nobody mentioned this to us when we first booked the reservation. While the food and drinks were delicious and we did our best to meet the min. it was a surprise that we were not prepared for. And quite honestly, its not fair to spring this on people when they arrive after making the reservation for 3 weeks. Management accommodated us somewhat but this should not be a policy that is sprung onto the party when they arrive, which is how it felt. Food and drinks and atmosphere were great, but we all left a little disgruntled that we werent told about the min. spend policy earlier.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I was here after a friends suggestion. I was not disappointed, especially the Black Cod was very good. Recommended!