Kanpai Japanese Steak & Seafood House, Winston-Salem

For years I was a faithful Arigato's fan and on a whim decided to try this place....so glad I did! The staff is so much friendlier and the food is great!

After being rejected from Arigato's for a bias dress code violation, we went on the hunt for a different Japanese restaurant. Thankfully, we found Kanpai Japanese and Seafood House. The wait was non existent and we were seated in no time. My family of four sat with a nice family of three at the table without being crowded, unlike at the other Japanese restaurant, and our drink orders were quickly taken. After our drinks were delivered and orders were taken, I took my little girl to the restroom. By the time we were back our hot soup was waiting for us. They had even provided a tray of ice for my child's soup to cool it off quicker. Our salads were brought promptly after and we were given some time to enjoy, then the chef came in. He had all the wonderful tricks that the other restaurant's chefs do and gave everyone their delicious portion. My husband said it was the best scallops he had ever had in his life. They even include fried bananas at the end, which the kids loved. Our waiter kept our drinks full, our table clear, and replaced the fork my daughter dropped in the floor. While the table was finishing up, our waiter brought my children their ice cream, included in the child's plate, which my kids were more excited about than anything. We all ended up taking to-go plates neatly boxed by our waiter. The manager even bagged them for us. We came out ten dollars cheaper than we would have at the other place because of the daily specials that Kanpai offers. It was the same amount of food for the same great quality but at a cheaper price. Who can beat that, NOT Arigato's.

Monica Covington ate at Kanpai for many years and was ALWAYS a poor tipper...so much so that...the servers complained to the manager. Nobody wanted to wait on her. The manager FINALLY told her that she needed tip the servers or it would be added to her ticket. She got an attitude...told members of her church that Kanpai discriminated and 300 of them signed a petition against the restaurant. By the way...her brother is the pastor at the very same church AND the reporter covering the story is a member of the same church! What a crock! The food at Kanpai is great and so our the employees!

Story on CNN TV about this restaurant's refusal to serve regular customer because she leaves only a 15% tip. This is arrogance at its worst and should not be rewarded by customer patronage.

Kanpai is like Arigatos. The chef's cook in front of you and you had better go hungry. You get salad, soup, rice, and your meal. The only thing they offer different is cooked bananas for a dessert. I wasn't really fond of them. The service is great, and the prices are the same.

Always have a good cook, sometimes the servers are slow, Love the shrimp!!!!

Portions are large and priced reasonably for this market. Standard greasy Japanese steakhouse fare. Chefs are friendly and know most of the hibachi tricks; service is very good. Place needs a major scrub-down (including ice machine -- smelled mildew with every sip of drink).

BEWARE! As a new resident of the area I searched the net for Japanese food, found Kanpai and went. The food was ok, the service was good. However, we were seated at a table of 8 and 4 of the people SMOKED CIGARETTES THE ENTIRE TIME. One of them was openly drunk and was served 5 drinks with dinner. The place was crowded and there were no tables being seated and we had waited for this one. After driving an hour one way- from another county to go out to eat I did not want to wait for another table. I though smoking was banned in restaurants now?? I don't go out to eat often and like to have a good time when I do. I am also a smoker. But I don't need booze to have fun and I respect the rights of others when I smoke. We were not asked by those smoking OR the staff if we minded. They had the right to do what they need to have a good time. We have the right to never go back. We won't be back to Kanpai and I think they should be required to post a notice on the door that says "SMOKERS WELCOME".

This place always has a full house. The food is great, the chefs are fun, and you leave more than full. If you like the idea of your food being cooked in front of you, check this place out!

Kan Pai has, by far, the best Japanese cuisine in Winston Salem as well as one of the most friendliest staffs of all restaurants -- Bar none! It has great food, prepared at your table (which the children as well as adults really like), and it comes at a fairly reasonable price. Great for special occasions, too.