Karin is a restaurant renowned for its sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine as well as its Korean dishes. In addition to serving sushi of exceptional quality and absolutely fresh seafood, the restaurant offers an authentic Japanese gastronomy experience. Located on Queen Mary Road in Montreal for over a quarter of a century, Karin has stood the test of time and has proven it is one of the greatest Japanese restaurants in Quebec.
This renowned gastronomic experience that Karin offers would be impossible without the efforts and dedication of one man: the renowned chef Hansoo Im. A recognized authority on Japanese and Korean cuisine, Chef Im has confirmed his calling with great pride and application in over forty years of work in two very different countries.
At Karin Restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, Chef Im chef cooked Japanese dishes for people with the most refined tastes. This prestigious establishment, located near the Central Government Complex (the center of political power in South Korea), was host to a distinguished clientele. Chef Im learned the intricacies of his vocation. Officially qualified as a Japanese chef after only a few years of studies and apprenticeship, Chef Im has the merit of being allowed to prepare fugu, a dangerous delicacy, which requires a unique skill gained only by years of rigorous training.
Come and dine at the Japanese Restaurant Karin of Montreal in a warm environment offering taste, beauty, sophistication and tradition. Sample the results of 40 years of commitment and dedication of a family to culinary excellence.
Karin offers a unique dining experience in an original environment. Private booths are designed to ensure privacy and to be a haven, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here everyone can rest and savor the subtle pleasures of authentic Japanese cuisine that calms and awakens the senses.
Raw fish is rich in essential oils and vitamins and low in saturated fat. Traditional nori seaweed in itself provides high levels of minerals and antioxidants. The sushi is therefore an excellent healthy choice.
Karin is a warm family run Japanese restaurant in Montreal's NDG offering an intimate setting with private booths and traditional decor that evokes Japan. The menu features incredibly fresh sushi and sashimi with toro noted as melt in your mouth, along with well prepared tempura, yaki soba, and a range of set menus that let guests sample a little of everything. Service is consistently attentive and friendly, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes diners feel part of the family. Ingredients are repeatedly praised for freshness and quality from sashimi to kimchi, and the overall experience includes a strong sake and drink list to complement meals. While some reviews mention prices being on the higher side, many feel the value is justified by the quality, ambiance, and attentive service, making Karin a reliable choice for special occasions or repeat visits. The restaurant is described as a hidden gem with a cozy, authentic vibe and a memorable, homely touch that keeps guests returning year after year.
What a gem! The atmosphere & food can be described as more home cooking, excellent balance of portion size, favor, variety & quality of the fish for the price is unmatched in Montreal. I love their is saumon, nigiri & sashimi plates. The noodle dishes are a treat as well. Try the matcha cheesecake for dessert maim
Très bon petit resto japonais. La patronne est vraiment sympa & vous pouvez être servi dans des petites cellules au décor jalonnais très intime. Très bonne cuisine !!!
Jan 2, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
My family loves this restaurant & we keep coming back after many years even though we've moved away from the neighbourhood! Delicious food, with many different options all worth trying. Family-run with wholesome atmosphere.
A gem of traditional Japanese cuisine, the service is good & the dishes are quality. I had the pleasure of trying the o-toro that melts in your mouth. The selection of nigiri was excellent, of great quality & freshness. If you have the opportunity to live the experience, I highly recommend it.
Oh well, in Montreal this is the restaurant I love the most. It's not cheap (especially if you want sake as well), but the dishes (all of them) are fantastic! For the main dish, Anguilles were highly recommended by my son & brother in law, & I was crazy about Yaki Udon. Miso soup is memorable, but what I died for was the kimchi. I couldn't believe that quality can exist, so you really need ti experience it if you go there.
Nov 16, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Cute Japanese restaurant in NDG. I have been coming here for years. I love the set menus. You get to try a bit of everything. The food is excellent & the waitress is super friendly.
a little gem in NDG, been walking in front of it for years. Familly owned & operated. Authentic food, good ambiance & good quality ingredients. highly recommended.
Aug 25, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
The single best Japanese food restaurant I've ever been to. The atmosphere is amazing, cute decor made by the grandparents of the server, few tables which makes it feel all the cozier. The food is exceptional in every manner, some of the freshest sushi I've ever had. The server is the sweetest woman I've ever met, so kind she remembered us every time we've been. Any rating below 4 stars is just disingenuous. Forever our go to for any occasion.
Super service, les plats étaient délicieux eu les portions généreuses. Nous étions installés dans un'booth' séparé, super pour se rassembler en famille ou entre amis. Service attentif & personnalisé.
A True Gem - 30 Years of Incredible Food & Kindness
I've been coming here for over 30 years, & it's still hands down my absolute favorite sushi spot in the city. The food has always been consistently amazing - fresh, flavorful, & made with care. From the sushi & teriyaki to the bibimbap, even the soup & salad - everything is delicious.
They also make my favorite kimchi in all of Montréal, no question.
What makes this place even more special is the family who runs it. They're incredibly warm, kind, & welcoming. Ai is such a wonderful woman - you truly feel like you're part of the family every time you walk in.
Places like this are rare - consistent, comforting, & full of heart. I can't recommend it enough.
Another late review. Better late than never! What a fantastic surprise to find a great Japanese restaurant in Montreal. This is a family business; the people running it come from the same household. The owner was so lovely & friendly! We came here twice while staying in Montreal because we loved the food. Everything we had was so delicious! We had tempura, poke bowl, sonomono, sushi combo, vegetable yaki soba, bento box, & probably a bit more that I can't remember. I loved how they prepared the sonomono, even the tempura was well prepared using real Japanese ingredients. Yaki soba had the taste of Japanese spices. Best sushi in town! Please visit & try their food because it was excellent! The place is cute & successfully decorated with a Japanese-style design. We saw a lot of pretty items from Japan. Excellent food & service. Highly recommended!