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.
Reviews depict Karin as a warm, family-run Japanese restaurant in Montreal's NDG that feels like a home away from home. The atmosphere is intimate, with small private booths and traditional decor that adds a cozy, authentic touch. The kitchen earns high praise for fresh, well-balanced dishes, from standout sushi and sashimi to comforting staples like miso soup, tempura and various noodle bowls. Toro and other fatty cuts receive special mentions for melting in the mouth, and the nigiri selection is described as excellent and very fresh. Value for quality is noted, with some guests finding it a bit pricey, but most agree the portions are generous and the experience justifies the price. Set menus and family-style service make it easy to try a bit of everything, and the staff are consistently described as friendly, attentive and welcoming. The restaurant is repeatedly called a gem, a place that transports diners toward a Japanese dining experience in the heart of the city, with decor crafted to feel homey and intimate. Diners also mention Korean influenced options such as bibimbap and kimchi, highlighting the diverse offerings. Overall, Karin is seen as a reliable, beloved choice for occasions, returning guests and travelers seeking fresh, high-quality Japanese cuisine in a warm, inviting setting.
Really good restaurant if you want a delicious high quality japanese meal. The food & especially the sushis are of very high quality, you can even choose the specific part of the fish (e.g higher vs lower fat pieces for tuna). I discovered several fishes that I had never eaten in sushi. I highly recommend the sushi assortment (Combo sushi hakata or Kyoto) if you want to discover new flavors. If you're not a fan of sushi, they also serve delicious udon or soba noodles, & fried rice dishes like beef donburi. For dessert everything is delicious, but my favorite is the matcha japanese cheesecake ! The restaurant itself is also very cosy, you can have your own little cubicule, & you can also reserve for larger groups if your going with family or friends.
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
Feb 5, 2026
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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.
We have friends with a knack of finding the most intimate restaurants in the neighborhood. If you like Japonese food this one is terrific. Delicious sushi & other dishes & a very impressive saki list.
This place is so cute! An absolute gem in NDG. It is decorated so nicely, full of culture (according to my partner), the waiter is so nice. I am not a fan of the sushi they serve though, the soy sauce was too salty & the wine was not good, do not order the house wine. The miso soup was good, I will perhaps give it another chance by ordering other dishes instead of sushi. It is also pricey.
I love this place! The fish & vegetable soup is savory with natural flavours. Sashimi quality is excellent. There's a wide variety of authentic Japanese dishes. I order delivery & they always write nice words on the bag, which makes me feel very special. It's obvious that this establishement is passionate about what they do. You can feel & taste the love that goes into each dish. I highly recommend! I appreciate you! 💗
Sep 17, 2024
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Family family family home. Seriously the food is so so good. I tried many dishes & can personally say I feel like I am eating at a good friends house with every dish served just right! If you choose this for one of the top Japanese places to must try in Montreal, you will be proud of this choice
The best & most authentic Japanese restaurant in Montreal that I've been to! A nice little hidden gem. The food is delicious, especially the seafood (sushi, sashimi) & their main dishes. Best tempura in town! Service is great, the owner lady is very kind & friendly. Just keep in mind that it's a slow dining place, so it might take a while to order / get your meals especially on busy days. I love this aspect as well, great for longer conversations & it feels very private in the boothes. Try also their teas & desserts, yuzu jam & ensemble taiyaki are may favorite, but their mochis are great too! The only downside is that it's not cheap, but considering the overall experience & quality, it's well worth it! We rather try to cut our spending elsewhere & return to this hidden gem :)
It feels very authentic, i feel like I've traveled to a quaint restaurant in Japan. The service was amazing. The food was SO good & fresh. Some dishes are a bit pricey but very worth it. Will go again!
Wow! What an incredible dining experience we had at this Japanese/Korean restaurant! From the moment we walked in with our family, we were greeted with warm hospitality & attentive service. The staff went above & beyond to ensure that our dining experience was nothing short of amazing. First & foremost, the food was absolutely delicious. Each dish was expertly prepared with fresh ingredients & bursting with flavor. From the sushi rolls to the Beef teriyaki , every bite was a culinary delight. We were especially impressed with the variety of options available on the menu, catering to both Japanese & Korean cuisine lovers in our group. Not only was the food exceptional, but the ambiance of the restaurant was also inviting & cozy. We felt relaxed & comfortable throughout our meal, making it the perfect setting for a family outing. Overall, our experience at this Japanese/Korean restaurant was top-notch. The combination of outstanding service, delectable food, & inviting atmosphere made it a dining experience to remember. We can't wait to return & indulge in more of their mouthwatering dishes. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mar 25, 2024
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