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.
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.
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!
Restaurant excellent . Ça m'a rappelé mon voyage au Japon. Très authentique.
Restaurant tenue par une famille qui veut garder ça traditionnel.
Nous avons essayé la soupe soba, les tempura de légume , le karage, les takoyaki, le poisson salé, le sauté de soba & des sushi, tout était magnifique.
La dame qui nous a servie était adorable & le service était parfait. J'y retournerais avec plaisir !
Karin Japanese Restaurant is an absolute gem! This place just reminded me of Japan. The decorations with every detail thoughtfully crafted by the owner's mother, it is realy an authentic atmosphere.
The food is great & everything is made with care. Best sushi & sashimi I ever tried in Canada & as you know, freshness is true a true testament to quality. The flavors are fresh, & you can tell they use top notch ingredients. The selection of beer, sake, & other alcohol perfectly complements the meal also, if you are a tea lover you can choose from their range of Japanese teas.
The owners are originally from Japan, & of course the service is warm & welcoming & the entire restaurant feels like a slice of Japan right here in the heart of Montreal in Canada.
If you're looking for authentic Japanese dining experience look no further, I highly recommend this restaurant & will definitely visit it over & over again!
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.
The greatest restaurant in Montreal. The quality of the food is absolutely incredible. We got the Aki course which ran us 150$ for two people, & let me tell you the sheer quantity & quality of what we were served would have cost us at least double anywhere else. The sashimi was incredible, the sushi was delicious, the tempura was perfect, the grilled fish was amazing as well. It's incredible just how much food they gave us, & it was more than worth every penny. In fact it's comparable to prices you would see in Japan, which really blows my mind. To the point I don't understand how they make profit selling such high quality fish at that price. They also have inexpensive meal options which are also amazing in their own right. Just a wonderful restaurant & wonderful people. This restaurant is actually owned & ran by japanese people unlike most japanese restaurants in town. It is highly authentic & you can tell they put a lot of love & care into everything. I recommend going there multiple times. I also highly recommend the course meals; it's an amazing experience.
Jun 28, 2024
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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 :)
Perfect place if you want a private area to talk. Great experience with package autumn for 2 people. Sashimi were fresh & sushi were tasty, fish was 3/5 & veggies tempura were fried perfectly. We changed the sake into one pot of lotus tea & one pot of herbal tea tasting like Ku Qiao. We were super full so very good deal
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!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Je suis alle la bas 3 ou 4 fois & c etait toujours excellent. J'y ai meme ete avec quelqu un qui n'etait pas fan de sushi & la personne a adoree Le seul probleme, les autres places semblent de moindre qualite apres avoir mange la bas. Je plannifie d'y retourner tres bientot
My wife & I had an amazing evening lasting 2 hours here. We had the Haru menu for two. We added an entrée of Okonomiyaki which was probably too much food but we did not regret. Our hostess was pleasant & welcoming. Even endulged us with our pitiful attempt to speak some Japanese. We wanted an authentic Japanese meal & I can honestly say it was fantastic. The decor is quaint & had cute Japanese stationary, baby shoes, dolls & other cute decor at the main entrance. The service was not overwhelming & each dish had authenticity we were looking for. Dessert was to die for & homemade. Sushi & tempora shrimp & vegetables was delicious. Practice eating with chopsticks beforehand to really feel like you're in a Japanese home. Going back for sure! We parked on a side street but plenty available on a Friday night on Queen Mary .💜
