Karin presents a distinct fusion of Japanese and Korean culinary traditions centered on the precise preparation of fresh sushi and authentic cooked specialties. The menu features an extensive selection of nigiri, maki rolls, and sashimi alongside traditional bibimbap and savory bulgogi preparations. Ingredients are sourced to maintain high standards of quality and texture across both culinary styles. The dining room offers a minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes functionality and clear visibility of the food preparation process. Patrons encounter a methodical approach to kitchen operations where consistency remains the primary operational focus. This establishment serves as a destination for those seeking specialized preparation techniques that honor both Tokyo and Seoul culinary roots through a structured and focused menu architecture.
Karin is widely regarded as a charming and authentic family-run gem in Montreal, celebrated for its high-quality, fresh Japanese cuisine and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Guests frequently praise the exceptional freshness of the sashimi and sushi, alongside diverse offerings like udon, soba, and authentic kimchi. The restaurant features a cozy, traditional decor with intimate seating options that are ideal for families and small groups. While some note that pricing can be on the higher side and service pace may occasionally vary, the overwhelming consensus highlights the care put into the food, the heartfelt hospitality of the owners, and the overall value provided by such a consistently delightful dining experience.
Hands down the best Japanese restaurant in Montreal, even in Canada.
The first step you take into Karin, you can see it's family owned. Small, cute tables, cute booths.
The mom is taking the orders while the son & father are in the back cooking & prepping. The food is amazing, honestly the best Japanese food I've had in Montreal.
The sushi is crazy good. The highlight for me was the sashimi. The quality of the fish is top notch. They serve different cuts of tuna & salmon at different levels of fattiness, & they literally melt in your mouth.
The tempura is amazing, & so is the bulgogi beef. I recommend the set menu to share if it's your first time, since you'll get to taste a bit of everything, have quality food, & leave with a full stomach.
If you like cheesecake, the matcha cheesecake is amazing. It's their grandma's recipe. Everything here is made with love & you can taste it.
10/10, you should try this place & you'll want to come back.
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!
Jul 24, 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.
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 !
This family owned & run Japanese restaurant was immediately reminiscent of my trip to Japan in terms of the atmosphere & private seating areas. The toro sashimi was the best I've had in Montreal & the tempura is as good can get. A real hidden gem, well worth the visit
What a great experience we had at Karin. The place is really nice with seating separated so that you almost have your own little private corner & we loved the decor. On our first visit we tried the Shrimp Tempura & the Salmon Teriyaki & both were excellent. Great presentation & just the right batter on the shrimp. The service was also just amazing, so friendly, you can really tell that they love what they do. There were so many other items on the menu & we have returned to try some others, & never disappointed.
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.
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
LOVE this restaurant so much! The space & decor was lovely. The waitress was so kind & the staff are very friendly! I had an incredible experience & EVERYTHING is DELICIOUS! The fish was SO fresh. Sashimi, tempura, homemade kimchi, miso soup, uni, matcha cheesecake & the drinks were amazing. I have an incredible experience everytime I come with my family & the service is always exceptional ! Highly recommend to anyone who love japanese/korean food! I will definitely come back again!
