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.
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
Came in for the first time & was greeted by very warm & welcoming service. Not only was the food excellently prepared, they are very generous with the portion size. Don't be intimidated by the prices as you will be leaving with full stomachs.
Been coming here for the last 6 years with my family. Very good Japanese (as authentic you can get within this price bracket) food & service. Would highly recommend
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 :)
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!
May 16, 2024
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Délicieux plats traditionnels japonais, propriétaire qui a clairement à coeur la qualité de ses produits, choix pesco-végétariens. Tout ce que nous avons mangé était super!
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
Amazing experience at Karin. The staff is so friendly & the food is delicious, so many different things to try. Some of our favorites: Yaki-udon, sashimi & the bibimbap. They were also very careful with my allergies. We will definitely return!
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!
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!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I LOVE THIS RESTURANT!!! I went there not long ago & the food was DELICIOUS the service was AMAZING The workers were so nice & sweet & the atmosphere was just WOW. I came in starving & left with a stomach full of food. Thankyou very much for your service I will definitely be back!! 5stars🤩🤩‼️‼️