Kitano Shokudo delivers a focused selection of Japanese comfort food designed to highlight traditional techniques and flavor profiles. The menu centers on staple offerings such as donburi bowls, savory ramen, and various small plates that prioritize fresh ingredients. Guests encounter a streamlined, minimalist interior that emphasizes utility and efficiency throughout the dining space. Each dish reflects a dedication to authentic preparation methods commonly associated with casual urban eateries across Japan. The kitchen produces consistent plates characterized by balanced seasoning and textural contrast without relying on unnecessary garnishes or complex presentations. Patrons select from a variety of foundational Asian staples that emphasize speed and quality. This establishment functions as a direct venue for those seeking standard, reliable recipes executed with professional precision in a clean and unpretentious environment.
Kitano Shokudo is a highly regarded, intimate destination in Montreal known for its authentic Japanese fusion menu and cozy, minimalist atmosphere. Patrons frequently praise the exceptional quality of the fresh sashimi, duck mazemen, and uni carbonara, often highlighting the thoughtful presentation and vibrant flavors of each dish. While the operation is run by a small team, resulting in occasional wait times, many guests find the personalized service and attention to detail to be part of the restaurant's unique charm. Although some visitors note the higher price point and limited seating capacity, the consensus remains that the culinary experience and refined craftsmanship make it a standout choice for those seeking high-quality, carefully prepared Japanese cuisine.
Right away we were welcomed by the waitress biggest smile, she was very nice.
We had the shoyu ramen with duck & the maguro don. Beautifully presented & absolutely delicious & we were surprisingly full after we cleaned the dish absolutely clean!
I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy authentic Japanese food.
Quelle magnifique découverte sur l'avenue Mont-Royal. Tout ce que nous avons goûté était absolument délicieux & préparé avec un soin évident.
La présentation des plats est tout simplement superbe, comme en témoigne la vaisselle en céramique unique utilisée pour servir le sashimi. Chaque bouchée était fraîche & pleine de saveurs. Nous avons passé une excellente soirée & nous reviendrons très certainement bientôt.
A true trouvaille (find) on Avenue du Mont-Royal! Run solo by chef Kitano, this intimate spot seats about 18 people under a striking portrait of Haile Selassie. The Japanese-fusion menu is small but flawless.
The Highlights:
Brussels Sprouts: So good it sent my friend into a trance.
My positive impression of this place began when I called to slightly change my reservation. At first, I was told it wouldn't be possible. That's fine. I get it. A few minutes after I hung up. I received a call from the restaurant- they had figured out a way to do it! So that was starting off on the right foot.
The food was delicious. The menu was small & carefully thought out. The service was attentive & kind. The food was slow in coming, yes, but there's not a cast of thousands in the kitchen & if you go in prepared for that, it's all good.
Btw, the yuzu tart was a banger of a note to end on! Sometimes places in this vein that do so well at savoury falter at dessert, but I heartily recommend finishing with the tart.
We ordered the miso soup, chicken karaage, 8-piece sashimi platter, Hokkaido uni mazemen, & a maguro don.
The miso soup was average & nothing memorable. The chicken karaage was probably the best dish of the night.
As for the sashimi platter, the quality was fairly standard & didn't stand out in any way. The maguro don was the biggest disappointment. The rice was too hard for my taste, & the tuna was very ordinary. For $42, I was hoping for at least a little toro, but this tuna looked like it was training for a bodybuilding competition-so lean that not a single gram of fat seemed to survive. On top of that, the portion was surprisingly small. I honestly can't believe they serve such a limited amount of fish at this price point, especially given the average quality.
The Hokkaido uni mazemen didn't feel well balanced. The uni was fresh & creamy, but the green onions came in like they had something to prove. Rather than working together, the two flavors spent the entire meal arguing in my mouth.
I have a very small appetite, so it doesn't take much to fill me up. Somehow, after spending $200 here, I still left hungry.
Plus, there were only two people working at that time, one host & one cook. Super slow & no service at all.
Overall, the food was ok, but nowhere near good enough to justify the prices. There are many better Japanese restaurants in the city offering superior quality & value.
The restaurant is run by 2 people. The chef & the waiter. The waiter was nice & friendly but expect some delays with the plates when the restaurant is full, which is completely understandable.
The miso soup was delicious, the toro sashimi was fresh & good too (presentation was bad though). The maguro futomaki was so average, overrated & took so much time to be served to us. The octopus salad was below average & the octopus was overcooked, I would give that a 4/10. The karaage was the worst fried chicken I have ever had. I have never had this level of oil dripping fried chicken ever, a 2/10 for being just edible.
An extremely disappointing experience.
The restaurant has limited amount of spots, gotta reserve in advance. The entrance is not easy to find, the door is right next to Ohayo Cafe.
Pricier end but the food was delicious. Tuna sushi was super fresh & generous amount of fish. I picked the daily menu spicy crab soup with duck as my main dish. It's very good & special, never had this type of broth in other montreal japanese restaurant.
