Kappo En

Incredible experience. One of a kind. Well worth every single penny. I took my guy here to celebrate many things to include Father’s Day. The dinner and sake pairings were exquisite and the chefs were masterful. My boyfriend and I were blown away and will be talking about this experience for years to come. If you want an authentic Japanese omakase style dinner right in the heart of Charlotte, find a reason to spend the money, and get there!

Perfection. My partner and I have been enjoying Menya Daruma since its inception. We were ecstatic to find out a traditional Omakase experience was opening in the back of our favorite ramen spot. We had never tried a full Omakase prior but were very interested in authentic sushi/japanese cuisine. We chose to celebrate our engagement here and could not be more happy with the decision. The room was cozy, ambient and intimate and created a space where our group of guests chatted/laughed/savored the experience as one. We loved seeing the skill and care taken by the sushi chefs and were wow'ed by each new piece of nigiri that was crafted and placed in front of us. Everything from the sushi to the soup to the dessert was perfect. Each bite was a new experience and we could tell the ingredients were meticulously chosen for freshness/quality. We loved the variety of fish we were able to try. Our favorite plate was the A5 Wagyu w/ chili miso; the entire table went from conversations to silence to "oh my god this is amazing". Audible "mmm's" and "wow's were plentiful. We left Kappo En comfortably full and were raving about the experience all the way home trying to recount each bite we had and share our favorites/thoughts with each other. In addition to this, the restaurant was very considerate and willing to adjust for a particular nut/fruit allergy i have which was extremely appreciated. If it was not for the price, i would eat here every week. This is hands down the best sushi/japanese i have ever had and easily the best in Charlotte if not the carolinas. This also ranks as my favorite restaurant experience ever. I highly recommend this as a celebration dinner; make the excuse to go for your anniversary, birthday or engagement. This is no frills, no gimmicks, no tacky microgastronomy, just an amazing food journey. Though, not for everyone, if you love authentic japanese cuisine, real sushi and want to give your taste buds a huge hug, go here. We can't wait for our next excuse to go back. 10/10.

WOW! Kappo En is really doing something special in Charlotte. My wife and I used our anniversary as an excuse to try their Omakase tasting menu and we will definitely be going back more regularly. Chef Tsuyoshi and Sushi Chef Yasuhiro were so entertaining to watch as they prepared each course and were very engaging as they presented each dish. Everything was not only delicious but just beautifully presented. In addition to the food tasting we also had each course paired with sake and it enhanced the experience even more. We cannot wait to go back!

O.M.G. This place is AMAZING! We’re so lucky to have it in Charlotte. I can’t wait to go back. The nigiri has such depth of flavor, I honestly can say I’ve never had nigiri this good. The atmosphere is intimate and its such an experience to get to watch the chef cut the fish and prepare the nigiri. They also allow ordering more of the ones you like for an extra fee. The sake pairing is delightful (although I slowed down toward the end so I could continue to appreciate the food). The dessert was light which was perfect after enjoying the richness of flavor in the fish. This place is 💯 10/10 5 ⭐️ all of the things. It is absolutely worth the cost. My only regret is not having a bigger stomach. Cannot wait to go back!

I'm so glad that Charlotte continues to grow and have great places like this spring up. Kappo is omakase style but not exclusively sushi; the chefs take turns with both nigiri and a variety of cooked morsels. On the sushi side of things, of 10 pieces of nigiri there were staple favorites like zuke-akami, toro, and uni, but also a variety of other seasonal fish, almost all of which are sourced from Japan. I've had sushi through the US and in Japan and this is was all very nicely prepared. Can't ignore Tsuyoshi's side of things either, with great cooked dishes, and the charcoal-grilled A5 wagyu beef towards the end was absolutely phenomenal. The atmosphere is clean and sharp but also warm and inviting and not too overly stiff or formal, which I really enjoy. While the price point isn't necessarily an everyday casual dinner out, it's very fair and comparable to similar experiences in other major cities. I'll look forward to making a return visit!

Money. Well. Spent. Best sushi experience I have ever had. Check my reviews. I don't leave any. This place has ruined me for sushi, everything else is tripe. As a 4, preoccupied with aesthetics, I was blown away. Book it now and thank me later. I dare you to call me a liar. #suntorytime

Amazing food, service, and atmosphere. This is my new favorite restaurant in Charlotte. I think this is the best omakase experience in town.

Best sushi experience I've ever had, we were making plans to return before the evening was halfway over. Authentic and amazing quality, worth every penny. Cannot recommend the dinner, and the sake pairing, enough.

Dinner was outstanding. Each dish the perfect bite. The craftsmanship of the chefs is clear and the modesty and gracious presentation adds to the experience. The quiet intimate hidden space is perfect for the show. The pacing was perfect. We aren't Sake drinkers but our group tried all the white wines which were excellent with the dishes. We will return after we save up again.

Took my lady for an early Valentine's dinner celebration. Had spoken with the general manager earlier in the late fall of 2023 and they shared with us that they were looking to open up a Japanese style omakase speakeasy in the back of Menya Daruma. They began operations around late November of 2023 but with all the holiday stuff going on I wasn't able to go until late January 2024. At the time of writing they have two seatings during dinner service on weekends, both approximately 2 hours in duration. Ours was at the 8:30PM seating and they wait until all diners have arrived before beginning dinner service. Upon entry to the ramen focused Menya Daruma, walk straight to the back by the restrooms and you'll be taken through a hidden door to the sushi speakeasy. Decorations in the back are Japanese understated elegance in its design and layout from the chef's table up to the wood planked ceilings down to the plank wood flooring with the occasional painted koi just below the lacquered finish. Only 10 seats in this intimate setting where we had 2 chefs as well as 2 waitstaff. Service was very attentive and prompt. Menu will change based upon the fresh seafood that the team is able to procure and I was stunned not only by the freshness but also at the breadth of the worldwide seafood / ingredient sources. Alaska, Hawaii, Spain and of course Japan's world famous Toyosu fish market (formerly Tsukiji) , and Kyoto among many other regional ingredients are air shipped from Japan. Chef team made sure that each dish was beautifully assembled with traditional Japanese meticulous attention to detail, even going so far as using traditional Japanese binchoton (charcoal briquettes) sourced by ocean freight from Japan (binchoton is NOT easy to secure in the US so the fact that they go to that length of effort to utilize specialized Japanese charcoal is tribute to the attention to detail to make it as authentically Japanese as possible). During conversation with one of the Japanese sushi chefs we learned that they had over 26 years of culinary experience that ultimately forged them to be able to bring this elevated form of fine dining. Drink menu was very impressive with the wide range of sake as well as specialized Japanese sourced drinks including some rare green tea that was nowhere near as bitter as the regular green tea that I typically drink. Even their rice was a 70/30 blend sourced from two different Japanese prefectures. Not something you'd find at your local Asian grocery store. This is a place for the ultimate foodie / special occasion and the team here works incredibly hard to try to bring good food and service here to Charlotte. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if they were on the Charlotte short list consideration for a Michelin star at some point in the future.

Unless you've been to New York, LA, San Francisco, or any of the other "major cities," an authentic omakase is very difficult to find. Often times the food will be Americanized and I have always left feeling a little sad. Not this place! One of the most important aspects of Japanese cooking is allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients come to life. The Americanized versions will over flavor the dishes with sauces. I appreciate Kappo En's more traditional Japanese way of cooking. The menu changes often, so what you see in my pictures may not be available for when you go. There are 18 dishes throughout the night. The experience took about two hours. Make sure you book in advance on their website. They also have a sake pairing with the dishes if you choose to do so. Price: $185/person for 16-18 dishes The restaurant is actually tucked away in my favorite Ramen place in Charlotte -- Menya Daruma. When you enter Menya Daruma, keep walking straight as if you are walking towards the bathroom. You will see someone dressed in all black with the guest list in hand. They will open a secret door in the back and lead you to an intimate opening where there are 10 seats surrounding the counter. The service is wonderful as one would expect at any Omakase restaurant. But to reiterate, what makes this restaurant special is the actual food. My husband and I loved it so much that we booked another reservation for the end of the month. If you are someone who is looking for authentic Japanese food (not just Americanized sushi), this is a place you have to try in Charlotte!! Of note, they will try to accommodate for certain dietary restrictions, however, they are not available to accommodate for a full vegetarian course as this would change the authentic Japanese experience altogether (see their FAQs for a more detailed outline). If you're someone who truly appreciates Japanese cuisine, this is the best omakase you will find in the Charlotte area.

My recent evening at Kappo En enjoying their omakase menu was truly exceptional. From start to finish, the culinary journey offered by Che was nothing short of extraordinary. The omakase menu at Kappo En is a testament to meticulous curation and culinary expertise. Each course was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. From the delicate sashimi to the perfectly seasoned nigiri, every dish was a work of art. What impressed me the most was the creativity and attention to detail in each plate. While I had high expectations for the food at Kappo En, I was genuinely blown away by the experience. The flavors were bold yet balanced, showcasing the freshness of the ingredients and the skill of the chefs. The standout dishes for me included the uni-topped nigiri and the wagyu beef tataki, which were both heavenly. The service at Kappo En was impeccable. The staff was knowledgeable and attentive, providing insights into each dish and ensuring a seamless dining experience. The ambiance was intimate and authentic, allowing guests to focus on the culinary journey unfolding before them.