Kinji Japanese Restaurant

Had a belated birthday celebration by having the 8-course omakase here. We were fortunate that Chef Kinji was back for the month of May and got to enjoy his well-balanced dishes using fresh ingredients. The first dish with fried salmon was the star for me - crispy on the outside, tender and juicy meat inside. There was such a variety of sashimis (various types of fish) and other cooked proteins (beef, lamb, prawns and unagi). For the price of $100, this omakase is well worth its price with the range and heartiness of the food you get. We also ordered desserts (green tea tiramisu and crème brûlée) to end our dinner on a sweet note. Service was great and the atmosphere cosy. The restaurant was packed throughout the night with at least half the customers being Japanese (so you know it’s authentic) and everyone seems to know someone from another table, creating a friendly and homely vibe. It was such a memorable experience and the only bad thing was that they fed us tooo much - I haven’t eaten so much in ages! This is one of the best meals I’ve had in Christchurch. Highly recommend their omakase (go with an empty stomach) and have it while Chef Kinji is still in town!

A colleague highly recommended this place to me. The food was so outstanding,especially the Sashimi, must try. And the staff are friendly. We felt cold inside,that’s only the reason we didn’t enjoy. But we will definitely go again.

We had incredibly wonderful dinner, Service,taste,atmosphere, everything perfect and I felt like I was back in Japan. This restaurant must be the best in NZ! I’ll definitely come back again.

The food was absolutely amazing, the staff were very friendly and nice. Overall the whole visit was an amazing and the food was next level. I Highly recommend going here and enjoying the amazing food.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kinji Japanese Restaurant, one of Christchurch's most highly regarded Japanese eateries, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for a memorable evening. I started with three different kinds of sashimi, and I was blown away by the freshness and quality of the fish. Each piece melted in my mouth, showcasing the chef's expertise and the restaurant's commitment to sourcing top-notch ingredients. It was easily some of the best sashimi I've ever had. For the main course, I tried the Beef Chew Stew. While the beef was tender and flavorful, it wasn't entirely to my personal taste. That said, I could still appreciate the skill and care that went into preparing the dish. Overall, my experience at Kinji was fantastic. The food was exceptional, the service was attentive and friendly, and the ambiance was perfect for a relaxing dinner. It's clear that the team at Kinji takes great pride in what they do, and it shows in every aspect of the dining experience. Well done to the entire team—I can't wait to return and explore more of your menu!

Was recommended this place by a friend and was not disappointed. Everything was delicious and the staff were very friendly and attentive. Prices were great too. The green tea tiramisu was unreal! Will be back

Just had dinner at Kinji, and wow, their sushi is seriously delicious! Every piece was fresh and tasted amazing. If you're in Christchurch, New Zealand and craving some top-notch Japanese, you've gotta check this place out. Definitely my new go-to for sushi!

Absolutely love this place! The food is fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavour. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, making every visit feel special. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and authentically Japanese—perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions. Highly recommend Kinji to anyone looking for a top-notch Japanese dining experience in Christchurch!

Service was stellar at this establishment. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and made our visit very enjoyable. Based on atmosphere and service I'd give this place 5 stars. Based on food I'd say 3-4 stars. We ordered a salmon avocado roll which was delicious and I recommend ordering. I also ordered udon which was good but I don't fancy shiitake mushrooms which made the broth less desirable. The noodles are thinner than normal and the portion is pretty small so I'd recommend complimenting it with a roll. The fried tuna roll was my least favorite order because it was hard to chew and mostly rice. My favorite was the kfc chicken. It was hot, moist, and crispy and all it needed was a little salt. Overall, I thought this place was satisfying and enjoyed my experience here. If you're looking for excellent service, decent sushi, and decent prices I'd have a seat.

Visited Kinji with my partner and absolutely loved it. For a little restaurant it was really busy. The service was spot on and checked on us often. And the food, delicious I. We ordered the 10 piece nigiri set, deep fried soft shelled crab, octopus and venison tataki. We were satisfied with every dish. Highly recommend to anyone looking for top grade Japanese food in Christchurch.

Best sushi I had a New Zealand. Very fresh and good quality product. Unfortunately we didn't have a reservation but manage to have take away. It was great! Highly recommend if you are in town and would like to try best sushi New Zealand has to offer. The Tuna sashimi just melt in your mouth!

Not sure if people in New Zealand are able to fully enjoy sushi at it's best due to lack of locations but this place was just ok. The sashimi is actually great but the rolls are awfully made. There is a lot of rice and very little fish in the rolls. They did not offer much variety in rolls and when we asked for a spicy tuna roll, which is fairly common, we had to tell them what was in it. If you are really in the mood for sushi, I would stick with mostly sashimi in this place, but if you're leaving in a few days for a trip to Australia, just wait out the cravings.

I came here with three friends on a recent saturday night. They get very busy so I recommend booking well in advance. Decor is nice and understated, didn't stand out particularly. What you are here for is the food which is amazing. We ordered a lot of food with the plan to place it in the middle and share it, allowing us to sample a good range. Our waitress seemed a bit shocked by how much we ordered and actually advised us to order less but we plowed ahead (in retrospect she was probably right..) Food comes out fresh as it is prepared and as such is always hot and perfectly cooked. It was all timed perfectly so that as one plate was finished, the next one was coming out. We started with edamame which is a classic we all enjoy. Highly recommend the deep fried takoyaki (octopus ball) which was incredible. I'd never had them before and we ordered it on the recommendation of my asian companions but would definitely get it again. The spider rolls (soft shell crab sushi) were another standout. Amazing taste and presentation. For mains the particular highlights were the K.F.C (we ordered a second plate of this), and the specials menu and sizzling dishes are well worth a look. The only dish we didn't enjoy was the eggplant gratin. We finished this meal extremely full and contented. Didn't look at the desert menu. Service is good and attentive but our waitress did forget to bring us any water during our meal. It can be expensive if you order a lot of dishes but well worth it for a special night out. I think we spent about $80 each, without alcoholic drinks included. Bottom line: for interesting, unique, and delicious Japanese food in Christchurch this is the place to come.