Oh my! This is so much more than a Sushi Bar, although the Sushi is terrific and you can sit by the kitchen to watch the chefs at work preparing it uber-fresh.
Kanpai is equally skilled at Teppan, Sashimi and Tempura.
I'll be honest with you, I'd never really gone big on Japanese food, assuming it was all a bit one dimensional, until I ate lunch at Kanpa that is. I mean, I like my food, but this is on another level.
First off, everything is ultra fresh (as you would hope); the fish simply glistens on the plate, but what really got to me was the incredible range of flavours and textures and at a reasonable price.
OK, it's not budget eating, I'll grant you that, but it is relatively affordable and you more than get what you pay for here.
A few quick suggestions of my favourites: grilled aubergine in sweet miso sauce (£5.90) is so delicious and succulent you just want more and more; the Tuna Nigiri (£4.20) is OMG delicious; the Fried Octopus Balls (£5 or so) are truly stunning too. And the Mixed Veg Tempura (so light so delicious) for around £8.
If you like soft shelled crab, this is the place for you
They keep the drinks simple and not too expensive (£4.50 for an Asahi Beer, house white wine £18)
The staff are charming and delightful and the ambience is relaxed and really quite cool. It feels very authentically Japanese.
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
by
Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
by
"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
by
The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
by
"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
by
"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
by
The "Dovecot Studios" in Edinburgh were once public swimming baths where I'd swim every morning - now I can have a bird's eye view of weavers & looms...
by
The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.
by
"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...
by
"Inverleith Park" is kind of a mirror-image of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens: one is lauded for its unusual trees, the other for its wide-open spaces
by
"Lauriston Castle" in Edinburgh is fairly well known to tourists, but its Japanese garden is not. All is perfectly balanced here...
by
In Edinburgh, you don't have to get on a tourist bus at all - get a day ticket for the local "Lothian Buses" and you can explore the city for cheap!
by
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips