Imanishi Japanese Kitchen

What is Imanishi Japanese Kitchen? Anchoring the Little Portugal strip at 1330 Dundas Street West, Imanishi Japanese Kitchen is a Tokyo-style shokudo and izakaya conceived by Shori Imanishi and Daisuke Gomyo. The room eschews sterile minimalism for warm wood banquettes, exposed brick, low moody pendant lights, and a vintage sound system spinning analog Japanese city pop. Seating is arranged between an intimate front bar counter primed for watching the pass and casual low-slung dining tables throughout the rest of the space.

Imanishi Japanese Kitchen Menu & What to Order The kitchen sidesteps sushi entirely to focus on umami-rich Japanese home cooking and drinking snacks designed to share. The non-negotiable starter is the corn kakiage—a lattice of sweet fried corn dusted with seasoning—alongside rich monkfish liver pâté on baguette and seared beef tataki tossed with fried chickpeas and sansho pepper. Pair plates with crisp draft beer, craft sake carafes, or citrus-forward highballs. To finish, the Tokyo Toast topped with taro ice cream and toasted soba is mandatory.

Know Before You Go Tables book quickly through Resy, though early-evening walk-ins can often snag counter seating at the bar if you arrive right at open. Street parking along Dundas West is scarce during prime dinner hours, making the 505 Dundas streetcar your simplest transit option. Imanishi operates for dinner service Monday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.