Izakaya Sanpei
43327 Joy Rd, Canton, MI, 48187
Izakaya Sanpei Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Canton for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Canton for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
43327 Joy Rd
Canton, MI, 48187 - Phone (734) 416-9605
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Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Steven A.
I'm surprised to discover that this place is one of the few Japanese restaurants to offer shabu shabu! And oh my, $23 per two persons and the veggie and thinly sliced beef plates are huge! Unproportionally huge enough to feed up to I'd say about 10 people, $23 for two people! It's really delicious and the waiters/waitresses are super friendly! Unlike the shabu shabu restaurants back in my home city of L.A. which usually charge an average of $11.99 to $25 depending whether it's lunchtime or dinner time/and types of beef. A have-to place to dine in! :)
(5)Claire C.
My favorite restaurant in the whole world! My Dad used to entertain his clients from Japan here and all claim it is the best Japanese food outside of Japan. The pork curry is my favorite along with the katsu don and the zaru soba. They are a small restaurant and frequently very very busy during the lunch hours but their lunch menu is the best time to go! Reasonably prices and the portions are gigantic. Sushi is also the best I've had. I'd recommend it to anyone.
(5)Jaclyn B.
I cannot believe that I have been going to this place since it opened and I have not yet reviewed it! Hubby took me here for my birthday since I havent been in SUCH a long time and it was as good as I remember it. As I read through a couple of yelps, I was in the same boat. They got rid of the head chef and I stopped going! I love sitting at the bar area, watching TV and all the commotion in the sushi bar area. I was happy to see that they still had the "special" menu but was slightly sad to see some of my traditional favorites (ex: tako wabasizuki) was no longer there. I did not ask to see if they had it, so they may have... We opted for a sashimi appetizer (delish!), a couple of basic rolls (I sometimes like to keep it simple), yakitori, and we split the massive yakiniku dinner. Everything was wonderful. Bill wasnt too bad... even though we ordered to liters of beer (it was birthday... dont judge!). It is good, if you havent been... give it a try. I have not ever had anything bad- just maybe not to my taste. Get out and explore the world!
(5)Shelly A.
This was our first visit here. Wasn't sure what to expect. The staff was wonderful. Many people came by our table to make sure we were headed in the right direction. We sat at the bar. Couldn't see much but it smelled wonderful. Food was a amazing. Couldn't have been better. Husband loved the raw calamari, I didn't, very chewy. I loved the spyder passion roll ( soft shell crab tempura ), and the raw tuna. Both unsure about the squid, scallops tasted sweet. Have many other things to try on next visit. Definitely will be back!
(4)Vana N.
This was our first time here. The udon was very good. I ordered the Kano Namban (udon with sliced duck & scallions) and the Hubby got a different udon (forgot the name). The duck was tender and thinly sliced. The broth was clean, yet tasty from duck fat. Hubby's udon was good too. His came with chicken, mushrooms, shrimp tempura, and tofu. The sushi..I wasn't impressed with. Too much rice and the vinegar usually used to make sushi rice tasted odd. A bit salty. The sashimi tasted really good though. I had salmon and Hubby had squid and octopus. Both said the textures were like butter and fresh. When we looked at what other people got there, about 90% of tables had a hot pot (like a fondue). Next time, we'll have to try that.
(3)Iva B.
Worst food ever! I decided to try it because the reviews looked good but we were very disappointed.
(1)K S.
Izakaya Sanpei is back in operation, but unfortunately the quality of food/service you get are nothing close to current Yelp! Rating of 4.5-star (as of 07/22/2015). If you are first timer and expecting 4.5-star quality, you'll be very disappointed. 2.5 to 3.0-star would be more inline. The sashimi fish quality at Sanpei has been on downhill for a while, and unfortunate the new owner/grand opening have not corrected this. What they charge for less than average in both the quality & quantity sashimi is frankly unacceptable. Tempura-don from the kitchen was another disappointment. Tempura was overly greasy (batter or frying temperature issue?) and sauce lacked flavor. The quality of rice used was very low too. Also the place has advertised grand opening with interior remodels but it's nothing significant. I've noticed unprofessionally done wall pairing job and some new wall papers in toilet. Rusty and dirty (hard water calcified) plumbing and sink (not even cleaned) remained in bathroom, old tables and chairs are used (chair's padding is so worn) too. I went to Izakaya Sanpei during lunch time and the place was fairly busy. I don't get it... Is this because around $10 - $12 would gets you lunch + tax + tip? I shouldn't be expecting much better quality lunch at this price point?
(2)Jack M.
The alcohol drinks are available now. However, something is lacked in the food and drink menu. I wish previous chefs and management was back.
(3)Jennifer L.
Any negative reviews should be completely ignored!!! This place was amazing before reopening and is even more phenomenal now!!
(5)Peggy L.
There is no better authentic sushi or Japanese food than at Izakaya. They've remodeled, have a really committed manager and staff, and sushi is top grade and unique. The sushi chefs and staff take great pride in serving fantastic quality grade sushi. Ask to see the "special menu" and this will give you a real flavor of some authentic Japanese home cooking. A must visit. Izakaya can't be beat!
(5)Amanda I.
So I'm kind of picky when it comes to my Asian food, especially my Chinese and Japanese food, and I've gotta say that I'm so glad I found this legit Japanese restaurant. It's in an out of the way strip mall next to a UPS store and near the Salvation Army. However, you know it's the place to go when the actual Japanese people eat there. I've had their udon, takoyaki, salmon onigiri, and then a couple of their sushi rolls (the rainbow one and a tempura one). They also have 20% off sushi on Sundays (Sushi Sundays!). I give them 5 stars because I keep returning and I like their food. It's definitely the best Japanese restaurant I've found for the area, and service has always been good for us.
(5)I D.
I really liked this place! Great food and great atmosphere! Hidden gem in a shopping complex. I recently read a review after searching for good sushi places in the area and this did not disappoint! Prices are also reasonable. For starters, we had agadashi tofu (which I love!) it was nice and light and yummy and an order of the steamed shrimp dumplings (which remind me of dim sum..mmm!). Also had the soft shell crab passion roll, very good flavor but, the shell on the crab was a little tougher than usual. I would definitely go back, plus, we meant to go on Sunday to give it a try because their rolls are 20% off but, missed it by a day. Next time!
(4)Liz R.
This use to be Ken and my spot for sushi, but our favorite sushi chef left years ago, and the menu changed a bit, and we drifted away. Recently, I've added it to my work lunch rotation, sometimes going as often as weekly. I enjoy some of their daily lunch specials, but most often get either the tempura soba soup or the shrimp tempura/California roll combination box (that comes with miso soup, salad, a scoop of potato salad and a bowl of rice). If I have my friend M with me or am feeling particularly piggy, I'll add a 007 roll (which is amazing, so you must try it). I most often sit at the sushi bar for lunch. Quicker in and out, and I get the added benefit of a show as the sushi chefs and kitchen staff work in front of you. Ken and I tried their Shabu Shabu after having the most delicious time at a Shabu restaurant in Boston, but we were disappointed with the lack of flavor. This is likely our issue because our Boston Shabu was not truly authentic...plus I've heard others rave about Izakaya's Shabu. I would recommend them for lunch or dinner, sushi-only or full meals.
(4)Polar C.
I am a Japanese, living in Ann Arbor for 8 yrs, and has been a big fan of Izakaya Sanpei. But, I was very concerned when I heard that the owner has been changed. I visited recently hoping that I could enjoy authentic Japanese food. Unfortunately, my favorite place seemed to be gone now. Quality of sushi especially deteriorated significantly. Overall, food seems to have same quality as one you could get any "Japanese" or asian restaurant. The reason why I put one star is because it is much overpriced I think even on Sundays when sushi is 20% off.
(1)Christopher N.
This is a first-rate sushi restaurant. Not only was the food delicious, but the reception I received made me feel like I was family. Harold is the recent owner of this establishment and has a deep passion for this endeavor, which will come across in your experience here. Izakaya Sanpei is worth a visit from a long distance. The spider roll has the perfect amount of crunch and flavor.
(5)Alexandria C.
Closed on a Saturday early afternoon. I'm sure it could have been good. This isn't the first time either. Oh well.
(2)Kai W.
Love the food and espcially the tonkatsu! People are great, service is great and whenever I am looking for authentic Japanese food, I go here :)
(5)Karen C.
I love this place. It's just down right good! The agedashi Tofu is perfect, the Wakame seaweed salad is so fresh and delish, I don't know what in that stuff but I am addicted! The tuna roll melts in your mouth, like Filet Mignon. It's just really been good the last few times I have been there. I would have given this a 4 star in the past, but I think with the sushi competition heating up in Canton, they kicked it up a notch.
(5)Tara L.
3.5 stars I'm kind of struggling with this one. On one hand, I enjoyed the food here, but i can't gather my head around the fact that none of the food that we received was served piping hot. I don't know how many times I have been to an Asian establishment, and realized that the food would have tasted exponentially better if it was served HOT (as in temperature). Such a small detail, but yet it could change a diner's experience that much? It doesn't seem likely, but it is definitely possible. We had this exact experience here at Izakaya Sanpei. I had heard and seen this place around the Yelp world and had driven by it a few times over the last few years. Liz R. gushed over it, and Liz W. equally gave it positive words, so Husband and I decided that it was worth a try. We arrived around 5:15pm on a Saturday, and were amongst the first diners (they open at 5pm.) Staff was friendly and quick to seat us, and we sat in the main dining area. From the outside, this place doesn't look all that big, but inside, it is quite spacious. Our table wasn't too far from the kitchen entrance and the sushi bar. We proceeded to place our orders, and we decided upon the following: 1. Saba Shioyaki (broiled mackerel with grated daikon, stir-fry burdock and mild chilies, tamago, and lemon. $11.95 dinner portion): About an 8 oz. portion of fish, moist and good crispy skin. Not greasy. Lemon was a bit old and didn't have enough juice to bring out the flavor in the fish. Daikon radish was old and clumped together. Burdock was okay. Tamago was repulsive. 2. Katsu Don (deep fried pork cutlet rice bowl with mixed egg. $9.75): Flavors in everything was fabulous, but there was way too much rice for the amount of pork they gave you. The breading was too soggy. 3. Agedashi Tofu (fried tofu in a dashi broth, $5.25): Nice crispy outer shell to the tofu, and the batter flavor was great. Broth was a tad on the flat side, but it still tasted great. 4 pieces of tofu were a great size and didn't fall apart when picked up with chopsticks. 4. Age Takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls with kewpie mayo, sweet sauce, and dried bonito flakes. $4.75): Great balance in the batter to octopus proportions. The pieces of octopus weren't old and rubbery, and the amount of kewpie mayo was delicate enough to not overpower the bonito flakes. 5. Tuna Roll (6 pieces, $5.25): Not that great. The slices of tuna were butchered (poor fishy!) and not the same size in each piece. Very disappointing. Like I had said in the beginning, everything for the most part tasted great. The flavors were like that of what we ate in Japan, but the fact that everything arrived on the cooler side made the experience not as pleasant. It didn't help that all the food arrived within 10 minutes of placing the order. Nothing had steam coming from the plates (katsu don and saba shioyaki specifically), so we're not sure if things are cooked to order. Based on our time here, we don't think it is. That's unfortunate to say the least. I'd be willing to come again to give this place another shot to see if it was just an off night, as the flavors indeed were authentic. I just hope that next time our food comes out hotter.
(3)Allen I.
Sanpei, one of my favorite places for lunch has been closed this past week. No explanation or sign on the door(s). Does anyone know if this is temporary or not?
(5)Krista M.
The duck hot pot was delish! The staff were wonderful and very helpful. We will most definitely be back.
(5)Rachel M.
Best sushi in Canton!! I love this restaurant. It is very large and accommodates bigger groups. It doesn't make you feel "packed in" like other sushi places around the area. It has a distinct Japanese feel, very authentic. The sushi is amazing and very decently priced. The flavors were great! The only concern was that everything we had was very spicy, but we LOVE spicy food, so it worked out well for us. Yelp says it closes at 11 on weekends, although the sign outside said it closes at 10:30. When we got there at 10, they were taking last orders. They currently have a sign that says 20 percent off on Sundays, I may check it out again soon just for that! We didn't get a hot pot, although most people around us did. I will definitely order one next time! The staff was great and were very quick. They had a "team" atmosphere versus only having one specific waiter/waitress. The waitress did mention to us that if we came earlier to call for a reservation, or the wait would be about 20 minutes. It would be worth the wait!
(5)Richard F.
Four of us decided that Japanese food was what we craved, so we went to Izakaya Sanpei. I was impressed indeed. Since there are quite a few Japanese auto parts and systems suppliers in the area, Canton has more than it's share of Japanese restaurants. The sushi and the hand roils were quite good. Although it was a weekend night (classically the worst night to order sushi), everything was fresh and good. The Maguro (Tuna) and the Yellowtail were both buttery and melted in my mouth. I also had a Nabeyaki Udon. This is the Japanese restaurant test for me, and Izakaya Sanpei passed with flying colors. The Crispy Tempura shrimp on top was just that; crispy. Sometimes when you get Nabeyaki Udon, the chef is careless and they let it sink into the broth. But not this time. It was gently nestled on top of the udon and remained crispy as it should be. The contents of the soup and the broth were both great. My wife ordered Tonkatsu; her favorite and I can't remember a larger portion. She took half of it home. Everyone else enjoyed their meals too. The food was good, the atmosphere was good and the company was good. I will go back if I find myself in Canton in the near future.
(4)May T.
I am probably giving it about a star more than it deserves. It gets bonus points for having Tsukune, Saba shioyaki and duck ramen. Are the flavors the best I ever had? Not quite. But it's perfectly fine. And I had trouble finding food in the area.
(4)Jamie S.
I got referral from a friend , to try the duck hot pot loved it , huge portion . Great sushi to . Would come back
(5)Sarang K.
I was here for a birthday party for about a dozen people. Most of us ordered our own thing but there was one communal hotpot that we ordered. I frankly thought it would be too little for the 5 of us (we ordered two orders of seafood hotpots - in two separate pots) but with the appetizers we had sampled, it was just right. And then of course since it was a birthday, the cakes just finished the meal off jusssst right. But in all seriousness, the food was good. Nothing spectacular but it was good, clean, simple. I'd go again just to try a few different dishes, but unfortunately it's generally a little out of my price range. I'd drive 30-40 minutes for a good bowl of pho, but I think for Japanese, I'll just go to my neighborhood restaurant. Will I try it again? Absolutely. But I will not go out of my way to go there. Maybe when I visit the Salvation Army right there... get some good thrifty finds, and then treat myself to a meal. And, there was a piece of steel wool in my food. Didn't turn me off completely, but just saying.. it happens... and it happened to me.
(3)David F.
Great place for a sushi lunch. We got the Dynamite roll, Godzilla roll, and 007 roll. All were very good. Wish I was in town longer so I could come back and try more of the menu. Service was quick and friendly, prices were fair. It must all be good, because this joint is packed at lunchtime.
(4)Shirley H.
This is definitely one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in Michigan. It is SO rare nowadays to see a fully Japanese staff in a sushi restaurants. I'm Korean and don't understand why a majority of the sushi restaurants are owned and run by Koreans. No disrespect but really?! I digress. When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted right away by the waitress and sushi chefs. We were seated immediately (around 8:30) and brought us water and menus right away. The specialty rolls weren't too diverse or offered very many choices, but we managed to ordered two of probably the most expensive rolls on the list. We got the American Dream Roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, eel, masago, and gold flakes-which is probably why the roll is $$$) [$15.50], the Crazy Roll (spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, spicy sauce, and a sweet sauce) [$12.50], the spicy California roll $6.50?, and we got the chicken karaage (small fried chicken bites). The karaage could've been slightly better. The moment you bite into it, you realize it's too hot to just pop in your mouth like popcorn chicken. The after taste however was what made the dish for me to not be so great. All I could taste was the batter and grease. I've had better karaage at Yamato in Ann Arbor, which is now closed. Now on to the rolls... There weren't that special to me and the gold flakes were definitely not impressive. I wish I would've know it came with gold flakes so that I could've asked for the roll with it and save a few bucks. The crazy roll was pretty standard and had a nice little kick to it from the two different spicy sauces. The spicy California roll was also pretty standard. They use imitation crab and to me...if you can taste the difference, it's either gonna make or break the roll. The spicy sauce on top of each roll however, helped the roll taste pretty good. The service was pretty good and the waitress were really good about checking in on us. However, all of our rolls took awhile to get out to us. I will probably go back to try their non-sushi items, since they have a nice variety to choose from.
(3)AndrewSumi G.
This was our first time here. Was initially a little skeptical but saw some great reviews in yelp and decided to go. We were very pleasantly surprised. We got the yakatori, seaweed salad, gyozo, and the octopus balls for appetizers. Loved it all except for the octopus balls, they were a little undercooked on the inside. Then we got a ramen as udon as the main entree. The nabeyaki udon here was significantly heartier than ajishin's. It had more seafood, more meat, more vegetables and the broth was quite savory. The duck ramen was also very good. The broth was soy sauce based but was not salty at all. All in all a great experience. Will definitely come back for the sushi and the shabu shabu.
(5)Jessica D.
Our go-to Japanese restaurant locally! The sukiyaki is fantastic. Service is very good, but occasionally crabby or short-staffed. They have a separate Japanese menu (in Kanji) that you have to ask for that offers more traditional Japanese fare.
(4)Susan S.
I enjoy the food here was great, fast service , wasn't over price. I recommend the duck hot pot I love sitting at the bar area, watching TV and all the commotion in the sushi bar area.
(5)Allen L.
Wow - we've been going here for MANY years, and I somehow missed reviewing it. It's a gem in the realm Detroit Japanese restaurants. Sanpei was the first izakaya in Michigan and it still rocks after MANY years (15+?). Izakaya places are more informal, pub-like resturantgs that serve food to go with your beer. Lots of small dishes. Noodle dishes, some sushi, good sake, cheap BIG mugs of ice cold beer. The menu has lots of varied items that reflect traditional cooking styles: - pickled - marinated - fried - grilled - sushi - boiled or stewed They also have a few token main dishes (tonkatsu, teriyaki, ...) that are frankly great but I usually go and get lots of small dishes. The dishes change seasonally with many standards always on the list. Here are a few that I think Sanpei does better than other places: - shabu shabu, sukiyaki or other hot-pot (nabe) dishes are always fantastic with a TON of fresh vegetables and perfectly fresh and sliced meat - ban banji - marinated chicken with jelly fish salad - kushi - items grilled on a stick --- tsukune - ground chicken --- chicken skin (sometimes) --- shishito peppers - pork belly - grilled rice balls - yaki onigiri - tempura - other fried things --- always a great selection which varies the other night they had small whole main shrimp deep fried with salt =========== In addition to big mugs-o-beer, they have some excellent sake by the glass or bottle. Sake by the bottle is really well priced here. It's been a while since I've had sushi here only because I like the other dishes so much and you can't find elsewhere.
(5)Christopher A.
I am an American sushi chef of 15 years. This place was as good as it gets. I only went with traditional items, as it was all Japanese "Sushi-ya," or sushi chefs, and a mostly Japanese clientele. The cases were full of fish which we don't get, at the restaurant I work at, because our American clientele wouldn't buy: Kohada, Suzuki, Natto, Ama Ebi, Saba, Uni. Every single thing I had was outstanding: Agedashi tofu, followed by nigiris of tuna, sea bass, mackerel, gizzard fish, octopus, sweet shrimp, Japanese egg omelet, sea eel, and sea urchin, and Natto, respectively. I didn't think I liked natto, until tonight. Wow, I am blown away! I didn't eat any of the Americanized rolls. I didn't need to... I'm sure those items would keep the average American consumer more than happy, too.
(5)Z C.
Had the large bento Sanpei Special to share with a friend. Everything was tasty, and it made a filling but not too heavy dinner for two small people. Salmon teriyaki tasted fresh with a nice crispy skin. The beef was flavorful, a little on the salty side but balanced out the more delicately seasoned tempura and maki well. The sashimi yellowtail was tasty. It was an early dinner on a Sunday, so the place was pretty quiet and you could hear your tablemates easily. Most of the patrons appeared to be Asian families, many of whom were enjoying the shabu shabu. Our waitstaff were very helpful and accomodating of our larger party splitting the checks. The 20% off sushi on Sundays is a great deal. Overall, this place is one of the more authentic Japanese spots compared to what I know in the Ann Arbor area. Would come again for sure!
(4)Charles W.
I came here for dinner with friends as a pre-Toledo marathon meal. The restaurant is very clean and a large selection of sushi rolls. The salmon teriyaki was good and served in large portions. The california and spicy tuna rolls were okay. Prices were as expected for sushi. The ice cream was probably the best part of the meal.
(3)Christina K.
I have to say this is probably the best Japanese restaurant in the D and sushi is 20% off on Sunday so go go go!! I'm a little biased since I used to be the hostess here about 11 or so years ago but everything still tastes the exactly the same. I went here with a group of friends on Sunday and ordered from the 'special menu'. Ask for it if they don't give it to you and if you're not Japanese or familiar with the food I recommend that you make a Japanese friend or download a Japanese translator app on your iPhone. lol You can NOT go wrong with the Yakinu Salad (marinated slices of beef with sauteed onions and green onions with lettuce to wrap it in...think beef lettuce wraps), Tori karage (little marinated and fried chicken), Ika Spicy (calamari with jalapenos), 007 Roll (my fave...just order it), Buffalo Roll...and so much more!
(5)Allen M.
One of the best Sushi places in Michigan. I used to eat here all the time when I lived in Michigan. I always make sure I eat here when I come back to Michigan.
(5)Jen L.
What a great find. We stopped in for sushi last night. The restaurant is a decent size and the service was good. We ordered sushi and all of it was delicious. We also witnessed some other patrons getting huge platters of food brought to them, to be cooked by the staff at the table in a steaming cauldron in front of them! :) When I inquired, the server called it the "hot pot" and showed me what it was on the menu. We might have to try it on a future visit.
(5)Jakub B.
One of the best authentic sushi restaurants around. I have been going here for two years now and always come in for lunch. I can honestly speak for every bento box that they have on the menu, all quite delicious, my personal favorite is the Salmon Bento box. Prices are very reasonable and the wait staff is top notch, always on the ball, getting you refills on tea. One little thing that I really like about this restaurant is the 'pre meal' hand wash towels that are brought out, very classy and unlike any other places I have been to. Something about a hot hand towel really brightens up your meal and makes it that much more special.
(5)Robin S.
Lover of sushi! I had in NY, California, Chicago and etc... best quality in sushi! I was fan of O'sushi for many years until last three consecutive times quality have been slipping... so I have tried all the sushi place in my area until I had a take out order @ Izakawa sanpei; it was delicious! I will have take out order again! As same price as O'sushi; fresher & lot more food! I mean "quality" way! For me new local sushi take out place! :)
(5)Dave G.
Very authentic and reasonably priced as well. I ordered the grilled "Spanish Mackerel" but it should have said "skinny fish with head and tail still attached." Grossed out my wife but very tasty! It came with traditional sides like a slivered vegetable, tamago, mashed radish, and some tofu, plus soup and rice. My table also got sushi, yakisoba, seaweed salad and rice balls. There were lots of other traditional items on the menu like hot pots and rice stews. Everything was great and I would come here again to sample more.
(5)Jason C.
First time trying here to eat sushi on Tuesday. Reviewing only on sushi nothing else cause i didn't order anything else beside Spider R (softshell crab R) and several pieces of nigiri. Nigiri itself taste really good right size for every piece for nigiri and the quality of fish was not bad at all. Spider R i don't know why but it taste really salty even without dipping it into the ponzu sauce that they give or low sodium soy sauce i used. Personal opinion for roll that contains soft shell crab shouldn't taste too strong from other ingredients. It seems that people come here more for other things like kitchen entrees and pot style than coming here to eat sushi. Service wise umm... they brought me out cup of hot tea as soon as i set down on sushi bar ( i don't know i can call that was sushi bar cause it was so small and the chefs are cooking kitchen stuff too. Anyways, it was really nice to bring out cup of hot tea on this cold weather but never asked me what i want to drink and only reason i am saying this is because some customers might want something else but you never ask what they want. Also they just handed me a check while i was still eating a meal and i wanted to try one more roll from the menu and oh i forgot to say about the menu.. they didn't hand me the menu and i thought the list on a paper at sushi bar was everything they had... One wait staff was really friendly to me and smiling whenever i asked for something but others were seem unhappy for some reason i see no smile on their face and it will influence on customers mood not always but some people will get that. First time i ever felt in my life in Japanese restaurant that i was not welcomed to come in to eat in their restaurant. Atmosphere here was not modern style but more on traditional look in my opinion. Oh and i might be wrong on this cause sometimes it's hard to tell but i don't see any Asian chef in sushi bar even though it's not always necessary to have Asian chef for Asian restaurant. Next time if I come here again i will try their pot dish or any other kitchen entrees. 3 stars is little less for this place but 4 stars is little bit high for this place i think.
(4)Violi M.
Izakaya is a pleasant experience. The service is welcoming and warm and the sushi is delicious...especially their specialty rolls. I go there frequently and consistently have fabulous food. Don't forget to try their banana tempura...amazing!
(4)HJ L.
I had high expectations based on all the reviews, but I was slightly disappointed with their quality of food. The service was good (they provided hot towels before your meal), but their sushi was just okay in terms of freshness. Their donkatsu was meaty and tasty.
(4)Jess R.
I don't ever think I stop craving sushi but sometimes I run out of people who want to go with me which is probably why I haven't been to Izakaya until yesterday. Out of all of the other local Japanese restaurants this has to be the winner. Like others have mentioned, the sushi is 20% off on Sundays (major perk). The sushi was really fresh and high-quality in comparison to other mediocre sushi I've tried in the area. The tempura udon was also really good -- not overly salty like some broths can be. The only letdown for me was that they allow smoking in the restaurant. I guess we'll just have to wait until May 2010.....thanks, Michigan!
(4)Jen F.
Surprising! My husband and I were driving through Plymouth after a round of golf at Hilltop and trying to figure out where we'd get a bite to eat. We found this on Yelp and decided to stop in. And wow, I was pleasantly surprised. From the Yelp reviews I didn't have very high expectations of service, so I will start there. Service: Right off the bat we were seated by an extremely pleasant Japanese woman. The entire staff appeared to be Japanese actually, and for that matter a lot of the customers too - a good sign. Throughout we had extremely attentive service. We ordered something new that we didn't know how to make and the waitress taught us how and told us a few tricks. She even split up our red bean and green tea ice cream in half for one serving. It was beautiful, and perfect. Price and Food Quality - We started by ordering a few different sushi rolls. The Spicy Tuna was about $4.00 and the Spicy Yellowtail $3.25. The quality was great! I would especially recommend the Spicy Tuna. It was prepared really well and had great flavor. We also ordered the Oregon Roll. Well presented and a generous portion. Worth the $8.00 for sure. I know I already went into it - but when the waitress found out we liked Sashimi, she recommended the Yellowtail. We ordered two pieces and it was well worth it. Really good fish and a nice generous cut. The sashimi prices weren't as good as Ronin, but they were ok. We also ordered a great dinner/soup dish. It was a duck soup but you compile it yourself and serve it yourself. Wow. It was incredible. Definitely recommended, when I get the name I will edit the review. All in all, we had a great experience. It was clean inside and the service stood out for sure. Maybe they got the message? I am really looking forward to going back!
(5)Chris S.
First time eating here hoping to get some good sushi on the road. We sat at the sushi bar and the older japanese chefs did not acknowledge out presence. Usually you get a few Japanese words that you have no idea what they mean but you know they are welcoming you. The waitress who was quite good soon took care of us but i do not like having a waiter intermediate between me and the chef. I sit at a sushi bar to experience that interaction and this place could just move the chefs and fish in the back kitchen as the experience would have been the same. We ordered a few rolls and about five fish types sushi style. All but the taco was pre-cut (not cool...not cool indeed and I am very surprised to see this from a Japanese chef). All were poor to average with exception to the salmon which was buttery and great. The salmon skin roll was served cold not crispy out of the toaster oven. Really?Cold mushy salmon skin? What a major bummer! There was also fish i was not familiar with called a gizzardfish. It looked real fresh so we ordered and it was pretty good. Similar to saba...pickled, oily and fishy. The prices were fair but i had a hard time walking out feeling great about the experience.
(2)Ricardo H.
This was one of those last minute spots for us. Checked out yelp really quick and found this gem...haha, exactly what yelp is for. I order the duck hot pot and a side of ramen for the two of us. The waiter showed up with a mini stove with all of the ingredients on two separate serving dishes. He instructed us how to cook everything on the stove after he left. We basically tossed everything into their secret base and let it cook. The duck is cut into really small bite size pieces which was really nice. All of the vegetable were really fresh plus there was a type of mushroom I had never tried before that was excellent. It looked almost like brussels but obviously had a very strong but great mushroom flavor. The hot saki I ordered was fantastic and strong too. So overall this place is as real as it gets in my book. The staff was great, the price was great, the atmosphere was great and they were fast. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Rick R.
Food was great! Lobster roll and duck hot pot. Service was good with a busy dinner crowd. Will definitely go again.
(5)Liz W.
My fave sushi based on freshness, taste and atmosphere. There is cheaper (even with the 20% off on Sundays) I have more often but there is none better. I tend to get price obsessed though and have not come here in awhile. This was the first place I ever ate sushi when they first opened. I almost always eat at the sushi bar (usually with a few people from nearby Yazaki) and find they offer you quicker and better service with the occasional sample and freebie seaweed salad. It is always fun for me to watch the show too. They have the best spicy tuna roll ever, happy rolls with eel, the already mentioned 007 roll and excellent white tuna. If I am feeling flush I will just tell him to make suggestions or surprise me. I am never disappointed. From the non sushi side of things I like the miso soup here so much, The calamari with jalapenos, duck hot pot and the udon noodles. They also have excellent tempura, which is not my thing but matters to my husband. Personally I hardly ever get anything other than sushi.
(5)Melissa R.
Best sushi on the westside! Plus, the service is great -- we love the staff! Kid friendly too!
(5)Alice C.
My new favorite local Japanese restaurant! When we go there it was really packed so we sat at the bar, which turned out to be a great experience. The sushi chef was really friendly and he offered us a free side dish of salmon skin salad (baked crispy salmon with skin on pieaces in a soy based sauce), which was delicious. I ordered the sashimi & sushi combo, the fish was fresh and the the sushi was really good. The bento special my boyfriend got was very filling and had a large variety of food. I didn't know there was a special menu though, will definitely be asking for it when we go again tonight.
(5)Kris A.
Went back recently for Sushi & sashimi with friends. The rolls were extremely decorative, but I would have preferred more taste and faster service. I can see we were paying more for presentation than for the food. That being said, the quality of the sushi was very good, and I do like the authentic Japanese (versus Korean) atmosphere, so I'm sure I'll be back.
(3)Wei O.
For those tl;dr...You cant go wrong with izakaya sanpei. Im filled with guilt that i can no longer put this review off any longer. This is one of the few places id starve myself before i make my way here to eat as much as i can. When i first came here i was fortunately enough to have friends that told me about the "secret" menu. It has all the appetizers and small dishes written in japanese. Fear not, they have upgraded it with pictures and english names/description of that menu since then! My favorite is the takoyaki (octopus ball) and keroke (cream fill hash brown patty). Make sure to ask for the menu if you werent given one! Im not sure if they have a full bar but they serve a variety of japanse beer and sake. The regular menu is extensive. From sashimi to bentos. Few items i must mention. The tanshin bento, a perfect meal for a single person as the name implied. Come with sushi, sashimi, rice, soup, tempuras and fruits. Big portion for a very good price. Next is the katsudon. Delicious and too big of a portion for me to finish it myself. Also do try the saba fish if your not put off by the bones. They also serve sukiyaki and shabu shabu! So bring a friend with you on a cold day cause its a two person order. Dont forget an order of green tea ice cream for dessert. The service here is exceptional. The waitress are very attentive and friendly. Once i saw a family with 4 kids dining there, spilling miso soup and making a mess generally. The waitress handled the table exceptionally while smilling and even made some easy use chopsticks for them. Also do ask for recommendations! I also like how the hot towels make me feel all warm and fuzzy before i start chowing down! Whew...this is a long review.
(5)Nycole K.
Most authentic sushi on the west side. I'm giving 5 stars for authenticity and really perfectly prepared sushi. They have a full menu of authentic Japanese cuisine, but I've pretty much stuck to sushi, edamame and the occasional gyoza. Almost any night it will be full of almost entirely Japanese people, which I personally take as a pretty good sign. We always eat at the Sushi bar, which is a crack-up because they have Japanese TV playing behind the bar and it's always entertaining! Having been to Japan twice I think I'm allowed to say this - seriously, fantastic, authentic sushi. Yum yum.
(5)Erica Y.
I came here with a friend hoping to try out the shabu shabu. It was a large platter of beef, and then another large platter of veggies but mostly a lot of cabbage, i'd guesstimate about 60% cabbage and the rest being a somewhat sparse assortment of mushrooms, tofu, noodles, carrots, ... . This was okay although for the price I would've liked more vegetables other than a bucket load of cabbage. The shabu shabu did not come with broth either, just water........ huge disappointment. The meat, however, was fairly good with a good dipping sauce but even that was somewhat limited in quantity. Unfortunately, the lack of broth/ponzu was a huge disappointment. I've honestly never heard of shabu shabu with just plain water but I've also only had it a few other times. My friend who did live in Japan also has never heard of shabu shabu without broth so I don't know... Unfortunately, I probably would not go back here again, at least not for the shabu shabu.
(2)Nikki S.
I would say I was raised by the food here. My family used to go here quite often. I now live in Indiana & I miss it very much :C We always get the same things & try few other plates along with them.(having a family with huge appetite is sometimes a win.) Our staple order: Kani-cream(crabs & cream) croquette, motsu-kon(spicy intestine & konnyaku stew), ika spicy ageh(spicy fried squids), kamo-nabe(duck soup), saba shio-yaki(grilled mackerel), kaki fry(fried oyster), shumai(steamed dumpling), etc. Do they still have that "Today's Special" menu? It's a 2~3 page stapled 11x17 paper. We always check that first since some of the food on that menu is not always available. The sushis & rolls are good too, but since Michigan is pretty far away from the ocean, it won't be the best or the freshest, but still fresh.
(5)Vlad T.
It's as authentic as it gets in Michigan. We were basically the only English speaking people there. The rest were Japanese (quite big community in Detroit), relaxing and having fun after a work day, just like you'll see in Tokyo. Food was good and service quite fast. Sashimi and Nigiri was delicious, very fresh. But rolls were not exactly 5 stars. Which is understandable - because it's not a strictly sushi place - it's so much more. Ordering rolls in a place like this is like going to the best steak house and ordering burger and fries. Highly recommend.
(5)Aaron N.
I'm going to give this place 4 stars because I was hankering for some good sushi and they delivered, but there were some annoyances. Starting out, I know it's a small thing, but why does everyone get a hot towel except me? I want a hot towel too. Secondly, I ordered two things. The first was a duck hot pot which came out in about 10 minutes and was very tasty and gone just as quickly. That being said, it was about 40-45 minutes after FINISHING my hot pot before my second order item actually arrived at my table, which is a shame. It was probably what I ordered, I don't know, but I got tired of watching people come in, get served, finish their meals, and then pay and leave. I am an American and as such, I enjoy a nice specialty roll. I know it isn't authentic but I don't care. I want a multitude of flavors caressing my palate and simple sashimi or nigiri just doesn't do it for me as well. Don't get me wrong, I will still eat those items and enjoy them but, when given the opportunity, I will almost always choose a lot of different things rolled together over just one kind of fish artfully served. Well, my tempura lobster roll, while late, was definitely worth it. I'd never seen yellow seaweed wrap before. And the two kinds of fish roe were awesome. I know the orange one was masago and I'm not sure what the other black one was called but it was great. If someone had told me years ago that I would enjoy eating fish eggs I would have told them they were crazy. So, to sum up... Great sushi, very friendly wait staff, but for me, a long wait. I'll be back again and will probably go for something less time intensive. I'm guessing tempura lobster isn't a walk in the park. I can always go for some eel, which I LOVE. Another oddity. "Hey Aaron, in the future you will like eating sliced eel on rice." "What? Get away from me you psycho!"
(4)Emily H.
Good food...HORRIBLE SERVICE. We've gotten the same waitress for the two times we've gone there. She's the slightly younger, taller one with short hair. The other older lady I ADORE. I just wish she was our waitress both times. First time we went, we ordered shabu shabu. She proceeded to tell us that ponzu did NOT go with shabu, and refused to give us a side of ponzu. Who the fuck cares? If I want ponzu with my shabu (which, by the way, is served together in various shabu places in California, along with sesame sauce), I want it. She also made me look like a fool when I ordered duck shabu, telling me this and that, and how I couldn't do something else because it was "wrong." Ugh. Spoiled a perfectly good birthday dinner for me. The food was good enough for us to come back again. Second time: Bf and friend ordered shabu again. I proceed to ask what the best dish was if I just wanted an assortment of raw fish with rice. She gives a recommendation of a sashimi plate, I order, pleasantly surprised that she was not an idiot this time. However, when the dish came (beautiful, well portioned slices of fish, btw), she gave me no rice at all. I asked for rice...she gives me steamed rice. Whenever did a hot bowl of steamed rice go with cooled slices of fresh fish? I was still nice at this point, at asked her to please give me a bowl of sushi rice. I want the vinegary taste with my fish... AND SHE REFUSED, saying that this was her favorite dish and was NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EATEN WITH SUSHI RICE. For. Fucks. Sake! I want my sashimi with sushi rice! Just GIVE IT TO ME! I ask her TWICE. She does not bring it. I go up to her by the kitchen and tell her: give me the rice. I DON'T care about the extra charge. Goddammit! She finally gives it to me. Comes back 15 minutes later apologizing. I could care less. She got a $1 tip from me for a $50 bill. I usually am not particularly nasty about stuff like this, but it was the angriest I have ever gotten at a restaurant. I have since moved to San Francisco, but when I visit my parents, I will take a trip to Noble Fish instead.
(1)Jeff M.
Made a believer of my wife. This is a first time for us and we will be back for sure. The spicy tuna was great and my wife's California was fresh. I highly recommend the Godzilla roll. The spicy sauce was great, it might be sriracha. The gyoza was really good also. The fresh taste of scallion made it. The service isn't bad either. Sundays are discount sushi days. We haven't tried their traditional food yet.
(4)Andrea M.
Been going here for years and all I can say is TOTALLY YUM! Bonus: if you sit at the bar the chef will sometimes let you sample items! You walk in and everyone yells at you. It's their way of greeting customers. :) You are seated and brought warm moist towels with which to wash your hands and face. Your order takes time but it is well worth it. The sushi here is unbelievably tasty. The waitstaff is very friendly. You can have your own little "room" if you wish. Izakaya Sanpei is the best when it comes to Japanese cuisine.
(5)J L.
Love the staff and service there, they are always so friendly, fast & efficient. New Sushi Chef is learning....was slow at first, but sushi is still the best in town!
(4)Adam B.
Izakaya Sanpei is one of my favorite restaurants. Izakaya means "neighborhood pub" in Japanese and that's the casual feel of the place. You can sit at the Sushi bar, at a table in a restaurant area or at the small bar. The waitstaff is especially friendly and are willing to be helpful while you select your dish. Some of the dishes are pre-prepared and reheated when ordered but that does not mean they are not of high quality. Most of their dishes are indeed fresh and some of the best you can have. The sushi is quite excellent and they have a number of house designed rolls. I highly recommend the Sukiyaki or Shabu Shabu. It is a dish you prepare at your table. They bring out a propane burner and a cast iron pot. They also bring out two huge platters. One with duck or beef (depending on your choice of dish) and the other with vegetables. They also give you a pitcher of broth. It is quite a large amount of food and very fun. The prices are moderate but for some reason I always tend to get carried away with trying new things. I highly recommend Isakaya Sanpei, especially for people new to Japanese cuisine,
(5)Kelly B.
On a mission to be more adventurous we had our weekly "girls nite" dinner out here. It was very fun, and the food was fantastic. Definitely try the Spider Passion roll - tempura crab with lots of other yummy stuff inside with a ponzu sauce for dipping - I crave it now! Based on other yelpers suggestions we tried an udon dish - it was very good, but my cohorts weren't as daring as I was feeling - so I did the uni and salmon roe alone. Loved the uni, although it could have been a bit more compact - there were many a joke about how I was going to get it into my mouth. The salmon roe was .....different. I'm guessing this might be an acquired taste. We also tried a "special" off the list that was presented with the menu which consisted of king crab, sea weed and cucumber in a "vinegar" dressing. It was again, different. The vinegar could have used a little more kick and the purple sea weed we decided came from the bottom of Shamu's tank - again, possibly an acquired taste. But it was all very fun, and then it was time for dessert which did not dissapoint either the "chickens" in our group or those of us (me) who were "livin' on the edge" that night. The tame girls had banana tempura which they devoured and loved, I tried the anmitsu recommended by our waitress which was fabulous! The food was fresh and the staff were very friendly. We will be back!
(4)dorothy t.
This has been a favorite for years. Everything from the sushi to tempura soba to bento to sukiyaki (sp?) - we just love it.
(4)トモ T.
PROS: Located in a strip mall next to ACE hardware store. In a Izakaya like this, you can almost forget about the regular menu and go straight to the 'Today's Special' menu. Ask for the Japanese version (also has English), since the English only version is is missing some key items. Special menu items are mostly small dishes with authentic flavors. Sanpei probably has the most variety of dishes, so you can try little of everything. One of the few Japanese restaurant in the area that offers beer on draft (unfortunately Bud Light only). CONS: Although most of the dishes are authentic, they are not professionally executed (frozen food you can buy at Japanese grocery store). This is partly due to Sanpei trying to maintain large variety on their menu. Fish quality is good, but meat quality is poor. I would avoid eating beef or chicken teriyaki here.
(3)o o.
Just like Izakaya Sanpei states this place is "good food" and "good fun" especially after you've finished a namachuu . This Izakaya is a nice option for after work drinks and food. The drink menu offers asahi, kirin, sapporo and domestic beers as well as a nice selection of sake and shouchu. Most everything on the food menu is good and authentic japanese. I agree that it is not the "finest" or "freshest" japanese food around but it is good! Some favorites of mine yakitori, tsukune, shumai, and yakisoba. The only dish i would not order again is the salmon skin -- a little fishy for my taste. If you go later in the evening the place is filled with japanese buisness men and on the weekend sing your heart out to karaoke! Located next to ACO hardware.
(4)June L.
I have been away from Ann Arbor for 2 years. I missed Sanpei so much for its duck hotpot (Sukiyaki, or Shabu Shabu). It's enough for two people as a dinner. No other dishes necessary. Sliced duck meat beautifully arranged in one plate. Another plate they had bok choy, crown daisy, leek, mushroom, tofu, golden needle mushroom, etc. The best thing was the broth. I've been to several places in USA and China but never found another Japanese duck hotpot. They usually have beef and seafood. Duck is just so different, so tasty, and so special to go with the Japanese hotpot broth.
(5)Toni B.
My family and I went to this restaurant based on Yelp reviews to celebrate a special occasion. I have to say it lived up to its excellent reputation. The sushi was fresh and delicious. I specifically ordered the 007 roll as it had been recommended and it was so good. I was also able to order one of my favorite dishes Nabayaki Udon which was steaming hot and almost as good as the one I enjoy at Cherry Blossom. I think the sushi is the way to go at this place and I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Lisa O.
Our staple Japanese restaurant. Good food, good service, and close by. I have had Nabeyaki Udon at many places but I like theirs the best. I'm a noodle freak and love the hot pots. This is the best because it's a mix of everything -- chicken, spinach, seaweed, and an egg splat in the middle that is cooked by the near-molten broth temperature. Okay, it takes 5 minutes for the thing to become a non-scalding temperature to eat, but it's yummilicious. My kids love it too. The spicy California rolls are our go-to item too. Yay, I'm a fan.
(4)Steven S.
The best sushi resturant in Michigan! Daily lunch specials are great. Sit at the bar to feel the dynamic energy of the Chefs. Drafts come in ice frosty mugs! Nabiyaki Udon, Chirashi, fresh crab, Spicy Ika, all great choices. Miso is tasty- not bland like many others. Make sure you get the paper menu with the seasonal items and specials! Gets super crowded so come early or later in evening for fast service. Note that the sushi and food are prepared in seperate areas so some dishes may come out earlier than others depending on the que. Recommend sharing small plates to try larger variety.
(5)JQ P.
Possibly one of the best values in sushi in the metro area. I have been going there for years and it only seems to get better. Make sure to check out the specials menu and do yourself a favor and order the 007 roll, awesome. Thier river eel is great too!
(5)Julia M.
Best taste in the area I think... After coming home from Japan vacation this is the place I love to eat most foe Japanese!! I go especially for the udon with batter bit and the plum & mint rolls!!
(5)Duke A.
Since I work at a nearby Japanese company, this restaurant is popular among my coworkers. Lunchtime provides an affordable authentic Japanese meal, such as Katsu Curry, Tempura don, Udon, etc. Dinner is more expensive, but an extensive list of "Japanese-version" menu is very exciting to someone who likes to explore unique Japanese food. My favorite is Kamo nabe (duck hot pot), but beware, the portion is HUGE (good enough for 3-4 people).
(4)Allison M.
This is my favorite sushi place in town! I eat here at least once or twice a month and cannot say enough good things! Each time I try to order new things that I've never tried before. My favorite sushi here is the makerel. I consider myself a very adventurous sushi eater I have never ordered anything here that I did not like or was not great! The whole staff is very delightful :)
(5)M O.
I've heard rumors that they're closing down for sure because of the new owner/manager. Both ORIGINAL owners passed away and I'm sad that their restaurant is becoming a shit hole because of the new management. This used to be my favorite place....
(4)Yethiraj C.
Ordered the Dynamite Roll, Crazy Roll, Shrimp Dumplings and a Spicy Cod roe in rice broth. They were all brilliant! Loved the food. Will definitely go back there for the Duck Hot Pot that everyone is going gaga about!
(5)Emma C.
Went in over the weekend, considering how miserably cold the weather was I was surprised to see the place so busy. The hostess was about as friendly as a hand grenade but the servers were very nice and helpful. The food was great and the broth in the duck hot pot was one of the best I've ever had. Our orders came out in a pretty quick fashion as well. Looking forward to going back soon.
(4)Jeremy L.
I was introduced to Izakaya Sanpei by a colleague when I worked at Toyota's Technical Center and it quickly became my go-to sushi restaurant. The sushi at Izakaya Sanpei is fantastic, especially for the price. They offer 20% off sushi on Sundays, which allows you to enjoy some of the pricier rolls at a very affordable price. The staff has always been exceptional and the atmosphere as always been great. I would definitely give this restaurant a try if you're looking for sushi in the Plymouth/Canton area. It's the best that I have found in the area, hands down.
(5)David G.
we have always been please with this place. never been blown away by the specialty rolls, but we truly love everything else about it. The service has always been good. There are some interesting items on the menu...aside from the sushi. Give it a try.
(3)Shannon K.
We used to hit this place once a week before the kiddos were born. Now that they are old enough we take them with us! Great sushi (sit at the sushi bar--the chef's give you special treats just for being there). Good miso soup, ok ginger/carrot salad. Hubby likes the tempura udon, I usually get a couple rolls of something, California roll is really good, plus some nigiri...crab, shrimp and eel are some favorites. Kids really like the teriaki chicken and the tempura platter with veggies and shrimp.
(4)Vance P.
The food is great at Sanpei and I'm really happy to live so close to this place. The only downfall is that every time I go there is always some family with unruly children running about. Go if you are looking for some authentic sushi!
(4)James L.
New information!!!!!!!! I am so excited to tell you this restaurant is being remodeled to be opened on July 1at. I accidentally ran into workers who were in the restaurant yesterday and they are finishing remodeling by end of this weekend. There is a sign on the window saying they are opening back on July 1st. I should have taken the picture.
(5)