🇨🇦 Halifax 100-Restaurant Challenge: Kajiki Japanese Cuisine Review

Another day, another culinary adventure in Halifax! Today's stop: Kajiki Japanese Cuisine, a recent transformation from a Middle Eastern grill to a promising Japanese eatery. Located at 1569 Dresden Row, this spot brings some unique twists to Halifax's dining scene—especially with their yakitori (grilled skewers), a rarity in the city. 🍴 The Menu Deep Dive 🥢 Starters & Small Plates 1️⃣ Mustard Crab Meat ($6.99) If you love spicy mayo shrimp, you'll adore this. The wasabi-kicked crab mixture is creamy, punchy, and perfect for whetting your appetite. 2️⃣ Salmon Tataki ($13.99) Lightly seared salmon with a tangy glaze (onion-heavy, FYI—skip if you’re anti-onion). The texture is firm yet silky, and the sauce adds a nice zing. 3️⃣ Chicken Gizzard ($5.99) Marinated and chilled, these gizzards are chewy, savory, and refreshing—a great izakaya-style snack. 🍢 Yakitori (Grilled Skewers) Chicken Hearts: Tender, not gamey, and well-charred. A must-order! Eel Skewers: Pricier but worth every bite—glazed with a sweet-savory sauce. Pricing: Most skewers are $2–$4, but premium options (like eel) cost more. 🐙 Takoyaki ($5.99) Crispy outside, molten inside, and drizzled with just-right sauce and bonito flakes. A solid rendition of this street-food classic. 🍣 Sushi Rolls Volcano Roll: Spicy, saucy, and packed with flavor—my personal favorite. Eel Roll: Reliable and well-balanced. Price Range: Rolls hover around $10–$15, which is fair for the quality. 🍛 Mains 1️⃣ Curry Tonkatsu ($17.99) Crispy, juicy pork cutlet over rice, smothered in a mild, aromatic curry. Even curry skeptics (like me) will love this. 2️⃣ Pork Katsu Ramen ($15.99) The broth is rich and house-made, with the same great cutlet as the curry dish. A hearty choice for noodle lovers. 3️⃣ Gyudon (Beef Bowl) Generous beef portions with a gooey onsen egg—simple but deeply satisfying. 🌟 Highlights & Lowlights ✅ Standouts: Yakitori (especially chicken hearts), curry tonkatsu, and Volcano Roll. ✅ Portion Size: $20–30 fills you up nicely. ✅ Presentation: Sushi arrives with dramatic smoke effects—great for the 'Gram. ❌ Room for Improvement: Limited cocktail menu (I wanted a yuzu sour or sake cocktail!). ⏳ Wait Times & Vibe Speed: Faster than trendy new Western spots, but not lightning-quick. Ambiance: Casual but stylish—good for dates or small groups. 📍 Kajiki Japanese Cuisine 1569 Dresden Row, Halifax, NS #JapaneseFood #HalifaxEats #FoodieChallenge #SushiLover #Yakitori #NovaScotiaEats #DateNight #CanadianFoodie #100Restaurants #HungryInHalifax 🍱🍥✨