🍣 Halifax’s Japanese Jewel – Kanpai Izakaya Review!

📍 Kanpai Izakaya 1535 Dresden Row, Halifax This tiny izakaya is my #1 Halifax food rec for buttery squid, thick unagi, and grapefruit-high cocktails – where every detail (even the toilet aesthetics) shows obsessive care. 🏆 Why It’s Irreplaceable ✔ Unagi supremacy: Double-thick freshwater eel (no sad, skinny strips) ✔ Menu unicorns: Dishes you won’t find elsewhere (bye, basic California rolls) ✔ Design OCD: Japanese-import plates, lemon-infused water, smiley takeout bags 🥢 Must-Try Dishes 🦑 Butter Squid ($18) ★★★★★ Seared tentacles, brown butter glaze, bonito snow – umami witchcraft. 🍱 Unagi Don ($24) ★★★★★ Fatty eel, house tare, onsen egg – mix into creamy heaven. 🍹 Sawa Cocktail ($14) ★★★★★ Yuzu-shōchū, grapefruit soda, hint of mint – summer in a glass. 🍣 Purple Rice Rolls (~$16) ★★★☆☆ Healthy but less fragrant – stick to their hot dishes. 💡 Pro Tips ✔ Best for: Date nights, small groups, food aesthetes ✔ Portion hack: Order 2-3 dishes per person (they’re tiny but mighty) ✔ Skip if: You want all-you-can-eat or hate artistic plating 💰 Damage: ~$40-60 per person #HalifaxEats #JapaneseFood #HiddenGem