Kenko Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Nea Smyrni

Overall a nice restaurant with very good dishes, presentation and flavours.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the receptionist promptly and we said we had a reservation. The lady found it quickly and offered us an ok table outside as requested. Not the best, but it was fairly busy for a Monday evening which is nice to see.

After a while we ordered our drinks and short after our food. The interaction with our waitress was quite transactional unfortunately with not much personality or guidance through the menu. No recommendations were made, but asked for allergies only after my wife asked if the noodles contained any animal derivatives.

We ordered a variety of dishes from which all came quite quick I must admit making the experience quite rushed. The cocktails were immaculate in both presentation and flavours. They did come though after a few dishes. It felt like the waitress was not in full control of our table and the pace of the dishes coming out.

On a positive note the dishes were very tasty. I usually dislike wakame salad, but this one was exceptional. The trio of the ceviche with the organic black rice was also very tasty. The maki rolls we ordered were basic, but the menu also had special maki rolls too which I would love to try. My wife also ordered a soup which was also very tasty (Japanese clear soup or something something, can't recall the name). Lastly, the o-toro was a little tough, but the flavour was good.

After we had finished our meal, we were left with our empty plates on our table for circa 20 minutes without being cleared.

I am mentioning all this as the prices are reflecting to a premium restaurant and you would expect some more from the service. On that note, I would recommend the bottled water to be glass and maybe linen napkins rather than paper.

Maybe I am being a little too harsh or picky because I also work in the industry in a managerial role, but I feel it would really have made a difference.

Overall, I believe the service needs more personality, more smiles and interact with your guests as you would expect from a restaurant positioning itself in the premium category (prices speak for themselves, not me); not simply taking orders and putting them through the system. No-one was rude to us or unfriendly, I don't want to be misunderstood here. I would just expect a little more warmth and personality. The runner Asian looking lady who brought a round of our dishes was the only one who smiled and seemed excited with her job. Well done to her! :)

At this stage, it's worth mentioning that for some odd reason the entire front of house team were ladies, apart from a gentleman in a white t-shirt who seemed to be the manager or the person in charge.

To conclude it was a nice dinner out in Nea Smyrni and it's very nice to see such restaurants opening in Athens and in neighbourhoods. Living and working in the industry in London, I can confidently say that this restaurant could easily compete with restaurants in London.

All in all, a good experience and I would definitely return and recommend the restaurant. Just invest a little more in your service and you'll get many 5* reviews and there will be no...

Kenko in Athens is a true gem for sushi enthusiasts. My recent visit left me thoroughly impressed with their exceptional sushi, creative cocktails, and top-notch service.

Exceptional Sushi: The sushi at Kenko is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Each piece showcases the freshness of the ingredients and the precision of the chefs. From classic rolls to innovative creations, the variety and quality set Kenko apart as a destination for sushi aficionados.

Great Cocktails: The cocktail menu at Kenko is a delightful surprise. Expertly crafted and beautifully presented, the drinks complement the flavors of the sushi perfectly. Whether you prefer a classic favorite or a unique concoction, the bar at Kenko delivers a fantastic array of options.

Excellent Service: The service at Kenko is impeccable. The staff is not only knowledgeable about the menu but also attentive to every detail. Their friendliness and willingness to ensure a memorable dining experience contribute to the overall enjoyment.

Sleek Atmosphere: Kenko's sleek and modern atmosphere adds to the overall dining experience. It's a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort, creating an ambiance that enhances the enjoyment of the exquisite sushi and cocktails.

Overall Culinary Journey: In summary, Kenko is a standout Japanese restaurant in Athens. Whether you're a sushi connoisseur or simply seeking a delightful dining experience, Kenko delivers on all fronts. The combination of exceptional sushi, great cocktails, and excellent service makes it...

We ordered two simple dishes from this restaurant and one of them arrived with a hair in the food. We immediately tossed both dishes away and contacted the restaurant in order to make an official complaint and ask for a full refund only to hear that according to the lady who answered the phone (who I assume is responsible for the restaurant's customer service) "Based on her long experience in catering such accidents are expected and although they understand my frustration there is nothing they can do to guarantee that this will not happen again...". Then they offered some discount on future orders (as if there will be any) and refused to refund the order. After contacting the platform through which the order was made the restaurant requested proof in the form of a picture of the hair in the dish (!!!!) and after some really unpleasant back and forth which was completely unnecessary they offered to refund just the dish with the hair and not the entire order - as if I would consume the rest of it. This I found the least to say humiliating and of course refused to accept. The least I can say is the obvious; it is completely unacceptable for any restaurant to serve food which does not meet the basic hygiene standards (especially when their main product is raw food) and then treat returning customers like my self in such a way. Never ordering again...