Kanpai Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Mount Pleasant

Let me start by saying that I work from home and I'm on my computer for 50+ hours a week. I was on my own on a Friday night so I decided to go to my favorite takeout place and dine in for the first time. I was handed a menu but told to order on the QR code. I got overwhelmed quickly. I wanted a technology-free evening which is why I took myself out tonight. I had to keep on cross-referencing the phone menu with the paper menu. And even then there were so many discrepancies between the two that I was getting really frustrated. Not to mention that they use weird shorthand on the QR menu that I didn't understand, and it was also poorly organized. I then asked if I could order with the waitress. I didn't think this would be a big deal because I heard several regulars come in and order verbally as soon as they walked in. The lady politely took my order. The food was really good and fresh. The restaurant became busy while I was dining. So I decided not to bother the waitress with paying so I went back to the QR code to see if the bill was attached to my table number and my code. It was. My entire bill was there so I thought " cool. I'll just pay on my phone!" Instead of just leaving I decided to make sure they received the payment to be polite and so they didn't think I was doing a dine and dash. The nice lady couldn't figure it out. So she got the angry sushi chef I think owner guy to look. He made me feel super bad and guilty about paying on my phone. I even showed him that everything I had ordered populated on the receipt on my phone and my confirmation. He told me to never do this again. And I asked"do what?" He said order with the waitress and then try to pay on your phone. I told him I'm sorry I ordered with the waitress but I was finding the QR system confusing. And he rudely said " well no one else has an issue with it!" And kind of just waved me off to leave. I literally just treated myself to a $120 meal (and mind you that's without alcohol!) to reprimanded like an indignant child . I feel awful and guilty and wish I could dispel my meal...

Each trip to Kanpai is a highly anticipated treat for me. This time I decided to order off the Korean portion of the menu. I had lived in South Korea for 3 years and have been disappointed in the quality of Korean food in Charleston. That ended at Kanpai. I chose the Bulgogi meal and my wife chose the Sashimi sampler. We both decided to share an order of Korean Cheesecake.

The Bulgogi was tender and flavorful and had all of the subtle notes of flavor that I remembered. Hint:. If you can't taste pear in your Bulgogi, it isn't properly made. The rice was properly cooked, slightly sticky and was domed onto my plate by inversion method. A pickled radish was placed as a side and was perfectly done. My quest for authentic and delicious Korean food is over and I don't know why I haven't ordered it here before. Next time I am going to get the Dol-Sot Bibimbap, which is served in a sizzling stone bowl so that the rice in the bottom is cooked to a crisp.

The Korean Cheesecake is to die for. Nothing more needs to be said. The green tea powder sprinkling was unexpected and complemented the cheesecake perfectly.

Again, I...

If you live in Charleston long enough, you know that good sushi is hard to come by. There is no better place for sushi in the Charleston area. I have been dining at and ordering sushi (pick-up) from Kanpai regularly for five years now. I am only sharing this secret as I am leaving the area and no longer need to gatekeep this wonder of the area. Here are the simple rule to enjoy the best experience in my opinion: For dine in, go early on weekend or any time tuesday or wednesday evening, order from your table via QR code (it is typically run by the chef and his wife, so BE KIND), bring a bottle of wine (from Monarch duh), enjoy edamame and many many sushi rolls, they will bring them as they are ready. For take out, send a text with your name and order as soon as early as you can, it usually takes about 45-50 minutes. Here is my staple order for 2 people (yes, 2!): tuna blossom, salmon blossom, kanpai crunch (x2), tuna lime, salmon lemon. TUES and WED are the best days! Enjoy my best kept chucktown secret. ALSO, Chef Sean Park's cheesecake...