Toronto · Izakaya · casual
Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
Tokyo homestyle izakayaTokyo street foodtebasakikatsu currywagyu donburicity pop musicDundas West
Imanishi Japanese Kitchen is a beloved Dundas West izakaya opened by Japanese chef-owner Shori Imanishi in 2015, built around the concept of Tokyo homestyle cooking, city pop music, and street culture. The intimate space serves tebasaki chicken wings, katsu curry, wagyu donburi, and seasonal small plates through a Resy reservation-only system.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Little Portugal / Dundas West
- Since
- 2015
- Chef
- Shori Imanishi
Plate № 30
About
Shori Imanishi, who cooked for 22 years before opening this restaurant, set out to recreate the after-work dining culture of Tokyo's neighbourhood joints in the heart of Little Portugal. Since its November 2015 opening, Imanishi has become one of Toronto's most beloved izakayas, noted for its perfectly curated Japanese city pop soundtrack that sets the tone as much as the food. The menu centres on familiar Japanese comfort dishes — tebasaki chicken wings, ground pork ramen, corn kernel tempura — executed with home-kitchen precision rather than fine-dining flourish. Wagyu donburi and daily specials keep regulars returning; reservations via Resy are essential as the room fills quickly most evenings.
Neighborhood & visiting
Imanishi Japanese Kitchen sits in Little Portugal / Dundas West, one of Toronto's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused izakaya counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Japanese-owned by Shori Imanishi, who cooked for 22 years before bringing authentic Tokyo street culture to Toronto
- The city's benchmark for Tokyo homestyle cooking: tebasaki wings, wagyu donburi, and corn kernel tempura
- A curated Japanese city pop soundtrack creates an immersive Tokyo neighbourhood-bar atmosphere
- Reservation-only neighbourhood gem that has drawn loyal regulars since 2015
More authentic izakaya in Toronto
See all →
Other authentic cuisines in Toronto
See all →
Authentic izakaya in other cities
See all →
Frequently asked
About Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
- Is Imanishi Japanese Kitchen an authentic tokyo homestyle izakaya restaurant in Toronto?
- Yes — Imanishi Japanese Kitchen is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for tokyo homestyle izakaya in Toronto: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
- Where is Imanishi Japanese Kitchen located?
- Imanishi Japanese Kitchen is located at 1330 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, Toronto, Canada in the Little Portugal / Dundas West neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Imanishi Japanese Kitchen?
- Imanishi Japanese Kitchen accepts reservations online. For an authentic izakaya experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
- What is the price range at Imanishi Japanese Kitchen?
- Imanishi Japanese Kitchen sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for tokyo homestyle izakaya of this format in Toronto.
Keep exploring