Can Kenji
Can Kenji
Repsol SoleteRepsol's Solete distinction recognises casual dining spots, street food, and neighbourhood gems with outstanding quality.Can Kenji is a Japanese izakaya on Carrer del Rossello in L'Eixample, run by chef Kenji Ueno who blends Japanese technique with Mediterranean ingredients. The compact, no-frills space serves premium sushi, sardine tempura, risotto onigiri, and duck in miso from a counter where guests watch the chef at work.
Background
About Can Kenji
The Story
Can Kenji opened around 2010 when Japanese chef Kenji Ueno settled in Barcelona and embraced the local Mediterranean larder rather than fighting it. The result is an izakaya that blends Japanese technique with Catalan ingredients in a compact, no-frills space. The restaurant is part of a small group that includes AIUEnO and Sato i Tanaka, all in the Eixample area.
The Cuisine
Chef Kenji Ueno serves Japanese izakaya cuisine infused with Mediterranean ingredients. The sushi features premium cuts including toro, eel, yellowtail, and turbot. Signature dishes include sardine tempura with eggplant purée, risotto onigiri, chicken karaage, duck with scallions in miso, udon noodles, and various tataki preparations. A lunch tasting menu offers three dishes plus a half portion of sushi. Around 30 EUR per person without drinks.
The Team
Chef Kenji Ueno leads the kitchen daily, working the sushi counter with a Japanese team. Service is efficient and attentive, and the kitchen has earned a Repsol Solete for its cooking. The restaurant is consistently one of the highest-rated Japanese kitchens in the neighbourhood.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Can Kenji Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Dishes verging on perfection, Japanese with Mediterranean soul
Diner Ratings
4.6
2,768 reviews
TripAdvisor
4.4
670 reviews
Can Kenji has earned a Repsol Solete for its izakaya cuisine blending Japanese technique with Mediterranean ingredients. Diners rate it 4.6/5 on Google (2,768 reviews) and 4.4/5 on TripAdvisor (670 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Can Kenji
Booking
Reservations recommended as the restaurant is small and fills up quickly. Book by phone at +34 934 76 18 23. Counter and bar seats are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved. Walk-ins welcome when space is available.
Reserve
Experience
Can Kenji Dining Experience
A compact, no-frills izakaya with a sushi counter and small dining room. The aesthetic is authentically casual -- cramped but characterful, with counter seating offering a front-row view of chef Kenji Ueno at work. The atmosphere is lively and popular with locals who come for the food rather than the setting.
Navigate
Can Kenji Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Located on Carrer del Rossello in La Dreta de l'Eixample, one of Barcelona's most architecturally rich neighbourhoods. The restaurant occupies a compact space on a residential stretch of the Eixample grid, blending into the neighbourhood rather than standing out.
Nearby
La Dreta de l'Eixample is one of Barcelona's most central and architecturally rich neighbourhoods, home to landmarks like Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. The area around Carrer del Rossello hosts a dense concentration of quality dining from traditional Catalan to Japanese, with several Japanese restaurants within walking distance.
Nearby Restaurants
La Font
Mediterranean
Mediterranean cuisine meets casual Barcelona charm in this family-run neighborhood.
Prodigi
Modern Catalan
€€€€Modern Catalan cuisine reimagined through innovative techniques, served intimately.
Can Josep
Traditional Catalan
A hidden Gracia gem serving honest Catalan home cooking with a long wine list.
Details
Can Kenji Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Tuesday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Thursday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Friday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Saturday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Sunday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
Can Kenji hours verified 2026-03-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Recommended
Good to Know
Social
From cankenjibcn on Instagram
_ 🔺 tanquem del 24 al 27, el 31 de desembre i l'1 i 2 de gener.🔺cerramos del 24 al 27, el 31 de diciembre y el 1 y 2 de enero. 🔺 12月24日〜27日、12月31日〜1月1日〜２日までクリスマス-年末年始の休暇を頂きます。🔺 We will be closed on Dec 24-Dec 27, Dec 31 and Jan 1-Jan 2. #cankenji bones festes i feliç 2024 felices fiestas y feliz
. ありがとう〜〜 gràcies TO ドキドキ ❤︎
_ 🔺 tanquem del 24 al 27 de desembre i del 31 de desembre al 3 de gener.🔺cerramos el 24 al 27 de diciembre y del 31 de diciembre al 3 de enero. 🔺 12月24日 〜27日、31日から3日までクリスマス-年末年始の休暇を頂きます。🔺 We will be closed from the 24th to the 27th of Dec as well as from the 31st of Dec to the 3rd of Jan. #cankenj
。 vacances 16-22/8 vacaciones vacay 夏休み8月16-22日
Questions
Can Kenji FAQ
What type of menu and dishes does Can Kenji serve?
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Can Kenji serves Japanese izakaya cuisine infused with Mediterranean ingredients by chef Kenji Ueno. The menu features premium sushi with toro, eel, yellowtail, and turbot, plus standout dishes like sardine tempura with eggplant puree, risotto onigiri, chicken karaage, duck with scallions in miso, and various tataki preparations. A lunch tasting menu offers three dishes plus a half portion of sushi.
How much does it cost to eat at Can Kenji?
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Around 30 EUR per person without drinks.
Where exactly is Can Kenji located on Carrer del Rosselló?
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Can Kenji is located at Carrer del Rossello, 325, 08037 Barcelona in La Dreta de l'Eixample neighbourhood. It's a 5-minute walk from Verdaguer metro station (L4/L5).
What makes Can Kenji different from other Japanese restaurants in Barcelona?
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Can Kenji blends Japanese izakaya traditions with Mediterranean ingredients, creating unique fusion dishes like sardine tempura with eggplant purée and risotto onigiri. Chef Kenji Ueno embraced the local Catalan larder rather than fighting it, earning a Repsol Solete for the kitchen's work.
Do I need reservations at Can Kenji and how do I book?
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Reservations are recommended as Can Kenji is small and fills up quickly. You can only book by phone at +34 934 761 823. Counter and bar seats are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved, so walk-ins are welcome when space is available.
Can I see photos of Can Kenji's food and restaurant?
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You can see photos of Can Kenji's dishes and restaurant atmosphere on their Instagram @cankenjibcn. The compact, no-frills space features a sushi counter where you can watch chef Kenji Ueno at work, plus a multihued dining room with a lively, casual atmosphere.
What do reviewers say about Can Kenji?
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Can Kenji is consistently praised for food quality. Diners rate it 4.6/5 across 2,768 Google reviews and 4.4/5 across 670 reviews, and the kitchen holds a Repsol Solete for chef Kenji Ueno's blend of Japanese technique with Mediterranean ingredients.