
Experience the bold flavours of Japanese fire-based dining at KAJI, where we celebrate the primal art of cooking with flame. From expertly grilled meats to delicate flame-seared seafood, our vibrant, social dining space offers a unique take on Japanese cuisine. Join us for a refined yet lively atmosphere, with signature dishes and an innovative sushi bar at the heart of Manchester. KAJI’s cocktail bar features handcrafted drinks with Japanese-inspired flavours, from premium sake to innovative cocktails. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a drink, whether you’re dining with us or just stopping by.
Hours
| Wednesday | 5 PM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 12 PM–12 AM |
| Friday | 12 PM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 12 PM–12 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 64 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BN, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 161 883 7746
Website: https://kajimcr.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.co.uk
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
KAJI
KAJI Restaurant – Manchester – OpenTable
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Reviews
The atmosphere is very classy and elegant. Although it’s on the pricey side, the quality and presentation justify the cost. We really enjoyed the food — the chicken skewers were excellent, and the bull burger was a standout main. For starters, we had 12 pieces of sashimi along with a Japanese milk bun, which were fresh and beautifully prepared.
I was hoping to try the Kaji fried lotus bun, but unfortunately it was out of stock. The waiter informed us very politely, which we appreciated.
Overall, a stylish Japanese restaurant with great food and service. Definitely worth a visit.
Rating: 8/10
I celebrated my birthday at KAJI in Manchester, and I honestly couldn’t have chosen a better place. From start to finish, the whole experience was absolutely outstanding.
We had the 12-course tasting menu, and every single course was a masterpiece. The flavours, presentation and creativity were on another level — we loved every bite. It felt like each dish was telling its own story, and the quality and attention to detail throughout the meal were truly exceptional.
We were lucky enough to be seated at the Chef’s Table, which made the evening even more special. Being able to watch the chefs in action up close was fascinating and added a whole new layer to the experience. It’s something I’ll genuinely never forget.
The service was impeccable, the atmosphere was perfect, and the whole night felt like a real celebration. I left already thinking about when I could come back.
If you’re looking for a dining experience that feels truly special, KAJI is an absolute must.
An evening I’ll remember for a very long time. ✨
Special five-star praise goes to our front-of-house server / manager, Rachel. When our original mushroom order was taken by another table, she went the extra mile and kindly brought us the sashimi for free to cover the inconvenience. This level of service is rare and truly appreciated. Thank you, Kaji! We’ll be back.
The service was excellent and very professional.
Only downside was the food was not the best with small portions and was quite expensive for what it was.
Overall was a solid 6/10 🙂
The jalapeño butter with bread was a highlight.
The Beginning: Promise and Peril
The evening begins with the chef’s selection of sashimi, maki, and nigiri. Presentation-wise, it’s beautiful — until you realise the plate’s design includes a hole in the middle, letting pieces tumble into unnecessary “hot ice.” A visual gimmick that adds nothing (except frustration). If they’re going for theatre, perhaps scent or steam might make it worthwhile.
The sashimi itself is clean, delicate, and well-presented. But the nigiri? A disaster of wasabi proportions. Each piece is pre-laced with so much wasabi it obliterates every subtlety, reducing the experience to a teary endurance test. By the third bite, surrender feels like the only option.
The Middle: Redemption in Bread and Cod
Then — salvation — the milk bread.
Sweet, soft, and heavenly. It’s the kind of bread you want to wrap yourself in. The spiced butter accompaniment hits all the right notes — warm, aromatic, and indulgent. After the rough start, this course brings hope.
The deep-fried oysters, however, feel like they belong to another story — more novelty than nuance.
Next come the blackened cod and yakitori chicken skewers (plus a random bowl of salt and pepper chips in fear we won’t be happy going forward – and hungry).
The chicken skewers are fine — smoky and fire-touched — but they’re crying out for a glaze, something sticky and sweet to elevate them.
Then the cod lands, and everything changes.
Perfectly cooked, soft, and buttery, with a miso-caramel ganache that walks the tightrope between savoury and sweet. The charred skin brings texture and depth. It’s divine. Easily the dish of the night.
The Climax: Comfort and Chaos
The beef cheeks arrive next — and they’re stunning. Meltingly tender, rich without being heavy, with miso and tarragon weaving through the jus. The crisp kale adds a salty snap that keeps it from drifting into monotony.
The lamb chops, three of them glistening with a dukkah-style crumb, hover between good and great. The butter-miso reduction beneath them is velvety, laced with a peppery warmth that lingers like a soft ember. Two chops arrive medium, one medium-rare — a small inconsistency in an otherwise strong dish.
The Chaos: Service and Setting
The open kitchen gives diners a front-row seat to the culinary action — but with it comes the chaos. Banging pans, shouting, clattering, staff pulling each other back and forth. It’s less theatre, more backstage brawl.
We’d driven from Edinburgh for this experience, lured by the Taste of Kaji menu proudly advertised online — only to be told on arrival it wasn’t available. Neither was the £70 bottle of wine we’d planned to order. Small oversights that point to a lack of attention to detail, the one thing a place like this can’t afford.
The Denouement: Cocktails & Closure
At least the cocktails offer some solace.
The Yuzu Honey is a delight — bright, floral, and balanced. The Banana Colada is tropical comfort in a glass (if you can overlook the spillage on arrival). But the Kaffir Lime cocktail… bitter, syrupy, and acrid — the palate equivalent of static noise.
Final Thoughts
Kaji is a place of beautiful contrasts — visually stunning, occasionally brilliant, but frequently undone by its own ambition. When it’s good (that cod, that milk bread), it soars. But between the service chaos, misjudged wasabi, and mismatched polish, it’s a rollercoaster of an experience.
My verdict:
Moments of magic lost in the noise of their own performance
Unfortunately, the evening got off to a disappointing start. We were told on arrival that the wine pairing wasn’t available, with no prior notice or suggested alternative. It felt like a key part of the experience had been dropped. We spent time choosing a bottle of wine from the menu, only to find it wasn’t available either. By then, I was frustrated and let down, which coloured the beginning of the evening.
It was only my fiancé’s calm reassurance that helped me relax and enjoy what should have felt celebratory. While we were offered an apology, a small gesture — like a complimentary glass of fizz — would’ve softened the disappointment. When a venue describes itself in terms of finesse, those finer details matter.
The lunch with 4x 200ml cokes came to £186 because of the “optional” 12.5% service charge (£20ish) which I’m never a fan of, especially as we waited over 40 mins between starters and mains even though there were only 3 tables in. We had a half price voucher through their Black Friday offer but even at half price I found it to be quite poor value. I left still hungry afterwards which is never a good thing.
The decoration is lovely, it was pretty cold in there though.