- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Konpira Japanese Restaurant - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Japanese, Ethnic Food [Edit]
680 Broughton StVictoria, BC V8W 1C9
(250) 388-4439
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
5 reviews for Konpira Japanese Restaurant
5 reviews in English
-
Review from Larry L.
11/29/2009
A legend in Udon in Vancouver and Victoria
I was and still am a great fan of Miyata sans Udon. He used to have a place in Richmond BC just off of No 2 road. When he moved to Victoria to retire, we soon found out that he just couldn't retire and opened up a restaurant called Konpira. At that time it was not known by the locals but we knew that soon he would have a great following on the island.
His soup stocks is made from scratch out of bones and vegetables. The way it is supposed to be made. Not with a dashi powder and some water. The noodles are not easy to make and they take alot of time an energy to do this. which is also why only a limited number of noodles are made.
They had other food available, but it's always the Udon that is the star. I hate to even say it. but Gyo-o in Richmond can't touch this one!!
His old location that he sold a number of years ago is still doing well, but it's not the same. We sure miss him in Richmond. If only he would be able to teach me his skills.. So I could do it here!!!
It's too bad that I heard he closed up his Victoria location. Maybe this time he did retire finally.
Good luck in your future endeavors! -
Review from Beth C.
Victoria, BC
6/11/2009
Okay, ready? Imagine me throwing my head back and howling this at the sky, in my best "Godzilla/Gojira" voice.
KONPIRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
I recently discovered Konpira through my mother, who had been making yummy noises into the phone about it for weeks, so I finally took the hint, and off we went.
Konpira is a small, family owned and operated noodle bar on Broughton in the heart of downtown. There's an (expensive but convenient) parking garage across the street from it, and you can often find street parking, which is free after 6pm.
The menu is traditional Japanese fare ranging from sushi to bento boxes to tempura and dishes, as well as some curries, but the definite specialty here is the noodles. I can't imagine coming here and not having noodles. They offer handmade udon noodles, and only make 30 servings per day. They offer hot and cold ramen, cold noodles, soba and more, but really, let's get to the point:
HANDMADE UDON.
YUM.
I had their signature dish, the Nabeyaki Udon, which consisted of a warm flavourful broth, full of thick, buttery-smooth, stretchy, perfect udon noodles, a couple of small pieces of chicken, two kinds of egg (one poached, one piece of omelette), green onions, spinach, with 4 pieces of tempura (two prawn, two veg) on the side. This was $9.50.
Unpleasantness first: Pretty sure their tempura oil was not hot enough that evening, because my mom and I both found the batter far too oily, both in texture and in flavour, but she said it's never been like that before.
The broth was great, the chicken, egg and vegetables all delicious.
The noodles made me want to attempt breakdancing right there in the restaurant. They were THAT good. I'd never had handmade udon before, and you can really tell the difference from the stor-packaged brands. They were really great.
They gave us green tea, too, at no charge, which I always think is a nice touch. We both left very full, and dinner came to $19.00 for two. That's pretty tough to beat.
I will be back, soon, and probably repeatedly - and I imagine they'll be getting the 5th star next time.
*beats chest and howls at sky some more* KONPIRAAAAAA!!!!! -
Review from Aly M.
8/9/2009 3 photos
We tried this place based on a recommendation and liked the sound of warm Japanese food on a cold day. The homemade noodles were quite tasty--nice little chewiness to them. The chicken is dark meat and soft. A good portion of food, and yummy. Combo A was our other pick and each item was good, including the miso soup (not in the picture).
The food was filling and not too salty. The service was friendly, but not fast. They will bring out a bunch of noodles and then a bunch of combos in a row. So, if you are two people and get one of each . . . long 30 minute wait.
Other thing to note--it was packed about 10 minutes after it was open, so obviously get there early if you want the noodles! -
Review from Jennifer H.
Victoria, BC
10/18/2009
Unfortunately, Konpira is closing after this week. Mister Noodle is moving on and with him is the most amazing udon outside of Japan. Do not despair Victorians as the place will be handed over to equally enthusiastic restaurateurs who will, as rumor has it, offer Tibetan cuisine. If you have the time to visit Konpira before final closing order yourself udon and savor every slurp of noodle, you won't be disappointed. And for Mister Noodle, good luck in your retirement.
-
Review from Leila M.
Winnipeg, MB
8/5/2009
This is the best Japanese food I've ever had.
The meal began with a very pleasant green tea. We shared some alarmingly fresh sushi - I kept checking the rolls for movement - and then moved on to delicious, hearty, glorious handmade udon.
The good news is that I will probably save a lot of money on pre-packaged Japanese noodles now. The bad news is that I've been utterly spoiled by yummy, toothy Konpira noodles and now can't get them unless I go back to Victoria. I'll probably add the statement, "but not as good as the ones at Konpira" to every noodle product I eat now, right down to spaghetti, Kraft Dinner, and kugel.
The service was friendly and unobtrusive, and the restaurant was pleasantly serene, despite its fairly central location and the fact that we weren't the only patrons already there when they opened at 11:30.
If I lived nearby, I'd probably just have my paycheque direct-deposited into Konpira's accounts to shorten the transaction time between me and noodles. Anyone who loves Japanese food should try this place, and anyone who doesn't usually like it will be very happily surprised here.
