Can Kenji
High-end Japanese · Eixample, Barcelona · €€€
Open since 2010
Kenji Ueno arrived from Kyoto in 2003 and opened Can Kenji on Rosselló in 2010 — one of Barcelona's first izakayas to take Catalan produce seriously. Bonito tataki over salmorejo, udon with clams and cuttlefish, beef filet in citrus dashi.
The Delekta Review
Traditional izakaya format conditioned by Catalan seasonal produce — the chalkboard reads tapes japoneses Sushi and sashimi alongside cooked-Japan dishes — fusion is structural rather than a side menu
Izakaya-format room on Carrer de Rosselló — one of Barcelona's first Japanese tapas bars, warm and informal since 2010.
Kenji Ueno: Kyoto-trained, in Barcelona since 2003 — early stint as sushi chef at Mosquito Tapas before launching his own catering Founded Izakaya Catering in 2006 with his wife Neus Busquets; opened Can Kenji as the brick-and-mortar in 2010 Sister restaurant Aiueno serves a tighter midday-only izakaya menu
Bonito tataki with salmorejo; tuna tataki with guacamole; soy-and-sake marinated mackerel Udon with clams and cuttlefish; tempura octopus; beef tongue with asparagus; beef filet in citrus dashi with sesame Lunchtime three-plate set near €15 anchors a daily working menu
Small dining room — early reservation strongly advised any night, not just weekends
Quoted in
“Doing interesting things with local ingredients… at a price we can all afford.” — Tara Stevens · Barcelona Metropolitan
What the critics say
- Can Kenji - Time Out Barcelona
- Can Kenji - Japanese restaurant in la Dreta de l'Eixample - Postcard
- Can Kenji – Macarfi
- Can Kenji Japanese — Foodie in Barcelona
- Can Kenji — Catalunya.com
- Restaurante Can Kenji (Bon Viveur dedicated article)
Visit
- Address
- Carrer del Rosselló, 325, Eixample, 08037 Barcelona, Spain
- Phone
- +34 934 76 18 23
- Website
- instagram.com/cankenjibcn
Nearby restaurants in Eixample
- Batea — Seafood, €€€
- Besta — Seasonal Seafood Bistro, €€€
- Mordisco — Modern Mediterranean, €€€
- Embat — Bistronomic Mediterranean, €€
- Topik — Japanese-Catalan Fusion Tapas, €€€
More Japanese in Barcelona
- Shoronpo — Japanese Ramen & Shoronpo, Gràcia, €€
- Kibuka — Casual Japanese, Gràcia, €€€
- Ramen-Ya Hiro — Japanese Ramen, Eixample, €€
- Kobuta Ramen — Ramen & Japanese Tapas, Sants, €€
- Suru Bar — Japanese-Catalan Fusion, Eixample, €€