Second time in a month enjoying their food. We’ve had take away and dine in, both times the food was delicious. Friendly staff, great service. As a vegan it’s very rare to enjoy vegan option especially at a Japanese restaurant, not here they cater. Enjoyed their tofu steaks in teriyaki sauce, absolutely delicious. Highly recommend you visit them, reasonably priced and you won’t be disappointed.

I had lunch set menu here, really enjoyed the food, tempura is fresh cooked and will be my must try recommendation. Teriyaki chicken is also fresh fried and covered with sauce, you can still taste the crunchy skin of the chicken and loved it. Also love the plump short grain rice, and you finish up with a touch of pickle veges and a sip of warm miso soup, can't ask for more. Worth the price and would definately come back again. to the chef,君の定食はとても良いですね。一番良てす。

I’ve forgotten how good the food is here. Everything is prepared and presented well. Sukiyaki was heaven and pleasantly put a smile on my face. A bit pricier but definitely worth it - quality is top notch. 😊 thank you. Will be back soon.

I went to Kambei for the first time for lunch on Saturday, 12/10/2024, around 13:45. The place wasn’t crowded—only one waitress was at the front. Before I could say anything, the chef (or owner?) blurted out, "No rice, no rice, is it okay?"—not a hint of apology or welcome. No smile from the waitress either. At that point, I thought retreat wasn’t an option. I had to see if their food was worth enduring the chilly reception. I asked to sit by the window to keep an eye on my bike, and the waitress did her best to accommodate my request. Dining solo, but ordering for two (because why not?), I chose the sashimi set and the shrimp tempura set. To pass the time, I examined the outdated interior. The dark decor did nothing to lighten the mood. When my two orders arrived on one tray (minus the rice, as pre-warned), I noticed the nice presentation and enjoyed the taste, despite the portions being rather small for the price. Even though the chef was grumpy, I complimented the food honestly based on its taste alone. In the end, I realized I wasn’t the target customer for this place. At least my one-off experience broadened my understanding that not all Japanese restaurants are customer-friendly. Paying $55 for two meals was quite the experience (though not the kind I’d revisit). I had initially hoped Kambei might become my weekend go-to, but I’ll leave it for the chef to find his perfect audience. One lunch was enough to leave behind an unimpressive dining experience forever.

A great traditional Japanese restaurant in Ballarat. Serving a limited menu, likely due to low staff numbers, this is a fine example of quality of quantity. Food was cooked well, served hot, fresh with great flavours. Prices are reasonable. Service was excellent, hostess made us feel very welcome and comfortable. Food service was quick and efficient. Do recommend making a reservation as this restaurant does get busy. There is also a seperate large dining table for bigger groups. Parking is available across the road or side of building where there is an unsealed lot. Would recommend this venue for a quiet date night, family dinner and anyone looking to try Japanese cuisine.