Kinpachi reopens Japanese outlet

Kinpachi Restaurant is located at the Paseo Marianas and is currently open for dine-in from 5pm to 9:30pm daily. Customers can enter through the Paseo de Marianas as the entrance at Coral Tree Avenue remains close. (Contributed Photo)

A pioneer in the local Japanese culinary scene is slowly emerging from the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few weeks after Kinpachi Restaurant reopened its outdoor barbecue section, the establishment recently welcomed back customers to its main restaurant.

“Since we reopened the BQQ Garden Restaurant last May 28, we have been receiving requests for dine-in reservation for a family. We’ve opened only the reservation area of our restaurant; the main [dining area] is still closed as we are taking precautions for social distancing, so we’re [limiting] the numbers of our dine-in customers,” said restaurant manager Sonia Siwa.

Kinpachi Restaurant is not back at full strength yet and its menu shows it, Siwa said. “As much as possible we want to serve the full menu but our stocks are also limited. We’re starting to purchase new supplies and it depends on the availability of the stocks on the island. Our suppliers are experiencing late shipments of supplies,” she said.

Kinpachi Restaurant has limited the occupancy of customers to 50%. (Contributed Photo)

The restaurant can still serve fresh fish for sashimi and sushi depending on the “catch of the day.” As a fallback, customers can still order Kinpachi’s tried-and-tested bento-style barbecue set (grilled pork chop, grilled short ribs, stick of yakitori with rice and pickles) for only $8.

As for safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Kinpachi Restaurant has limited the occupancy of customers to 50%, put up one-way flow signs for their entrance and exit, and made hand sanitizers readily available on each table as well as at the counter and cashier’s area. Staff are required to wear face masks when taking orders and serving customers and they have placed 6-foot markers leading to the cashier’s area. A plexiglass barrier has been installed at the cashier’s counter, all table and chair surfaces and door handles are frequently sanitized (cooler and freezers as well as), and cooks and service staff have completed the “Record of Training” from ServSafe Re-Opening Guidance: COVID-19 Precautions.

Kinpachi Restaurant’s tempura set. (Contributed Photo)

Kinpachi Restaurant is located at the Paseo Marianas and is currently open for dine-in from 5pm to 9:30pm daily. Customers can enter through the Paseo de Marianas as the entrance at Coral Tree Avenue remains close. Siwa suggest that customers call and reserve a day in advance.

“Our staff is not in full force yet. The working hours are limited since we open dinnertime only for dine-in service. They’re all excited to go back to work. We’ve been closed for more than two months and they missed their jobs. …We’re also really grateful to our valued customers’ continued patronage of our restaurant,” said Siwa.

For reservations or for more information, call 234-6900 and 233-7715.