KINKA FAMILY, Canada’s largest Japanese restaurant group, is continuing its impressive growth while staying true to its cultural roots.
Alan De Luna, Senior Marketing Manager, said the company has seen exceptional growth since it opened its first Izakaya 15 years ago in Toronto.
“Back then, our vision was simple: bring a piece of Japan’s pub culture—where friends come together over small plates and vibrant conversation—to Canada,” said De Luna. “Today, we’re proud to have nearly 54 restaurants in operation, making us the most significant Japanese restaurant group in the country. Through it all, we’ve remained dedicated to serving authentic Japanese flavours, fostering warm hospitality, and creating spaces where communities can come together.
“A significant key to our success lies in the passionate staff who power our kitchens and dining rooms. Many come from Japan, sharing the traditions and techniques that make Japanese cuisine so beloved. Working side by side with Canadian colleagues, they infuse each restaurant—be it one of our casual Izakaya, our upscale JaBistro, or one of our many Kinton Ramen locations—with genuine energy and expertise that guests can taste in every bite.
“Kinton Ramen is expanding faster than ever. In the near future, we’ll be opening three more restaurants in Calgary, two in Victoria, and two in Edmonton, along with four additional locations across Ontario. Each new spot reflects our commitment to introducing people to the comforting, traditional dishes of Japan and building lively neighbourhood hubs in the process.
“We also collaborate with esteemed Japanese brands like Uniqlo and Sapporo to keep our experiences fresh and engaging, though our popular BOGO (buy-one-get-one) deals are all our own—one way we show gratitude to our guests for their ongoing support.”
There are three Izakaya’s in Toronto, one JaBistro in Toronto which recently turned 12 years old and 50 Kinton Ramens.
De Luna said his personal mission statement this year is “to celebrate Japanese culture and unite local communities through vibrant, authentic flavours—making every meal feel like a thrilling step into Japan.”
He said in Japan Izakaya’s are cozy spots where people unwind to share their stories and enjoy small plates together. KINKA wanted to bring that same welcoming vibe to Canada.
“We have grown to the country’s largest Japanese restaurant group with each brand offering its own distinct taste of Japan,” explained De Luna.
For example, when a customer enters Izakaya there’s always a greeting and it specializes in sake bombs – a glass of beer with two chop sticks and on the top there’s a sake shot with servers who start singing at the table until the shot falls into the beer.
“Much of our success comes from the amazing Japanese staff members who joined our team over the years. They’re not only experts in their craft, be it in sushi preparation, ramen making, or providing a warming welcome, but also serve as cultural ambassadors,” added De Luna.
“When they work side by side with Canadian team members, it creates this special energy in the kitchen and in the dining room. You can really feel the passion they have for sharing authentic Japanese flavours and traditions.”
De Luna said something consistent throughout all the company’s brands is the quality of food.
“Kinton Ramen is our biggest star and continues to expand like crazy. We’re heading into new markets. We’re entering this year into Manitoba and Alberta.”
The company is also expected to open in Winnipeg with more expansion to come this year.
The Izakaya and JaBistro brands are in a very competitive space. He said KINKA is focused right now on how to continue to make them attractive for clients while also sustaining the growth for Kinton Ramen which for now is the company’s priority.
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