10 Reasons to Love Kenji’s in Reno

Kenji’s
3940 Spring Dr #6, Reno, NV 89502

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*Website

Found this gem on Yelp years ago, and it's been a forever favorite ever since. Kenji’s delivers Hawaiian fusion with all the comforting classics that always hit the spot, plus stellar service that keeps you coming back for more. 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I LOVE highlighting local businesses, especially the ones that check all the boxes. With all of the food options popping up around town, I know how overwhelming  it can get to choose where to spend your time (and money).  I'm here to help narrow it down and introduce you to the ones that are absolutely worth adding to your sacred foodie rotation, many of which, btw, are beloved local businesses.  

If you've spent any time in Reno, you'll quickly learn how strong our local network is.  In my time of living, I've never witnessed a stronger tight knit and genuinely supportive as this one .  It's one of the things I love most about living here.  There's nothing quite as powerful than a community of people chasing their dreams and lifting each other up along the way. 

Now, let's talk about Kenji’s and what makes it so special.

1. Food Truck Inside a Restaurant? A+ for Effort

There's a food truck inside the restaurant.  Joe admitted how difficult was to bring this vision to life, but man was it worth all the effort at the end.  Look how fun & innovative this is!

2. You Know It’s Legit When the Construction Workers Eat Here

Construction workers don’t mess around with their lunch break. If they’re regulars, the food is the real deal. Case closed.

3. Spam Musubis

I consider myself a pretty healthy person… but I will never, ever, say no to a spam musubi. Pronounced "moo-soo (as in soon)-be."  A kind Hawaiian man corrected me once and said that mispronouncing it is practically a crime.  Thanks, & don't worry - the only thing I want to butcher is the spam, not the name, LOL.

Did you know that these tasty little guys trace back to the humble, Japanese onigiri rice balls?  Japanese origin, Hawaiian innovation.  Note: businesses in bigger cities are thriving solely off selling these guys (hint, hint).  If someone hopped on a business like Onigilly here in Reno, it would 100% make waves.  Portable, handheld, sushi-like food is so appreciated in times of hustle, hangriness, and needing something quick that actually hits the spot.

4. Generous Portions

Kenji’s doesn’t play when it comes to portions.  Add an extra scoop of rice and mac salad to your plate and you'll have yourself a meal for two!

5. The Old School Playlist Always Slaps 

The music just hits right with the food.  I can't tell you how happy I get when I meet businesses owners around the same age as me.  Yep, we get to go down memory lane together and talk about the good ol' days. LOL. 

6. Rad Business Owners

Joe and his wife, Keliana, are the kind of small business owners you want to support - kind, hard working, & genuinely cool. They’ve show up everyday, cook from the heart, and care about each and every one of their customers.  I used to send my baby girl in the shop on her own around the time she was 7-8 years old, and Joe always made sure she got back safely.

7. Local Support

Caught @silverstatepieco here on a recent visit. If you don’t already know them, they’re behind some of the most drool worthy pies in town, both sweet and savory.  Chefs who make good food know good food.  I love seeing local businesses support one another. ❤️

8. From Freezing Food Truck to Brick & Mortar

Kenji’s started as a food truck grinding through harsh Reno winters. Joe once told me that the cold was enough motivation to work toward something more.  It’s giving Rocky Balboa vibes. Major respect. Gen Z friends, I see you! 

9. Not Just Hawaiian Food

Joe puts his own spin on things by blending in his Mexican heritage. Kalua pork tacos, or the Hawaiiano sandwich stacked with seared ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, garlic-lemon mayo, and crusty bread, anyone?

10. Always Consistent

No gimmicks, no fluff. Just solid Hawaiian fusion food made with love.  Come on in and see why people keep coming back for more.  There's plenty more room (and love) to go around.  Join the club.

Shoutout to @yelpreno for helping me find this gem years ago. 

I'm not a smoker, but I just love this cat.  l don't think life should be taken too seriously.

NOTES

*Closed Saturday & Sunday (as of 5.2025) 

*Online ordering available via Square

*Pickup times are approximate during peak lunch hours (11am-1pm).  Please take note of automated pick up time given.

*Available for catering.

*Tip:  Mix up your proteins for your plates

*Don't forget to ask for all of the sauces to compliment your food

*Tofu and mushrooms available for vegans and vegetarians.  I'd suggest the udon bowl with mushrooms, tofu, & a fried egg on top for vegetarians.  Don't forget the sauce. 

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography

Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized under "Good Eats ---> "Hawaiian"

Meet Vinny, The Knife Guy: Firefighter Turned Knife Sharpening Pro

 

The Knife Guy

Location: South Reno

Website

Instagram

Youtube

Facebook

Hey Reno! I’m Vinny Murgolo, a full-time firefighter and the proud owner of The Knife Guy, your go-to knife sharpening service. As a dad-to-be (my wife and I are expecting our first child!), I’m all about serving our community—whether I’m putting out fires or bringing the edge back to your favorite knives. Here’s my story, why I love what I do, and why The Knife Guy is here to make your blades (and life) sharper.

From Dull Knives to a Sharp Passion

My love for sharp knives started in the firehouse kitchen. Cooking for my crew is a big part of the job, but dull knives? They were slowing me down and driving me nuts. I didn’t know the first thing about sharpening, so I dove headfirst into the rabbit hole—watching every YouTube video, taking classes, and practicing until I got it right. What started as a fix for my own knives turned into a full-blown passion. There’s something so satisfying about transforming a dull blade into a razor-sharp tool, and I knew I had to share that with Reno.

Two years ago, I launched The Knife Guy, and it’s been an incredible ride. Whether it’s a chef’s knife for your Sunday meal prep or a hunting blade for your next adventure, I’m here to make sure your knives are ready for action.

Why The Knife Guy?

At The Knife Guy, it’s all about quality, community, and keeping things simple. Here’s what you get when you work with me:

• Firefighter Trust: As a fireman, I’m all about reliability and service. I treat your knives with the same care I bring to my day job.
• Expert Sharpening: From kitchen knives to outdoor blades, I use top-notch techniques to give your tools the edge they deserve.
• Local Love: I’m proud to call Reno home, and I’m thrilled to help my neighbors—whether you’re a home cook, a foodie, or an outdoor enthusiast.
• Connect Online: Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook

  @TheKnifeGuyReno for sharpening tips, cool before-and-afters, and a peek at my life as a firefighter and soon-to-be dad.

Life Update: Baby on the Way!

On a personal note, my wife and I are over the moon about welcoming our first child soon. Between fighting fires, sharpening knives, and getting ready for fatherhood, life’s keeping me busy—but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Running The Knife Guy lets me connect with all of you while building a brighter future for my growing family. Your support means the world to us!

Why Sharp Knives Matter

A sharp knife isn’t just about slicing tomatoes like butter (though that’s pretty great). It’s about safety, efficiency, and enjoying what you do—whether you’re cooking for your family or prepping gear for a weekend in the Sierras. Dull knives slip, frustrate, and make tasks harder than they need to be. Let me take care of that for you, so you can focus on what matters.

Get Sharp with The Knife Guy

Ready to give your knives some love? I make it easy:

• Drop off your blades (DM me for details!).
• Most jobs are done in 24 but many within only an hour.
• Affordable rates—starting at just $10 per knife (contact me for a quote).
• Visit

  https://www.theknifeguyreno.com

  or find me on social media

  @TheKnifeGuyReno to get started.

Whether you’re a busy parent, a culinary pro, or an outdoor adventurer, I’m here to keep your knives sharp and your life smoother. Check out my Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook @TheKnifeGuyReno for a dose of sharpening fun and to see what I’m up to next.

Thank you Reno for supporting The Knife Guy. Let’s keep our blades—and our community—sharp!

Stay sharp,
Vinny Murgolo
The Knife Guy

Hey Friends,

Just tuning in for a moment to drop some love for this guy.  Vinny is that type of person who was friends with everyone in high school - the genuine, kind-hearted, talented, easygoing, & someone you just can’t help but cheer on kind of guy.  He just so happens to be a local hero and professional knife sharpener, too.

When someone finds a true passion and pairs it with an unrelenting drive to master it, I think that’s a foolproof recipe for success.  It's a trait I've noticed in a lot of my favorite local businesses.  After learning about Vinny’s dedication and the countless hours he’s poured into his craft, it became clear he’s just getting started. His goal is to be the go-to guy for knife sharpening - household knives, restaurant knives, samurai knives, and all of the other ones I've left out or don't yet know about.

Don’t get me wrong, hard work is always part of the equation. But the difference is that it becomes something you’re excited to wake up for, no matter how tough it gets. Vinny’s found his thing, and he’s going after it with everything he’s got. That’s the kind of story I’ll always root for.

And I know what you’re thinking:
Katherine… but are the knives really that sharp??

In short, YES! I had mine sharpened by Vinny last month, and I’ve been on a cutting frenzy ever since. I’m slicing everything in sight just for the thrill of it, living out my full-on ninja dreams, lol.

The ultimate knife test? - Sushi.
If you’ve ever made your own sushi, you know dull knives can break your soul. Stuffed seaweed rolls are stinkin delicate, and one bad slice can turn your beautiful work into abstract art real fast. But with my freshly sharpened knives, I cut through those rolls like a total boss and immediately thought, “I could open a restaurant.” LOL

If you're anything like me, you've probably been cutting with dull knives for years without even realizing it. So trust me - get your knives sharpened. It’ll change your kitchen game forever.

Also, will you help me give a huge congrats and welcome Vinny to the parents' club? His adorable baby boy, little Vincent, just made his grand entrance into the world. Congratulations to you and Adrienne. I’m so happy for you both and can’t wait to meet him.

-Kat

NOTES

*If Vinny is not slammed and you ask politely, he'll  be happy to show you some of the knife sharpening magic in action.  It's so much fun to watch.

*He uses science based sharpening that deliver consistent, razor sharp results every single time

*For the ultimate convenience, you can drop off your knives anytime using Vinny's dropbox

*Vinny is excellent with communications and will get back to your questions as soon as he can.

*Wondering is Vinny can sharpen your serrated knives? He sure can.

*He even packages your knives in protective sleeves for safe transport 

*Tip and chip repair included with every knife sharpening. What a perk!

*Restaurant friends - Vinny offers mobile services.  Yep, he'll come to you! #Spoiled

*And If you run into Vinny's dog, Shaggy, please give him some hugs for me. 

Big shoutout to my friends Jess (aka BLC Bites & Bevs & an amazing fellow Reno foodie) and Danny (rad foodie friend and cook at one of the best pizza joints in town - Cosmo’s) for putting me onto Vinny. 

***Information subject to change.***

Photography

Katherine Fung, All rights reserved.

Categorized under "Local Businesses"