Authentic Japanese Restaurants in Vancouver
Tojo's, Yoshoku-Ya, Guu, Motomachi Shokudo, Kintaro Ramen
Feb 5, 2009
Visitors to Vancouver are often taken aback by the sheer number of Japanese restaurants in the city - many of them sushi bars. It often seems you can't walk a block without tripping over a $5.95 California Roll Special. Recently, those ubiquitous cheap sushi joints have been joined by restaurants specializing in other Japanese specialties, including pub food, fast food, and even Western-style Japanese food.
Here's a guide to the best, in and around downtown Vancouver.
Sushi
The ultimate sushi experience is Tojo's ( 1133 West Broadway). Hidekazu Tojo's restaurant won't be cheap, but you'll be able to tell your friends that you were served by the sushi master to the Rolling Stones.
For a more affordable, but still sublime sushi, head out to Toshi Sushi (181 East 16th Avenue) in the trendy Main Street neighbourhood. There's often a lineup, but it's worth the wait.
Ramen
The newest Japanese restaurant trend is ramen houses. Homesick language students and former English teachers alike line up out the doors of ramen shops to slurp down noodles in a bowl of steaming broth, topped with pork, bean sprouts, veggies, and even pickled cabbage (kimchi). Two local favourites are Motomachi Shokudo (740 Denman Street) and Kintaro Ramen (788 Denman Street). The well-established Gyoza King (1508 Robson Street) also serves a hearty ramen to accompany its eponymous pork- or vegetable-filled dumplings.
Izikaya
The Japanese pub experience is a hit in Vancouver. In these small-ish drinking houses, friends crowd around tables with beer, sake and shochu, and share several small dishes of delicacies.
At the three downtown outlets of the popular Guu izikaya chain (838 Thurlow Street, 1698 Robson Street, and 375 Water Street), you'll find Japanese comfort food favourites such as oden (tofu, daikon radish, or other vegetables simmered in broth), pumpkin croquettes, chicken kaarage, ochazuke (rice cooked in green tea), and other daily specials. Menus vary slightly by location.
Yoshoku
A bit of a head-scratcher, Yoshoku is Western food interpreted Japanese style. It's the Japanese take on meat-and-potatoes. Think sweet and not-so-spicy curries, fried pork cutlets, hamburger steaks, creamy corn soups, and even spaghetti with fish roe, often served with a side of rice and salad.
Yoshoku restaurants can often be identified by the plastic models of food in their windows - just like in Japan! Yoshoku-Ya (774 Denman Street) is a long-time favourite, and locals also swear by Barefoot Kitchen (1725 Davie Street) and Ping's Cafe (2702 Main Street).
And For Something Completely Different...
The Japanese food fan's odyssey in Vancouver is not complete without a stop at Japa Dog. This one-of-a-kind hot dog stand at the corner of Burrard and Smithe streets serves up hot dogs with Japanese toppings such as shredded daikon, soy sauce, nori, miso sauce, or teriyaki sauce. Even Anthony Bourdain has stopped by for one! The Okomi dog made with sausages of prized kurobuta pork, the "Kobe beef of hot dogs" is the most sought after menu item - and it sells out fast!
And this is just the beginning - Vancouver is also home to karaoke bars, shabu-shabu restaurants, and the ever-popular teppanyaki grills. Just listen for a friendly greeting of "irrashaimase" and you'll know you're in good hands.
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