Japanese places in vancovuer to check out
 

Hey Guys, just wanted to point out some places you may or maynot have tried as a guide that i'd suggest to you as i'm a pretty picky eater in authenticity and taste.

(in no particular order)
Izakaya's:
- Happa > kits and on Robson
- Zakkushi (true Izakaya) > west 4th+burrard and Denman (next to DQ)
- Alpha > Richards+helmcken

Sushi:
- Miku (new) > W Hastings+thurlow
- Kingyo > on Denman
- Nishiki (west van) > on 1377 marine drive.
- Hitoe (new) > 3347 W 4th Avenue

Ramen:
- Benkei (has gotten a LOT better and must try their gyoza and chashyu onigiri) > on robson
- Moto Machi (my fav) > on deman
- Mein ya ( on broadway Tru Tonkotsu Ramen)

Try out Lime on Commercial and Seto in Richmond as well

Hello Jun_Y

Can you at least include the address or approximate location of each restaurants you mentioned in your post. Highly appreciated in advance.

Hapa: Robson.
Zakkushi: two locations that I know of - one on Denman, the other one near fourth and Burrard.

Google is also your friend ;)

I would also add for sushi:
Shiro, Cambie & 16th-ish
Kiyo, Nr. Cambie Rd and No. 5 in Rmd.

In my experience the establishment must be run by Japanese to be good.

dinehere.ca or urbanspoon.com will get them quickly

Aji-sai?

sushi hachi (pacific plaza, richmond)

to be honest, most of the richmond japanese restraunts and majority of the all you can eat japanese restraunts taste like ass. theres no quality in in fish and sometimes they look bad and just the smell gives it away.

Have you ever been to sushi hachi

because they are only open 3 hours a day, packed all the time, and retardly expensive, and isn't ayce.

Best unagi i have had though

:thumbsup: good place..

hanako sushi in surrey :D

sushi hachi is not retardly expensive.
the prices are pretty good. $1.50-4 a piece of nigiri is pretty standard.

compared to other places that charge $3-8 a piece like Seto, Hachi is quite affordable for the quality!

i'd love to try Shiro as well. how are the prices there?

also, i always see this place on Main and 16th, long lines at 5pm opening..
are they quality or quantity?

^ Toshi Sushi

+1... NABEYAKi udon SOO good.

Kintaro ramen is good too on robson and denman

wrong. seto, kiyo, sushi hachi, ichiro. just because you haven't discovered the gems in richmond doesn't mean they don't exist.

vancouver - aji sai, octopus garden, tenhachi
burnaby - hi genki (only place that i've been able to find pork katsu hayashi)

shiro is pretty reasonably priced for the quality. i had the dinner for one which has sashimi, tempura, i think a little udon, something else which i forgot, and ice cream. sashimi quality was fresh and tempura was good too. i think it cost $20 which was pretty cheap for what you get.

I'll second Happa (Robson), Zakkushi (Denman) and Alpha. I go to those 3 quite a bit and I'm always satisfied when I leave.

Happa: Is spelt Hapa
Zakkushi: Is not a true izakaya, places like Guu more authentic. It's is more of a BBQ grill joint.
Alpha: Only been there once but it's pretty good.

Kingyo: Also belongs in the izakaya category.

Benkei: meh maybe it was an off day but the soup was tasteless and the noodle was mushy, yuck.

One of my former chefs opened that place, expensive but not bad!

Kintaro is easily much better than Benkei but once you've had the real deal in Japan NOTHING here tastes as good anymore :(

I would also like to squeak in:

Ebisu on Robson (Robson x Bute)
Ebisu in Richmond (Ackroyd Rd by Chapters)
Ebisu on Broadway (Broadway x Ash)
Kamei Royale (Burrard x Georgia)

for your dining pleasure ;)

i say this over and over again, gyoza king. that place is my jam.

don't forget Aki, it's an awesome place, u know when it's good when japanese people goes there.

how is price like for sushi hachi?

there is TSUKIJI which is located next to k-mix and the richmond self carwash.price is decent, and the sashimi/sushi seems fresh. none of that frozen ayce crap

for sushi hachi, prices are on the higher side but still, very reasonable for the quality your getting. remember ankimo being pretty reasonable, around $6. nigiri ranged from around $2ish to $8 (otoro) if i remember correctly. chirashi zushi was $13 but is probably one of the better ones in terms of fish selection. i believe the unagi don was $15? as majin commented, it is very delicious. i highly recommend making reservations as well since its a small restaurant and is very popular.

completely agree. their miso is mediocre at best but their shio tonkotsu is absolutely tasteless and bland. kintaro is still my #1 favorite.

maybe about 50-60 for 2 people?
but this is definitely a place thats quality over quantity

I've always liked the 2 Robson Guu's as my favourite izakaya places in town, never been too impressed by Hapa

I also just recently tried Ping's Cafe on Main, and loved it - small izakaya place, modern interior yet still somehow homey and comfortable... no idea how they did it, but they did and I love them for it