Koko Japanese Restaurant

I was searching for restaurants in Vancouver with soba noodles and found Koko. I was pleasantly surprised by their pretty lengthy menu. The first time we came, I had the shrimp curry which was a salty curry sauce with lots of baby shrimp. It was quite good. My bf got the hot soba noodles with tempura on the side and it was delicious too. We shared the large dynamite roll and it was a mouthful! They put in asparagus which was is different.

And because that was so good, we came a second time right before our flight. We got the deep fried scallops (super fresh, crispy, deliciousness). W shared the assorted sushi which was also very fresh and they added some wasabi hints. I got the soba noodles again which were consistent. My bf got the nabeyaki udon this time which had a very nice and light dashi soup broth. He enjoyed it very much!

If I ever return to Vancouver, I'd definitely return to Koko. Service is pretty good, they are quick! The tea there is also tasty. They have some regular tables but the second time, we were able to sit in one of their traditional sitting areas (hori-gotatsu I believe!).

I got the chirashi don at Koko and all the fish was so fresh! The prawn head was fried to a crispy perfection. Not pictured, but my friends got the huge oyster motoyaki and it looked like it was definitely worth trying!

The only fault was that we ordered around 730 and didn't get our food until an hour later as the sushi bar was quite busy that night.

I like that there are booths that you sit in with shoes off! Not many places in Vancouver that do that anymore.

I wanna go and try but phone not picking up for reservation....feel disappointed
Any other method can reach the restaurant

I used to come here almost 30 years ago. Tried it again today. Really good quality and large space and great traditional ambiance. Great service too. Too bad I don't work around here any more.

Our destination for lunch yesterday. A much-anticipated, first-time dining experience. We arrived and parked on the street (parking is not metered in this area), immediately adjacent the restaurant, just a few minutes before the 'open sign' in the window was turned on at 11:30 am.

Warmly greeted by staff (Chef, and servers) as we entered, we chose a table at back with a good view of the Chef, and preparation / service counters. Menus, and large mugs of hot tea came soon after we settled in.

Ambiance was just about perfect for us -- quiet, colourful, and cozy.

Service to our table was warm and friendly, and the dishes ordered, arrived looking good, and nicely-sequenced from the kitchen.

What was ordered: agedashi tofu -- short ribs -- oyster motoyaki -- ika ring (squid rings) -- golden oysters -- saba battera (a pickled mackerel dish) -- Koko deluxe maki -- tuna & salmon sashimi.

Food preparations were outstanding - with the ingredients so fresh, flavourful, and tasty. The saba (menu states "served the old-fashioned way"), was a first-time experience, and such a flavourful treat. The maki was 'the' absolute best ever tasted - with such colourful, and quality ingredients. But we truly-enjoyed, and savoured each and every dish.

'Koko' was an absolute dining treat for us. We felt the warmth of the facility and staff upon entering, and thoroughly-enjoyed our visit, and the wonderfully-prepared Japanese cuisine. A big thanks to the Chef, and serving staff for making our first visit to their fine restaurant such a delightful time.

Koko's has been in the same location on East Hastings as long as I can remember. The owner and staff are super courteous and likable. Whenever I go there is an assortment of regulars, commercial fishermen and people involved in the seafood business as customers.
I do go to other Japanese restaurants as well but consider Koko's to be the high water mark for freshness, presentation and all around great experience. Highly recommended.

The food is okay. It's just okay. Not good, not bad, just...okay. Despite the the price is obscenely high. With prices of the most basic rolls at 1or 2 dollars higher than competitors. Bigger dishes like curry is more reasonable but there's nothing else. No cabbage side, no onions, nothing that would really justify the price.

The service, much like the food, was fine. Nothing to write home about. I can see it getting busy as it looked like there were only two wait staff.

Personal recommendation: Avoid. Do not come here unless this is the only Japanese restaurant you can reach and you have too much money

Food is the freshest fish or seafood you could find
The sashimi is out out of the best part of the fish - you don't see it anywhere else.
Service is good and you feel like you are in Japan.

Experience and ingredients!
Sitting in a private booth is a unique way to enjoy sushi. It is great for a more intimate setting. They have large booths for bigger groups too.
The sushi is perfectly crafted. I like that there is no added fillers like lettuce, it is 100% premium Ingredients.
We have many favs but here is a few;
Crab Sunomono
(big pieces of real dungeness crab)
Salmon Sashimi
(dark red raw sockey salmon)
Tuna Tataki
(perfectly seared and sliced thin)
Chicken Teriyaki
(can't-get-enough of that sauce)
Dynamite roll
(mouth size, crunchy tempura prawn)
Prawn and Yam Tempura
(perfectly soft on the inside and mega crunch on the outside, sweet delicious sauce)
California Roll
(totally worth getting real crab)
Spicy Scallop Cone
(nothing but fresh!!)
Chicken Karaagi
(more addicting than your favourite fried chicken)
Japanese Fried Rice
(not sure what the secret ingredient is but i can tell you I get cravings for this rice)
This place has been open forever. The staff are sincerely kind. The only criticism I have is that the building is quite old, but this does not have anything to do with the food or service.

Been going past this place for decades (yes, I still remember passing by the big yellow sign as a kid in the 1980s) and finally had a chance to try. Not sure if this is the oldest surviving Japanese restaurant in town, but this place definitely beats out every other place I can think of. The sign in front says they were established in 1982.

Parking is available on Hastings outside of rush hour, as well as on the side streets.

The interior is classy but a bit dated plain. It felt like a 1990s time capsule.

As others have mentioned, the chef is the son of the original owners, and the mother is one of the waitresses. A true multi-generational family business.

As with other authentic Japanese places around here, the sushi is not the cheapest. Nigiri pieces range from $1.75 to $4. I had the saba battera (pickled mackerel pressed sushi), and it was $11.25 for 8 pieces. For the sake of not blowing our budgets, my friends and I only filled up partially. Not saying it's a bad thing (the quality is decent), but something to keep in mind.