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From the Land of the Rising Sun
It's Japanese, of course!
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19 Places
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Robin’s 5-star review: In a city full of amazing sushi joints, these guys win. Full stop. Since opening in 2009, Sushi Mart has been my go-to place for a quick and tasty meal. It's everything I want in a restaurant - fresh, delicious, clean, cheap, and literally right around the corner. Also, HUGE bonus points for being authentically Japanese. That last point is, I think, extremely important here. Not only is it obvious that there's a certain level of pride that goes into their food, but they've also put a lot of thought into creating just the right atmosphere. With the addition of some (super rad) old wooden pallets that line the entirety of one wall, the minimal space is warm, modern, and totally relaxed. Also: I love me a restaurant with a massive communal table! What it comes down to I suppose, is that at a certain point in a restaurant-patron relationship, the staff awkwardly know who you are and what your "usual" is, and you subsequently find yourself in that slightly uncomfortable position of wondering whether you should place your order as you normally would or if it's better to wait until they do it for you... Sushi Mart and I are waaay past that. It's that good. Also, awesome miso soup. Period. -
Robin’s 5-star review: Ramen. To some it's a cheap sodium-filled memory of their youth; to most (who shall be known as the lucky ones) it is the perfect comfort food made with the freshest noodles to be eaten on a rainy day. But to me, ramen isn't ramen without one crucial element: the broth. Forget that Motomachi Shukudo only uses organic ingredients (happens to be true), or that they serve their ramen with a perfectly soft boiled egg (they do), or even that their minimal, rustic, wood accented interior feels just like being in Japan (it does). Focus instead on the light tasting, non-chemically seasoned, perfectly balanced liquid that makes the dish what it is. Now that is an amazing and beautiful thing. Also, communal table. Full win. -
Robin’s 5-star review: How Daiso makes me feel better about the fact I'm shopping in a (two) dollar store is beyond me. It's still cheap, it still smells weird and most of it is still (maybe, probably) constructed by tiny hands in a factory overseas. But it's Daiso! It's Japanese! Kawaii! Even more than that, it covers pretty much all of my (read: young, female, renter) requirements. The stock is varied and odd, with everything from snacks to balsa wood to bike parts to Japanese ceramic dishes to toys to tools - all for 2 bucks a pop! Well, almost all. Even dollar stores aren't immune to inflation it would seem. But the real gem of the store are the silly notebooks that say things like "Mofi Loves J'adore Happy Puppy" or "Love Hearts Feel Fun!" It's kind of ironic really, because they pretty much sum up how I feel after leaving Daiso - slightly confused, but essentially pretty upbeat. -
Robin’s 4-star review: Don't let the Japanese name nor the lack of an English website deter you, because when it comes to hair, Misako can do no wrong. Well, specifically: Mami at Misako can do no wrong. As the kind of person who will find the definitive stylist, cleaner, doctor, etc, to suit the needs of each of my friends, I have a hard time admitting when I'm the one in need of professional care. But then it finally happened. The first step: admitting when you need help. The next step? Finding just the right person to support you on your journey. Mami is just that. Sweet, funny, intuitive, stylish, and super skilled with all kinds of hair, Mami is the bee's knees when it comes to hairstylists/colourists in Vancouver. With minimal guidance, she is somehow able to decipher my few vague references and obscure hand gestures and turn them into something that is so much better than what I'd expected. Also, a happy surprise: no product-pushing here. A simple, modern, and clean salon with absolutely no pretension means that I will be going back again and again. ... I guess that also means that I've completed the last few steps, haven't I? -
Robin’s 5-star review: How was this not a 5-star before? How did I miss out on that sacred fifth golden moment? I swear, Kingyo is tops when it comes to Japanese tapas in this town. So professional, so energetic, so much fun, the atmosphere is a downpour of positivity ensuring an almost guaranteed amazing meal, no matter the food. Buttery when it needs to be, crisp when it matters, the food always -- always -- blows me away. Consistant. Delicious. Fresh. We're such an incredibly spoiled city. What an amazing izakaya Kingyo is. -
Robin’s 4-star review: That's it, I'm riding this Suika train all the way back to the West End! Who knew such an amazing and authentic Japanese izakaya would exist outside of my favourite little corner of the city? Well, a lot of people, apparently -- this place is *always* packed. And for good reason: this little brother (sister?) of Kingyo (one of the absolute best izakayas Vancouver has to offer) is spacious and comfortable while maintaining the typical dark, slightly edgy feel of a traditional Japanese tapas joint. It's cool, but not too cool, if you know what I mean. Like, c'mon: this is Kits, people. But the food! The fooooood. The food is unreal. Sashimi Shake Salad (impressive in both taste and presentation), Tuna Tataki, Pork Belly get in muh belleh. The Grilled. Sablefish. People. Honestly, order anything on the menu, hell, order errthang on that menu and prepare to be wowed. Awesome ambiance; limited (but present! Proper-like) scotch menu; loud and energetic staff -- this is the Suika train. I encourage you to hop on. -
Robin’s 4-star review: Holleeee, is this place big. Located in the strangest mall I've ever seen, Yokoyaya is kind of just a fantastic name. For real, what does Yokoyaya mean? I feel like it was the brainchild of a gang of non English speaking executives sitting around a boardroom table after months and months of late nights and hard work getting this 2-dollar chain in Canada, only to realize that they had yet to name the joint. I can see it now -- suits wrinkled, ties undone, circles around the eyes, throwing out meaningful Japanese words and phrases, when finally Kenzo blurts out, 'Yokoyaya123!' Everyone laughs, the room falls silent, and laugh again. After the second silence, the boss-man slams his fist on the table and gives Kenzo a knowing look. And so it is: Yokoyaya123 = perfect. Similar to Japanese ¥100 shops, but with higher prices and more variables (like two dishes for $3, or 3 erasers for $2.50), this is an entirely acceptable place to find certain items. Hi-Chews before a movie; weird colourful puffy decoration things for marketing booths (happens all too often); makeup and nail polish that I probably would never buy; strange stationary with phrases like, 'Love Pugs Happy Light' on them; a few nice-ish dishes that, when paired with my actual good stuff, look as though they came from somewhere much more exotic than the twilight zone that is the International Village. Love Pugs Happy Light, friends. Love Pugs Happy Light. -
Robin’s 5-star review: I FOUND MY LOST SUSHI CHEF! ::side note:: Due to the lack of skill presented by some of the non-chefs who are employed in the majority of casual sushi joints in Vancouver, there are very few that I will actually eat in. This is not the case at Tsuki. It's here that I found my lost sushi chef, a man who has worked at many different spots around the city, most notably at my ultimate jam, Sushi Mart, and my favourite drinking sodium-filled izakaya, Zakkushi on Denman. He worked at both at the same time, always smiling, and always, always producing the finest, freshest sushi imaginable. My heart eased as soon as I walked in to see my lost chef working hard behind the counter of Tsuki. /end side note So how does this lost chef play into the Tsuki sushi? Amazingly. The rice, which so very many people have yet to perfect, is perfect here. Not mushy, not too sweet, and with a lovely sheen, it does the rest of the sushi justice. (Rice is the basis of all sushi, after all. Don't mess that noise up.) The sashimi is beautifully cut with many ocean-wise options available (only the brightest, wildest sockeye here, kids), and for the peeps looking for more ridiculous rolls (ie. Caterpillar, Popeye, Monster, et al), they offer a full "Craft Roll" section on the menu. Not my jam, but with just as much attention and care poured into the non-traditional rolls as the more classically Japanese ish, my dining partner was more than satisfied. Also, bonus: an entire vegetarian menu is available with very conscious and very delicious options. I'd order solely from this and be more than happy. The modern setting, with its exposed concrete and drop down bulbs, is surprisingly chill without feeling too cold, and the staff are all super friendly without getting all up in my space while I'm trying to eat. Complimentary tea and miso, my lost sushi chef, super fresh and skillfully handled ingredients: I think I've just found my new jam. -
Robin’s 5-star review: It's a hotdog. A simple and humble hotdog. Miso for mustard, bonito flakes for relish. Terimayo, oroshi, okonomi, tonkatsu. Ah, such simple concept done so well - now that is a beautiful thing. -
Robin’s 4-star review: Me to the bf - have you ever checked out Konbiniya? Him to me: you mean the Pocky store? More than just Pocky-providers, this, like any good convenience store, carries a little bit of everything. Just so happens that the "everything" here is Japanese. Okonomiyaki sauce, tempura flour, ridiculously cute candies, chopsticks, instant ramen, bonito flakes, every kind of Pocky under the sun, and of course, DVD sales and a travel agent. Just think, all of that in one tiny store! Entirely friendly, super convenient, delicious candy in adorable packaging - this is the perfect place to stop by when I don't feel like going out of my way to Fujiya or T&T. Also, so kawaii! -
Robin’s 5-star review: TWELVE dollars for a half-liter of wine?! Now *this* is why Zakkushi is authentic: izakayas are for big drinking, small bites, and good friends. I love this place for *not* doting on me, for *not* waiting on me hand and foot, for feeding me tiny tasty morsels of grilled goodness, for offering cheap drinks, and for accommodating my big laughs. Charcoal all the time! -
Robin’s 3-star review: I'll admit to being slightly biased when it comes to rice bowls. I pretty much live on them at home, so I know a thing or three when it comes to their ingredients and preparation (which, by the way, are both minimal). I mean, how much easier and more delicious can a dish be? Sticky rice, lettuce, japanese mayo, sesame oil, gluten-free soy sauce, and maybe a little shredded nori for good measure -- a classic robin-dish if there ever were one. So I've come to expect a certain level of care from a place that serves pretty much nothing but what I make for myself at home. This is fast food -- not gourmet, but fast -- so the quality will reflect this. I'm sure if I could eat tempura, I'd be in love with the joint, but as it is, Ebi-Ten is pretty okay and nothing more. Sure, I'd love to see more ingredient selection for the bowls (maybe some egg, the aforementioned nori, fresh-cut carrot, cucumber, etc), but this is totally acceptable food at any given time of day. The ingredients are fresh, the staff friendly (enough), and the food is cheap (relatively). Also, the wakame salad is pretty great, despite the plastic container it comes in. Word to the wise though: this ain't no sushi joint, so don't be ordering that noise. For real, why do they even bother with it? Do yourself a favour and get a bowl of Japanese comfort food, and comforted you will be.
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Robin’s 3-star review: Guuuuu! What did you doooooo?? Have they been doing this the whole time?? Since when does grilled eel come with bright orange cheese melted on top?! Jeebus, I'm no connoisseur but that *can't* be authentic. It just can't. I still mostly like it -- the food is good, the servers are fun, the chefs are entertaining -- but I'm going to be the odd (wo)man out here. Guu exists for those who want to food-adventure, but not that far. For those who want some "authentic Japanese" but only a wee bit of it. It's an izakaya for those who want in the game, but don't want to change it. Great for the masses, but not for me. -
Robin’s 3-star review: Coming soon, Hooters! Oh... what? This *isn't* middle-America, and we're *not* about to order greasy bar food from fake-eylashed, ass cheeks precariously popping out from the tiny piece of cloth that is meant to be a skirt, tall-boot wearing, tiny-waisted servers? Oh, we aaaarrre, but it's just under the guise of a slightly classier joint. It's an izakaya, see? Exotic-like. And the requisite ass-cheek popping skirt? It's black. Classy-like. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh. It's their thing, I get it. A watered-down, westernized version of what I've come to expect from izakayas in Vancouver, Hapa is probably really great for the kind of dudes who used to go to sports bars in university to ogle their servers, drink some beers, eat some grease, hang out with friends. Only difference now is that they're probably wearing a suit so they need somewhere a bit more "grown up" to imbibe. In short, the Ika is good, the drinks are strong, the cute servers are actually really nice... and, uh... ... it's rrrll purty in here. They dun good thar. -
Robin’s 2-star review: Umm, I think I may have missed something? This came so highly recommend that I was super jazzed to finally check out Gyoza King. Maybe it's because I can't eat glutinous products and didn't try the gyoza that they are the "king" of, or maybe the chefs were just having an offish night - but regardless of the cause, the food here was less than "just okay". I didn't like it. There I said it. Not only did I not like it, but I barely touched any of it. It's a rare day on earth that I don't finish a piece of grilled meat, but this particular meat was so over-sauced and dry that I just couldn't stomach it. And the yakitori sauce? Intensely sweet and way too thick, it was slopped on the chicken skewers with little care - not the standard I've come to expect from Vancouver robata. And that was just the yakitori. The rest of the meal was no better; the saba miso was slathered in that same careless sauce and was extraordinarily dry. So dry in fact that it almost tasted like the aforementioned chicken (for the record, saba miso is no poultry. It's a fish). The rest of the meal was some variation on this sad tale (ie; bland, sauced, and not properly prepared) so I'll spare the details. Suffice it to say I went home hungry. On the plus side, I did like the plum wine and the servers were nice. But nice people serving plum wine does not a customer make. -
Robin’s 4-star review: Stationary-fetishists, here is your mecca. From beautiful hand-crafted letterpress cards to kitschy Japanese journals to mouthwatering washi paper to everything in-between, this treasure trove of writing paraphernalia is drool-worthy. A store that celebrates paper in all of its forms and iterations, this enchanting and impressive shop makes me ache with nostalgia for the simplicity of proper post and the letter-writing club I never had. *sigh* -
Robin’s 3-star review: It pains me -- actually, physically PAINS ME -- to give Zakkushi 3 stars. I don't know man, maybe I'm comparing it to the Denman location a bit too much, but the whole experience was *so* very far from what I've come to expect from my favourite izakaya in Vancouver. Where's the smoke? And the yelling? Where's the filled-to-the-rim five-dollar wine pour? Wait, is that a child?? What's all of this sauce doing on my black cod? WHY IS THERE NO GRILLED IKA? Sigh. A bit tamer, a bit less cosy than the West End location, this Zakkushi is good, but it's not blowing any minds. You know, unless you happen upon the Goma Ice Cream. Black sesame + cream + raspberry = tiny spoonfuls of heaven. -
Robin’s 4-star review: I swear, if not for Yelp (yes, I'm becoming one of *those* people) I never would have tried Zero One. A hole in the wall if there ever were such a thing, this is no looker. For real, she ain't pretty, this one. But sweet holy hell, the food is gorgeous. Fresh ingredients, authentically Japanese in preparation and presentation, the Deluxe Chirashi Don is every bit as colourful to the palate as it is to the eyes. Perfectly slim slices of seafood, the right textured and flavoured rice, beautifully-seasoned ginger root (yes, even the ginger root has been tended to. If that's not Japanese, I don't know what is), the whole bowl was such a delight. And if that's not enough, the staff are ridiculously enthusiastic and incredibly warm and kind-hearted. I'm sure this is somehow making its way into the food. It must be, because every time I think of them or the dish they prepared for me, I feel *that* much more content... and maybe a little hungry too. -
Robin’s 4-star review: Ikayaki! Get the Ikayaki! Nummynummynummy yakitori sets... oh, how I live for that grilled meat. While the Kits location doesn't quite live up to my high standards set by the Denman Zakkushi, it comes surprisingly close -- especially for a restaurant on 4th (not that there's anything wrong with 4th, it's just not where one would expect a rowdy izakaya, is all). To be clear, Zakkushi is not fine dining, nor is it where you'll find some out of control crazy inventive sashimi set (though, this location does sashimi well); Zakkushi is a place for charcoal grilled meats. It's a businessman's izakaya. It's about drinking and snacking. It's full of sodium, noise, booze, and some of the best grilled meat on a stick this side of Japan. I love it, but it's not for everyone. /end preface The interior is tiny, like super-cramped-sitting-beside-strangers kind of mini; but I'm okay with it. It's cosy-like. Wooden walls, dim lights, lots of yelling -- it's proper. Just as with their other locations, the servers here are not all too attentive. They will take your order, yell it out to the kitchen, come back with your booze (you best be ordering booze), and leave you alone. Don't be offended. Also, don't feel as though you need to order everything all at once. Get a couple of skewers at a time. Savour the surroundings. Order some asparagus or perhaps a quail egg wrapped with pork. Get a little buzzed and pretend you're in Japan.
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