Shuraku

I have walked past Shuraku on Granville a gazillion times, so I figured it was about time I tried it!  And what better excuse to try it than the post-wedding gift shopping munchies?  My wedding gift shopping partner in crime and I both ordered the same thing: the daily special Bento Box.  Miso soup, gomae, assorted tempura, sashimi salad, 8 pcs California roll and chicken teriyaki.  Very yummy!  It confirmed that this Granville staple is not just busy because of its location, but because its food is darn good!

Things to note: Shuraku does not open until 12pm on the dot for lunch.  100% reasonable, but it can catch the non-hungover folk by surprise!

The Daily Special Bento Box ($14.95)

http://shuraku.net/

Twitter: @ShurakuSake

Shizenya

My friend has been raving about the Japanese restaurant across the street from her apartment for quite some time now.  So, when she was the last pick-up pre-camping, we decided it was only logical to grab sushi for dinner before heading out.  My favourite part of dinner?  When her facebook update received a comment from one of our fellow-campers (already en route to the campsite)..."Um, excuse me, you're having sushi on Broadway right now?"  Classic!  Okay, but enough about us...on to the restaurant!

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Shizenya.  I liked the way the menu was different from the general Japanese restaurant menu that you often get, the brown rice provided more of a healthy option, the atmosphere was comfy cozy and inviting, and the service was pleasant and efficient.  I'm very glad we tried it and I foresee more visits in my future.  On to the photos!

 

The restaurant.

The first part of my Dinner Combo A: Prawn Sunomono, Organic Tofu Miso Soup and Assorted Sashimi.  I also may have stole a bit of my fellow camper's Gomae (top left corner).

 

The second part of my Dinner Combo A: Sukiyaki Beef Teriyaki.  All parts of the meal were fresh and tasty.  The quality was definitely a step above the regular hole in the wall Japanese restaurant, in my opinion.  (Dinner Combo A was $14.95)

The second part of my fellow camper's Dinner Combo A: Japanese Kheema Curry.  She has an extensive experience with Japanese Curry and she said it was good, but not a traditional Japanese Curry.

In addition to her Gomae ($2.95) fellow camper number three ordered the Natural Bomber Roll: crunchy tiger prawn, "whole wheat" tempura, juicy fresh crab, cucumber and organic spring mix rolled with brown sushi rice and topped with organic avocado and homemade sweet sauce.  This looked delicious!  ($11.95 for 10 pieces) 

http://shizenya.ca/

Twitter: @shizenya_van

Matsuyama

This past weekend I had a long overdue catch up with a friend.  She lives in Richmond, so when she suggested the sushi place around the corner from her house, I was expecting decent sushi but was pleasantly surprised by how delicious Matsuyama was!  After the fact, I did a little research and discovered that it's touted as one of the best sushi restaurants in Richmond and I can understand why.  So, if you're in the neighbourhood and craving sushi, you can't go wrong with Matsuyama.

 

Goma-ae.

Gyoza.  ($4.95)

 

Rock N Roll roll ($6.95), Titanic roll ($4.50) and I can't remember the name of the last one but it had prawn tempura on the inside and was wrapped with spicy tuna on the outside...delicious!

Our very own pot of tea!  How awesome is that?

The X that marks the spot.

Sakana

Last week I went for a long-awaited lunch with a friend who I met through our love of cycling.  We figured that we spend enough time working out together and it was about time that we started eating together!  At her recommendation, we went to Sakana in Yaletown for sushi.  Great atmosphere, fabulous service and very yummy food.  I've officially added it as one of my sushi favourites!

Things to note: It gets extremely busy at lunch time, so I would recommend arriving at 11:45 to ensure you get a seat.

My friend's Healthy Lunch: soba salad (buckwheat noodles & organic spring greens), brown rice avocado cucumber roll, agédashi tofu, miso soup and brown rice.  ($9.50)  We were both blown away with the amount of food that came with this meal.  It was unreal!  I'll definitely order this in the future.

My Lunch Box A: assorted sashimi, assorted tempura, chicken breast teriyaki, california roll, miso soup, rice and fresh fruit.  ($14)  Absolutely delicious and just the right amount of food.  Truly a treat.

http://www.bistrosakana.com/

Tokyo John Sushi

I'm generally cautious about trying new sushi places unless I've heard good things about them via word of mouth, because sushi is just something you don't want to mess with!  However, this past week I was meeting up with someone for lunch outside of my regular "work lunch zone," so ended up trying a completely random sushi restaurant.  There were lots of people inside, which I thought was a good sign, and it was.  The food was good, the service was great and fast, and the prices were normal.  So, if you're ever craving sushi at Hornby and Smithe, don't be afraid to try Tokyo John Sushi. 

My sashimi bento box: miso soup, salad, california roll, beef teriyaki on rice, 3 pieces tuna sashimi and two pieces salmon sashimi.  ($15)

Bay Sushi Cafe on Seymour

In honour of the NHL hockey season finally starting, we had our traditional office hockey pool draft yesterday at lunch.  In order to ensure our bellies were full and our minds fully functioning during the draft, we ordered sushi for lunch.  An ex-colleague had recently recommended Bay Sushi Cafe on Seymour, so we ordered from there.  It was delicious, reasonable and one heck of a good recommendation!  Everyone in the office commented on how good it was, so I think there will be plenty more orders to Bay Sushi in the future.

Roll Combo Party Tray:

5 Pcs. Dynamite Roll
8 Pcs. California Roll
6 Pcs. Cucumber Roll
8 Pcs. BC Roll
8 Pcs. Alaska Roll
8 Pcs. Spicy Tuna Roll
6 Pcs. Salmon Roll
8 Pcs. Prawn Tempura
Total of 57 Pcs.

($27)

Small Salmon Sashimi (5 pcs) - $7.50

Large Tuna Sashimi (10 pcs) - $11.95

Gyoza (6 pcs) - $4.50

Large Assorted Tempura: 4 pcs prawn and 6 pcs vegetable - $7.95

 

Chicken Teriyaki - $6.50

http://www.baysushicafe.com/zgrid/proc/site/sitep.jsp

My New Favourite Sushi Place...Temaki Sushi

It's official...I have a new favourite sushi restaurant.  After having many people tell me that I had to try Temaki Sushi on Broadway, I finally made my way there recently and I can definitely see why everyone loves it.  The restaurant is just that little bit nicer than the average hole in the wall sushi restaurant, the food was delicious, and the price was fair for the quality and service you received.  So, if you're interested in trying out a new sushi restaurant in the Kits area, I'd definitely recommend Temaki.

Our view during dinner.  It's so much fun sitting at the sushi bar!

Course 1 of my Sashimi Tempura Box: miso soup, green tea and the greatest placemat ever!

Course 2: Salad.  It's a good thing I'm a quick trigger with my camera because a half second later and that fishy would have downed all of my salad!

Course 3: my Sashimi Tempura Box, complete with a california roll, five pieces of tuna and salmon sashimi, 5 pieces assorted tempura, chicken teriyaki and rice.  ($16.99)  Absolutely delicious!

As per normal, I couldn't resist some green tea ice cream.  It was a bit pricey ($4.95) but worth every penny.  It was a nice big portion (even enough to share with the fishy) and jam-packed full of yummy green tea.

http://www.temakisushi.ca/

Takeya Sushi

I recently enjoyed a yummy lunch with a lovely friend at Takeya Sushi in Richmond.  It's on No. 1 Road right beside the Safeway.  If you're ever in the area and have a craving for sushi, you can't go wrong with this little hole in the wall.  I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Sushi isn't sushi without miso soup!  $1.75/bowl.

Tuna and Sockeye Salmon Sashimi.  $8.95.

Spicy Agedashi Tofu.  Deep fried tofu with spicy sauce.  $4.95.  I hadn't had spicy agedashi tofu before, but I most definitely will again.  It was yummy!

Mango California Roll ($4.45) and Rocky Mountain Roll ($5.95).  The mango california roll was a regular california roll with mango added in.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like the sweetness of the mango in the roll, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The Rocky Mountain Roll had beef teriyaki, asparagus, red pepper and a green soy wrapper.  This roll was also good, but I preferred the mango california roll.

I'm not going to lie.  I was full by the time I finished my lunch, but I have such a weakness for green tea ice cream and you can only get it when you go for sushi.  Needless to say, I gave in to my craving.  It was a very good call.  The green tea ice cream was scrumpdidliumptious!

The sign to look for when you're on the hunt for Takeya Sushi.

 

http://takeyasushi.ca/

Kamei Royale

I had a fabulous surprise visit from my cousin and his girlfriend last week.  They were just in town for a quick visit so we caught up over sushi at Kamei Royale.  As always, the food was great and the company even better.  Thanks for the great visit guys!

Things to note: (1) Kamei Royale takes reservations, which makes lunch dates super easy.  (2) They don't have an umbrella stand but they will hold your umbrella for you behind the front counter.  (3) You can't go wrong with anything you order!

Sashimi Vancouver: Atlantic salmon (2 pieces), yellowtail (2 pieces), tuna belly (2 pieces), and tuna (3 pieces). ($19.95)

Delicious Roll: chopped scallop, imitation crab meat, avocado, fresh mango, poached prawns, served with white wine mustard sauce and tobiko. ($13.95)

Dynamite roll ($5.95).

My sushi and sashimi boat: miso soup, goma-ae, tuna and salmon sashimi, tuna and salmon sushi, dynamite roll (2 pieces), california roll (2 pieces), BC roll (2 pieces) and fruit.  ($16.95) 

 

http://www.kameiroyale.com/

Urban Sushi

Yesterday I met up for lunch with one of the fittest ladies I know...Fitness Junkie.  She regularly kicks my butt in spin but I always enjoy catching up outside of class because she is so much fun to chat with.  Fitness Junkie had a mean sushi craving today so we headed to Urban Sushi to ensure it was satisfied.  I'd been there once before and have thoroughly enjoyed it both times.  The seating area is full of light, the food is yummy and fresh, and the service is efficient.  Definitely a great place to grab a quick lunch during the work week. 

Thanks for the great lunch Fitness Junkie!

My Sashimi Bento Box: Chicken Teriyaki with Rice, 4 Pieces of Sashimi, Tempura, Sunomono & Fruit ($11.75).

 Fitness Junkie's lunch: vegetable roll: 5 pieces: avocado, deep fried asparagus, cucumber, lettuce, radish, red pepper & tomato ($4.00), salmon sashimi ($7.50) and miso soup ($1.60). 

http://www.urbansushi.com/zgrid/proc/site/start.jsp

 

http://fitnessjunkie-kate.blogspot.ca/

Rue 909 Sushi

My day instantly got better when a colleague not only offered to treat me to lunch, but agreed to indulge me in my sushi craving!  I hadn't been to Rue 909 Sushi (I'd been there when it was Urban Sushi, but not after it changed names), so we decided to try it out.

It's pretty much the exact same set-up as before.  You eat one floor under ground so there's no natural light, but it's a lot nicer than a food court, albeit a bit more chilly.  The food was good, fast and reasonably priced.  We both agreed that the spicy tuna roll was awesome!  Overall, a good place to grab a quick lunch.

Things to note: We got there at 11:45 and just beat the rush.  There was a line-up of at least ten people for the whole time we were there and people were having to wait for a table.  So I'd recommend getting there sooner rather than later.

Today's Special #3: miso soup, salad, chicken teriyaki on rice, 3 pieces of gyoza and a spicy tuna roll ($9.95).

http://www.rue909sushi.com/

Miku Sushi

I went to Miku for lunch today with a dear friend.  I hadn't heard of Miku until she suggested it, and boy am I glad she did!  It's a sushi restaurant on Hastings that sets itself apart from other sushi restaurants based on its Aburi (sear-flamed sushi) concept and the fact that specialty sauces are created for each dish, so they're designed to be eaten without soya sauce or wasabi.

 

I checked the menu online before going to this restaurant and, for someone who eats sushi regularly, I was a little shocked to realize that I didn't recognize half of the items on the menu and was not going to have any clue on how to order.  Luckily, my lunching partner knew the tricks of the trade, and we were able to order a delicious lunch!  Not to mention, the servers were very helpful.

 

I'd definitely recommend checking this unique restaurant out.  However, I'd make sure you do it when you're ready for a bit of a treat (or when you can expense it).  Number one, the restaurant itself is very nice, and it would be a shame to waste it on a rushed meal.  Number two, it's quite a bit more expensive than your average sushi restaurant.  That being said, the food is also nothing like your average sushi restaurant.  Definitely a fun experience.  Thanks lunching partner!

 

Spicy pork gyoza: pork, cabbage, shiitake, welsh onion, garlic, ginger, shrimp, ponzu with shichimi ($10).  Amazing pieces of artwork!  Plus, they were scrumptious.  A lot more refreshing and less greasy than traditional gyoza. 

 

The miso soup came with a lid!  I loved it.  And it was very yummy.  Not too salty.  ($2.50)

 

Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi: local salmon pressed and dressed with their Chef’s own soy & MIKU sauce, topped with jalapéno ($14).  The Miku staple.  I quite liked this.  It was unlike any sushi I have ever had.  The only thing I wasn't a fan of was that it had a bit of an oil taste because it had been grilled.  I'm so used to sushi being a clean, refreshing lunch that I wasn't sure how I felt about it.  It wasn't super greasy, just different than regular sushi.  Definitely worth a try.

Pacific roll: albacore tuna, jalapeño, cucumber, wrapped in shiso and yellowtail, cracked pepper, avocado sauce ($12).  Hands-down my favourite roll.  The flavours were amazing and it was filling but light.

When you order green tea, you get your very own, cute, bottomless teapot!  I loved it. ($3)

Poke roll: soy marinated spicy seafood, avocado, cucumber, flying fish roe ($11).  This was a very fun roll, but not as flavourful as the other two.  Plus, it was hard to fit the crunchy bit and the roll into your mouth all at once.  So, we ended up eating the crunchy part and then the roll part.  Definitely fun to try, though.

 

The restaurant!  I really loved the space and design.  If it looks familiar to you, it's the old Spotted Prawn location.  Very bright and fun...especially when the chefs yell hello every time someone walks by them to their table!

 

http://mikurestaurant.com/



Momo Sushi

Dinner was at Momo Sushi in Gastown tonight.  This is the second time that I've been here and I've thoroughly enjoyed it both times.  Good sushi at a decent price. 

Me and my dining partner opted for boxes so we could both get a little bit of everything.  I went for Box B which came with Miso soup, salad, tempura, chicken teriyaki, 3 pieces of california roll, 3 pieces of nigiri and sunomono for $8.95.  My dining partner opted for Box C which came with Miso soup, salad, tempura, chicken teriyaki, 3 pieces of california roll, 5 pieces of sashimi and sunomono for $9.95.

The highlight for me was the salad.  The dressing was abnormally good and evenly spread throughout the whole salad.  I could have eaten ten bowls of it.  The lowlights for me were the fact that it seemed like there was more fat on the chicken than chicken (partially my fault for forgetting to ask for for the teriyaki without skin), the long wait to order, and the bathroom definitely left something to be desired.

That being said, if you're having a craving for sushi, you're in gastown, and you don't want to break the bank, you should check out Momo sushi.