Best Sushi Places in Vancouver BC

Japanese Sushi

Sushi is considered a mainstream food item in Vancouver. There is a large amount of Vancouver sushi restaurants; some excite the taste buds with delicate flavours, while others don't quite live up to expectations.


Why so many places to eat sushi in Vancouver?

The Asian community has had a significant influence on the sushi craze. More specifically, with many Asian students coming to Vancouver to study, there was a heightened demand for Japanese sushi restaurants. As more and more sushi restaurants popped up around the city, Vancouverites grew to love this fresh fish delight.

In Japan, people only eat sushi on special occasions as it is viewed as an expensive delicacy. On the other hand, Vancouverites eat sushi frequently. People tend to order large amounts of sushi because it is cheap.


Common Sushi Types

› Rolls are made of various ingredients which are rolled inside rice and nori (toasted seaweed).

› Sashimi is fresh thinly sliced raw fish which comes with a garnish instead of rice. Common raw fish includes salmon, tuna, sea urchin and squid.

› Nigiri is hand shaped sushi; a single piece of raw fish is placed on top of the rice.

› Norimake is a roll with a seaweed wrap on the outside.


Vancouver sushi restaurants have numerous raw fish and hot food items worth trying out:

› Fresh tuna and salmon rolls: These are served with fresh raw fish and wrapped in white rice.

› Agedashi tofu: Pan fried tofu served in a soya based sauce with dried seaweed sprinkled on top.

› Edamame: Steamed green beans served hot and salted in a bowl.

› Gyoza dumplings: These appetizers are boiled and/or panfried and stuffed with pork and vegetables.

› Miso soup: Small soup with seaweed, green onions and some vegetables.

› Udon noodles: Thick, round wheat noodles usually served in a soup with vegetables and meat.


Tips for First Time Sushi Eaters:

Sushi can be a bit intimidating when experiencing it for the first time! At Vancouver sushi restaurants, it is important to follow a few rules and become familiar with some general terms.

Useful Sushi Menu Terms

› Cooked eel: Unagi (cooked freshwater) and Anago (cooked saltwater).

› Fish eggs or roe: Ikura (large orange-pink salmon eggs) and Tobiko (tiny pink eggs from flying fish).

› Raw tuna: Ahi (yellowfin), Maguro (bluefin), Toro (fatty tuna from the belly).

› California roll: Consists of crab meat, smelt, flying fish eggs and avocado.

› Philadelphia roll: Fresh raw salmon, cream cheese and some sort of vegetable (usually carrot and cucumber).

Sushi-eating Rules of Thumb

› Sit at the sushi bar where you can talk with a sushi chef, and ask him to recommend the restaurant's best sushi . At the open-style bar, you can watch the sushi chef prepare your roll and have a truly authentic experience.

› Add ginger and wasabi in moderation. Sushi has a blend of delicate flavours; ginger is meant to cleanse the palate and wasabi brings a little kick or bite to the sushi. For the most flavourful experience, only add a bit of wasabi at the tip of your chopsticks.

› Try to learn a new sushi term each time you go out to a Vancouver sushi restaurant. After just 3 or 4 sushi lunches, you will be that much closer to becoming a true sushi connoisseur.

› Complement your sushi eating experience with a hot cup of Japanese sake or rice wine, green tea, or Asahi beer.


Top Vancouver Sushi Restaurants

Downtown Vancouver:

› Tsunami Sushi, 238-1025 Robson Street

› Kitto Japanese House, 833 Granville Street (at the corner of Robson Street)

Vancouver's West End:

› Kingyo, 871 Denman Street

› Kadoya, 1063 Davie Street

› Yamato, 616 Davie Street

Kitsilano:

› The Eatery, 3431 West Broadway

› Kibune Sushi, 1508 Yew Street

East Vancouver:

› Toshi Sushi, 181 East 16th Avenue


Restaurant Price Range*:
Average Sushi Restaurant: $15 - $30 / person
High-end Sushi Restaurant: $25 - $50 / person

*Price ranges do not include alcohol.

Tips for sushi dining in Vancouver: Vancouverites all use chopsticks without hesitation. As a result, most Japanese restaurants do not always supply forks and knives at the dinner table. Ask your server for some utensils when ordering your meal.