The 5 Best Japanese Restaurants In Vancouver, According To One Of The City's Top Chefs
The most authentic spots around.
If you're on the hunt for the best restaurants in Vancouver for Japanese food, look no further.
We asked one of Vancouver's top chefs, Hidekazu Tojo, to share all of his favourite places to eat when he's not at his own award-winning restaurant —Tojo's.
Chef Tojo has had an extraordinary career filled with awards and accolades for cooking Japanese food. In 2016, the Japanese government honoured Chef Tojo as a Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine. This means he is literally among the top Japanese chefs in the world.
He moved to Canada from Osaka in 1971 and has been redefining Japanese food here ever since. One of his most influential dishes is the "Inside out" Tojo Roll, which is now universally known as the "California Roll."
Since this is my personal go-to roll, I am a huge fan of his work.
So, here are Chef Tojo's top five picks for the best Japanese food in Vancouver when he's not enjoying his own restaurant's creations.
Masayoshi
Price: 💸 💸💸
Address: 4376 Fraser St., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Chef Tojo said that he loves this spot because of the chef behind the menu. "Chef Masa is meticulous and a talented artist and chef," he told Narcity.
The chef has almost 20 years of experience in the cuisine, and he integrates different cultures' cooking techniques into his meals. The mouthwatering menu is super diverse in flavours, and it makes the perfect option for a to-go dinner at home.
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Price: 💸💸
Address: 558 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: According to Chef Tojo this restaurant has "delicious noodles and the broth is perfect," and it's "not too rich."
They have locations in a ton of different cities and are most famous for their ramen. They have lots of different ramen flavours to choose from too, including a salad variation of it.
Saku
Price: 💸 💸
Address: 1588 Robson St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Saku specializes in authentic Japanese pork cutlets. Chef Tojo loves to eat the tonkatsu, which he said "is perfectly fried" and "crispy, not greasy."
The inside of the restaurant is super modern, creating an overall cool aesthetic.
JAPADOG
Price: 💸
Address: Visit their website to find a truck or stand near you!
Why You Need To Go: This spot is a super fun twist on traditional Japanese food, mixing the flavours with hot dogs. Chef Tojo loves it because "it's creative and fun."
The unique restaurant sets up trucks throughout Vancouver, where you can go and try one of these famous dogs.
Gyu-Kaku
Price: 💸 💸
Address: 888 Nelson St., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: This Japanese BBQ spot is a popular spot to dine in or take out from. Chef Tojo said: "I like the variety of cuts."
With tons of meat options for the barbecue, choosing the perfect cut is everything.
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