Japanese North Shore

[baconburner]

Hi

We are expecting Mother and Daughter from Japan as Guests. What is you favourite restaurant for authenticity on the North Shore? Any special dish recommendations?

Thanks

Baconburner

[sanrensho]

Hi

We are expecting Mother and Daughter from Japan as Guests. What is you favourite restaurant for authenticity on the North Shore? Any special dish recommendations?

Thanks

Baconburner

←

Hamaei consistently has the best reputation in the Japanese community. It is quite cozy, but every staff member there is Japanese.

I have not tried any of the options in West Van, nor have I tried Yohachi near Lonsdale Quay. I can think of reasons to avoid every other option for sushi on the North Shore, although I won't name the guilty.

[Kentan]

Hi

We are expecting Mother and Daughter from Japan as Guests. What is you favourite restaurant for authenticity on the North Shore? Any special dish recommendations?

←

Hamaei consistently has the best reputation in the Japanese community. It is quite cozy, but every staff member there is Japanese.

←

I've heard good things about Sen Sushi (Lonsdale Ave @ 19th St W) but I've never been there myself. Sushi and sashimi only, I think. Dragon rolls, Spider rolls, Alaska rolls. Nothing hot except miso shiru.

[baconburner]

Thanks for your input we will give it a try.

quote=baconburner,Jul 2 2007, 04:49 PM]

[waylman]

When I lived on the North Shore my favourite sushi was Kokoro on Lonsdale. The place has seriously good sushi. Try the Energy Rolls....unreal!

A few reviews here...

http://chefmoz.org/cgi-bin/detail.pl?ID=Ca...&num_results=20

[Vancouver]

Wouldn't they get better Japanese food in Japan? Why not take them to something that demonstrates local cuisine so it is a unique experience for them? I will bet that any sushi bar you take them too will not live up to Japanese standards.

Cheers!

[sanrensho]

Wouldn't they get better Japanese food in Japan?  Why not take them to something that demonstrates local cuisine so it is a unique experience for them?

True, but often I find my guests appreciate something familiar occasionally, instead of a steady diet of unfamiliar restaurants and food. It really depends on how adventurous the individual is.

And I feel that sushi/sashimi can be a fine way to highlight local seafood that is in season. Something familiar, yet something different.

[Paul B]

Zen, in West Van, right beside Le Regalade. Serious sushi and a great sake selection.

But, as was mentioned before, it might be an idea to take your guests for some serious West Coast cuisine. I lived in Japan and learned that it is a country of gourmands. Why not take them to the Beach House at Dundarave or even Le Regalade. An equivalent meal at one of those places would cost a fortune in Japan.

[Dirty Rice]

When I lived on the North Shore my favourite sushi was Kokoro on Lonsdale. The place has seriously good sushi. Try the Energy Rolls....unreal!

A few reviews here...

http://chefmoz.org/cgi-bin/detail.pl?ID=Ca...&num_results=20

←

The Japanese family who owned and operated Kokoro sold the restaurant about 2 years ago. It was without a doubt the best sushi place on the North Shore! We gave the new Chinese owners one shot and were very disappointed! I would run not walk away from this place.

[sanrensho]

The Japanese family who owned and operated Kokoro sold the restaurant about 2 years ago.  It was without a doubt the best sushi place on the North Shore!  We gave the new Chinese owners one shot and were very disappointed!  I would run not walk away from this place.

Affirmative on the lack of Japanese ownership. To my knowledge, there are exactly zero Japanese restaurants on Lonsdale that are actually Japanese-owned and run. Ironic, considering the number of sushi places on the strip.

The only two in North Vancouver are Hamaei and Yohachi, AFAIK.