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Home » Recent posts » Sushi Goals Achieved at Vancouver’s Best Japanese Restaurants 

Sushi Goals Achieved at Vancouver’s Best Japanese Restaurants 

japanese-restaurants
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Authenticity of Flavours - We prioritised restaurants that serve traditional Japanese dishes made with genuine ingredients, staying true to cultural roots.

Menu Variety - A diverse offering, from sushi and sashimi to ramen and tempura, was essential to cater to different tastes and cravings.

Atmosphere and Ambiance - We looked for places that offer a cosy, authentic Japanese dining experience, whether you’re after a casual or more upscale setting.

Customer Reviews and Experiences - High praise from regulars and visitors alike helped us gauge which spots consistently impress.

Feeling soy-rious about finding some incredible Japanese eats? Well, grab your chopsticks and get ready to roll, because you’ve come to the right place!  Vancouver’s bursting with amazing Japanese restaurants that my stomach is rumbling just thinking about it.  

From ramen that will have you slurping with joy (and maybe shedding a tear or two of pure deliciousness) to sushi so fresh it practically swims off the plate, we’re about to explore the best Japanese restaurants in Vancouver.

Say “sayonara” to boring dinners and “konnichiwa” to a Japanese food adventure that will leave you shouting “oishii!” from the rooftops.

How much does Japanese food cost in Vancouver?

Japanese food in Vancouver costs $15 for casual options like sushi rolls, ramen, or bento boxes. For mid-range dining, you can expect to pay $32.5 for nigiri sushi or sashimi platters. Upscale dining, such as omakase experiences at higher-end restaurants, costs at least $75 per person. 
However, prices may vary depending on the location, restaurant, and whether you’re opting for premium dishes or speciality seafood​.

1. Ogenki Sushi Fusion

ogenki-sushi-fusion-logo

Location: 4346 Main St #4342

Contact: +1 604-875-9975

Operating hours:

  • Sunday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
  • Friday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Website 

Ogenki Sushi Fusion is one of those cosy places where you instantly feel at home, whether you’re after the classics or something a bit more daring. 

What we really love here is their ability to offer both traditional sushi and inventive rolls. 

The Ogenki Fusion menu, for example, blends familiar flavours with unexpected twists and rolls like the Summer Roll, is packed with fresh ingredients like avocado and seafood that keep us coming back. 

Their approach is bold, and customers we spoke with consistently rave about the freshness.

If you’re vegan, don’t worry – Ogenki has you covered. Their vegan menu feels anything but an afterthought. The Vegan Crab Oshi and Vegetable Gyoza use plant-based ingredients so creatively, you might just forget you’re eating vegan.

They offer a delicious selection of vegan nigiri options that are sure to delight sushi lovers. The Vegan Crab Nigiri features a delicate blend of plant-based crab, topped with a sprinkle of finely chopped scallions for a burst of flavor. The Avocado Nigiri is creamy and rich, with fresh avocado slices laid over vinegared rice, providing a smooth, buttery taste in every bite. For something unique, the Okra Nigiri offers a slightly crunchy texture and mild, earthy flavor, with thinly sliced okra resting atop the sushi rice, bringing a fresh twist to traditional nigiri.

Plus, they make it super easy to enjoy their food with delivery options (via Doordash, Uber Eats, and Skip the Dishes) and a 10% discount on online pick-up orders. Note they accept special orders and large catering orders too.

Overall, we recommend the torched items such as Hamachi Oshi, Salmon on Fire, and Vegan Crab Oshi. For the chef’s fave, the Mango Island Roll and their special Sashimi Boat Trays are perfect.

Pros

  • Creative fusion sushi options
  • Vegan menu 
  • Convenient online ordering 
  • 10% discount on online pick-up orders

Cons

    Offers a dedicated vegan sushi menu with creative options

    “Absolutely loved the sushi here. I appreciate they had a dedicated vegan sushi menu with so many cool options. Front of house is so nice and I highly recommend the vegan crab oshi! Every other roll I had was delish too but the oshi stood out to me the most.”

    -Maru J, Google Review

    Becomes a go-to sushi spot with its flavourful vegan options

    Excellent service, super smooth and flexible reservation with very friendly and helpful staff. Food taste, quality, and presentation are also great, with very nice atmosphere and restaurant decor.”

    -Prana Eriyan, Google Review

    2. Ramen Danbo 

    ramen-danbo-logo

    Location: Various locations in Vancouver (Kitsilano, Robson, Kerrisdale, and Lonsdale)

    Contact: You may contact them here

    Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

    Website 

    Ramen Danbo has definitely earned its place as one of Vancouver’s go-to ramen spots, and with four locations, it’s clear people can’t get enough. 

    What we love most is the level of customization—they let you tweak everything from noodle firmness to the richness of the broth and even how much lard you want. 

    This makes each bowl feel like it’s made just for you. The Classic Tonkotsu Ramen is always a winner, but their Vegan Ramen has a dedicated fanbase too, offering rich, flavourful options that most people rave about.

    We also can’t resist the Chashu Pork Donburi and crispy Pan-Fried Yaki Gyoza – perfect sidekicks to any ramen order. And while the place is always bustling, the line moves quickly in our experience, so the wait’s never too painful.

    Plus, they’ve got you covered with online ordering through Uber Eats or pick-up through their site, making it super convenient.

    Pros

    • Customisable ramen options 
    • Authentic Fukuoka-style 
    • Tasty sides
    • Convenient online ordering

    Cons

    • Often has long lines due to high demand

    Provides attentive and friendly service throughout the experience

    “Arrived there at 6 pm, there was a lineup but it didn’t take too long to wait. In just about 10 minutes we got seats and placed our order. Service was great, all servers are friendly and observant to your needs. Noodles are delicious with pork soup. Love Fukuoka ramen. Will come again.”

    -MM C, Google Review

    Delivers quick service, with food arriving within minutes

    “Very fast and friendly spot to grab a quick bite (assuming you can get a table fast also). We showed up and ordered and got our food within five minutes. Finished within 15 minutes and we were out of there. Everything showed up as expected and tasted great.”

    -D Y, Google Review

    3. Raisu

    raisu-logo

    Location: 2340 W 4th Ave

    Contact: +1 604-620-1564

    Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM

    Website

    Tucked away in the trendy Kitsilano area, Raisu is where we found ourselves craving teishoku (pre-set meals) and izakaya-style small plates. 

    The Tonkatsu Teishoku, with its perfectly fried Omugi premium pork, is a standout – crispy on the outside, tender inside, and absolutely satisfying. 

    We also couldn’t resist the Deluxe Seafood Bowl, loaded with the freshest fish of the day, which left us pretty impressed.

    For something richer, their Real Crab and Uni Cream Udon is pure indulgence – creamy, flavorful, and one of those dishes that feels like a treat.

    What makes Raisu even more special is their sleek, modern dining space and heated outdoor patio that’s complete with a cosy hori kotatsu.

    Their sake menu is massive – over 50 varieties! If you’re unsure where to start, the sake flights are a fun way to explore. Just a heads-up: prices can lean on the higher side, but the experience is definitely worth it.

    Pros

    • Teishoku meals and Izakaya-style small plates
    • Cosy heated outdoor patio 
    • Extensive sake menu 
    • Convenient options for reservations, pickup, and delivery

    Cons

    • Higher pricing

    Delivers fast service with dishes arriving promptly

    “My partner and I tried the uni set meal and absolutely loved it. Each dish was delicious and it was so fun to have such a variety. The dishes came out quickly, we were impressed at the service. As a side note, the washroom was also one of the nicest I’ve ever been in. They stocked it with things like feminine products, toothpicks and mouthwash. Was really nicely surprised by this. Overall, one of the nicest dining experiences we have ever had. Can’t wait to go back!”

    -Veronika S, Google Review

    Stands out by allowing outside cake without an extra charge

    “We made a reservation at Raisu for our friend’s birthday and had a great meal. The entrance was so inconspicuous I never knew about this place despite walking by all the time. The food was amazing. Everything tasted good, well presented, and was reasonably priced. Not sure why Google review give it $$$ while it’s just the same price as all the other Japanese restaurants. The staff was very nice with our large group. We appeared to not be the only birthday party as they were singing happy birthday to a few other tables. We were pleasantly surprised they did not charge for the cake we brought in.”

    -Thanh To, Google Review

    4. Kingyo

    kingyo-logo

    Location: 871 Denman St.

    Contact: +1 604-608-1677

    Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 12:00 AM to 10:00 PM

    Website

    Kingyo has that perfect mix of vibrant atmosphere and delicious, creative dishes that keep us coming back. 

    What we really like is their Pressed Mackerel Sushi – thick, flavourful, and paired with a mustard soy sauce that gives it just the right balance.

    If you’re up for something a bit more adventurous, the Stone-Grilled Kobe Beef is a fun, interactive experience where you get to cook your marinated beef on a sizzling hot stone at your table.

    One thing we can’t forget to mention is their deluxe bento box. It’s a limited daily offering with 12 mini-portions of their best dishes – a fantastic way to sample everything if you’re indecisive (like us). 

    And with online reservations, pickup, and delivery, they make it easy to enjoy their menu however you like. Just a heads-up, they sometimes limit table time to one hour due to high demand.

    Pros

    • Delicious Pressed Mackerel Sushi 
    • Interactive Stone-Grilled Kobe Beef experience
    • Deluxe bento box 
    • Convenient online reservations, pickup, and delivery options

    Cons

    • Limited to one-hour table time due to high demand

    Transports you to Japan with its authentic decor and atmosphere

    “A great find in Vancouver! When you walk into the restaurant, you immediately feel like you’re in Japan. From the decor to the food, everything is authentic and just perfect. The Wagyu beef is incredible and all the fish dishes are amazing. Would definitely recommend!”

    -Mihaela Georgescu, Google Review

    Offers a limited kingyo assorted bento

    “Loved everything here! Got the limited kingyo assorted bento. They only serve 8/day. Everything was fresh and consisted of the more popular lunch items at the restaurant. Can add miso soup and or rice if wanted. The service was really good and the restaurant was really nice and clean. Sat near the bar, and unfortunately the space isn’t as big as I’d like, but just to be aware! Would love to come back to try their other items on the menu.”

    -Jon N, Google Review

    5. Shizenya

    shizenya-logo

    Location: 965 Hornby St.

    Contact: +1 604-568-0013

    Operating hours:

    • Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
    • Saturday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
    • Sunday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    Website

    Shizenya has really taken healthy dining to heart, making it the first natural food Japanese chain in North America. We love how they’re committed to using brown rice in all their sushi—no white rice here – and everything is free from additives or MSG. 

    If you’re looking to enjoy sushi without feeling guilty, this spot hits the sweet spot between flavour and nutrition.

    The Sakura Blossom Roll and Natural Bomber Roll are two standouts on their menu, made with fresh, locally sourced seafood and organic ingredients that really shine. 

    And if you’re vegan or gluten-free, their Tofu & Avocado Salad or Vegan Pumpkin Pudding because they are made with high-quality, fresh, and organic ingredients that cater to both taste and nutrition. 

    You can even make a reservation or order online through Uber Eats and DoorDash, but we’ve heard some reports that service can be a bit slow at times.

    Pros

    • No additives or MSG in any dishes
    • Great options for vegan and gluten-free diners
    • Convenient online ordering and delivery 

    Cons

    • Service can be slow during busy times

    Combines excellent food and service with an all-Japanese staff

    “All Japanese staff with excellent food and service.  Its very hard to make quality sushi with brown rice, but this place does it right. Its somewhat fusion Japanese food using brown rice, tempeh, etc but we enjoyed everything very much. Happy hour from 12:00 – 5:00 for $3 beer is incredible, too.”

    -Shigeki Hirose, Google Review

    Provides a kid-friendly atmosphere with gracious service

    “The service was excellent. Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had! My kids were over the moon with the rolls. Everything was amazingly fresh tasting and the brown rice was a nice change from the standard. We will be back as much as possible! Kid-friendliness: Gracious service, my kiddos were so happy that they could only be polite!”

    -Jacob Tremblay, Google Review