Tag Archives: Sushi

06.04.25
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H-mart Victoria Is Finally Open! And Everyone Loves This Operation, Moreorless. 

H-Mart Front

Although H Mart is a U.S. based grocery store specializing in Asian (Korean) products, the current climate in Canada to not support American-based operations/goods did not stop the masses from checking out the grand opening. This place can do better by not carrying the usual Coca-Cola, Ferrero Group and the like, but I digress. Even on the second weekend, when I visited, it was packed. It felt like I was walking through a mini-Costco at Mayfair Shopping Centre. I sampled as much Korean food as possible and looked for the deals.

And the range of expanded Asian goods, when compared to other local operations, is the best I’ve seen in ages. I’ve visited T&T Supermarket in Vancouver, and the vast range of products is equally comparable. Had this operation decided on selling only South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese manufactured items, I’d shop very often here. Sadly, the pricing is no better than other places. A careful buyer is best advised to monitor H Mart’s weekly flyers to know where to go to buy those 5 packs of instant ramens!

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04.02.25
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[Vancouver, BC] Only The Best. Tojo’s Restaurant Exceeds Expectations!

Tojo's Restaurant's Head Chef1133 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Phone: (604) 872-8050
Menu: tojos.com

Tojo’s Restaurant is world renowned for a simple reason. This is the place where its head chef (and owner) not only invented the California roll but also has a philosophy that anyone who sees the documentary, The Chef and the Daruma (movie review), might want to adapt. He’s a person I’ve always admired ever since I saw him on morning news television on Global Vancouver with Simi Sara showing how he crafts particular Japanese dishes. Back then, I didn’t know about the life behind the camera, but it intrigued me. After seeing the 2024 film, my appreciation has only grown.

Over time, this restaurant became world-renowned because of the amazing range of food he can prepare. He’s also a licensed fugu chef, so if there’s the means to import this blowfish in, I’m there! But with other dishes prepared by him or one of his chefs he’s trained, I probably couldn’t tell the difference. There’ll be a time when he’ll retire and the people he’s taught will take over.

He’s a gentle soul who is great to talk to. He’s like the Mr. Rogers of Vancouver! I was in town for Fan Expo and this time; I made the point of setting aside time to visit this restaurant! It’s honestly not that far from the downtown core, but to get there means either taking the taxi or public transit. The former can get you there, and the latter, is about eight blocks away from the major routes. I visited this operation twice because the experience was amazing! The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is perfect. And there’s a slight chance of seeing someone famous dining here. I should advise that you first check with management if it’s okay to approach their table.

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01.08.25
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Sushi on Shelbourne in Saanich, BC. The Choices and Construction Woes

Screenshot 2025-01-07 at 10.16.44 PM

Once upon a time, the price of take out sushi at Fujiya’s grocery store in Victoria, BC was the best in town. Those were the pre-pandemic years and before Saanich’s Shelbourne Street Improvement Project ripped the road apart. As a result, plenty of nearby businesses saw less traffic and one casualty is this grocery store deciding it’s time to raise their prices! Even after the job is more or less done, I saw no price reduction as life resumes in 2025. Most of that block is patched up, but there’s still construction that’s become a barrier as people drive through.

I can understand the need to mark up their products to make up for lost venues, but will every supporter of this local operation want to continue even after the construction is done? While I can drive straight down Shelbourne to Sushi Island, I can get my basic two favourite rolls for about 2/3rds of the price than the $9 average price I’m seeing most trays marked as. And as for how often I’ve seen tuna and salmon rolls offered, it’s been seldom. It’s doubtful that I’m showing up at the wrong time.

When I’ve spotted three other fast food options where I can buy sushi along this street corridor, the choices are finally better, but not necessarily competitive. I hate to admit that Walmart’s plates are relatively tasty. Price-wise, it’s about the same as Fujiya’s, and while the big box operation doesn’t have tuna on the menu, it seems they have a supplier for all the salmon they love to regularly offer. They’re farmed fish rather than wildly caught, and when I’m lazy to head to other operations, I’ll grab a plate just to satisfy that itch my tastebuds want for raw fish.

Sushi MagoThankfully, Sushi Island (where people can get the best value) is across the street. As for Sushi Mago, they’re a stone’s throw away from where I live, and I can walk down to grab something and go home. A drive makes it quicker. Although this operation’s offerings are pricier than the other two, but not as super tasty (Island wins hands down), it’s a price I’m willing to pay for the convenience.

11.06.24
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Sometimes Finding The One Japanese Place to Regularly Hit Isn’t All That “Yoshi”

20240929_124317Gateway Village
771 Vernon Ave
Victoria, BC

Hours: 12:00pm to 8:00pm Daily
Phone: (250) 475-3900
Menu: yoshisushi.ca

ES: In anime, “Yoshi” (where the I is silent) can mean, let’s do it, but in truth, it means excellence, and as a fixture in Victoria for such a long time, I’m sort of inclined to agree Yoshi Sushi is a great place to give your taste buds a treat. Had I truly wanted to go crazy, I could’ve gone for the massive platter of sashimi on my birthday to really experience all the wonders, but to be honest blowfish wasn’t on the menu and what’s offered are the safe staples.

The exception is with a soft shell crab roll, which when properly still warm, can do wonders to excite the taste buds. Or should I say the baos?

DK: My experience with the Japanese language pretty much begins and ends with doing flashcards with my roommate in the TRU dorms before tossing rotten vegetables into the parking lot from our balcony. Don’t know if he ever passed that test, but we did make room in the fridge for more eggs and bacon for our roommates to “borrow.” 

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06.19.24
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[Seattle, WA] Just Chillin’ at Ohana Belltown

Screen Shot 2024-06-12 at 3.32.37 PM2207 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

Hours: 3 pm to 1:30 am (12pm Tues)
Phone: (206) 956-9329
Menu: http://www.ohanasushigrill.com/menu.html

Hawaiian food can be unique, and to say it’s a fusion of other culinary styles brought to the island depends on who you ask. I’m sure most folks agree it really is a combination of ideas from other regions and when I’m craving something authentic, I just have to visit Hawaii and hope I get invited to a Lūʻau. I want to experience that true Ohana spirit, and this operation is so aptly named, I want to come back!

What’s provided at Coco Grill (review) is “real” but it’s not the food I’m looking for. Where’s the poi? As for all the pokes, they’re a dime a dozen and while they come from humble island origins, that’s not what I’m after. There’s always going to be some pork dish at all diners, but what about the seafood? With eel, having enough to feed the masses can be problematic. And who would’ve thought Seattle would have the ideal outlet to get my Japanese and local flavour right. At Ohana, the environment felt just right, and I dived right into the ocean blue as easily as a dolphin into water.

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03.15.23
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[Seattle, WA] No Need for Japanese Fusion when there’s Maneki

Maneki 2304 6th Ave S
Seattle, WA

Hours· 5:30–10:30pm
Phone: +1 206-622-2631

I visited Seattle, Washington many times and while readers may find it strange I have not been to Maneki—this city’s most famous Japanese restaurant—my reason is the International District is a fair distance from the Convention Center. Quite often my stamina after taking in Emerald City Comic Con needs more than a better pair of shoes to keep going. I’m thankful this operation managed to stay in operation when the pandemic was a huge thing. I’m planning a trip back to this city in the Spring to see what’s changed. 

In the meantime, I’ll be offering a review of what I loved when I was there last. My apologies for the lack of photos as my phone was low on power (images used are from online), and I thought I had posted this review. It did not show up in my search when I was fondly talking about this place on Facebook’s Seattle Foodies group.

ManekiMy original post follows:

Even on a busy Sunday, Maneki is busy. Fortunately, since I was here by myself, I was told that I can get a seat at the bar instead of waiting an hour for a regular table. I ordered my favourite brand of Japanese beer (Asahi), looked at the menu and pondered how much sushi I could have. The prices are on par with those back home to places like Futa and Omakase, so I avoided repeating familiar dishes. Their Jojo Roll (fresh water eel, cucumber, radish sprouts) was very warming. The rice was at an immaculate temperature and the homemade sauce was not overwhelming. I could taste all the flavours in this combination roll.

I also tried their variation of a Futomaki roll, which I did not finish. I was offered a container to take the rest home and I did, but not without a side order of gyoza to warm me up. I’m fairly sure their recipe is not advertised so competitors can not copy. Out of all the varieties I sampled at different places, this particular dumpling made my soul come alive and smile after a long day.

Thankfully I did not stop there. I asked if uni (sea urchin) was available. The female bartender said yes and they served it live! The shell is not opened until you order it. My ears waggled in excitement and they served up a very affordable and large dish to make my tummy say “yummy!” Yes, this delicate part is perfect. Nothing was added on to spoil the straight from the sea flavour. The portions and cost behind this item surprised me. I could have for another; I’m fairly certain the receipt said $9 (a far better price than any I’ve seen back home). Not since that one trip on a boat years ago with a fisherman has my tongue tasted this sensation again! Readers interested in my experience during that trip from long ago can find the article here.

While they do not have lobster sashimi (I asked) for the adventurous to sample, I’m certainly marking this place as a must visit for the sheer pleasantness of being in this space. It was laid back and not rushed. The variety of dishes have an air and look of being more traditional than hipster. I also had an eye on the various dishes served to fellow bar patrons. The bartender knows her nigiri and talked about how the flavour of salmon changes by region. They even had some brought down from British Columbia, if I remember correctly. Being at the bar gave me an opportunity to chat with fellow nerds (there must have been some Xbox competition happening nearby as gamers were there, and I talked to a couple from California). The bar can comfortably have up to eight people here without feeling cramped.

Reservations are recommended on a busy Friday or Saturday night. 

5 Blokes out of 5