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    Japanese Bistro Kamome

    3.9 (52 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Cafes, Seafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    Danielle K.

    Heard quite a bit about this spot & decided to give it a try for lunch. The restaurant is small & homey, & they only accept debit or cash. They have a wide selection of onigiris that go for $3.25-4.50 each. Bowls, noodles & sets range from $6.50-15. I didn't see any item over $15 on their menu! - Cold Udon Set with Prawn Tempura & Miso Soup - Onigiri of the Month: Yuzu Shio Chicken Onigiri - Tuba Mayo Onigiri The cold udon was served al dente & came with dipping sauce on the side. The 2 prawn tempura were small & could've been crispier, but overall this set was decent in taste & value. The onigiris here are quite chubby. They're mostly rice as expected, but there was an adequate amount of filling in both the ones I tried. I liked this month's special onigiri -- the salty yuzu shio flavour was quite unique. This entire meal only set me back ~$20 & I was stuffed! Overall, not a bad spot to hit up for lunch in the Joyce-Collingwood area.

    Josephine M.

    Japanese Bistro Kamome serves a mix of classic Japanese foods such as Onigiri, Udon, Soba and Donburi bowls along with more modern fare such as their "Japanini" rice sandwiches. They are located in the Joyce-Collingwood neighborhood, just one block away from the skytrain station. The Japanini is a rice sandwich with different fillings inside, wrapped with seaweed and then grilled with a panini press. I ordered the Vegetable Japanini. When I first read the description for this item on the menu, for some reason I thought it was going to be a Yaki Onigiri. I was a bit disappointed with this item. Even disregarding the fact that I misinterpreted what the item was meant to be, it really just wasn't anything outstanding. I think they could take Japanini off the menu and replace it with what I originally thought it was going to be...Yaki Onigiri! The Tempura Udon and the Onigiri were the best of the bunch. Unlike some other Onigiri we have encountered in restaurants, where there's just a small amount of ingredient on the tip of the Onigiri, but no filling inside the riceball itself, the Onigiri at Bistro Kamome actually had more filling inside. Pretty decent compared with other Japanese restaurants in Vancouver but still...no comparison with the wonderful Onigiri that we had for breakfast everyday in Japan! Prices here are very reasonable. For affordable, Japanese homestyle cooking, this is a great place to come to. Omurice would be a lovely addition to the menu, but I would still come back to try some more eats from what they currently offer. I love that they not only allow but they request people to bring in their own reusable containers. Kudos to them for making an effort to be more environmentally friendly!

    Christy S.

    I was looking forward to trying this place! It is small with about two tables, one two-seater, and one four-seater, and about 5 counter seats. Street parking is available in the area. I got a kid's meal for the toddler and a hamburger steak for myself. The food was not too memorable but I did like how they have a kid's combo. I do have a gripe about the service though. I entered the restaurant ahead of my husband and toddler. At the time of my visit, there was a cashier / waiter, and another lady, presumably the owner or chef? There was one person at the counter seat, and the two-seater table was taken. I told the cashier that I will need a high chair. The group at the two-seater table motioned to me that I could take their table soon as they were just about to leave. The cashier tried to grab the high chair, but the other lady blocked her way, and said something in Japanese to her so she stopped. The entire time, no one said anything to me. Nothing to acknowledge my request or to explain what I was waiting for, or even to offer me the menu to look while I waited. I stood around waiting, not sure what was going on. Eventually, I asked for the high chair, and again, the cashier tried to grab it, and once again, the other lady stopped her. After standing around for a while awkwardly, I picked up the menu to browse while waiting, still unsure what was going on. Then the group at the two-seater left, and the cashier finally got me to settle in that smaller table. When we finished, and was packing up to leave, one couple walked in, and took the four-seater. So in the end, while we, a group of 3, were left standing and waiting without any information, had ended up at the small table of 2, a couple walked in and easily took the table of 4, after we were already done our meal. We could have sat at the 4 seater more comfortably and finished our meal, before the couple would have needed that table. Had they told us what was happening or offered us the menu while we waited, that would have made the experience more palatable.

    tuna-mayo onigiri
    Suanne L.

    A small but busy restaurant near Joyce Station! At first glance, the ambiance reminded me of Hachibei - a family-owned, homestyle Japanese restaurant. Equipped with only a few tables and bar seating, many people stopped by for take-out and understandably so. The restaurant has you order first before taking a seat. There is a LOT of options available for such a small restaurant. I ordered the ebi tempura udon combo with tuna mayo onigiri. I loved the crunchiness of the onigiri seaweed, which paired perfectly with the filling. Mayo did not overpower the tuna, but rather accentuated the taste. Ebi tempura was unfortunately slightly soggy as it was resting on top of the soup but nonetheless tasty. I found that the batter was quite thick though. Udon was al dente and soup was light and refreshing. We also ordered the seafood soba which was great for a cold day. Loads of small pieces of seafood, and the soup had a stronger taste than the udon. Soba was slightly flavoured and delicious. Overall, it's a great place to grab a quick bite if I'm heading to Metrotown. The food is quite worth it for its price - even the combo was only ~$12 - You can barely find other places to fill you up for that price and quality! There's also free parking out front which I appreciate.

    The ' japanini'
    Stephanie G.

    Quaint little Japanese restaurant was my first thought seeing the size of the place. There was about 4 bar seats facing the window on each side of the entrance, a 2 to 3 seater table and a 4 to 5 seater table and that was it. We called to make reservation for 4 and it was allowed surprisingly for such a small place. You order and pay first then return to seat. We arrived just after six on a weekend and the place filled up quickly over the next hour. The menu is extensive ( a book and several double sided laminated sheets. Plus we later realized they had additional menu items and what seems to be weekly or daily specials along the counter/prep area. We ordered takoyaki and epi mayo for sharing and it was really tasty. Also had the chicken japanini ( cute name for a grilled rice sandwich/wrap) and the beef udon combo with a salmon onigiri. The beef had the sauce you usually get on a beef teriyaki don on it. Broth was comforting and full of umami flavour, noodles were bouncy and the perfect texture. The food came on dishes that you might serve yourself at home and slightly on the smaller side but it was all delicious and authentic. This place is suitable for a quick work lunch (with no need to take leftovers) or if you are feeling for snacks and you want to try a few things. With an extensive menu that they have , I will have to come back and try !

    Tan tan udon
    Carolyn L.

    A small Japanese eatery near Joyce station. Parking is available on the side streets. It specializes in onigiri and quite reminds me of Japan where it is very common to eat the rice balls for lunch or snack. Come here if you prefer the home cooking type of Japanese food, and not the typical sushi rolls or special rolls. The dishes are mainly grilled fish, noodle, rice and onigiri. There is a special everyday so go on that day to save a couple of dollars on your favorite dish. I like the unagi don. The portion is not huge but it is sufficient for a 70-80% fullness. Note: It is cash or debit only. And it is awesome they allow you to bring your own containers for take out. I like that very much.

    15 pieces for $31.50
    Kit Yee Y.

    We ordered 15 pieces in a party tray at $31.50 for takeout a couple of times. They looked fancy and presented well as you could see how the restaurant created each piece of sushi . They tasted great as well. The restaurant is running by Japanese. We called to place an order but we had to repeat a few times to make sure they understood what we wanted. A bit of language barrier. But we ordered successfully. Before the COVID-19, we also dined in here. We ordered their udon, sushi, sashimi and etc. All of the food tasted great and fresh. Everything was very homey type of food but with greater flavour. We never saw this restaurant was crowded. Probably they took a lot of takeout orders. I hope the restaurant can survive during the global crisis.

    Loco Moco Bowl
    Eunice L.

    Just got takeout and it was really good. They recently updated their board menus. I called in to order just before the dinner rush and it was a 45 min wait (which was well timed for us). Everything was well packaged with tight lids and little movement. Food was delicious and reminded me of those Japanese home style cafes. Prices are reasonable. Even though the card machine says "NO TAP" in big letters - they take Tap now!

    Jennie Y.

    Authentic Japanese bistro serving up comfort food and small bites. We sampled a number of items including: Ebi Tempura Japanini (grilled rice sandwich) - 3/5 STARS Ebi Tempura Udon - 4/5 STARS Ebi Cream Udon - 4/5 STARS Takoyaki - 4/5 STARS Salmon Roe Oniguri - 4/5 STARS Spicy Tuna Oniguri - 3/5 STARS Everything was delicious, fresh, and made with care.

    Spicy Udon
    Jon C.

    Some restaurants you have to judge based on how they make you feel. Less about how the food taste, the service or value. Upon entering Kamome, you will feel very comforted. In my last visit, I saw a mom and son smiling and laughing while playing cards. On a separate occasion, I saw a pair of teenagers in tranquility playing their mobile games without anyone bothering them. While these behaviours may be normal at a cafe, it's just interesting to see in a small restaurant. I was able to experience the same feelings when I ate there... outside noises melt away making the meal extra homey. You won't get this type of peace unless you are on the toilet alone while watching YouTube on your phone. Just a nice relaxing poop. Food is basic Japanese comfort meals. Stuff Junskitchen make. Be nice to the new boy working there - feels like that's his mom or aunt who runs the kitchen. She is constantly directing him... like how your mom hovers over you while you are cleaning the kitchen, noticing every spot you missed. Poor guy.

    Sara A.

    First time here and can't wait to try the rest of their home style cooking. I had the Tuna Udon and it was really tasty. Udon was soft and chewy. They do use canned tuna but it sort of works for this dish. Also ordered 2 x onigiri - Japanese version of a rice sandwich. You'll usually see this in kids' lunchbox. I had the ume shiso and the salmon. Both tastes very good. The ume shiso was very unique so will definitely get again. Many donburi options and there are options not even on the menu. Owner told me there are new dishes. I will try their ginger pork on rice next time.

    Very similar to Hawaiian style poke. The tuna was perfectly marinated, fresh and cold (none of that lukewarm sashimi). Delicious!
    Andy L.

    Delicious little mom-pop japanese restaurant located in the heart of Joyce-Collingwood neighbourhood. A short 1-2 minute walk from Joyce-Collingwood skytrain station. This restaurant serves very traditional Japanese fare with a niche for Hawaiian-Japanese food such as Loco Mocos and spam musubis! There's a sandwich board out front that highlights specials! The restaurant is small and minimal but does not take away from the mouth-watering yummy bites! On this night I ordered my usual tuna marinated poke and it tasted scrumptious! The tuna was cold and marinated to perfection! Along with the Japanese rice and a bit extra marinade made this a perfect dinner! Prices are competitively on the cheaper side in comparison to the newer poke places. A real hidden gem!

    Salmon ikura don (regular) and unagi don (small)
    Kay F.

    Japanese Bistro Kamome is an unassuming bistro which was very welcoming and served homey Japanese food. It felt like I was going to my grandmother's for dinner. The ikura and unagi were absolutely delicious, I only wished there was more! I do have to say the small size is quite small and would probably get the regular size next time. They also have onigiri which I'm definitely eager to try next time I am here!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Japanese Bistro Kamome Reviews in Other Languages

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    Kingyo - Hot stone

    Kingyo

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    9.6 kmWest End
    $$$

    We had a reservation for 8 pm on Tuesday. The restaurant was packed and bustling. Without a…read morereservation, we would have had to sit at a communal table. I always order beef tongue, Japanese fried chicken, and shrimp mayonnaise. These are my must-orders and their signature dishes. The beef tongue is actually quite simple; it's delicious just from being lightly heated. The hot stone slab is served piping hot, perfect for searing meat. Be quick, or it will cool down. The Japanese fried chicken is tender, juicy, and incredibly fragrant. The seasoning is just right. The shrimp mayonnaise is plentiful and a perfect match for beer. The two seasonal or specialty dishes of the day weren't as good, and I wouldn't order them again. My advice is to order their most popular and classic dishes, and definitely make a reservation in advance if you want to come (especially on weekends, as the wait can be up to an hour).

    Kingyo is easily one of the best Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. The moment you walk in, the…read morewarm lighting, beautiful bamboo accents, and lively izakaya energy make the space feel both cozy and exciting. The service is consistently fantastic--friendly, attentive, and quick without ever feeling rushed. I read about some negative experiences online and mine was entirely different. The waitress promptly seated us, served us water and hot team. Food was served pretty fast too. The food is where Kingyo truly shines. Every dish is beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The sashimi is incredibly fresh, the karaage is perfectly crispy and juicy, and the hot‑stone Wagyu is unforgettable--tender, rich, and fun to cook right at the table. Their creative dishes like the truffle carbonara udon and corn ribs show how much pride they take in balancing tradition with innovation. Portions are generous, and it's hard not to want to try everything. We wanted to maximize our eating experience, so we ordered their set lunch. Apparently, there are only limited set lunches available, so we had to reserve/order ahead of time, after reviewing their menu online. You know this place is authentic Japanese restaurant when you are greeted by Japanese servers, and you see Japanese sushi chefs! Reservation is highly recommended if you want to be guaranteed a seat.

    Photos
    Kingyo - Bamboo divider along community table

    Bamboo divider along community table

    Kingyo - Beef tongue

    Beef tongue

    Kingyo - Anniversary menu course #2 - omakase 3 kinds appetizers

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    Anniversary menu course #2 - omakase 3 kinds appetizers

    Miku

    Miku

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    8.0 kmDowntown
    $$$

    I've been to Miku several times, and today I finally decided to write a proper review. First, I…read morewant to praise the service. Every time I come, I can feel the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff. From seating to ordering, and then to the care during the meal, everything is done with great finesse, making me feel comfortable and at ease. The unique politeness and meticulousness of Japanese service are naturally reflected here. The food is also a reason I want to come back. Whether it's the freshness of the ingredients, the presentation, or the taste, you can feel the attention to detail. Japanese cuisine emphasizes the quality of the ingredients themselves, and Miku presents this refinement beautifully. Every dish is pleasing to the eye and has a layered flavor. I also love the ambiance. The overall design is simple, elegant, and has a very comfortable Japanese aesthetic. The lighting, seating, and spatial layout all create a relaxing atmosphere without feeling overly decorated; instead, they have a high-quality feel. As for the atmosphere, I think it's what makes this place so special. Elegant and quiet, yet not too formal, it's suitable for dates or enjoying a good meal with friends. Sitting there slowly eating and chatting makes the whole dining experience particularly comfortable. After several visits, I still feel that Miku is a restaurant worth returning to again and again. It's not just because of any one dish, but because the service, cuisine, environment, and atmosphere combine to create a very pleasant experience every time I come.

    Normally a restaurant with great views has mediocre food. Miku breaks this norm by serving…read moreexcellent seafood and sushi all while proving an amazing view of the sea and north Vancouver. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the sushi and sashimi, which was sourced sustainably. The drinks were also great and options plentiful. Service was attentive and adequate. Not a standout part of the experience but far from bad. Miku was recommended by a local and we can see why!

    Photos
    Miku - Inside the restaurant

    Inside the restaurant

    Miku - Spicy edamame (CAD $8)

    Spicy edamame (CAD $8)

    Miku - Little emperor (CAD $10) and Aka miso old fashioned (CAD $24)

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    Little emperor (CAD $10) and Aka miso old fashioned (CAD $24)

    Guu with Garlic - Fish carpaccio

    Guu with Garlic

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    9.4 kmWest End
    $$

    Guu with Garlic has become one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. It's an energetic…read moreizakaya with a fun atmosphere without feeling over the top. One of the best parts is the ever-changing menu of daily specials alongside the regular menu, so there's always something new to try while still coming back to your favorites. This visit we ordered the shrimp garlic fried rice, Agedashi Nasu, Grilled Squid with Garlic Mayo, and an assortment of sashimi. The shrimp garlic fried rice is an absolute must every time. It's packed with flavor, perfectly seasoned, and somehow manages to be comforting without feeling too heavy. It is a large dish and can easily be shared by 3-4, depending on what else you order. We also love the Agedashi Nasu here with melt-in-your-mouth eggplant wrapped in a light, delicate coating that soaks up the savory broth. Service is always quick and organized, even when the restaurant is busy. Dishes arrive as they're ready, making it easy to share everything around the table, which is exactly how an izakaya experience should feel. If it's your first visit, don't skip the shrimp garlic fried rice, and make sure to check out the daily specials before ordering. They often feature seasonal dishes that aren't available on the regular menu and are well worth trying.

    Great ambiance for a night out with friends for drinks and small bites. I like ordering a few…read morethings for the table to share so we can try more of the items. It really depends on how many people you come with though because the dishes are on the smaller side so you might need to make 2 orders of a dish for sharing. Okonomiyaki, gyoza, sukiyaki and udon are usually my go-tos for sharing.

    Photos
    Guu with Garlic - Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!

    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!

    Guu with Garlic - The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura

    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura

    Guu with Garlic - Una-Meshi

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    Una-Meshi

    Tendon Kohaku - EBI TENDON

    Tendon Kohaku

    4.3(217 reviews)
    8.1 kmDowntown, Granville Entertainment District
    $$

    Very clean and zen restaurant when we went there early around 11am on a weekday for a quick bite…read morebefore heading to airport ; We had spicy beef udon, takoyaki and salmon handroll; they were all good; wish we had bigger appetite and longer stay to try more items on the menu ; Friendly service too :)

    As a Washington resident I did not know that the Vancouver Tendon Kohaku's menu was much smaller…read moreand the less formal vibe. I thought it was a nice change of scenery to be honest also I did miss some items I originally wanted and planned to try. There were some of the main dishes, like the bowls, and also mainly udon. The chicken karaage was extremely tender and fresh, you could tell because it was hot which was nice! The udon in both the curry and rose cream udon was very soft and tender as well, tender than what I usually have for udon. If you like your noodles al dante I don't think it'll quite fit your taste but I personally really enjoyed it! As for the taste the spicy rose cream udon tasted exactly like Buldak Ramen's Carbonara flavor, and everyone at my table agreed. The garlic bread was nice tho. To be completely honest staff and workers aren't very attentive, the restaurant wasn't full and I could see the workers standing around. Our table had to ask for water multiple times. Other than that however they're very kind.

    Photos
    Tendon Kohaku - Inside

    Inside

    Tendon Kohaku - Tiramisu

    Tiramisu

    Tendon Kohaku - Hokkaido milk tea

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    Hokkaido milk tea

    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8(45 reviews)
    7.6 kmYaletown, Downtown

    I went here for a special occasion dinner. Reservations are highly recommended because they are…read morevery small - 12 diners per sitting and 2 sittings per night. I made reservations about 4 months in advance. Upon arrival, one of the hostesses opened the door for us, and asked us to wait in a very ornate waiting area. We only waited a couple of minutes before another hostess seated us at the main seating area. The space is very dark, and only lit with candles while the rest of the diners trickled in. During that time they take drink orders, which is limited to sake, wine, beer and a few non-alcoholic drinks. Of note, they don't provide a drink menu, so we were a little surprised by the cost - the yuzu sake and the plum wine were $30 each. My non-alcoholic drink was $12, but a fair size. The theatrical portion started a few minutes later than the official start time - closer to 6pm. The shades lifted, the lights turned on, and the chefs introduced themselves. And from that moment on, they immediately went to work preparing our meal. They operate like clockwork to show the ingredients whole to the diners, and then preparing them, and serving them. Soon as the one dish was completed by all the diners, the next round came shortly after. Over 20+ dishes, there was very little wait time in between each. Each time a dish was served, a hostess was there to describe the dish and provided tips on how best to eat it. The food was overall was very good. I thought a few items were very average, most of them were very good, and a select few were truly outstanding. Most of the ingredients are imported from Japan, so I would imagine that it's part of the reason it's so expensive. This is definitely a splurge meal. I think half the diners at our sitting was celebrating a birthday. On the most part, the food is very good, watching the chefs at work is part of the entertainment, and the service is excellent. It's not some place I could afford to go to often, but glad to do it at least this one time.

    Drove from seattle to make it to the lunch here - what a fantastic experience. Everything from The…read moreentrance to the end was ceremonial. You start in a small waiting room thoughtfully decorated with cultural touches before being welcomed into an intimate dining area that seats only about 12-14 people. The service was attentive and personal throughout. When it came to drinks, they first asked what we generally enjoyed rather than immediately pushing specific options. Once we narrowed it down to dry sake, our server kindly brought over several bottles and gave us a detailed explanation of each one before we made our choice. Lunch consisted of around 15 courses, with most served nigiri-style. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and I loved the thoughtful combinations of flavors and textures throughout the progression. Each piece felt distinct without trying too hard to be complicated.The experience finished beautifully with ice cream and matcha--a simple, elegant ending to a memorable meal. Absolutely worth the drive from Seattle. This wasn't just lunch; the intimate setting, pacing, presentation, and hospitality made the whole experience feel special from beginning to end.

    Photos
    Okeya Kyujiro - Waiting area

    Waiting area

    Okeya Kyujiro - Hokkaido uni with caviar

    Hokkaido uni with caviar

    Okeya Kyujiro - Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange

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    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange

    Guu Original Thurlow - Pumpkin croquette

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1(843 reviews)
    8.5 kmDowntown, West End
    $$

    Found this little Izakaya spot while visiting Vancouver and it was such a great experience. It's as…read moreauthentic as it gets and reminds me a lot of Japan when I visited in 2025. This place gets busy, so I highly recommend reserving a table online (via OpenTable) but we did show up early to see if there was walk-in seating available. Luckily, we did get the last 2 seats at the bar. The staff are so friendly and cheery. They greet customers that come in and thank every customer when they leave. People who haven't been to an izakaya may think it's loud and noisy, but the point of izakayas is they're supposed to be vibrant, high energy, and filled with cheerful chatter. Think of a tapas-style pub/bar for people to unwind and gather to chat after a long day at work. I loved the atmosphere, as it's casual, entertaining, and lively. The food was great and I couldn't think of a dish I didn't like. The sashimi were so fresh and high quality. Of course they use freshly grated wasabi too. The hanger steak was cooked perfectly and super tender and flavorful. The saba mackerel is grilled to perfection and reminds me of the ones I ate in Japan. I'm not a big fan of bonito but the yaki udon was so tasty, I still ate it with the bonito flakes on top! I would love to come back or go to their Toronto (closer to me) location next!

    Authentic Japanese Izakaya vibes here! Guu is the first to…read moredo it here in Vancouver, and the quality of all their dishes shine through. I love that they have daily specials from their chefs (shoutout to Kei and Shota!) which are creative, combining classic creations with their own twists. Service is pretty good and the staff are always friendly and accommodating.

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Guu Original Thurlow - Fried pork belly

    Fried pork belly

    Guu Original Thurlow - Eel with rice

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    Eel with rice

    Japanese Bistro Kamome - japanese - Updated September 2026

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