Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Octopus Garden

    4.0 (163 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Octopus Garden Photos

    Business Info

    OCTOPUS GARDEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Octopus Garden

    Recommended Reviews - Octopus Garden

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Aji: sashimi, nigiri, fried ($50). Super good!!
    Kathleen C.

    Had a great dinner here! The food was delicious and had a couple items that were more unique to this place: foie gras nigiri, aji: sashimi, nigiri, fried. Both of these would get again! We got the 10 piece premium nigiri set for dinner each. All very good as well. Even the strawberry mochi dessert was so good. The drawbacks are the prices are pretty high here. There were many other items on the menu that gave me even bigger sticker shock, but I'm sure it's also very good. For 2, with tax and tip, dinner was about $400 CAD. Call in for reservations. Parking is a bit difficult, so allocate enough time.

    Elizabeth Z.

    OCTOPUS GARDEN My favourite restaurant of all time. Chef Sada has been serving his delicious creations in the Kitsilano neighbourhood since 1993. The restaurant itself is small and cozy. Tables are situated in a way that will ensure you have privacy even in such an intimate space. Their decor is like a mishmash of the classic Japanese elegance with a splash of nostalgic memorabilia. Warm toned wood and traditional Japanese decor is the core of the interior design, but turn a corner and you will find a twenty year-old tailless fish swimming next to the wine cellar (that's the vibe and it's awesome). You will also spot pictures of notable past patrons scattered throughout the restaurant, as well as note-worthy mentions of Chef Sada and the restaurant on the bathroom doors. Like I said, elegance with a splash. The food here is much like the restaurant itself; elegant but eclectic, and always amazing. They always have the freshest sashimi on the menu. Some of our favourites are the Bluefin Tuna, King Salmon, scallops, and Waru (butter fish). Their Uni Shooters are a must-try. The kitchen also serves up some of the best Japanese food in town, and the menu will change in accordance to the seasonal ingredients that the restaurant is able to source. Rest assured, everything will taste like a dream in any season. Customer service is the definition of great hospitality. The team here is always incredibly welcoming and will do their best to make sure you are comfortable. Our servers went out of their way to decorate my birthday cake with additional strawberry mochi's and added a sparkler because we didn't have candles. Do keep in mind that the team is small so the pacing of the food may get slow if the restaurant is really busy--art does take time. This restaurant will be on the pricier side. However, considering the taste, quality, and experience; it is definitely worth the splurge if you're looking for something special. Have you guys tried this hidden gem yet? 10/10 ‍10/10 $$$$ Octopus Garden | 1995 Cornwall Ave, Vancouver

    Chawanmushi with foie gras $35 !!
    Gloria F.

    I tried my luck for a table for an early meal without a reservation and was lucky to grab one! It was the perfect oppor-tuna-ty !! The room was very small, it was located in the room outside of the main dining area but the decor inside was cozy and welcoming, it even had an octopus shaped mirror The menu was so extensive and there were many pictures of the dishes they offer like beef wagyu, uni, and lobster I was set on the chawanmushi with foie gras $35 and Bluefin tuna tasting If you love Bluefin tuna like I do then I absolutely recommend the bluefin here. It was very fresh. The tasting includes maki roll, bluefin nigiri of toro, chutoro and otoro. They even served 1 pc aburi style and that was one of my favs The chawanmushi was also very smooth and steamed perfected, topped with a generous portion of foie gras I wish I had room for dessert !! I would definitely be back and for sure make a reservation beforehand

    Frank C.

    Excellent service and dishes were very unique. Fresh oysters, Uni noodles, wey u beef, frozen, but so tender, Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi,and of course Sake. Very pricey but was worth it. Menu pictures.

    Way too much food for two people, but we ate it all!
    Veronica V.

    We ordered a takeout for a COVID-19 Date Night at home. Holy cow, Chef Sada went ALL OUT and even threw in some VERY generous freebies that we didn't even realize until we got home!! And yes, it was expensive, but we figure you get what you pay for, and we are worried that if this COVID situation goes on, it might be a while before we will taste stuff like this again - so we figure we should support the restaurants while we can. We had chirashi sushi (he gave us an extra one!!!) with the special toro and chutoro added, the nigiri platter with the otoro & chutoro added (again, there were a bunch of freebies added), and of course, his infamous uni shooters (jumbo size). All the fish was really fresh and amazing. He also gave us two of his strawberry daifuku which were delicious. I am beyond stuffed. Thank you Chef Sada & Octopus Garden team! We thoroughly enjoyed our over the top decadent dinner! We hope your business is able to survive these trying times, and everyone stays safe & healthy!

    Chef's sashimi art. He baked the collar after we finished the fish. Wow it was good
    Paul W.

    Legit sushi joint. Super sweet service, great fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and delicious sake. Inly thing to complain about is not cheap, but you are getting what you pay for here. Beautiful ambiance as well. Worth the trip for sure.

    Joseph L.

    Good choice of foods and very good service. Had aftertaste of preservatives likely from the fish dishes. The reason I gave it low rating is that you may be cheated on you food bill or robbed as they may double charge you food items, specially on the higher price ones. I suggest CRA should audit their books, if they cheat customers, they may also cheat on taxes they paid. There were other customers had the same experiences from another foodies discussion group.

    Daily choice of sushi for three
    Lisa L.

    Back in 2018, I met a local Vancouverite also solo traveling thru South Korea who stated that her favorite sushi restaurant in Vancouver was Octopus Garden. Six years later, I finally made it to celebrate my friend's upcoming wedding. Immediately upon entering, my party was greeted with over the top hospitality, very much aligned with authentic Japanese culture. We came here specifically for the omakase to celebrate the special occasion, which requires advanced reservations while requesting for the omakase course menu. Every dish tasted super fresh and was filled with so much flavor. Much appreciated the servers for the thorough explanation of all the ingredients cooked into each. Much gratitude to the staff for bringing the sparklers and helping to celebrate the special occasion. It's about a 5-10 minute walk from Kitsilano Beach, perfect for a sunset walk post dinner, with plenty of free street parking around the area. The prices are definitely up there, but worth it for a very special celebration.

    Ordered Omakase with sake pairing. We were a party of four seated in a corner with an aquarium, wine display and a practice water painting set which was very fun to paint on. The omakase menu listed 7 courses but the chef generously added 2 more dishes. My party was very full and satisfied. It's been almost a month and I'm still thinking about the Wagyu Sukiyaki. I don't think I've been so deeply moved by a bowl of meat and noodles before.

    Wen È.

    I called a week in advance to make reso, but it was all booked! But we got super lucky that there was a last min cancellation during one of the days we were in Vancouver. Note: they will charge you $100 for not showing up for your reservation. The art sashimi is amazing!! My fav was the sweet shrimp, uni, and the toro. But king crab, salmon, and the scallops were a hit for our table, But don't order it if you are on a budget because the price is apparently different every time and it's like a surprise! We also ordered 4x 10 premium Nigiri for 4 ppl, and it was wayyyy too much food. But I highly recommend it! Next time, I'd just order the 10 premium nigiri and couple sashimi will do. I had a little bite of my husbands foie gras, it was amazing, but too rich for my liking, and very filling. If you like cooked fish, you must order the black cod! It was the best one I've had, it was super tender and sweet! Was amazing!

    Justin K.

    As you can probably tell from my reviews, I tend to give shout outs to a lot of Japanese restaurants. Why? Because I want to.. and because there are so many good ones in my backyard! Came here recently for my birthday and I have no idea why I haven't come before as it's be here for over 25 years. Small little place run by Mr. Sada-san in Kitsilano who is very friendly and welcoming. I recommend ordering his specialties which are blue fin toro otoro, sada's own uni shooters and his original foie gras nigiri. If I had to spend the money on wagyu beef again, I would probably wait and do it again back in Kobe, Japan. WARNING - If you come with an empty stomach, you might leave with an empty wallet. It is a higher end authentic Japanese restaurant but it's worth the spend. Book in advance as this is a great place to take a significant other!

    Chicken Karrage 6pc with Mayo + Truffle Oil ($15)
    Mandy T.

    Hubby surprised me with reservations to Octopus Garden for date night. Its a small, cozy restaurant in Kits that I hadn't noticed before. They've got some rules like having to make reservations (I saw them turn away walk-ins) and if you want to do their omakase, let them know when making reservations. We didn't do omakase but ordered a la carte. Like most Japanese establishments, they have daily specials of fresh items; however theirs is on a chalkboard not visible to all tables. Our server asked for our phone so he could take a picture of the board for us. So guess this is a known problem that they should find a way to resolve rather than asking customers for their phones... As for the food, there were some highlights but some surprising disappointments on some basic dishes for a place that is $$$$: - What we learnt was probably not get cooked foods here. Our chicken karrage was OK but tasted pretty average - the truffle mayo that was extra $ tasted just like regular mayo. The vegetable tempura that came with our udon was super soggy and fell apart quickly. - The individual pieces of nigiri we ordered though fresh, did not wow us as many restaurants are able to get the same now (we are spoiled in Vancouver!). There was also some inconsistencies since the Uni Nigiri that we did like, when we ordered a 2nd order of it, it came as a maki (seaweed wrapped around sushi rice) instead of nigiri and the uni tasted different and not as good. - The highlights to the meal were the dishes they created that other places normally don't have: the fois gras nigiri ($12/each) was a fatty and delicious spoonful, the wagyu taster ($45) came prepared 3 ways and was nicely seasoned, and the daifuku ($12/each) were sweet and lovely end to our meal.

    a bowl of food on a plate
    Paula C.

    I have heard plenty of great things of Octopus Garden and they have been around for ages but I'm surprised I haven't made a visit here till now! Their sashimi here is A++ with plenty of variety and they are REAAAALLLY good! But it definitely comes with a price higher tag that is higher than our usual go to sushi restaurants. We ordered Uni Caviar and Truffle Chawanmushi + Art Sashimi & Aji Sashimi/Fried + Blue Fin Tuna Tasting + Premium Nigiri Sushi Platter. The Chawanmushi was extremely rich with flavour with all the extra premium ingredients but I would say the highlight in this restaurant is all about the sashimi. The blue fin tuna tasting was something that stood out to me the most with the variety of cuts and each piece just melts in your mouth! You can literally see each micro pocket of oily cell in the otoro that gives that buttery burst in your mouth! Highly recommend checking this place out for some quality sashimi but remember to book early! The rarely take walk ins and even had a line starting as soon as they opened with customers who made reso!

    Sashimi

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Frank C.
    13
    76
    17

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nat L.
    0
    2
    11

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wen È.
    313
    63
    44

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Super V.
    36
    10
    26

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Annie M.
    180
    1203
    9611

    12 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K T.
    46
    404
    195

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt Z.
    62
    69
    40

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lina Z.
    113
    5
    10

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lin L.
    2
    39
    29

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S C.
    52
    464
    30

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Octopus Garden Reviews in Other Languages

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Japanese 7,972 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Kingyo - Hot stone

    Kingyo

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    2.2 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).

    Dining at Kingyo Izakaya is always a spirited and delightful culinary experience, complete with…read morecreative Japanese decor and an energetic, welcoming atmosphere. The ambient bamboo accents and lively buzz from the open kitchen instantly set the stage for an unforgettable tapas style feast. The service was vibrant, attentive, and executed with immense warmth from the moment we walked through the door. Cooking the tender Kobe Beef directly on the Super Hot Stones brought a wonderful, interactive sizzle to the table, delivering melt in your mouth rich flavor in every single bite. The deeply savory Tan Tan Noodles were packed with comfort, and the artfully presented Bento Box offered a beautiful, balanced taste of their finest dishes.

    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

    See all

    Anniversary menu course #2 - omakase 3 kinds appetizers

    Miku

    Miku

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    3.1 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.

    Very good experience. Love to go again with my family every month . love the experienceread more

    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)

    See all

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

    Guu with Garlic - Fish carpaccio

    Guu with Garlic

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    2.3 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.

    Maybe it's an American thing to linger and enjoy a dining experience. To stay longer than needed to…read moresoak up the ambiance and give a good moment some extra time for memories. But in other parts of the world the meal is what's important and so is a quick turn around. Guu with Garlic reminded me a lot of the Izakaya restaurants I found under the train lines of Tokyo in many ways, including the amount of time it felt right to stay. The food came out quick, the servers took orders quicker, and the alcohol came out chilled and as nice contrast to the hot food. Looking around and you see the hand written menu on blackboard surfaces on the walls and this feeling of authenticity. The heat of the flames from the kitchen can be felt and seen if you sit at the bar. And the flavors just hit all the right notes. Starting with appetizers, a section izakayas shine at, the first dish we got was their scallop and mayo pizza. With a crispy crunch on the bottom and crust, this reminds you of the flavors of a baked volcano roll or scallop roll you can find in almost any North American sushi restaurant. Just like that dish, it's important to eat it while it's still hot so it doesn't get gross and 느끼 에. Then came the yellowtail tuna "tempura" pieces. Thick pieces of yellowtail tuna flash fried for just the right crisp on the outside with slight pink of the fish inside. It is meaty without being oily or fatty. Great bite. The beef tongue after was interesting. From the color of the sauce it accompanies it you would think it would be heavy in flavor but it is actually light and citrusy. A good cut into the richer tones of the beef tongue. The yaki udon was one of the best I ever had. It was smokey without being overpowering. The beef was thin and tender and balanced well with the mushrooms it also came with. The udon noodles stayed bouncy and chewy which I didn't expect from being grilled. Very tasty and highly recommend this dish. For our final bite we shared a hot stone bowl of their pork and cabbage rice. With the hot stone bowl constantly cooking even after this dish arrived it was imperative to stir the ingredients together constantly for the first two minutes. It allowed for the runny egg to meld with the rice and the crispy texture of some ingredients was a nice bonus. All in all, I loved eating here and if my appetite was bigger I would've tried more on their menu. A solid place to eat with a great atmosphere, if you're looking for delicious food that won't take too much of your time but still lingers in your memories you have to check out Guu with Garlic.

    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

    See all

    Una-Meshi

    Tendon Kohaku - EBI TENDON

    Tendon Kohaku

    4.3(217 reviews)
    2.2 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

    See all

    Hokkaido milk tea

    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8(44 reviews)
    2.2 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.

    I made a reservation at Okeya Kyujiro for my partner's 40th birthday, and he had the best time…read more Honestly, it was one of the most memorable omakase experiences I've had in Vancouver. Okeya Kyujiro is a Michelin one-star theatrical omakase restaurant, and when they say theatrical, they mean it! From the moment you're welcomed by smiling ushers in kimono to the closing tea ceremony, every movement feels intentional, precise, and elevated. The ambiance is serene and anticipatory. At the start, guests sit in silence as a black screen conceals the chefs. You see their shadows moving behind it. A bell rings, the screen lifts, and the performance begins. Dinner is a 25+ course experience priced at $325 per person. It's undeniably a splurge, but for a milestone celebration, it feels justified. The menu is seafood-forward, with many ingredients flown in from Japan. Each ingredient is presented before preparation, then carefully assembled and served directly from chef to guest. Courses arrive one by one, never rushed. The service team moves seamlessly in the background, refilling water and attending to drinks (available as an add-on) without disrupting the flow. The finale is a matcha ceremony, whisked in front of you with the same quiet precision that defines the evening. When the final sip is taken, the bell chimes once more, the chefs and staff bow, and the screens close. It was a beautifully choreographed dining experience, perfect for marking a special moment, and one I'd gladly return to for the next celebration.

    Photos
    Okeya Kyujiro - Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.

    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.

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

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

    Okeya Kyujiro - A5 wagyu sukiyaki

    See all

    A5 wagyu sukiyaki

    Guu Original Thurlow - Pumpkin croquette

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1(841 reviews)
    2.2 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!

    Great izakaya experience in Vancouver. The ambiance is fun and lively with quick service. In…read moreaddition to the usual menu items there are daily specials. My favorite dish was the yaki udon!

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Guu Original Thurlow - Fried pork belly

    Fried pork belly

    Guu Original Thurlow - Eel with rice

    See all

    Eel with rice

    Octopus Garden - japanese - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...