Tried the summer tasting menu, and was underwhelmed. Perhaps my expectations were too high for this place, and it just didn't live up to it. This restaurant has an interesting shared tasting menu concept at for CAD 65 per person. We were able to finish the meal in about two hours. My favorite items were the oyster shooters and the sautéed mushrooms (with squash puree, yuzu brown butter, and ramen egg). The ramen egg was cooked perfectly, and the yolk provided a really nice dipping medium for the mushroom. I also liked the slight char/wok fire taste on the mushroom. There were 7 courses total -- a pickled starter dish, a salad, a squash dish, the mushroom dish, two proteins, and a dessert. The two proteins of the night were a poached halibut and seared duck. The halibut was a bit too meaty for my taste, and I wish the skin on the duck were crispier. There was also a missed opportunity to make the bok choy vegetables more vibrant. The dessert was pretty interesting, which was summer berries over some pound cake dusted with dehydrated raspberry. I guess that you get what you pay for, and while there were several courses, the quality of each course was somewhat lacking. I felt like I could have probably cooked some of the dishes, although the different puree sauces were a nice touch. Still, most of the dishes seemed pretty amateur -- like a slightly more refined home cooking. The ambiance was really nice though, and I liked the interior decoration of the restaurant. They have a really nice bar, and the cocktails could be really good. They also have a happy hour menu, which is nice. I like that there's a little something for everyone here -- from snacks to drinks to a tasting menu. read more

I honestly never would have came here had it not been for Dine Out, as it's a fine dining restaurant, meaning that a) it's expensive and b) small portions. This was a very last minute decision, as I originally planned on going to Timber (I will still go there, probably on Tuesday), but I randomly came across this place on Instagram this morning and I was like I'm changing my plans. So, yes, I will argue that destiny led me to try this place out. Honestly the food was so unbelievably amazing, I almost licked thee plate clean (obviously, I didn't, but I did use my spoon to clean up all the sauces). I only have two minor complaints, and it's that the place is located in a shady area (we had to walk through a group of people smoking weed to get here), and that the food came out way too quick so I felt like we were being rushed. Obviously portions were small, but I expected it so I planned a dessert stop at Mello afterwards (just posted review). The ambience was nice, and the servers were friendly. As we were a party of four we went with one omnivore and one herbivore set menu, giving a total of 12 courses. The bill came to $189 for for before tip, which is kind of pricey, but to me it was worth it. Tuna tartare (4.5/5) This ties for my second favourite of the night along with the beet tartare. The sauce was perfect, and not too overwhelming, so you could still taste the tuna. The lotus crisps were so delicious, and god I wish there was more ! Beet tartare (4.5/5) This ties for my second favourite of the night along with the tuna tartare. This was so incredibly unique, and the sauce was amazing. It went perfectly with the lotus crisps, which I literally could not get enough of. Brussel sprouts (5/5) This was my favourite of the night ! The miso sauce was so so good, and I literally did not leave any sauce behind. The brown butter crumble on top was absolutely sinful ! All the flavours went together perfectly, and I could literally eat this all day. Mushrooms and egg (4/5) We all went for the ramen egg as soon as the dish landed on our table. The egg was delicious, and I loved the creaminess of the celeriac puree. The mushrooms were a bit too salty, however. Seafood dashi (4.5/5) This was my dad's favourite dish of the night. We all devoured this, broth and all. The mashed potatoes were creamy and light, and the fish was super tender. Everything was cooked perfectly, and the broth was super flavourful. Vegetable oden (4/5) This was very light and refreshing. Everything tasted super fresh, and my parents really liked the tofu. The broth was a little salty, however, and we all though that the seafood broth was much better. Duck breast (3.5/5) I didn't try the duck, but it was pretty decent, according to my family. I tried a bit of the turnip cake but I thought it was meh. Overall, not bad, but it wasn't the best dish of the night. Sunchoke risotto (3.5/5) This was one of the better risottos that I've had, even though I'm not a big fan of risotto and thus haven't had many in my lifetime. I've never had sunchoke before, and literally had to Google it when the dish got here. It was so good though! It kind of reminds me of a cross between a potato and cassava. The crispy garlic on top added a nice crunch, giving the dish more depth. Yuzu creme brulee (3/5) My mom was the only one who enjoyed this, as my dad said it tasted too sour and my brother and I hate yuzu. The brussel sprouts and the tartares were my favourites. I love the food, and I want to say that I will be back, but I'm not sure if I could afford eating here :(( Maybe for a special occasion? I would definitely have to have proper dinner at another restaurant afterwards. I would say you definitely have to try this place out at least once though. read more

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I came with a group and we decided to get the set menu option. Couldn't tell you everything we ate, but what I can say is that the food was delicious, the service was impeccable, and restaurant was perfectly intimate. ENJOY! read more

First off, our waitress and the staff made our visit at PiDGin such a valuable dining experience. Our waitress was so attentive, explained each item that we ordered and the chef's vision of why it was created in such a way. The food was out of this world and despite the higher prices, it was very very worth it. There were many easy to share items and our hostess even recommended drinks for pairing with each meal. We tried a whiskey drink infused with the pork belly drippings, which was amazing, especially for a whiskey drinker or those willing to try something new! A Highly recommended spot if you are stopping in town.. our waitress even went out of her way to write down multiple places in the area to try including various bars and quick food items before we left for the weekend. Thank you for a 5 star experience Must try: Korean rice cake bolognese read more

The food was great! The only reason I took away a star is because the location is AWFUL! People were right outside their doors doing drugs and it was not a family friendly area. We had our Thanksgiving dinner here and ordered the 8 course meal to make it easy. The servings were small but we did end up feeling pretty stuffed by the end of the night. The meal included pork belly, mushroom medley, foie gras, risotto and some other stuff. Everything was delicious and the service was perfect. read more

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Cute little restaurant in a not super nice neighborhood. We made reservations and pre ordered the half pig feast and it did not disappoint. The pig was super tender and juicy and all the little sides complimented the pig perfectly. We ordered a couple of different sides to go with our dinner. The squid ink pasta with clams was good. I love the fried buns with eggplant dip. The squid was super yummy. I would definitely recommend friends to come check out the pig but remember to call and order it because im sure it taste time to cook! read more

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We were very excited to try this place on a Saturday evening expecting it to be over the top, but it was simply just OK. We made the reservation for 6 pm and it was fairly quiet as we arrived, with only about four tables occupied. Then by about 8 pm, the whole restaurant was filled! I am guessing people love this restaurant, although I did hear a few tables stating this was their first time at Pidgin. Decor wise, it was nicely decorated, simple but felt a little cold, the typical feel expected in this type of trendy restaurant. But it does have an unstated elegance to it. Service was enjoyable as the server was attentive and not bothersome, we actually got to chat and laugh about a few things in the menu which I thought was important as it shows warmth and unrobotic. Food wise, I can only think of one word - tiny. The taste itself in all the dishes was good but nothing beyond spectacular. Don't get me wrong, they are enjoyable, but they are just expected flavours. Of all the dishes we had, I absolutely love the bone marrow! I just wish the bones themselves were seasoned a bit more. Other dishes were scallop tartare (had sand in the dish), kohlrabi Dan Dan noodle, Korean rice cake, sable fish green curry (this was our second favourite) Overall, the dining experience was good but nothing out of the ordinary. I would not be back for a while as I don't see the value from the menu. read more

PiDGiN - Dishes of the night - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I went to pidgin on a weekend visit to Vancouver and it was the best meal of the trip. The waiter was wonderful and helped us with recommendations on our order. We had several plates that were amazing, including the mushrooms, shishito peppers, chicken karaage, and a lamb special. My favorite dish of the night was the pork belly rice bowl, which was insanely delicious. We also had a few cocktails from the menu that were exquisite, along with a few custom ones the waiter suggested based on our tastes. Everything about the evening was memorable and the highlight of the trip. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Vancouver! read more

PiDGiN - Cocktails, some from the menu and some custom made. - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Thanks to Daniel's review, I just had to try this place (even if he beat me to it) and I have to trump his Yelpomoter with a five star, which I don't do too frequently. An "A" for ambiance, decor, staff, brs, and most importantly: the food. (At first, I did not want to ruin the mo with photos, but since the website photos are too pretty to touch and this food is too delish not to share, I discreetly took flashless photos that do not do the food proper justice.) Everything was great that we saw or ate; here are my picks: 1. Joie blend-always a fave; get the 200 ml served in cool "sliced" vintage pop bottles. Yes, this was the beginning of my 4 am wake up call. 2. Oyster shooters-non-alcoholic and so good. I'm starting to think that I actually DO love oysters. 3. Peppers-unique, tasty, chopstick challenging. The healthiest so obviously my least fave. The parmasan was so damn good that if I was a dog I'd have licked the bowl clean. 4. Calamari-so glad I tried this Asian rendition. My fave dish. Just think of a delish stir fry with bacon and order it. 5. Scallops with polenta fries- eat the fries fast. Actually, eat the scallops faster or you'll only end up with one. These are fightin' times here. 6. Steak- wrap them up in the lettuce. Like fancy, divine wraps. Win. 7. Chocolate donut beignets- either pop the whole thing into your mouth, or do use the spoons. Otherwise, your image will be shattered when you leave 1/4 of the chocolate on the table. This was enough for me, but honestly you won't go wrong here. The beef tataki and tongue looked awesome, too. Thank you to the staff and chef. A place that puts Vancouver back on the map with some brains to accompany their obvious brawn. So glad that I went and you should go, too! *Note* If the protestors are still around when you read this--don't let them fool you. As "Mikey," the dishwasher whom I met as I was leaving the restaurant told me, "I came from the streets. Even the proprietor spent time on the streets." (Mikey was telling the truth, but I can't comment on the owner.) This is a welcoming place that will enhance the 'hood, not ruin it. Why people have picked this one to protest is baffling. One only needs to take a look at NY's LES, SF's Tenderloin or even Van's Main Street to see the magic of gentrification, but that's for another forum, perhaps. read more

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Remember when people used to applaud at the end of movies? I wanted to do that at the end of this meal. I wanted to stand up, ON MY CHAIR and applaud for a job well done. It was one of those meals that by the end, even though I was contentedly satisfied, I immediately wanted to do it ALL over again. Just - excellent. Now as JN pointed out - this haunt has been getting a lot of press lately but that is for a different forum. This review is about dinner and my my, what a dinner it was! Also a tip o' the hat to the lady herself & Daniel for some ffiinneee recommendations. What went down: It's a beautiful room. Simple and elegant without feeling stuffy. The bathrooms are impeccable, though, a note to management, your hooks are too high for us wee folk! It was a quiet night in comparison to their recent newsworthy excitement, so nothing to comment on in that respect and service was attentive and charming. We realized by the end of the meal that our server was in fact, the manager. He was patient and quick - gave us lots of room to chat to our hearts content but quick to be near when we needed something. Service Ninja awarded. I started off with "the oppenheimer" cocktail - sake/apple juice/shiso leaf. I was looking for something light and it delivered. Sweet but not overly and a nice refreshing compliment to the meal to come. I appreciate that they have a non-alcoholic menu that doesn't make you feel like a fuddy duddy. As I had car in tow, it was a welcome change to order something that still felt like a cocktail. Their "geisha girl" is mixed with egg whites and served in beautiful glassware. Nice touch. My cohort went in for the "van horne" & "the deighton" - both to rave reviews. The deighton with its scotch, port & cranberry pepper would definitely make my list the next go round. On yelpy recommendations, we started with the oyster shooters. I doubled up. Because i'm smart like that. I will say - somewhat awkward to shoot...there's a whole, "wait in anticipation, try not to land it on your face" element but once we got the hang of things (and a chopstick to stir things up) they were just lovely. For dinner we shared: Humpback Shrimp - which were like butter. I know, I know, you're thinking... ewww. But no! Butter is an excellent thing. I have no idea HOW they did it but this dish was melt in your mouth. Lovely - nice citrus and not overpowering. Cured Steelhead - omg. The roe MADE this dish. I could have easily put back four or five more portions if allowed to. And the ginger/sesame which I was scared might be a bit too strong for the steelhead was perfectly portioned and a nice compliment. Scallops & Fried Polenta - I agree with JN. You WILL fight over this. The fried polenta was SO frickin tasty but the stand out for me was the brussels sprouts. I wish there were more and quietly sneaked the extra on the dish. (side note: why does it seem like all share platters come with uneven portions? The last three dinners i've had that were share-oriented left us in that inevitable moment of barter where you're coughing up your car keys and first born child for the last piece of the dish. Even portions! Even portions!) Foie Gras Rice Bowl - I could easily and contentedly live off this until the end of my days. A nice finish to the meal - plentiful portion and their home-made wasabi is killer. And this coming from the wasabi light weight... i'm usually not a big fan. For dessert, we couldn't decide so we ordered the entire menu. As you do. (Calm down, there's only three dishes) The dessert menu was funny - a lot of options that we couldn't fathom working together but did. Meringue & zulu custard with celery?! Yam & rice crisps?! Don't let it deter you! The first is a dish reminiscent of the good ol' lemon meringue and the celery was a surprising addition that cut some of the sweetness. The chocolate fritters with macha sauce - heed JN's warning and pop the whole thing in your mouth, or you too will be the comical woman (or gent) trying to scrape the contents of an oozing chocolate bomb off your plate. The stand out, HANDS DOWN, was the vanilla pudding with rice crisps & yam. Not too sweet, very light and fluffy. Perfect. It was so so so so so good that when my dinner partner excused herself to the bathroom, I ate the rest. As quickly as possible. Unapologetically. You snooze, you lose. All in all - this was a wonderful meal. I feel like the price point for the quality is on point. Our meal, with two drinks a piece, starting oysters, four share plates and THREE desserts came in at $150 total... we were actually a bit surprised. I've dropped that at a few Gastown haunts where the meal didn't come near the standard Pidgin has set. We left full without feeling heavy and spent the evening in good company, oohing and ahhing over everything that hit the table. This falls on my go-to list of places to try - an excellent splurge and treat yourself establishment! read more

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I just can't rave enough about PiDGiN. What a fantastic night out! Located in Gastown across from tiny Pigeon Park, this fantastic little spot has apparently become the focal point for major controversy as its housed in the first floor of a former SRO, and housing activists spent a good part of 2013 trying to shut it down. We knew nothing yet of this history when we arrived (until I researched things later) and PiDGiN proved to be a fantastic food and service experience, which may explain why they have been weathering the storm. Inside, an oasis of white subway tiles, glass, chalkboards, and really friendly and gregarious service. Simple, modern ambiance, but the food is really where things shine. Innovative, foodwise PiDGiN really nailed it across the board. Small plates are sometimes a struggle for me, but here the tastes are so elevated that its worth the smaller size, and here we left full and happy. For example, the mushrooms, sugar snap peas, egg, soy yuzu brown butter appetizer is a very rich, yet bright, fresh starter. The sashimi dishes sparkle, so order something raw. The halibut entree we ordered with cauliflower puree, pine nut raisin agrodulce was small, but meaty, and substantial despite its size. The generous vadouvan spiced lamb belly entree with smoky eggplant puree was a fatty, lush hit, with fatty belly skin that tasted like an even better curry-flavored version of bone marrow. A great meal and excellent cocktails. Desserts were mixed. While the caramelised banana napoleon, dulce de leche, coffee jelly dessert was a super sweet little item, it did not pair well with a tart matcha and chocolate opera cake, with alcohol-laden sour kirsch cherries. The banana dessert did pair wonderfully though with Japanese scotch (whiskey?) served with a substantial, spherical, homemade ice cube. Who knew the Japanese could precisely replicate Scotch down to its peaty nuances? The staff here is polished but also very friendly, with tons of personality, making this a really fun spot to enjoy some very tasty food. The crowd was lively, lots of cross-table chatter and excitement when food arrived and everyone seemed to be really enjoying the experience. The fact that this spot becaome embroiled as a symbol for anti-gentification efforts aside, this is a terrific spot with a very innovative menu, charming staff, and some pretty darn exciting ideas. read more

My coworker told me about a Travelzoo voucher for 2 to PiDGiN restaurant in Gastown so I decided to take NW there for his birthday last night. It was $66 for an 8-course tasting menu for 2 which I thought was a great deal! It was our first time here so I was looking forward to tasting their menu. I didn't know too much about the restaurant, just that it was Asian and French fusion. Our first 2 dishes of the set were the Oyster Shot and Daily Pickles. The oyster shot was very shocking but man, was it good! I've never had anything like it so it was a really interesting experience. There was basically a shucked oyster inside the shot glass, along with some horseradish and apple granita on top. It felt like a burst of wasabi and it went up my nose.. definitely woke me up! I really enjoyed it but I don't know if I could have more than one since I felt my stomach burning afterwards haha. The pickled carrots, cucumbers, and mushrooms were a nice appetizer as well. Next up on the menu, we had Smoked Taramasalata, Nori Paste, and Onsen Egg served with some grilled bread. This was another interesting dish -- you're supposed to mix everything together and use it as a sort of dip for the bread. Again, never had anything like it! I thought it was really tasty. It didn't look very appetizing once it was all mixed but all the flavours worked really well together. The taramasalata is a Greek dip made with cod roe and some grains or mashed potatoes, similar to hummus and it was savoury but not fishy. The sous-vide egg gave it a nice creaminess as well. We actually had a lot of leftover "sauce" on the plate and the waiter asked us if we wanted some more bread to go with it so we agreed! (Little did we know that they were going to charge us an extra $2 for it... ) Our fourth dish was Green Beans and Cauliflower with Homemade XO Sauce and Almonds. This was yet another yummy dish! The XO sauce gave it a nice oriental flair and the vegetables were crisp and flavourful. There were some lime leaves in it too, giving it some Southeast Asian flavours as well. Very simple but you could get a splice of the flavours from different cuisines, making it one of my favourite dishes here. Next up, we had Mushrooms, Snap Peas, Egg, and Soy Yuzu Brown Butter. I wasn't too fond of this one. The mushroom medley was alright but I didn't like the herbs on top and the green vegetable puree gave it a somewhat bitter taste. The egg seemed to be out of place too. However, we did like the soy yuzu brown butter. I loved all of the dishes so far but this one was a bit underwhelming to me. Finally, on to the entrees! Our first one was the Pan Seared Trout with Bonito Buttersauce and Swiss Chard. I was impressed with the portion size of this dish -- we each got one piece of trout. The fish was moist and flaky and I didn't encounter any bones or scales (hooray!) :) It was slightly on the bland side but the pickled swiss chard added some flavour to the dish. Dish number 7 was the highly anticipated Bavette Steak with Wakame Caponata and Smoked Black Tobiko. I love my meat, especially steak but unfortunately, I did not like this one! The beef was too chewy for my liking and I thought the flavour was off -- it had the flavour of BBQ chashu pork but on slices of chewy steak which was weird for me. I think that's what they were going for though with the whole fusion concept and this was NW's favourite! Our final dish of the set was their daily dessert, which was a Strawberry Pavlova. They lit a candle for his birthday which was nice :) Sadly, neither of us like meringue so we didn't really enjoy our dessert.. I liked the strawberries though! I find that a lot of fusion restaurants are hit or miss but this one was unlike any fusion restaurant I've been to. This was probably one of the most interesting dining experiences we've had and I'm really glad we were able to try their food. NW said the restaurant felt like an art gallery and each dish was artwork with all the different cuisines and flavours mingling with each other onto the plate just as an artist paints a picture on a canvas, allowing the diner to give their take on each dish (whoa..) I totally agree with him! It was great to witness such creativity on each dish. Sure, I didn't love everything but it was a very unique experience and I highly recommend giving it a try (especially the oyster shots)! Servers were very friendly and informative, giving us explanations of each item. Food - 8.5/10 (extra points for creativity) Service - 9/10 Ambience - 8.5/10 Value - 8/10 read more

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I think my friend wanted me to explode the night we went here. She really wanted to support this place for political reasons I won't get into. Also, we both just love good food. We started with a couple of mary ellen smiths (gin, carbonated sake, lime, cucumber juice) and didn't stop... The oyster shot with apple and horseradish was just insane. yummmm. I barely understand what the "dan dan" kohlrabi noodle salad was, but I fully comprehend its goodness. It was fantastic. A special dish the night we were there was the Cracklins' (pork belly with Asian vinaigrette with jalapeños). This was a huge highlight of the meal and would be a lovely addition to the menu. Both the chili lime peanuts and the humpback shrimp were misses, with the chili lime peanuts failing miserably. The humpback shrimp was an exercise in discord with a collection of decent ingredients having no reason to be plated together. A wonderful way to end things at this beautiful restaurant (which, by the way, offers stellar service) would have been the Ling cod with clams (with bacon dashi and fresh sweet corn velouté). This was a beautiful dish. Really brilliant flavor combinations and generous portion. Can you believe she still wanted more? We strolled to a tapas place and we discussed sardines for dessert. read more

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Although the food was presented beautifully on plates, the food itself was rather disappointing. Essentially Asian-Western fusion cuisine, the food lacked flair and substance. Here's a breakdown of their regular set menu ($55 per person): --Pickled vegetables: Tasted like a bunch of raw vegetables sitting in vinegar because that's exactly what this dish was. --Oyster shot: Cool concept, but the liquid tasted much too acidic and mustardy. --Blistered Chinese green beans: Green beans in a red Thai curry sauce; tasted great, but a very simple dish that can be made at home. --Mushrooms, snap peas, egg: Tasty, but if you've ever had a similar dish at a Chinese restaurant, this dish is underwhelming. Thrifty portion of stir fried mushrooms in Hoisin sauce. --Grilled squid: My second favourite dish of the night. The "exciting part" was supposed to the kimchi, but it didn't add anything special to the dish. --Trout: Winner of the night, buttery texture, cooked to perfection. --Bavette steak: Really tough piece of steak with a pretty looking beet puree on the side. --Chocolate cake: Not particularly memorable. This sounds like a lot of food, but the portions are petit, and we were *just* satiated by the end of the meal. Thanks for reading to the end, but I would really choose a different restaurant. read more

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I'm surprised of all the one-star reviews -- makes me wonder if there are ulterior motives at work. I've been to Pidgin twice now and I absolutely loved it both times. I get out to new, cool restaurants more often than most of my friends and Pidgin has stood out from all of the good spots I've checked out in the last few months. Food has been excellent both times. We did the tasting menu the first time we went and it was such a great experience. Not one of the nine dishes was disappointing and $55/per person really isn't that pricey relative to other restaurants of the same calibre. Service is above and beyond. We sat at the bar the second time and had a great time joking around and chatting with the bartender. Decor is great! Really, really like the inside of the place. Highly recommended! read more

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A fun place to dine and try out an assortment of asian fusion cuisine. They have a great drink list including some pretty tasty nonalcoholic cocktails too! I had the aunties high tea and it was very nice and refreshing cold drink that comes in a cute tea cup. Some of my favorite menu items ordered includes the foie gras rice bowl (very nice rich flavour and comes with a decent size of foie gras), scallop (refreshing chopped raw scallops with squid ink pearls), korean rice cake ( chewy little rice cakes with Bolognese sauce) and their sesame dessert (sesame ice cream dessert with a crispy wafer roll). Recommend coming here early or make sure you make a reservation as it fills up quick. read more

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Due to white folk, real Pigeon (aka Squab) was removed from the menu. Boo to that I say. I've now been a few times over the past year and PiDGiN remains consistent. on both food and service. Yes the area is still sketchy but they don't bite. Just don't make eye contact. I usually make reservations but I've never seen it packed so walk-ins should be easy. The menu stays fairly fixed with some seasonal changes. I wished they had more daily experiments featured. Here are the standouts: Half duck - signature. Done two ways the skin is crispy. Carrot cake 'sauce' is good pair Mushrooms with ramen egg and brown butter - Mushroom haters will change their mind Cured salmon (seasonal) - Never had salmon done this way, delicious Halibut (seasonal) - One of best preparations I've had Tuna w/ smoked yolk puree - Another display of well executed texture and balance Every server we had was genuinely personable and well experienced. Our 2nd visit we lucked out and got the chef's table. I haven't tried any cocktails but have heard good things. The only areas of improvement I see is to expand their craft beer offering besides P49 and to create better desserts. Otherwise, this is one of the very few 'fine' dining places I'd recommend. read more

PiDGiN - Tuna with some texture fun - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

So my friend visiting from SanDiego really wanted to eat here. With all the media surrounding it when it first opened, I booked marked it, but never had time to try it until now. The place is nice modern minimalist decor, not too big. We made a reservation for 7pm on a Tuesday night for 4 people. Our party was catching up chit chatting, and I realized its been sometime since our server came to say hello. Finally when he came to take our drink orders, the restaurant was now busy almost full. It took some time for our drinks to arrive and we ordered. We were told "the sharing nature of the place" that food wont come out all at the same time. I don't mind this at all, but was not expecting it. We started with oyster shots yummy probably my favourite thing we had it came with apple and horseradish, nice and refreshing not fishy at all. We ordered vandouvan spiced lamb belly with smoky eggplant puree and eggplant mostarda, I love lamb so this was my pick but the eggplant didn't go as well as I thought it would. Pork belly rich bowl came with Asian pear kimchi, bamboo and topped with quail egg, was pretty tasty on the salty side but having rice with it balanced it out and the pear kimchi was on point! Pan roasted halibut with cauliflower puree, pine nut raisin, the halibut was cooked to perfection the accompaniment was ok. Last was beef brisket topped with miso gorgonzola crust and beets, Im not beet fan but the richness of the brisket and gorgonzola went well with the beets. The drinks are yummy also pricey, we ordered Pimms and it was nice. Overall it was a good first experience, I expected a little better service but maybe it was an off night. The food was also either Amazing or just ok. read more

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Another wonderful experience at Pidgin. The service was top notch and the food was the best we've had. It's a wonderful balance of Asian and Western fusion cuisine. Every dish Chef Wes prepared were the inventive and delicious. read more

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Good food. Beautiful decor. Nice service. Hip clientele. Sketchy location but hey, it's by pigeon park in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, the bowels of canada. The residents don't bite. Just be gracious in your visit to the neighborhood as your ability to afford the price tag of this restaurant is miles above the abilities of the homeless who wander the surrounding streets. Asian inspired flavours. Tasty and well executed. But hard for me to say that they are outstanding since I grew up with the originals of some of the dishes, at much lower prices over in Chinatown. Pidgin is definitely worth trying however. I really enjoyed the: 1) braised pork belly on rice 2) foie gras rice bowl with daikon 3) roast duck done 2 ways 4) crispy chicken wings with hoisin sauce 5) warm kale and mushroom salad Everything is a small plate. So be prepared to order a lot of dishes to share amongst your group. We had ~ 12 dishes for 5 people so were able to leave with full stomachs. Give it a try! Be prepared for the prices however. read more

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5 stars for the foie gras unagi bowl. It's probably the best foie dish in Vancouver. And a rather good deal at $27. Mix it all together with the rice, soft daikon and it is a super satisfying dish. It'll be the reason I keep coming back here, so I hope they never change this dish. The oyster shots with granita feel sort of mandatory everytime I go here, but I think I might pass the next time. It was a bit too sour for my tastes. The cultivated mushrooms with ramen egg are a classic dish. It's good, but not something that I crave. Didn't really enjoy the sake sablefish entree. It was cooked fine, but the flavours just weren't there. Still an enjoyable evening, nice ambiance & decor. Attentive service. read more

Extraordinary. Thoughtful, well-crafted tasting menu, impeccable service, charming setting and music.

Pidgin is located in the outskirts of Gastown. Its in a gentrified part of town, and there are "interesting" people in the area. Let's just say the pretty glass frosting on the windows are strategically placed at eye level and more than just decor. However once you step inside the restaurant, it transforms into a very beautiful room with white modern decor. I found the service to be very genuinely friendly. There was no pretentiousness at all and our server did a great job at explaining the menu to us and making recommendations. The food here is meant to be served family style where the dishes are supposed to be on the smaller side. We ordered the Oyster Shooter, Smoked Taramasalata, Potato "Meitako Udon", Mushrooms, Chicken Wings, and Pork Belly Rice Bowl. I found the oyster shooter and the mushrooms to be the highlight of the night. The oyster shooter had a frozen slushy on top and was very refreshing and different from other places. The mushrooms were buttery and tasty, served with a nice Japanese-styled boiled egg. The pork belly is a pretty good value - it came with a nice big chunk of pork belly on top of rice with an apple "kimchi". The apple complemented the pork very well and I kind of wish that it came with more of the apple kimchi. This one dish on its own could have probably filled me up. The chicken wings, unfortunately, were a miss for me. I found them mediocre and nothing to cry home about. The night ended up with the Ginger Parfait, which is really ginger ice cream with cookie crumbs and grapefruit. It was a nice light dessert and a perfect ending to a great meal. I would come back here. read more

PiDGiN - Pork belly rice bowl - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I saw this reviewed on a Vancity Buzz (Daily Hive Article) on December 26th about top 10 eateries that look nice. I am always looking for eateries with nice ambiance. I came here right at 5 pm (maybe a few minutes after). I wanted to have my version of happy hour and dessert. The bartender from Germany was really nice and we had a good food conversation. The place was quiet when I arrived which was a good way to relax. He made me a really nice non alcoholic beverage. I allowed him to just get creative and let his imagination fly. I enjoyed watching him make drinks. He was nice enough to explain certain things to me since as a foodie I have a thing for constantly learning about food. I have been warned by others that the dessert menu does change and what someone had one time may not be the special this time. This was part of the whole fun of the experience. I had the black sesame parfait. If you like black sesame than you'll really like the dessert as there is a very prominent black sesame taste. Even against the vanilla base there was still a strong sesame taste. There were a few pieces of lychee that complemented the taste well. Price was market value for the genre and area. Great customer service all around. read more

PiDGiN - non alcoholic cocktail invented by the bartender that was refreshing. - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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A long overdue visit to this corner spot in the heart of Gastown. We sat across from the bar in the high booths. Pretty warm decor and the experience felt comfortable. For the meal we selected the daily pickles, grilled octopus, smoked ling cod, and pork belly rice bowl. Daily pickles: a mix of bok choy, cucumbers, and another vegetable I don't remember. It's really salty and hits hard. Grilled octopus: really tender and still chewy on texture, definitely taste the grill flavour but not much else. I had to really get at the romesco. Smoked ling cod: the bacon dashi velouté wasn't too overbearing, nice combination of lentils as well. Balanced but nothing stood out. Pork belly rice bowl: probably my favourite dish. It tasted like something coming from a legit Chinese restaurant. Healthy portion for the price. Anything else that you could recommend? It was good but nothing really blew me away. read more

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The acclaimed, award-winning, and previously controversial PiDGiN restaurant last month welcomed new Executive Chef Shin Suzuki into the fold. Suzuki has kept a handful of Pidgin's signature dishes while refining and tweaking a few others. I recommend the smoked boulevardier, monkfish liver, and raw scallops. The smaller plates are as satisfyingly edible as they are well presented. Pidgin offers a good mix of small plates and meaty entrées best enjoyed shared or family style in a sort of Asian fusion smörgåsbord. For starters, the spring salmon (with apple pistachio purée, ikura, and mustard tosazu) was dynamite. Its flavouring brought out and heightened all of the fish's natural tastes and then some. The well-cooked bavette steak (with miso mustard and wakame bok choy compote) was absolutely delicious and filling. Another indulgent dish was the lamb belly (with ume-rosemary vinaigrette and marinated eggplant) served messy and dripping in fatty tenderness. Finally, the table fawned over the duck (with spiced hazelnut, hibiscus glaze, and goat cheese) and its delectable marinate. It was a highlight among all the rich, substantial mains. Pidgin continues to innovate its global menu firmly placed at the intersection of the local dining scene. The eatery combines diverse culinary influences together splendidly in a casual meets fine dining experience now with Suzuki at the helm and behind the kitchen. read more

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Won't come back. Food is good, place is expensive, server has the need to be passive aggressive. Keep the attitude.

Great option for drinks and small plates but a good dinner option as well. This place is Asian fusion with a very robust cocktails and mocktail menu. (I'm pregnant so very appreciative of the non-alcoholic options). Online reservation is easy and text confirmation is nice for out of towners like myself that prefers not to talk on roaming. Menu is simple but seems to be seasonal which is exciting in my opinion. Food highlights: Shishito peppers were great starter. But be aware may be spicy for some. We also really like the Korean Chicken Wings. Breading is very interesting and love the sauce. Another great option was the Korean rice cake- it almost has a rigatoni Taste with rice cake texture. Overall, nice atmosphere, great food and drink menu. Parking is street but recommend to take public transportation or cab. I would say overall 4.5 out of 5 stars for me. read more

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First time here and I'll definitely be coming back! Was lucky enough to snag a reso on a Friday night. The foie gras bowl and the pork belly bowl were both fantastic. Ordered some other dishes and all were Perfect plates for sharing. Cocktails were superb and the service was more than I could ever ask for. read more

My partner took me here for my birthday dinner, and our experience was great. PiDGiN has the best Negroni I've ever had in Vancouver - and during happy hour (5-630, 1030-late), the price is very reasonable. Their ice was also of excellent quality - long lasting! If you think there's just one kind of ice for drinks, think again! http://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a14766/ice-in-cocktails-070512/ I will definitely be back. read more

PiDGiN - Vancouver's best Negroni IMO! - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

We got to sit right next to the kitchen window and see the food made! We went with the tasting menu which included so many dishes. We started off with an oyster shot which I enjoyed but if you aren't a fan of raw oysters then you may want to skip. The grilled asparagus was served with smoked mayo and it was great. The fried chicken wings should not be missed. The mushrooms with the ramen egg was a great vegetable dish. My favorite dish was the udon with the clams. This is a great restaurant! read more

Pidgin is located in the seedier side of town. You wouldn't want to be caught here after dark if you can help it. 2 couples and we paid $33 each for a TravelZoo promo. An 8 course dinner at Pidgin! Pretty good deal! Well they require a big tip as part of the dinner so the actual price was a bit higher. I think we ended up paying like close to $50 per person. Still the dinner was excellent! It's hard to describe but Pidgin's dishes are a little different. It's not your common steak and potatoes joint that you so easily find around town. Try it our for yourself. I especially like the oyster shooters, and the home made XO sauce. I'd come again for sure! read more

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Been to this place twice. Good food but UNATTENTIVE service Food is very good - interesting mix of french, korean and japanese fusion. But service seems to need some improvement. We had to wait "LONG" time to order - trying to make eye contact but two servers were too busy chatting with kitchen staff. Also during the meal I tried to ask for a spoon and still had to make extra effort to get them to my table - obviously disturbed the conversation on the table because I had to turn my body around to see if they even check the hall. read more

PiDGiN - Mushroom snap pea, egg - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This is hands down one of the BEST restaurants I have been in Canada! Simply the best Fois gras I had in my life (and I live in Quebec...)!

Solid place with a creative menu. Very COVID-conscious, for what it's worth. We ordered their tasting menu, which was a little small at 5-6 courses including dessert, but reasonably priced at $85 each. Executed well. Wine list doesn't break the bank, and the sake flight was interesting. Came on a slower night and service was prompt and attentive. My only comment is that it was somewhat cumbersome to serve a tasting menu on single plates with an expectation for diners to split/re-plate on sharing plates. Would have been nice to have two separate platings. read more

There's 1 page for food and the rest are all drinks on the menu and you know you can never go wrong at a place like that! Their drinks are phenomenal. The rotating duke's martini is extremely strong! There are some tasty unique creations in there too like the Siam sour which is a whiskey sour with some ginger. I tried the rabbit mortadella without knowing what it was. It was 50% rabbit and 50% pork and tasted like something from the deli section. For main, I had the duck. It was a good portion and it came with chickpeas. Very tasty. Service was fantastic. Everyone was knowledgable about the dishes. read more

PiDGiN - Rabbit mortadella - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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In general, Pidgin had a very romantic feel but the food took way to long. From sitting down at our table to paying, we spent at least 3 hours, probably more. The wait time between each course was at least 20 minutes, and it got to the point where we ordered dessert when our main dish arrived because we didn't want it to take any longer. The food is fusion. We ordered the beef tartare, fried duck wings, udon vongole, beef bavette, and the panna cotta. We enjoyed the beef bavette the most. Full review on my blog: https://sincerelyloewe.com/pidgin/ read more

Food was excellent and innovative. A special of crispy confit duck wings w spicy apricot sauce was a highlight. The pork belly was as unctuous and comforting as expected and the dan dan rutabaga noodles exceeded expectations. The cocktails were expertly crafted (be careful the Mary Ellen Smith is something you could drink 10 of easily) and the bar staff were lovely and friendly to chat with when they weren't busy. We were going to add the rabbit to our order, but the bartender told us it was fairly large and we'd be in food-coma territory. I love a place where they're honest instead of just letting us order the most expensive dish on the menu for a bigger bill. We weren't restrained, but didn't go OTT and spent about $55/person including two drinks each. We were celebrating, but I had actually expected a higher bill, so was pleasantly surprised at the relative affordability. Will definitely be back. Probably sooner than later. read more

PiDGiN - Oyster shooters and drinks - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Went to Pidgin to sample its extended dineout menu. It was pleasant overall. The service was good- they checked up on us regularly and made some recommendations. The dishes were shared servings. I thought the squid dish and the steak were the best tastes of the lot. The steak was tender and perfectly made. The other food was tasty as well but didn't stand out as much. The cocktails were satisfying. I had a Sazerac, which was strong and slowly sipped. We added on the gnocchi dish; it tasted good but didn't particularly stand out. Overall, the service and taste of the dining experience was quite good. I also appreciated the decor and welcome atmosphere of the restaurant. It's definitely worth a try if you haven't been here yet. read more

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The food was average. Portions were small. Not worth the prices. When I'm paying a certain price I expect a certain quality in the food and service. At the end of my dinner I noticed a small dead fly floating in the water. The waiter laughed it off and made a joke. Didn't even apologize. Horrible. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere read more