Went here another time before COVID hit and even then the bento boxes were limited to just takeout. I also got a bunch of frozen items to stock up (which was a good call since restaurants all shut down a couple of days later). Again, the items are quite pricey, but you can tell that the meals are made with care and they taste like authentic japanese home cooking. They also make me feel really healthy, which is always a plus. Bento Box (5/5) This bento box was literally amazing, and I could not have been happier with my meal. The bento of the day was tofu isobe, which was basically tofu, carrot and daikon wrapped in deep fried seaweed. In essence, it was a sushi roll without rice. The taste was unique, and was very light and refreshing despite the seaweed, which was not oily at all. There was one slice of sweet potato, which was good, and there was also some sort of vegan fish cake which was absolutely delicious. There were some other accompaniments, like shredded carrot and burdock, which were good, but nothing mind-blowing. The bento also came with brown rice and some sort of japanese plum thing which I didn't like. Yam and Black Bean Zucchini Loaf (5/5) This is probably my favourite frozen item from them to date. This was similar, but the better, upgraded version of the Yam and Black Bean Loaf I got last time. This loaf tasted wonderful. The flavours are mild, but unique. It has quinoa, yam puree and black beans, and I think the zucchini was a thin pureed layer on top? I'm not too sure where the zucchini was (I'm slightly confused but it was tasty so it's all good). It was a tad mushy, but that's probably because it was frozen and the ice inside melted. I really enjoyed this. Kabocha Gratin (5/5) This had the same filling as the kabocha croquettes that I last time except it doesn't have the breadcrumbs and it has quinoa in it. Other than that, it still has the chickpeas and pumpkin puree with a thin crust on top. Again, the flavours were mild but it tasted really comforting. Kabocha Croquettes (3.5/5) These croquettes were different from last time, in that they tasted nothing like pumpkin. Instead, it tasted like tomato sauce, and the inside was reddish-orange. It has like one chickpea and one red kidney bean inside, and some dried tomatoes. It probably has pumpkin puree to hold the whole thing together, but you just can't taste it. It's not bad, but it's not the kabocha croquette that I loved last time. Misleading advertising! Vegan Gyoza (3.5/5) These would have been perfect, except there was something in the filling that tasted like cilantro and I hate cilantro (or whatever that herb was). These gyozas are huge, and have a generous amount of filling, which consisted of lentils and spring onions. The dumpling wrapper was great as well. It's just a shame about the cilantro. Chickpea and Millet Nuggets (3.5/5) This was an interesting take on a chicken nugget. Obviously the filling was soft and mushy on the inside, but the flavour was decent, though pretty mild like most of their other items. The breadcrumbs were not as crispy as I would have liked them to be, and the outer layer was hard and crunchy (not in a good way). Overall, it was okay, but I probably won't be getting them again. Tempeh Chili (3/5) This was a little disappointing. The tomato sauce was a little acidic, perhaps due to it being a frozen item. The taste was too strong and overpowering, and left a strange taste in my mouth afterwards. There was no tempeh in it and I feel cheated. The eggplants and mushrooms in the chili tasted weird and not fresh (I know it was made a while ago but still), and I would not get this item again. Garbanzo Stroganoff (3/5) This was also rather disappointing. The sauce tasted weird (not sure if it's because it was frozen), and the mushrooms tasted weird. Note to self: don't buy frozen items with mushrooms, eggplants, or tomatoes in them. It came with chickpeas, carrots, celery and mushrooms. Again, it was just okay, and I would not get this item again. read more

This place is sooooooo adorable! They sell fresh produce, dry goods, sauces etc and all types of cute handmade things like unique slippers handmade by Japanese seniors. They also have a vegan menu that you can eat in or take out. I tried the rainbow wrap, it was honestly SOOOO delicious. The sauce they make and put in it...so fresh and flavourful. Plus all the veggies in the wrap were organic and the wrap itself was gluten free and house made. I can't wait to try everything else on the menu. The owner and employees are so friendly. Such a cute place, I love it here. read more

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Amazing place. Vegetables are fresh and decor was absolutely adorable. The owners are kind and welcoming. Had the daily bento special, which was a bowl with some patties, pickled vegetables, gomae, brown rice, quinoa, and more. It came with a bowl of the best miso soup I ever had- the secret is apparently that they make it with a splash of soy milk. Everything was tasty and blew me away. Especially the spicy mayo sauce on top of the bowl... That was something else. I will definitely be back for more food and produce! read more

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Just want to thank hiroko-san the owner for her great work and passion for healthy natural eating. She is such a friendly and informative lady. She was happy to educate us with her tips and tricks. My girlfriend and I commute from richmond to purchase some of their products. We especially love their handmade natto (japanese fermented soy beans) and eggs that are hand picked from 60 or so happy chickens at a local farm. They also make snacks and lunches there which are all such high quality with very generous portions. We're happy to find such a gem at their new location. Strongly recommend for anyone who is looking for a grocery store that has your health in mind first! read more

Tama Organic Life - Vegan bento! - Organic Stores Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Thanks to Larry, ended up finding this place and you could call this your 'hole-in-the-wall' organic mini produce mart. Located on the backside (armpit) of the Ethical Kitchen, this place can definitely be hard to find. I had no idea where I was going, but the map led me here, and I walked around and eventually found it. If you find the Ethical Kitchen, it's there, off to the left side and a little door guides you into this warm cozy place. When you enter, and if there are people ordering food, you maybe in for a roadblock of people at the doorway. This place is tiny, cramped, has a small kitchen that they cook up soba noodles in the front, with the cash register, and extends in an elongated way, the store is long for what it is, and they make use of every space they have available. The Japanese lady has a great happy smile to her, and greets everyone who comes through the door. For the size, you will be amazed how much stuff is crammed in here. Many items are labeled in both English and Japanese, as this store is definitely tailored to the Japanese crowd, she did mistake my dear for a Japanese person, as her eyes were wide open, and you could see excitement in her head from coming in to see they serve soba noodles here. We did try the noodles here, and brought back the plates, and they even asked for her name. We definitely will come back, based on the warm hospitality and the food served here, it is a hidden gem, and if you don't see it, you wouldn't believe it. read more

Tama Organic, Ethical Kitchen and Van Soba have a natural and healthy working relationship. When I am able to make my way across three cities to get here for the Bento Box, I don't ask what is in it. I just order and know that it will be wholesome, healthy and delicious. I crave this food and the fact it's all organic and vegan is a big plus. Don't forget to have the soba. Both are around $15 and it takes some time to get it ready to serve before you can eat. It is very much well worth the wait. Here patience is truly a virtue. Healthy Japanese food at its best. More people should learn about macrobiotic foods read more

Tama Organic Life - Organic vegan macrobiotic bento - Organic Stores Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Wow... I've lived within walking distance for more than half a year and I wish I knew sooner that they served vegan Japanese lunch!!!! I will definitely be a regular here!!! This place is the bomb. Go support this local shop and their delicious nutritious food ! read more

Tama Organic Life - Organic Stores Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I came for lunch and ordered the large bento box ($17++). Reasonable portion, with lots of different dishes, mostly cold, different than most Japanese places. The main dish in there was a squash dish that was tasty. Very healthy options -- low oil, low salt, low fat. I don't dig the organic thing -- it ain't healthier, nor is it more environmentally-friendly, so I don't like paying a premium for no benefit. But despite this gripe, the meal was tasty. read more

Amazing! Worth the trip! Delicious and the most nutritionally dense food!! Excellent value! Your body will thank you for it. Also charming Japanese customer service! Thank you read more

Lately I've been drawn to hole in the wall places as they proved to be treasures to me. This was a treasure that I was drawn to. It's small, menu was of decent size. I loved the mini grocery store. Customer service was awesome. It was nice to eat somewhere and not have to worry about dietary restrictions. read more

Discovered this place after visiting the farmer's market and was blown away by the quality AND quantity of products this little store has! I've been looking for alternatives to the likes of T&T for so long, but gave up on ever finding an east Asian (let alone specifically Japanese) grocer that carried local, organic, and fair trade goods. The owner, Hiroko, is as friendly and knowledgeable as it gets, and I can't wait to come back to try more stuff... as well as one of the amazing-looking bento boxes! She also is very anti-plastic, so if you come in with your own containers she will happily fill them and reuse the baggies. read more

The vegan bento was an amazing collection of flavors and textures which was completely unique. The ladies serving lunch were super friendly and we had a pleasant conversation about Japanese food. After finishing lunch, I bought some apples from their collection of local, organic produce. read more

Tama Organic Life - Vegan bento box, fantastic! - Organic Stores Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Nice little organic cafe. Lots of macrobiotic and vegetarian dishes. Good tea. Lots of Japanese food supplies. Quality, attentiveness, local produce. The owner is very friendly and sweet. read more

Been here approximately seven times, usually for lunch. Bought dried beans and seeds also. Service and prepared food is very good and price is $$$$$. They have some very unique and interesting products for sale. Unfortunately, one was a dried up expensive specialty lotion. They also took over a month to obtain one of the specialty enzymes, so I canceled. The store has a musty-humid atmosphere because most of the store is healthy organic produce. There are magazines to read that aren't usually seen in stores. Think of this place as a "health food" store without the pills. They have their own organic Natto, which is very hard to find. read more

I was looking for a vegan eatery near PNE and found Tama. Tama is a small and cozy place - Sit down and eat on a picnic bench and get to know your fellow neighbour - I had the Nato burger bento box while my little one snacked on sugar peas. Both of us enjoyed the food (she picked away at my bento box too). I especially liked the produce. You can sit down to eat and then buy the necessities (i.e. fruit, veggies, teas and raw chocolate). read more

The staffs were very friendly. I had reserved a bento box the day before and went to pick it up, along with an amazing homemade amazake rice pudding, which I was allowed to try on the spot. The $10 vegetarian box was good, and made with local, organic ingredients. This store also sells quite a few selections of local produces as well as fish, chicken and Japanese products. read more

Tama is the place to go when you're looking for healthy, not to mention authentic Japanese vegetables and plants (like shiso!) and really great service. The staff remember you well and offer free samples of food too. If you don't live in North Vancouver it can be a bit of a trip but it's well worth it. read more