Tokyo Katsu-Sand

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3 years ago

I've passed Tokyo Katsu-Sand so many times when I'm on the Granville Mall downtown. Never really gave it any attention until I saw an IG post from an influencer who was visiting Vancouver from out of town. https://youtu.be/GDP_uBsvH6g She highly recommended the fish sandwich or Fish-Katsu. Gosh it absolutely did not disappoint & I should have ordered another one! The taste of this sandwich was so delicious, I couldn't chew it fast enough. The cabbage, tartar sauce & fish-katsu sauce are delightful together. This food truck is located right at Canada Line subway station - Vancouver Centre Station - main entrance on Georgia at Granville. You'll notice it when you come up the escalator & turn right onto the Granville Mall. Basically it's right near Nordstrom. I don't know if I'll bother with the other sandwich options cause I just love the Fish-Katsu that much. It's a very small simple sandwich. Nothing really fancy to it at all, but the taste utterly rocks. So glad I tried it & I can't wait to go back! read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Outside Nordstrom - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Menu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Fish-Katsu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Denise W.

558

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3 years ago

I always wanted to try Tokyo Katsu-Sand. They showed up at the BCIT Food Truck Festival. The first time I saw them around was at the Taiwanese Bubble Tea festival. I got the gyu-katsu sandwich. I found the sandwich a bit small and for the price, it was pretty expensive. $16 after tax. Don't get me wrong. It was tasty. I found it nothing wow. The beef was cut in a certain way that it remained as one piece to make it easier to season. The gyu katsu is their more popular sandwich. However, it doesn't come with any lettuce or anything other than the beef and sauce. The bread was nothing special. It was basically thin regular bread. It does take them about 10 mins to make the sandwich. In terms of the way they serve it, it was presented to me nicely and the box was made to perfectly fit the sando inside. Not a bad sandwich but it was just pretty pricy. read more

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Jonathan S.

87

302

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3 years ago

Street food culture in Van is not as notable as other PNW cities, but Tokyo Katsu-Sand should absolutely be a stop you frequent. I highly recommend arriving earlier in the lunch hour, since they normally run out of several options by the afternoon. Because of this, I decided upon one of the owner's recommendations, the shrimp sando. The wait is usually minimal, depending on how many people are in front of you. Fewer than 10 minutes seems to be normal, so grab a beverage ahead of time and sit on a bench and people watch as you wait. Once your meal is ready, the team will package it in an adorable container, and I'd recommend popping over to the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza to eat. There's normally a farmer's market there to enjoy as well. I will be back. Love this! read more

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Amy T.

671

1565

2617

5 years ago

Love this food truck addition to Vancouver downtown. The sandwiches are smaller so some might feel as if they are too expensive, but it's packed with flavor. My favorite is the strip loin and it's served medium rare. Tender, juicy and just bloody enough for me. read more

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Sandy Y.

44

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5 years ago

Tokyo Katsu-sand serves great Japanese Katsu Sandwiches (deep-fried cutlet sandwiches) from their food truck in the heart of Vancouver Downtown. We got their ton-katsu sando (deep-fried pork cutlet) and their ebi-katsu sando (deep-fried shrimp cutlet). We preferred the taste of the ebi-katsu sando. It had a good balance of their homemade tartar sauce with the shrimp. It was a very light sandwich and very flavourful. Tokyo Katsu-sand's food truck is usually located outside the Vancouver City Centre Skytrain station between the Nordstrom and Pacific Centre. It's very convenient! Food: Can Try! Service: Food Truck Service Kids: A-OK for kids. Price: less than $15 for a sando Presentation: Parking: metered parking on the street Tips: would be a great snack before shopping. has a hint of wasabi mayo in their homemade tartar sauce. If you're not a fan of spicy food, you would want to leave it out. recommended to be eaten right away; otherwise, the texture will be different. Would I Return: Maybe read more

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Aerica W.

39

198

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5 years ago

Food truck located currently at Howe Street and Dunsmuir Street in downtown Vancouver. I'd definitely recommend eating them fresh, as the bread does get soggy quickly and the meat will get tougher to chew. Ranges from about ~$13-15 per sandwich depending on which one you get. The sandwiches are slightly too big for the plastic containers, so the corners are held down by tape - be careful removing it so the lid doesn't fall off. Ebi-Katsu: Deep-fried shrimp cutlet w/ shredded cabbage. Love their egg salad (aka homemade tartar sauce as written on their menu), which is not too creamy and is super tasty. Egg salad also has a hint of wasabi mayo, and some red peppers in it. Comes with 3 pieces of shrimp. My second favourite sandwich after the Fish-Katsu. Fish-Katsu: HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE. Deep-fried halibut cutlet w/ shredded cabbage and egg salad as well. Generous portion of fish, nice and flaky but not dry at all. Chicken-Katsu: deep fried chicken cutlet. It's very similar to the ton-katsu (deep fried pork cutlet) - but the ton-katsu is thicker/meatier. The toast is spread with a mustard mayo mix. Ton-Katsu: see above (similar to Chicken-Katsu) Gyu-Katsu: deep-fried AAA strip loin beef cutlet. Very impressively large hunk of meat, that is medium rare and slightly pink on the inside. Honestly it was a bit too meaty and a tad bit dry for me personally as this is the only sandwich without vegetables (cabbage), and I'm just not a fan of a meat overload. Comes with wasabi mayo as well. read more

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LuFei L.

184

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6 years ago

Been wanting to try this for awhile but the sandwiches were just okay. They tasted great, but not exceptional given the steep price even though it's a food truck. It's not as tender as the sandwiches from Dosanko and the bread is quite thin. Nevertheless, it's a convenient option for katsu sandwiches. I didn't know there was wasabi in the sandwich and that definitely ruined my experience because I can't handle spicy foods. I guess it's my own fault for not reading the menu more clearly (I'm not entirely sure it's on there). There's not a lot of options on the menu anyway. The staff were friendly. The preparation time was very quick. I probably won't deliberately visit again though, but maybe if I'm hungry and already nearby. read more

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Veronica V.

14

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5 years ago

I tried the pork katsu sando yesterday and thought it was pretty good! I really enjoyed the shredded cabbage drizzled with the two sauces. The pork was very juicy and ridiculously thick. I thought the amount of sauce was perfect. I appreciated that it was not greasy or tough to chew. I actually liked the thin bread because I'd rather fill up the limited space in my stomach with the pork katsu and the shredded cabbage than bread! But in terms of flavour, no, the bread wasn't special, it was just a thin covering acting as the vessel to get the massive amount of meat to your mouth lol. As for the price - I thought for the enormous amount of meat you get, the price was fair. I'm always a little suspect when food is too cheap - it makes me wonder what kind of quality I'm eating. So I'm ok with paying $13 for a massive sandwich that quite frankly was the equivalent of 1.5 sandwiches. read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Pork katsu sando - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - The menu board - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Paula C.

139

900

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5 years ago

I've had plenty of sandwiches in my life and these Katsu Sando from Tokyo Katsu-Sand sure brings it to a whole new level! In my recent visit I ordered the Gyu-Katsu + Chicken Katsu. Absolutely enjoyed both protein options! They were both cooked perfectly! Don't be scared off by the rawness of the beef. It is actually cooked just enough for you to enjoy the tenderness of the meat! I've ordered this a few times and remains to be my favourite!! Aside from the meat, the sauce in the sandwich is really what makes it unique! It has a delicious tang that compliments the fried Katsu extremely well and cuts down the heaviness. And unbelievably they make all this in a food truck!! read more

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Kevin M.

Elite 25

178

76

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5 years ago

If you haven't tried this place I highly recommend you to give it a shot. I ordered the beef, pork and chicken sandwich. If I have to rank them I will order the chicken again and then the beef then the pork. I felt the chicken sandwich overall taste and balance was amazing. However the beef sandwich it's missing a little bit more sauce and vegetables. If you just eat the beef sandwich itself you will feel there is no nutritious value. It is like eating giant delicious Italian meat ball with two pieces of bread top and bottom. I also felt they can add a little bit more horseradish or wasabi Mayo to their sauce. The pork was good but I felt like you can order at any Tonkatsu restaurant. What amaze me the most was I had to carry the food from Vancouver to coquitlam. It was around 40min skytrain ride. Buddy the sandwich was still warm! That deserves a recognition. It wasn't soggy. The textures as still there. I was pretty impressed. read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Chicken katsu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Gyo katsu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Pork katsu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Iris L.

110

3

2

5 years ago

Ordered the Gyu-Katsu, it's so good. Personally I like the rare texture of the meat, as that's how I usually like for my steaks. So it's actually perfect for me. They have a sign posted up if people don't like to have it rare, they can choose fish or chicken, those are fully cooked. But for people who like to eat rare, definitely need to go try it out. read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Guy-Katsu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Sunny C.

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4 years ago

Got 2 gyu-katsu sandos very soon after we ordered it. There was a really delicious mustard or wasabi sauce on it. It had a bit of a kick to it. Service was excellent. He asked if it's okay fi the beef loin is medium rare because it would be pink. He packed it in a box and taped it to make sure the lid would not fall off. Super thoughtful. Would definitely come back to this truck when I am in Downtown Vancouver again. read more

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Gloria M.

13

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5 years ago

Came here to grab a sandwich for lunch on a Friday. There was only one other person before me so the wait was only about 5 minutes. Ordered the gyu-katsu (beef) sandwich which came to $15.70 after tax. I really liked the beef and the sauce since it was soft and very flavorful. But with that being said, I did find the sandwich to be on the smaller side (though still filling) for me. Overall I'll rate taste a 4/5 and price a 3/5, giving it an average of 3.5/5 (rounded up to a 4/5). read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Gyu-katsu ($15.70 after tax) - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Justin K.

Elite 22

192

173

572

6 years ago

Great concept but a lack lustre start for Tokyo Katsu-Sand. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, I definitely heard the buzz about this food truck and was excited to try a katsu sandwich (katsu sando). Unfortunately, Vancouver's food truck scene is pretty expensive and the quality did not meet expectations. The bread was rather thin and was just a piece of toast that anyone could buy from the grocery store. The meat was a nice serving of beef, but unfortunately for me, it was quite overpowered by the wasabi mayo (which I did not like at all). If this was clearly listed as an ingredient, I would have asked to have it removed. I wish the menu was more clear about what's inside each sandwich. Overall, a bit overpriced for a $15 sandwich which is essentially two pieces of bread and some meat drenched in wasabi mayo. Great for the 'gram but not sure if I would go back again. read more

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Ao S.

1

73

43

6 years ago

Tokyo Katsu-Sand is a new Japanese food truck right at the exit of Vancouver City Centre station. "Katsu-sands" are Japanese specialty deep-fried cutlet sandwiches. I ordered the Gyu-Katsu which was made with AAA strip loin steak according to their menu. The cost was around $15, which is a little pricy for a sandwich, but it is a 'steak' sandwich so understandable. Pros: The steak was cooked to a perfect rare condition, was very juicy and tender. The breading was crunchy and a good ratio to meat. Cons: Bread/toasts were thin, I would prefer a thicker cut to go with the steak. Some places in Japan would cut the crusts too, I'd prefer that as well. I found the wasabi mayo to be overpowering the steak. I don't think it's necessary at all. They sold out of the Gyu-katsu the first time I visit (around 3 pm) so your best bet is to visit earlier. I visited again on a rainy weekday later and was able to order it. read more

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Selina C.

Elite 25

208

504

3600

5 years ago

AMAZING FOOD TRUCK ALERT. This food truck is right outside of Vancouver city centre in downtown, and lets just say its one of the best food trucks in downtown Vancouver that I've tried so far. They have a nice variety of different unique sandwiches that are made fresh to order. * Gyu-Katsu ($14.95) ~ this was stunning, it has a bright red centre with wasabi mixed mayo. The mayo and Gyu-Katsu sauce was a great mix. I do wish the meat was more seasoned as the sauce is the only flavour from it. * Ebi-Katsu ($13.95) ~ this was delicious, the tempura is perfectly crispy and cooked. It tastes super good with their homemade tartar sauce. Paprika is a Nice subtle kick to it. * Ton-Katsu ($13.75) ~ I really liked this, the pork cutlet was perfectly crispy and tender, and that mustard mixed mayo was chef kiss with the Ton-Katsu sauce. * Fish-Katsu ($13.95) ~ This was my favourite one. The halibut was so tender, and soft and perfectly cooked. The tartar and homemade fish-katsu sauce was so good! I'd come back just for this! * Chicken-Katsu ($13.25) ~ oh this was another favourite. The chicken was super tender, and juicy with the perfectly crisp exterior the mayo and sauce was the perfect amount and it tasted super delicious with the fresh cabbage. * 8/10 ~ 100% recommend the fish, chicken and the ton-katsu, the rest were ok la. But the three really stood out with the perfect consistency and flavours. * 8/10 ~ its a pretty decent price for the sandwiches they are filling too. Its fresh and worth it for on the go lunches. * Thank you for having us * Disclosure: #Media read more

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Jordan V.

Elite 23

58

585

133

4 years ago

Yummy sandwhiches! The katsu sauce and the mustard mayo have pops of flavour. We had the chicken katsu at the Cloverdale Food Truck Wars. The sandwiches were good, but I guess they rant out of slaw because the sandwiches we got had none. They didn't give us any warning that the sandwiches would be missing half the filling. That was quite disappointing/ read more

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Shelley W.

78

15

14

6 years ago

Zero stars if that was an option. I wasn't looking to leave a review initially. Just wanted a follow-up after feedback. The cashier touched my sandwich with her bare hands. She did not wash her hands, and did not wear gloves, even took payments from other customers, contacting all the high-touch points. I left a comment on their instagram page, and instead of responding, or acknowledging the issue, they deleted my comment, then blocked me after I called them out. Probably the worst customer service for a Japanese business, or whatever nationality/ culture they are. An absolute disgrace. The sandwiches are overpriced. Moreover, I did not eat it because of the improper food prep. I ordered the Ebi-Katsu, which is $13.95 on the menu, but somehow I was charged about $16. Would not recommend unless you want to get sick! read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Blocked me after I replied about them deleting my comment. Great customer service. I reported them to VCH - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Left a feedback before they had yelp. They did not respond and deleted my comment. - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Ebi-Katsu. Menu says $13.95, but I paid around $16. Cashier said that I get a free drink, but I guess she charged me for it based on total.. - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Tiffany G.

0

2

0

4 years ago

Had these sandwiches for the first time at the Cherry Blossom Festival at Van Dusen Gardens. The one star is not for the taste, they were delicious, but for the incredible incompetence of the food truck admin for making customers wait 3 HOURS for their sandwiches without advising them that is what they were letting us in for. After a wait in a long line of over one hour, when we thought we would finally be given our sandwiches, we were instead given a number and made to wait. I was given #29. There were at that point, 46 orders ahead of me as they were working on number 43 of 60, and my number was for the NEXT 60 orders. I waited with my number for almost 2 hours to get the sandwich. By the time I picked it up, were were all starving and people were coming to the front to ask for refunds. The Katsu-Sand sandwich setup relies on freshly made sandwiches, made one at a time, and is not conducive to a huge festival crowd. One person was manning the till and only ONE heroic food service worker was making the sandwiches for hundreds of orders (props to him, on his feet for hours and hours). Each hungry customer was ordering multiple sandwiches. After waiting in line, people were standing around in a crowd for over an hour waiting for their number to be called, completely disrupting their enjoyment of the festival. I know it hijacked the festival experience we had waited for a long time. Katsu-Sand should have anticipated this and had a better set-up or not participated in this festival event. Regardless of the quality of their sandwiches, my partner has vowed to never visit their establishment again. read more

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Andrew M.

Elite 24

229

637

3110

5 years ago

Came here to try the gyu katsu, ebi katsu and ton katsu. Overall, they are okay to try. The gyu katsu is the best from the others. The ebi katsu is just needed to be more and cover all the sandwich. The ton katsu is just quite tasteless. The ebi and ton katsu are quite messy to eat though. The bread is just not right to eat like this; I don't know but it was just not nice. Nevertheless, I need to go back and try the fish and the chicken katsu so I can give you guys a headsup what to eat here and try. I recommend this place to try only! read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Gyu, ebi, ton katsu - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Will C.

7

55

38

5 years ago

Try this food truck for the first time. I tried the pork Katsu sandwich. It was good with the sauce and cabbage but it was nothing special. 7.5/10 I would try it again but would rush to come back. read more

Tokyo Katsu-Sand - Pork Katsu sandwich - Food Trucks Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Natalie S.

878

12

13

5 years ago

Absolutely delicious!! The perfect mid-day snack/meal as we were visiting Vancouver. It is in a prime location so it was not hard to find :)

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Jim S.

0

63

0

5 years ago

Have your napkins ready! Your hands will get messy! I've had the opportunity to have the fish katsu and ton katsu sando. Both of these were top notch. The fish is halibut which is always a good sign as far as I'm concerned. Generous helping of cabbage and tartar sauce, all served up on white toast. Mom's tuna sandwich has nothing on this! The ton katsu was perfectly fried and full of flavour. A good handful of cabbage, katsu sauce and mayo with a bit of spicy mustard for kick. White toast again, because it wouldn't be very Japanese if it was served on a whole grain artisanal bread would it? Service is fast and friendly. You'll never wait long as they do fry ahead. Never too much that it's cold or dry though! I can't wait to go back for a gyu katsu sando next time! read more

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Peter C.

Elite 21

24

148

102

6 years ago

What a great addition to the downtown food cart scene. It's a bit pricey but I'm willing to pay a bit extra for the novelty of these Tokyo-styled sandwiches. The steak was my favourite, then the ebi one. The pork is okay, I haven't tried the chicken as of this review. One sandwich is a good portion, two is even better. read more

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優人

0

1

0

5 years ago

It's amazing! I think this katsu sand is the best in Vancouver! I want to repeat right now! read more

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Olivia P.

0

14

16

6 years ago

Easy access as it's located right outside London Drugs on Granville Street. Sandwich was great and fuss free! Juicy beef and just the right amount of sauce. There's wasabi mayo in it though so if you're not a fan of wasabi, would suggest to leave it out! read more

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Yui K.

0

1

0

6 years ago

I tried 4 kind of sandwiches and love all of them! Personally,I recommend Gyu-Katsu which is so juicy and soooo soft !! I'm really happy that I can get real Katsu-sand at Vancouver ! read more

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Ella N.

0

44

6

5 years ago

Consistency seems to be a problem. This is my second time here , the first time the gyukatsu sandwich was very good. Cooked nicely not over done. Today I went again for another gyukatsu sando and it was terrible. Not sure if they changed to a different quality of beef or something but the meat was tough and over cooked. $17 for a sandwich that was basically a piece of meat with Mayo on white bread, and it was super disappointing to boot. I won't be coming back to roll the dice again. read more

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More info about Tokyo Katsu-Sand

725 W Georgia St
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K8
Canada
Downtown
Directions
Visit Website
https://tokyokatsusand.ca

Full menu

Hours

What time does Tokyo Katsu-Sand open?

Tokyo Katsu-Sand opens at 11:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Tokyo Katsu-Sand close?

Tokyo Katsu-Sand closes at 6:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does Tokyo Katsu-Sand serve alcohol?

Yes, Tokyo Katsu-Sand serves alcohol.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Tokyo Katsu-Sand have parking?

Yes, Tokyo Katsu-Sand has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Tokyo Katsu-Sand have free WiFi?

Yes, Tokyo Katsu-Sand has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

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Kingyo

This was my first time at this Japanese restaurant, and the atmosphere and food were fantastic! The…read moreprices were reasonable, and the service was incredibly warm and friendly. I highly recommend it! I'll definitely come back next time and bring my friends to try other dishes on the menu.

The food here tastes great; the dishes look fantastic, and the service is very friendly. The only…read moredownside is that the wait is a bit long,

Bamboo divider along community table

Beef tongue

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Anniversary menu course #2 - omakase 3 kinds appetizers

Miku

Vancouver truly lives up to its reputation as a food paradise in Western Canada, with a diverse…read morearray of culinary delights. If you're ever in Vancouver, you absolutely can't miss Miku, the Japanese restaurant next to Canada Place! This restaurant is incredibly popular, often requiring a wait, so reservations are highly recommended. This time, I managed to book a window seat a week in advance for the weekend! The renowned Miku restaurant undoubtedly boasts a beautiful view from its windows, excellent service, and of course, delicious food. Their seared sushi is particularly famous. From appetizers to main courses to desserts, the dining experience was very enjoyable. Their signature dessert, Green Tea Opera, is highly recommended!

The food here isn't traditional Japanese cuisine but leans more towards fusion. We ordered…read morewaterfront platter, pan-seared Hokkaido scallops, soft-shell crab, salmon oshi sushi, and saba oshi sushi. The two aburi sushi, their signature dishes, didn't disappoint. The sashimi was also very fresh and sweet. Except for the soft-shell crab, which got a bit greasy towards the end, everything else suited my taste. I also really liked their cocktails! The strawberry martini was sweet and refreshing, perfect for spring. I'd definitely come back next time.

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

Inside the restaurant

Spicy edamame (CAD $8)

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Guu with Garlic

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.

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

The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura

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Una-Meshi

Saku

First time at this Japanese restaurant, and it was really great!…read more Signature Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Rosu Katsu $27 This time I was smarter and ordered the cut with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The moment I bit into it, it was bursting with juice! The meat was incredibly thick but not dry at all, and the outer skin was crispy like snowflakes. The first bite was amazing; I've never had such a delicious pork cutlet in Shanghai. Curry Pork Cutlet Rosu Curry $29.5 My friend ordered the curry pork cutlet today, and it was surprisingly excellent! The curry flavor was incredibly rich and full-bodied. Wrapped in the crispy pork cutlet and eaten with rice, it was pure carb bliss! Freshly Ground Sesame Powder I have to praise their freshly ground sesame powder; the aroma of the sesame seeds you grinded yourself was a real highlight. * With lemon salt: Refreshing and original, a perfect way to cut through the richness! * With barbecue sauce: Mixed with sesame powder, the flavors develop layer by layer. With two flavors to choose from, it's really hard to stop! I'll definitely come back to try it again next time.

We had a great meal here celebrating our 25th 1st anniversary…read more and reminiscing the great katsu dishes we had in Japan just a few months ago. We both ordered the Tokujyu Rosu Katsu. The crust was light and crispy and tte pork loin pieces have the perfect balance of fat and lean meat. How was it perfect? Every bit I took had a good portion of juicy fat. The lean meat was tender and moist as well. The whole meal was mouth watering bite after bite. Rice, miso soup, and cabbage came with unlimited refill. I was planning on requesting a second serving of cabbage but I was full at the end. The dipping sauce for the katsu was a little too tard for me though so I could only dap my katsu pieces very very lightly in it so I wasn't able to experience the full flavour of the sauce. However, I was able to savour the flavour of the pork loin itself. It was a lovely meal. The staff was very helpful, professional and friendly as well. The restaurant decor is modern, airy, comfortable, and inviting.

Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad

Inside

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Zenbu katsu

Tendon Kohaku

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.

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Okeya Kyujiro

4.8

(44 reviews)

0.7 km

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 waiting 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 of 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. Every time a dish was served, a hostess was there to describe the dish in Japanese and English, and provided tips on how best to eat it. The food was overall was very good. I though a few items were very average, most of them were very good, and a select few were truly outstanding. Most if the ingredients are imported from Japan, so I would imagine that it's part of the reason it's quite 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.

Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.

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

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A5 wagyu sukiyaki

Guu Original Thurlow

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!

I came here for dinner on a weeknight with two foodie friends of mine. Said friends lived in Japan…read morefor over a decade and they've dined here often in the past, saying it's very "authentic" Izakaya and it reminds them of their past life in Japan (which they miss a lot). Me, I know nothing about Izakaya or what is or isn't authentic Japanese cuisine, so this review is coming from someone with zero knowledge or expectation of any specific foods or experiences. Despite it being a weeknight, the place was packed. It was good that we had a reservation. There was a couple in line before me and they were walk-ins, and there were no available seats for them. I noted how small this place was, and crowded, with the tables close together and a long bar with a counter and barstools there (also close together). Our reserved table was right by the front door - literally, - so every time the door opened, we got a gust of cold air (and it was a cold February night when we were there). I kept my coat on. Truth be known, I was not very comfortable. Also, it was loud. Very loud. I like how the staff shout Japanese greetings to diners whenever they enter but between the frequent shouts and the sheer volume of chatter from all the diners, all sitting close together in close proximity, it was kinda hard to hear what my friends were saying during our dinner. That said, the environment was super vibrant and, again, my friends said this was very typical of an Izakaya in Japan. Food-wise, I have no idea what my friends ordered. The menu was primarily available by way of a QR code and I had no idea what the dishes were, so I deferred to my friends' knowledge. But I can attest that all the dishes were DELICIOUS. We had some sort of Japanese street food "pancakes" (they were wonderful). We had some sort of stirfry beef with noodles (amazing). We had two types of sashimi (omg both were so fresh and so so good!). We had a few other dishes that I can't recall, but I remember I loved them. So.... the food here was GREAT. Service was also attentive which I hadn't expected, being as busy as the restaurant was. I really liked this place but I'll probably go back in the summertime when the weather is nicer as I was cold there, and I'd dine at an off-time, when the volume wasn't so loud. (I'm too old for the loudness!).

Fried pork belly

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Eel with rice

Hello Nori

Yummy, but pretty pricey. Hand rolls are some of my favorite foods to indulge on every once in a…read morewhile, and this spot delivers exactly what you'd expect from one of these spots. Everyone sits at the bar, and they serve you each course one by one so the seaweed stays crisp and fresh. I got the 5 piece set, along with the salmon aburi. This was the perfect amount of food, and I liked how everything tasted so fresh. The salmon aburi was torched perfectly and was so buttery and smokey. Highly recommend that one! Amongst the hand rolls, my favorites were the scallop and truffle lobster. I've never had anything like the lobster one before, and the truffle flavor enhanced it so perfectly without being overwhelming. That piece along gives this 5 stars. Service was fast and efficient! We only had to wait around 5 minutes to be seated.

Love hello Nori- Delicious hand rolls, and wonderful…read moreexperience and service! I always get 6 hand rolls- try each one. It definitely is a wonderful dine in experience!

Salmon oshi ($8) and ebi oshi ($8)

Interiors - seating area

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Wagyu handroll

Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba

Casual lunch, friendly staff and tasty food. Was coming…read moreafter lunch time, so there are many seats available and food was quick served too

Came just for the icecream…read more We were greeted at the door and sat at a table with an tablet to browse the menu and order. Some of the dishes looked good but we were ultimately too full from eating earlier. The Hokkaido icecream came in a cup, a good size for 1 person. The icecream itself was milky and creamy, we really enjoyed it. The interior was open, clean, and decorated.

Environment of the shop floor

Mentiako

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Mentiako

Shizen Ya

Great sushi was recommended another place that was super busy and didn't look half as nice. I ate…read morethere anyway and was underwhelmed. Shiver ya was just all around much better.

I love coming here because the ambiance is so serene. Healthy, organic, with vegan options…read more Everything is always fresh. I like that they use brown rice as most sushi places don't.

Sockeye salmon sashimi 5 piece

Inside the restaurant

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View of restaurant

Revolver

This coffee shop is a must! They do an amazing job dialling the beans they are using to get the…read moreoptimum taste!

Every time I walk into Revolver, my blood pressure lowers instantly. There's magic mix of languid…read moremusic, coffee smells, and foliage (sit window-side and admire the trees). I'm a sucker for a good multi-roaster cafe, and Revolver is a fantastic one. They serve up beans from all over, and they do it right, thanks to staff with eyes (and noses) for detail. Barista Soho and I chatted about NYC[1], and he told me La Cabra has a bakery there[2]. Savored a lovely pourover from Toronto[3], served hot. That very same day, I returned and had a decaf espresso that slapped[4]. Ample seating. A fair bit of natural light somehow makes it into the shop. Good for a date, coworking (especially in their next door "Archive" space), catching up with friends AND discovering coffee from around the world. Find this shop in Gastown, a short walk from the SeaBus station. [1] Yes, his name was Soho. Not SoHo. [2] Saved for my next trip to the East Village. [3] Saw Dak on the menu, but I'll be in Amsterdam sooner rather than later... [4] No idea what it was. Besides, the menu'll change before I find out[5]. [5] I love footnotes!

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Palate Kitchen

Definitely one of the best happy hour deals in downtown! Almost all appetizers and most cocktails…read moreare half price, making the food under $10 and cocktails around $6 each. The quality was surprisingly good for the price. Our server, Leo, was friendly, attentive, and very helpful throughout the meal. The interior has a beautiful vintage, classic vibe that's perfect for taking photos. Great spot for drinks, snacks, and catching up with friends!

This restaurant is housed in a very cool space that feels both historic and timeless - I loved the…read moreincredibly high ceilings and feeling of openness. My husband chose the Saffron Salmon for his dinner entree, and I ordered the Lamb Tagine and a side of sautéed veggies. Lamb was the clear winner. It was butter-tender and came with a silky, savory sauce. The sauce was dotted with tender prunes that added a nice flavor contrast. The sautéed veggies had a nice variety and even sported a few Kalamata olives which were a welcome surprise. In contrast, my husband's salmon was a bit disappointing since it was over cooked and dry. The saffron cream sauce, while good, was sparse. Servers were cordial and super-efficient. 5 stars for the service. Overall 4 stars for the food (lamb 5+, 4 for the veggies, with the salmon trailing at 2.5).

We are at DT for business and needed brunch , so here is our pick.

French Toast

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Saffron Butter Salmon

Duffin's Donuts

Last night we came by to order their 10 PC Frito fried chicken ($25.99), large fries ($4.89),…read moregravy ($2.19) and donuts ($2.05) each.Their spicy chicken was mild in the spice department, very juicy and with the exception of their wings, each piece was enormous in size!! Between the 3 of us we ate only 6 pieces and took the remaining 4 pieces home. The fries were piping hot, crisp and fluffy inside, the gravy was very flavourful too. All round this trio was excellent in quality, quantity and value. The chicken here is only second to LA Chicken in Richmond. Verdict 5/5 Their have quite a huge menu of food items including pork & veggies spring rolls and bunble teas too. You can easily get a complete meal here for under $10 /person if you are judicious in your choices. They have racks of daily made donuts of all kinds including scones and a cake slices of sorts, prepared boxed variety of donut holes and donuts. The quality of their fried donuts are very light, pillowy and well filled. I find their cream filled donuts tend to taste like an Edible oil product than real whipped cream. But then what would you expect for a donut that costs $2.05 each? My favorite is their cinnamon crunch donut usually. Verdict on their donuts 4.5/5 since we have tried all their variations over the many years we have visited. The service was well organized at the front counter and we'll coordinated with the kitchen. The ambiance is quiet with many tables available for dine in or take out. Cash and cards accepted. Parking is available in front.

2pc chicken + fries, a donut, and small hot chocolate for $12. There's a variety of donut flavor…read moreand it's pretty good. Crunchy on the outside. The fries are on the larger side and the fried chicken is decent at best for the price. I think I would just get the donut next time though.

11/26/22 Vanilla Cake Donut

Fried chicken

11/26/22 Glazed Cruller

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Steamworks

Bartender - 5 stars Beer - 4 stars…read moreFood - didn't try Ambiance - 4 stars - average noise Nice place to hang out. Enjoyed chatting g with the bartender.

The food and atmosphere here are excellent, but be cautious of the wait staff…read more My friend and I initially planned to order one beer each with our meal. Our server suggested that, because it was happy hour, a pitcher would be cheaper and save us money. I specifically asked how many ounces the pitcher was and was told 32 oz, which sounded reasonable since we planned to get 15 oz beers. When the pitcher arrived, it was clearly 64 oz. The server apologized for the mistake, and I let it go, thinking we didn't have to drink it all. However, when the bill arrived, the price didn't match the quote. We were charged $25, not the $20 we were originally told when the 64-oz pitcher showed up, with the explanation that the regular price was $35 and that we had "saved" money. In the end, we were served twice the beer we wanted and paid twice what we intended, based on information that kept changing. Whether this was incompetence or intentional, it left me feeling frustrated and uncomfortable. The food and atmosphere really were great -- but the experience was overshadowed by feeling manipulated. Enjoy the food and beer, but pay close attention to what the wait staff tells you and what ends up on the bill.

Poutine

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Salted chocolate porter

Lee's Donuts

During my vacation in Vancouver, Lee's Donuts was on my list of must try spots. I had a tour that…read morestopped at Granville Island Market, so I was happy to find out there was a Lee's Donuts there. As much as I wanted to try several flavors, I had to tell myself to order just one because there were other desserts at the market I wanted to try. I decided to go with the Honey Dip donut. It looks like a regular glazed donut, but there was something special about it. It was really, really good. The donut was incredibly soft, and the dough had a dense, chewy texture that I really enjoyed. It reminded me of a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donut, but bigger and less sweet. It was such a great treat, and I'm glad I finally got to try it.

I stopped by Lee's Donuts on Granville Island and tried the honey donut. They're located in the…read morePublic Market by a secondary entrance door. Tried one of the honey flavored donuts. Not cheap by any stretch of the imagination but that thang was damn good. Soft, fresh, and sweet. It hit exactly like a treat should after walking around the area. Customer service was nice, quick, and straightforward. I just grabbed one since I had already eaten lunch, but honestly I wanted more. I had to stop myself. If you're in the area, treat yo self!!!! Unless you're feeding an army cause really, $35 CAD for a dozen donuts is crazy.

Butter crunch

Honey dip

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Honey dip (glazed donut)

Mello

When I was visiting the city for work, my close friend wanted to take me here to taste their…read moredoughnuts. As I love desserts, I was so excited to see Chinatown and visit this place for the first time. This place was located in an area that would be best to walk with a friend or a small group- I was not quite prepared to see and experience what was going on all around. Finally, we made it there and were glad to order some doughnuts. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by the sweet smell of doughnuts and the two friendly staff. Everything looked so good, so narrowing down our pick was very hard! At the end, we ordered two flavours- Matcha and Tiramisu. The matcha doughnut was soft and the filling was light yet full of matcha flavour that one would expect, I loved every bite! My friend had the tiramisu doughnut and she said that she enjoyed the fluffy texture of the dough and the creamy filling- it felt like eating tiramisu in a doughnut form. If you love simple yet high quality ingredients, this place is the perfect place to get your sweet cravings fixed!

These donuts are delicious. Nicely well-risen dough and very light, airy cream. We got a…read morestrawberry cream donut and I have no complaints. I could see some people balking at the $6 price, but I consider these a special treat. The location itself leaves something to be desired since it feels like it is under construction except for the pastry counter. No furniture and the floors look unfinished. Definitely not a place to hang out. Brendan's Rating: 3.0 Charlotte's Rating: 3.0 Shanying's Rating: 3.0 Winston's Rating: 4.0

Nutella + Old Fashioned

Chocolate Peanut Dipped

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Donuts

The Lobster Man

Great food. Worth trying for the lobster roll…read more Very tasty. Fast and friendly service

I stopped by The Lobster Man while exploring Granville Island Public Market…read more It's a small spot with no real place to eat inside, so plan on grabbing your food and finding a seat somewhere around the market. Service was kinda blah, they said the words but weren't friendly like teens forced to do something (I don't think they were teens btw). I ordered the warm lobster roll and a prawn cocktail. Unfortunately, the lobster roll was a letdown. It wasn't very warm, the lobster itself didn't have much flavor, tasted off and the whole sandwich was just kind of dry. Thank goodness I also ordered the prawn cocktail because it saved the meal. It wasn't anything fancy, but the prawns were a good size and gave me something I actually halfway enjoyed. Overall, I didn't have the experience I was looking forward to.