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    Zakkushi on Denman

    4.2 (285 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Zakkushi on Denman Reservations

    Zakkushi on Denman Photos

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    ZAKKUSHI ON DENMAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Combo yakitori
    Sum H.

    Really good yakitori restaurant!! A reservation is highly recommended as this place is popular at the tourist destination near Robson street. Upon calling the restaurant, 3 of us were able to reserve a spot for 1 1/2hour right after opening at dinner time. Thank you for the accommodation. We ordered variety of yakitori chicken, beef, pork and vegetables. All were delicious. Wow after wow I could tell the ingredients were carefully prepared. The meat were tender and flavorful with just simple spices or teriyaki sauce. Chicken thigh with teriyaki sauce, pork wrapped garlic spears and oregon beef were my favorite. No wonder this place has been here for a long time. Their food is simple yet extremely good. This place deserves an applaud.

    Febjourney S.

    Zakkushi is one of those places that reminds you why simple food done well is so satisfying. Every skewer we ordered was grilled with care, juicy on the inside and lightly charred on the outside, with seasoning that let the ingredients shine instead of overpowering them. The asparagus wrapped in pork was a standout, perfectly balanced and comforting, and the beef skewers with a squeeze of lemon were rich but clean in flavor. What really made the experience enjoyable was the consistency. Nothing felt rushed or sloppy, from the food to the pacing of the service. The atmosphere is cozy and lively without being overwhelming, making it a great spot for a relaxed dinner or sharing plates with friends. If you enjoy yakitori that feels thoughtful and well executed rather than flashy, this is a place you will want to come back to.

    Kristofer E.

    Great yakitori and dishes. Best thing was this tofu yakitori and mushrooms actually. Dinner * Tofu yakitori (Excellent) * Mushroom yakitori (Excellent) * Chicken skin (Excellent) * Garlic beef (Very good)

    kinako mochi ice cream, matcha ice cream, matcha ice cream dorayaki
    Isabel C.

    I don't know why or how I've never been to Zakkushi until now. This is the closest I have had to yakitori in Japan without having to fly there and I have to say everything about this place was really great - from service, to food, to drinks, to dessert. We made a reservation on the day of and upon arrival, a server immediately came to explain how ordering works. I liked that the menu had a picture of everything so I could order what appealed to me visually. The food was all really good!!! The skewers were grilled perfectly especially the beef. We ordered the premium set which featured wagyu, beef tongue, and lamb chop. I did not try the lamb as I don't prefer it but my friend said it was very well seasoned and grilled. Needless to say they cleaned it to the bone. My favourite had to be the quail eggs wrapped in pork belly and the scallops....what a delicious heavenly combo. My friends and I were also pleasantly surprised by the mentaiko udon - definitely one of the best ones in Vancouver. In addition, the oden broth was absolutely healing...I'm still thinking about the aroma and warmth as I write this review. Finally a drumroll for the dessert....I think we were just really happy with the food so we went all out and ordered all the desserts. They were all standard and great but the kinako mochi ice cream was the best! We also ordered a few round of drinks. I love the choices as they are all the typical Japanese yakitori cocktails. The servers were very attentive and came to clear plates and even did plate changes throughout the night. For everything we ordered and drank, I expected a heavy bill to finish off the night ($80/pp after tip). However, we did order heavily and I don't think an average meal would cost this much. It was an expensive dinner but in my opinion, flying to Japan to eat this would cost way more...so I count my blessings. I will definitely be back soon when I'm craving yakitori!

    Shuang W.

    I think this one tasted better than the toronto locations(idk why since they r a chain), it also was very cozy just like a small Japanese izakaya. We went there after a big event and we were dodging crowds, it wasn't very busy too but we waited for a long long long time for our food, everyone who came after us got their stuff already. After I complained they sent the food quickly, and apologized again and again.

    Darryl M.

    This was an amazing experience. My wife introduced me to yaki tori for the first time. Amazing. The Blue Fin Tuna and the Scallop sashimi were spot on. Great atmosphere. This was one of the best dining experiences I've had

    Mental Udon carbonara
    Naly S.

    PHENOMENAL. Mouth watering GOODNESS. My partner and I were in VYR and walking past this restaurant on our way to another restaurant nearby, we took a photo of the signage outside to check out the next day. We stopped in without a reservation and were seated promptly into a table. There are about 4-5 tables, with more single seating at the bar area. You're greeted when you walk in and out, and things are brought out to you hot and fast! We ordered a few things just to try as a snack and not overindulge in case we weren't a fan... when I tell you everything we ordered we just were awe struck over how succulent, supple, flavorful every item was.. we wanted to order so much more but we're full from a previous spot. We probably ordered half of the menu of yakiyori available. We loved it SO much that we actually made a reservation for two days later which was our last night in VYR, just to eat the REST of the menu options before we left back for home. The waitress on our second day asked if this was our first time and we were both sheepish in our response "this is our second time.. our first time was 2 night ago" hahah! She was so shocked she bursted into laughter and was so happy we liked the food there. We tried the chef specials like the mental carbonara udon, wagyu beef sous vide in kelp, and their melon soda gin drink. Heavenly. I even went home and bought things to try to replicate the drink to no avail sadly haha. I can't pinpoint a single thing that wasn't delicious. I especially enjoyed the chicken gizzards and hearts. I can't wait to come back and get to relive this entire meal experience again, I'm drooling just thinking about it! I wish I could give more stars!!!

    Denise W.

    Zakkushi used to be my go to restaurant when I was working in Vancouver downtown and living in the area. The food still tasted the same as I remembered. There are definitely a lot more choices compared to before. We ordered a bunch of stuff to share (for two people): 2 Zakkushi Set 1 Chicken Liver 2 Garlic beef 2 Negi Tongue 2 Cha-shu Yakioni 1 Sockeye Salmon Sashimi 1 Chicken Karaage 1 Hamachi Tartar Also note that by checking in on Yelp we got two free appetizers: Kurage and Takowasabi. Everything was very delicious. B also got a Yuzi Beer which he never had before. The bill with tips and taxes came to $130. The food was good but it seems like they are not as good as before. I do prefer this location more than the main street one. I will need to try the Toronto location to find out if it is better (which I have passed by multiple times and never got a chance to dine in). The sashimi was very fresh. The Cha-shu yakioni was my least favorite. I didn't like the burnt rice taste. Service has definitely been better than what it was before. The place seems to be less busy compared to the past. Overall, B and I really enjoyed the food and will definitely be back.

    Oden. This was good.
    Clement R.

    So we wanted to try something we haven't had before and this place is sort of a bucket list item. After doing some research and we found out it's a short (but steep) walk, we made a reservation. Trust me, you want to make a reservation. The restaurant is located in a vibrant neighbourhood and the restaurant has lots of good energy that makes it quite lively. We sat down and started to glance over their menu. We ordered a bunch of stuff and it came in a steady pace not long after. The oden came out first and the broth is flavourful. Then the real goodies came along after. I highly recommend the pork skewers in general as it has more flavour to it. The other skewers are also good. But this place has good amounts of ambiance. It is very lively! Lots of people having a good time. And when we ordered our second round, the service team collected our old utensils and gave us new ones. I love the level of details for service.

    Kevin P.

    Parking is a nightmare. There are NO parking nearby and the 5 available spots in front are generally taken by the employees. Prepare to park at least 5-6 blocks away. Our wagyu was the basic type of wagyu, no true marbelling and was a bit dry. Kobe beef was very lacking in any flavor. Stick to their premium beef option, it's worth the extra $3 over the regular beef. Z

    Special set
    Nida N.

    I love Yakitori so much. I have been there many times. Good service ever. This place reminds me when I used to live in Japan

    Soup!
    Michael S.

    OVERALL: 9.2/10 (Yelp Converted Score: 4.6/5). Ingredient quality is good (better than a certain izakaya place in Seattle). My partners thoughts: - Wasn't over seasoned - felt very true to japanese cuisine. - Chicken ball was really good! My thoughts: I can't think of a dish I didn't like. The beef tongue was so addicting I was debating on ordering more. VERDICT: This place is legit. You gotta come here! 1) VARIETY/SELECTION: 8.5/10. The only "gripe" about this place was it's lack of variety. It's quintessentially a skewers place - but it has some ramen options, and some sushi options. And some sake options... Now, don't get me wrong, their daily specials menu was amazing, and we ended up ordering some of our food from there, but the fact that all of the menus were all over the place, it was really hard to pin down "what was good here". For someone like me, with an appreciation of Japanese izakaya, I would at least have some idea of what to order, but if I was brand-new to this genre of food, I'd be overwhelmed by the options, and not even know where to begin. 2) FRESHNESS: 9.5/10. I think the foie gras was the highlight, bar-none, but every dish had it's own memorable flavours. The -0.5 stars would honestly only come from the fact that the uni we ordered was previously frozen. Besides that, it was AWESOME. 3) VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10. For two hungry people who came in expecting to eat - it came out to $164 CAD - which is $125 USD - after tax and before tip. Wow, what a good meal. Not the cheapest in Vancouver by any stretch, but given the vibe, the cost, and the portion size, this place is definitely fair. 4) SERVICE: 9/10. I was impressed at how fast they came by to pick up empty dishes and provide things like more water/tea. I was slightly concerned at the lack of organization with regards to how to "tetris" the table to accommodate new dishes, but with a little bit of work, we got everything on the table, so no harm, no foul. 5) CONSISTENCY / FIRST IMPRESSION: 10/10. Definitely the best part about this place - they honour reservations! I called them ahead of my 5pm reservation that I was running late (thanks America), and they held our table (until 7pm). We arrived at 6:30pm, were quickly seated, able to quickly order, served quickly, ate, and promptly left by 7:05pm. This place was fantastic!

    Assorted 5 Kinds Oden $9.9 Chef's Choice
    Kathy P.

    The skewers were WELL DONE! The charcoal grilled skewers at Zakkushi on Denman were grilled perfectly and tasted flavourful. We had a fantastic time eating giant scallops and beef tongue. There are no minimum orders for any of the skewers. I wish we had ordered single skewers to have more variety. How many skewers can you eat? On the table: 2. Zakkushi Set 5 skewers $15 Momo (Teriyaki), Umeshiso yaki, Mé maki, P-toro and Oropon beef 23. Norimayo Tsukune 1 skewer $3.5 Boiled chicken meatballs w/ seaweed & terimayo 9. P-Toro 1 skewer $3.4 Crunchy & juicy pork 29. Beef Tongue 1 skewer $3.4 34. Okra 1 skewer $2.6 Okra w/ soy sauce & bonito flakes 35. Giant Scallop 1 skewer $8 Giant scallop w/ soy sauce & butter 37. Shishamo 1 skewer $3 Shishimo fish w/ spicy mayo 54. Kurage $5.2 Jellyfish w/ imitation shark fin in sesame oil sauce 55. Ika Mentai $5.8 Cod roe marinated raw squid 71. Aburi Shime Saba $14 Lightly seared pickled mackerel 81. Assorted 5 Kinds Oden $9.9 Chef's Choice Tip: Do not recommend for large groups.

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    25 days ago

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    Page 1 of 8

    Zakkushi on Denman Reviews in Other Languages

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    Guu with Garlic

    Guu with Garlic

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    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.

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    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!
    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
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    Saku

    Saku

    4.5
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    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.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
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    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8
    (44 reviews)
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    I went here for a special occasion dinner. Reservations are highly recommended because they are…read morevery small - 12 diners per sitting and 2 sittings per night. I made reservations about 4 months in advance. Upon arrival, one of the hostesses opened the door for us, and asked us to wait in a very ornate waiting area. We only waited a couple of minutes before another hostess seated us at the main seating area. The space is very dark, and only lit with candles while the rest of the diners trickled in. During that time they take drink orders, which is limited to sake, wine, beer and a few non-alcoholic drinks. Of note, they don't provide a drink menu, so we were a little surprised by the cost - the yuzu sake and the plum wine were $30 each. My non-alcoholic drink was $12, but a fair size. The theatrical portion started a few minutes later than the official start time - closer to 6pm. The shades lifted, the lights turned on, and the chefs introduced themselves. And from that moment on, they immediately went to work preparing our meal. They operate like clockwork to show the ingredients whole to the diners, and then preparing them, and serving them. Soon as the one dish was completed by all the diners, the next round came shortly after. Over 20+ dishes, there was very little wait time in between each. Each time a dish was served, a hostess was there to describe the dish and provided tips on how best to eat it. The food was overall was very good. I thought a few items were very average, most of them were very good, and a select few were truly outstanding. Most of the ingredients are imported from Japan, so I would imagine that it's part of the reason it's so expensive. This is definitely a splurge meal. I think half the diners at our sitting was celebrating a birthday. On the most part, the food is very good, watching the chefs at work is part of the entertainment, and the service is excellent. It's not some place I could afford to go to often, but glad to do it at least this one time.

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

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    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
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    Guu Original Thurlow

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1
    (841 reviews)
    1.1 km
    $$

    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!).

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Fried pork belly
    Fried pork belly
    Eel with rice

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    Eel with rice
    Shizen Ya

    Shizen Ya

    4.3
    (620 reviews)
    1.4 km
    $$

    What a wonderful find here in Vancouver. We had such a fantastic meal and truly enjoyed every…read moresingle bite. The food was presented beautifully, especially the crispy tempura, which was perfectly seasoned and light. The quality of everything we ordered was impressive. We were particularly fond of the rolls served on the dark ceramic plates. It was such a relaxing atmosphere to spend an evening in, and we will definitely be back again soon.

    1 star -- Extremely disappointing service…read more The service was absolutely unacceptable. The female server was extremely rude, arrogant, and completely unwelcoming toward us. She did not smile, barely spoke to us, and when we said "thank you," she simply put the food on the table in silence. What was especially disturbing was the obvious difference in the way she treated us compared with guests at another table. She was smiling, talking, and being friendly with them, while showing us a completely different attitude. We felt singled out and discriminated against, and it made us very uncomfortable. In all the many years my family and I have lived in Vancouver, this was the worst and most disgusting restaurant service experience we have ever had. The prices are also quite high compared with other sushi cafés, but there was nothing special about the experience to justify paying that much--especially with such poor service. High prices do not excuse disrespectful treatment of customers. We will definitely not return, and I would not recommend this place to anyone who expects basic courtesy and respectful service.

    Photos
    Inside the restaurant
    Inside the restaurant
    Sockeye salmon sashimi 5 piece
    Sockeye salmon sashimi 5 piece
    View of restaurant

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    View of restaurant

    Zakkushi on Denman - japanese - Updated August 2026

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