In a city spilling over with super-cheap and crazy-good sushi, everyone has a "Best Sushi in Vancouver" place to go. Sure, most people would agree that Tojo's, Blue Water Cafe, Miku and Minami take the lead in the higher-end sushi stakes but when it comes to hole-in-the-wall joints that deliver seriously good seafood at rock bottom prices, everyone has a naighbourhood favourite.
So we asked Eater readers where their go-to sushi joint is—and what's good there. In no particular order, here are the city's best budget sushi spots that deliver zingingly-fresh fish each and every time - at an affordable price.
Got a sushi recommendation that you want to add to the map? Let us know in the comments or drop us a line or leave a comment, or contact our 100% confidential Tipline.
The folk at @EastVillageVan say that this neighbourhood gem "has great reviews for the Love Boat and the Sushi Pizza." Sushi Pizza? Yup - it's a thing. Try one.
Joie Alvaro Kent has two Commercial Drive recommendations: If Kishimoto on The Drive is slammed (one of my favourite sushi spots in Vancouver), my local is Tatsu Bistro. Proudly Ocean Wise and only uses wild sockeye salmon, expertly trimmed sashimi, creative sushi rolls (fave: salmon Tataki roll with salmon and avocado, topped with tataki salmon, green onion, sesame seeds). Caters to Commercial Drive dietary idiosyncrasies with both brown and black rice available as well as low sodium and GF soy sauce.
A favourite of @wisemonkeysblog: 'Yuji was Shiro's right hand man(Shiro Okano, now retired - one of the city's best sushi chefs) have the $30 omakase.' His review here.
Eater photographer Alvin Lee recommends Ajisai: The space itself is almost frustratingly small but the quality and care given to each order is unsurpassed. The lack of any real kitchen items on the menu also shows their focus and dedication to sushi. Simply amazing.
Charles from Long Table Distillery loves: Shota in Kerrisdale for fresh, really good lunch specials for under $15, comfortable setting to eat in with graciously good service. Hey, you can also purchase their salad dressing to take home and it is phenomenal. A real West Side secret.
Recommended by @BMC604 'I am a big fan of the rolls. Philadelphia and Spider...my wife loves the veggie gyoza.' It's also recommended by Eater's Eagranie Yuh: Because it's cheap and cheerful. The caterpillar roll is cute, but the best is this mackerel-kelp roll with red rice. Oily, pickly, sweet."
Randy recommended Yanaki because: 'The sashimi is quite fresh tasting and my favourite roll is the alaskan which is really good. They have a large selection of rolls and their chicken karaage is boneless and not at all greasy. Plus, they're pretty inexpensive and two blocks from home...
Eater Photographer Robyn Hanson recommends Kaide because: 'They continually exceed my expectations with their high quality, friendly service, and good value. They just do sushi - nothing else. They use quality seafood, and even their tea is high quality... but I argue the have the best vegetarian sushi in the city. Try their Kaide garden roll— Seriously, I never order vegetarian sushi but it's ridiculously tasty! OK, it's not dirt-cheap but that extra dollar or two is worth it.'
Recommended by @WennoU: My fave spot is @tsukivancouver at Pender & Abbott. Great quality, value AND it's OceanWise.' Also loved by Eater's Kurtis Kolt who raves, "They roll things properly (ie-not too tight and pre-fab). The "spicy combo" of salmon, tuna and scallop is a favourite, and it's a ton of food. At $15, it usually feeds two of us. AND the staff are very cheery. AND there's a sharp little beer and wine list. AND it's across the street from our office. Way better than similarly priced stuff at T & T."
Jeff V recommends: Sushi Zero One on Pender. Reasonable prices for the quality you get. Top quality fish on rice make up their consistently good chirashi dons. Love it when they have uni or hamachi on special. Super friendly Japanese chefs and staff.
Brad's recommendation is: Bella Sushi for me; I like the sashimi / sushi / Asian salad and their sushi pizza is unique. The rolls and other dishes have flavour without drowning in mayo.
Recommended by Amy W (and also Eater editor Nikki Bayley) this hole in the wall sushi spot near English Bay offers excellent value with 16 pieces for $6.75. Also great habit of putting crunchy tempura pieces in everything.
The folk at @EastVillageVan say that this neighbourhood gem "has great reviews for the Love Boat and the Sushi Pizza." Sushi Pizza? Yup - it's a thing. Try one.
Joie Alvaro Kent has two Commercial Drive recommendations: If Kishimoto on The Drive is slammed (one of my favourite sushi spots in Vancouver), my local is Tatsu Bistro. Proudly Ocean Wise and only uses wild sockeye salmon, expertly trimmed sashimi, creative sushi rolls (fave: salmon Tataki roll with salmon and avocado, topped with tataki salmon, green onion, sesame seeds). Caters to Commercial Drive dietary idiosyncrasies with both brown and black rice available as well as low sodium and GF soy sauce.
A favourite of @wisemonkeysblog: 'Yuji was Shiro's right hand man(Shiro Okano, now retired - one of the city's best sushi chefs) have the $30 omakase.' His review here.
Eater photographer Alvin Lee recommends Ajisai: The space itself is almost frustratingly small but the quality and care given to each order is unsurpassed. The lack of any real kitchen items on the menu also shows their focus and dedication to sushi. Simply amazing.
Charles from Long Table Distillery loves: Shota in Kerrisdale for fresh, really good lunch specials for under $15, comfortable setting to eat in with graciously good service. Hey, you can also purchase their salad dressing to take home and it is phenomenal. A real West Side secret.
Recommended by @BMC604 'I am a big fan of the rolls. Philadelphia and Spider...my wife loves the veggie gyoza.' It's also recommended by Eater's Eagranie Yuh: Because it's cheap and cheerful. The caterpillar roll is cute, but the best is this mackerel-kelp roll with red rice. Oily, pickly, sweet."
Randy recommended Yanaki because: 'The sashimi is quite fresh tasting and my favourite roll is the alaskan which is really good. They have a large selection of rolls and their chicken karaage is boneless and not at all greasy. Plus, they're pretty inexpensive and two blocks from home...
Eater Photographer Robyn Hanson recommends Kaide because: 'They continually exceed my expectations with their high quality, friendly service, and good value. They just do sushi - nothing else. They use quality seafood, and even their tea is high quality... but I argue the have the best vegetarian sushi in the city. Try their Kaide garden roll— Seriously, I never order vegetarian sushi but it's ridiculously tasty! OK, it's not dirt-cheap but that extra dollar or two is worth it.'
Recommended by @WennoU: My fave spot is @tsukivancouver at Pender & Abbott. Great quality, value AND it's OceanWise.' Also loved by Eater's Kurtis Kolt who raves, "They roll things properly (ie-not too tight and pre-fab). The "spicy combo" of salmon, tuna and scallop is a favourite, and it's a ton of food. At $15, it usually feeds two of us. AND the staff are very cheery. AND there's a sharp little beer and wine list. AND it's across the street from our office. Way better than similarly priced stuff at T & T."
Jeff V recommends: Sushi Zero One on Pender. Reasonable prices for the quality you get. Top quality fish on rice make up their consistently good chirashi dons. Love it when they have uni or hamachi on special. Super friendly Japanese chefs and staff.
Brad's recommendation is: Bella Sushi for me; I like the sashimi / sushi / Asian salad and their sushi pizza is unique. The rolls and other dishes have flavour without drowning in mayo.
Recommended by Amy W (and also Eater editor Nikki Bayley) this hole in the wall sushi spot near English Bay offers excellent value with 16 pieces for $6.75. Also great habit of putting crunchy tempura pieces in everything.
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