My heart still lives in my Bachan and Jichan’s kitchen in Vancouver on Friday nights where I could be content forever devouring heaping bowls of rice, nimono, little plates of fish and pickles, and drinking tea with the grownups until way past other kids’ bedtimes. When I go home to visit now, I’m lucky that my mom still makes my favorite foods and also there are so many more Japanese restaurants in our city than there were when I was little. Here are some places we go to now with our family for Japanese food in Vancouver and I wish we could go up to visit more often.
Motonobu Udon
I have only eaten at Motonobu Udon with my mom and I first spotted this place fly by my window when I passed it on the way to a bakery I adore called Chez Christophe. Motonobu Udon can get really busy and you might have a wait. I don’t think they have reservations yet. I’ve been tempted to take out but they have a different menu for takeout than eat in-mostly curries and if I’m town I like to eat that at my moms. The udon here is handmade and you can get it hot or cold and with a zillion different toppings and styles. And you must get a side of inari if you visit here too. And there are vegetarian options available here as well.
Kanadell Bakery
If you make it to Motonobu Udon, you might as well get yourself to Kanadell Bakery too-it’s right across the street. I think this place first started at a farmer’s market and during the pandemic I ordered their little bear breads for my niece and nephew. They have adorable breads and tasty Melon pan like the kind you get in Japan.
This is a restaurant we frequent often when we head north. We’ve even eaten here a few nights in a row-maybe alternating between takeout and eat in. My kids like the vegetarian bento box and add negitoro rolls and other sushi. I love too many things on the menu.
Miku (part of the Aburi restaurant group)
We have taken out here more than dined in at Miku lately-when we’ve stayed across the street at the Fairmont Waterfront. They have delicious aburi sushi and also we used to love the restaurant that was in this same spot years ago-lots of birthday and celebration memories. This Aburi group has many other places to eat Japanese food in Vancouver and they are all delicious and I would recommend.
Takeya (this one is in Richmond BC) and take out only
My sister introduced me to this place and it’s one I dream about. Takeya is takeout only now, it used to have dine in but it’s become the cutest Japanese food market with bentos and other foods you can pick up or you can order ahead if you want other things from the kitchen or specific sushi rolls too. I don’t think we could ever eat everything this place makes if we tried but also because we always can’t help but order the BC bento box. It’s delicious. We have taken Takeya for picnics at Gerry Point park and my sister’s kitchen.
I also went here with my sister and they have green tea drinks and treats similar to Nana’s Green Tea in Seattle (and Nana’s Green Tea has a Vancouver location too). I just noticed they have salmon chazuke on their menu (I hope it sticks around) and I really want to go and try that now as well.
The Onigiri cafe at Takenaka Japan
I love the onigiri here and the aesthetic of this tucked away little place is perfect. You can take in or eat out and they have bento boxes and items you can take home and heat up too.
I need to get here again ASAP I haven’t gone since before the pandemic(it’s years now I know) and the morning sets here are the type of breakfasts you dream about. They aren’t open every day or for very long so make sure you check the hours before you go. I had a matcha latte here that was so very delicious.
Of course there are a zillion more restaurants where you can eat Japanese food in Vancouver and these are only a handful and I’ll add more when I get a chance. I also love how we all have our own experiences when we dine out and these experiences make places special to us, so if you have a place to add, please do in the comments below! Or reach out to me on instagram, I’d love to hear from you!
(PS if you’re in Vancouver around April-October here is a place you might like to visit for a walk before or after your meal!) and I’m currently planning a trip to Japan for summer 2024-have you been?)
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)
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