Izakayas

Nutterbug · #1 Posted: **Oct 8, 2007, 3:23 PM**

Japanese style restaurant-pubs that sell a good selection of appetizer portion food items.

What are some good ones, other than the well known Guu, Hapa and Gyoza King?

Rusty Gull · #2 Posted: **Oct 8, 2007, 4:39 PM**

The izakaya that, in my opinion, tries to capture the grittier, rowdier spirit of the izakayas in Osaka or Tokyo is Zakusshi. In addition to their original Denman location, I believe they have also set up on West 4th in Kitsilano.

CanadianCentaur · #3 Posted: **Oct 10, 2007, 6:49 AM**

Zakkushi (yes, that *is* how it's supposed to be spelled in romaji!) is not a bad izakaya - I was there on the one on Denman back last Saturday. Very interesting barbecued things on skewers. I like the chicken gizzards and beef tongues, especially.

I've been to Happa and Kingyo in past visits to Vancouver. Guu is good, too - of the three locations, I like the one on Thurlow best. You end up waiting incredibly long just to get a seat on the Robson Street one and service was incredibly SLOW in the Gastown location.

twoNeurons · #4 Posted: **Oct 10, 2007, 3:08 PM**

MY problem with izakayas is that they're all so darned expensive... maybe I'll try zakkusshi

Robynobotica · #5 Posted: **Oct 10, 2007, 6:43 PM**

How about Shiru Bay in Yaletown?

mezzanine · #6 Posted: **Oct 10, 2007, 7:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintinium

MY problem with izakayas is that they're all so darned expensive... maybe I'll try zakkusshi

It all depends on what you order. You can get a interesting, filling meal of different tapas for $10-15 per person, without alcohol. if you are with 2 or 3 ppl, then you can get more plates and try more things.

Zakkushi can be expensive, esp if you indulge in their specialty, the barbeque. we tend to get just a few, with some onigiri to help space things out. The Jyako salad is also quite delicate, without busting the budget (daikon salad).

Guu is a perinnial favorite, I do agree the Bute one is the best of them all. Go for the Yakiudon, IMO their specialty.

Kingyo is good to impress a date. IMO a little more upscale, with pricing to match.

Although not a izakaya, I also like kintaro ramen. a really good, cheap ramen. Easy to find, just look for the long line-up...

Not a big fan of hapa izakaya - it seems a little contrived. It's a place where hotels send tourists to try izakayas. They do mix it up with more pan asian dishes, but don't frequent it as much as others.

Toratsu is a new izakaya on Denman - wasn't impressed. Prices are a little more premium, but the food (what we tried, anyway) wasn't spectacular. Not that busy either...

Certainly lower Robson is great for new restaurants and izakayas. Always a few new ones opening, with a large base of budget-conscious hipster language students - a great combo, compared to the overpriced and stuffy Yaletown places....

bugsy · #7 Posted: **Feb 24, 2008, 10:56 AM**

Danma · #8 Posted: **Apr 5, 2008, 5:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugsy

After having tried a few here in Vancouver, I visited some under the train tracks in Shinjuku when I was in Tokyo. I must say their lively (and if rowdy) atmosphere is unmatched anywhere else. Guu and Gyoza King are my favorites here.

It's pretty hard to beat Piss Alley for atmosphere!

officedweller · #9 Posted: **Jul 15, 2008, 10:01 PM**

Kitto on Granville is gone and a new place called (I think) ShuRaku is opening up. Peering through the window, it looks upscale.

deasine · #10 Posted: **Jul 23, 2008, 8:29 AM**

Guu isn't that great... it's like fusion... not really Japanese...

twoNeurons · #11 Posted: **Jul 23, 2008, 4:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by deasine

Guu isn't that great... it's like fusion... not really Japanese...

nuttin' wrong with fusion. Most of Japan eats fusion food anyway. "Japanese-style" curries, "Japanese-style" hamburgers, "Japanese-style" omelettes.

Take a culture's food and fuse it with something that appeals to local taste.

Hot Rod · #12 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 1:11 AM**

very true.

Although have to say, takoyaki is not fusion - true japanese (Osaka) food!

ditto for Okonomiyaki.

Mmmmmm.

deasine · #13 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintinium

nuttin' wrong with fusion. Most of Japan eats fusion food anyway. "Japanese-style" curries, "Japanese-style" hamburgers, "Japanese-style" omelettes.

Take a culture's food and fuse it with something that appeals to local taste.

no llike it isn't great fusion either... at least it wasn't worth the price! >_<

Rusty Gull · #14 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 4:42 AM**

^Actually, many of Tojo's dishes would be considered "fusion" -- and that's part of his culinary brilliance. He combines the best of Japanese dishes with West Coast ingredients, and the results are quite tasty.

Interesting you noticed Shuraku, OfficeDweller. Walked by it for the first time yesterday. I like the idea of a sake bar on Granville Street... I hope the idea flies.

Re: Kintaro. Great ramen, but even better is Benkei on Lower Robson.

quobobo · #15 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 4:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Rod

ditto for Okonomiyaki.

Mmmmmm.

I would kill for an okonomiyaki place here that isn't overpriced and mediocre like the Modern Club. Serving Hiroshima-style would also be a huge plus.

bugsy · #16 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 6:03 AM**

deasine · #17 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 6:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

^Actually, many of Tojo's dishes would be considered "fusion" -- and that's part of his culinary brilliance. He combines the best of Japanese dishes with West Coast ingredients, and the results are quite tasty.

Interesting you noticed Shuraku, OfficeDweller. Walked by it for the first time yesterday. I like the idea of a sake bar on Granville Street... I hope the idea flies.

Re: Kintaro. Great ramen, but even better is Benkei on Lower Robson.

I haven't tried Tojo's yet oddly enough... but I know Guu was really disappointing, and I've been to the one in downtown and Aberdeen.

Random, but has anyone tried Miko Sushi yet?

Hong Kongese · #18 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 6:44 AM**

As I posted long time ago that any Japanese restaurants owned and run by japanese are good. Of course Tojo is good but also very expensive.

The chinese owned Japanese restaurants usually are bad.

Nutterbug · #19 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 11:36 AM**

All restaurants should follow the Izakaya model of serving mostly appetizer portions.

As it is, there are too many humungous portions that you can't finish, and too many fat people.

Rusty Gull · #20 Posted: **Jul 24, 2008, 4:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by quobobo

I would kill for an okonomiyaki place here that isn't overpriced and mediocre like the Modern Club. Serving Hiroshima-style would also be a huge plus.

I believe the Modern Club has changed ownership in the past 12 months or so. I was there earlier this year... it was OK, but I thought quite pricey for what is essentially "hearty" fare.

I don't think we'll see Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki here in our lifetimes... although I certainly enjoy it. But I don't think it's an easy fit for your typical West Coast palate.