Week 13: Best of Japan
Leaders in the Culinary World
Did you know that Japan holds the record for having with the most Michelin 3 star restaurants? Well, it does!
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Japanese food is loved all over the world.
With over 70 Japanese restaurants in the Tri-Cities area alone, we knew we had to explore this culinary favourite during our #SavourTheSummer adventure!
One Soup, Three Sides
To me, Japanese food represents simplicity at its finest.
The traditional Japanese dining style, known as 一汁三菜 (Ichiju-Issai) consists of one soup (usually miso) and three side dishes. These dishes were typically one staple dish (rice) and two main dishes.
Due to the rise of Buddhism during the Asuka Period, meat was banned in Japan and the use of fish for protein expanded rapidly. Spice was used sparingly, and oil and fat was avoided to help keep up a healthy lifestyle.
As the use of fish increased, people in Japan discovered a need to preserve their bounty for as long as possible. Due to this, sushi was born! It was originally used as a fermentation process to help the meat last longer. As the need for fermentation faded, sushi transitioned into a favourite snack food or main dish.
Japanese cooks also put a huge emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, taking full advantage of the yama no sachi and umi no sachi as they came into season. Now, modern Japanese cooks utilize all of these practices to create the food we know and love today.
Our Favourites
As mentioned earlier - there are well over 70 different Japanese restaurants here in the Tri-Cities!
While we are going to list some of our favourite spots, we encourage you to get out and try some restaurants in your local area as well!
Port Moody
With a 4.8 Google review rating, how could Sushi Modo - Port Moody not top our list? From their delicious flavours, to their excellent service and welcoming atmosphere, Sushi Modo is understandably a favourite in the Tri-Cities. Do yourself a favour and either swing by Sushi Modo on St John’s St. or order them online through Skip, Uber Eats or DoorDash for your next Sushi Night! You won’t be disappointed.
While Murasaki has expertly combined some delicious contemporary and local flavours into their dishes, this restaurant is one of the more traditional on the list. If you are looking for an authentic Japanese meal, this is the place to go! Found in the cozy Newport Village, Murasaki is quintessentially Port Moodian. Stroll around Rocky Point and stop by Murasaki for a fresh Asahi and mouth-watering Chicken Tari Don.
Coquitlam
Shio Japanese Kitchen has made a niche for itself in the Tri-Cities area, proudly serving both traditional sushi lovers as well as those seeking a new and exciting culinary experience. Located on the High Street in the heart of Coquitlam, Shio offers unique dishes that perfectly pair authentic Japanese flavours with Canadian staples, such as their favoured Katsu Burger or Creamcheese Steak Roll!
Sushi Karis Japanese Restaurant
If you are looking for a truly unique dining experience, look no further! Sushi Karis offers some of the Tri-Cities’ most delicious Japanese fusion dishes and one-of-a-kind sushi rolls. Swing by Austin Heights and try their Black Dynamite Roll, Tempura Udon or even their Chipotle Poke. Yeah… you read that right. Chipotle Poke! But don’t worry, for those of you who are a little less adventurous, Sushi Karis still has the classic rolls you know and love.
Port Coquitlam
Nestled in the new Fremont Village in Port Coquitlam, Kai Japanese Restaurant quickly became a favourite among the local residents. From soup and rice, to katsu and udon, Kai has everything you need for a delicious Japanese meal. Oh, and who could forget the sushi! Do yourself a favourite and check out Kai’s tasty Oshi Sushi, also known as box sushi.
The perfect blend of contemporary and tradition! With over 45 special rolls to choose from, Sushi On offers a variety of mouthwatering flavour combinations. As they say on their website, they “serve customers with the belief that ‘sushi night’ should be more than just decent sushi.” Visit them on the Oxford Connector for a high-quality dining experience.
One Week Left
If you haven’t been out to #SavourTheSummer yet, hurry up before it’s too late! There is only one week left of our #SavourTheSummer adventure before September is upon us.
Join us next week for some South Asian Inspiration!
If you’ve missed any weeks during our local culinary adventure, don’t worry! You can check out all of the blog posts here - and make sure to keep an eye out for our wrap up issue where we will share all of our highlights from the campaign.