Shima-Ya Japanese Restaurant

For those of us who are particular about food, our favourite pastime is looking for hidden gems in the city. For enthusiasts of all edible things Japanese, there are always cheap sushi around the corner, or the izakayas that are taking over the city like a storm. However, it seems harder now to find a quality sushi bar. If you live in the east side of Vancouver, here’s a suggestion for you.

Despite its location on the busy part of Victoria Dr near 40th Ave, Shima-Ya Restaurant is relatively harder to spot. For those of us who do spot it however, this small establishment creates a very different atmosphere than the surrounding area. As you finally find the restaurant - with its logo hidden behind a tree - then open its doors, you’ll find Sumo related decor, white walls, and plain wooden tables and chairs. The small store is run by a Japanese family, with the father and a helper at the sushi bar, and the wife, and occasionally the daughter who take of everything else. Unlike the modern and hip izakayas, the ambiance this place give out is more like a humble neighbourhood joint that you see in Japanese dramas. And finally - on to the food.

Their menu consists mostly of sushi, sashimi, and rolls, some appetizers, with a small selection of cooked fish. There are also seasonal items that are not on the menu. They serve up the usual favourites for Vancouverites like Salmon, Tuna, and maki rolls, and their specialty are the nigiri sushi that are more commonly found in Japan. Some of my favourites there are Toro (Tuna belly), Botan Ebi (Spot prawns), Tamago (Egg), and Geso (Squid tentacles). The two latter dishes are inexpensive, but the effort the chef put in making them shows his skills and professionalism as a sushi chef. The Tamago smooth and sweet with the surface caramelized just a little. The Geso is cooked perfectly and is topped with a homemade sauce because we all know how unappealing over-cooked squid can be. Although not very fluent in English, the chef would always be happy to strike up a conversation with the customers, and his wife will make sure you are enjoying the dishes the right way. Don’t be shy when you visit them and ask for special items!

As the chef puts it, the food he serves are “old style.” The decor is not hip, you won’t be served by a beautiful and charming waitress, and I hope you’ll like the 90’s - 00’s J-pop that they play. But one thing is for sure, you’ll be served with some solid, traditional and delicious Japanese delicacies every time you visit.