There is no shortage of Japanese sushi in Vancouver lower mainland. Week to week, all I can think about is when I will get my next sushi fix. Sushi is a budget-friendly option in the ever-growing expensive city of Vancouver. So, it’s hard to say no to this simple yet delicious cuisine. (Just ignore the possibility of mercury poisoning from all the raw fish).
Vancouver has an abundance of sushi restaurants. There are cheap cafes, medium-priced places, and really expensive restaurants like Tojo. This restaurant is owned by Hidekazu Tojo, who believes himself to be the creator of the inside-out roll or the California Roll. Vancouver even boasts a sushi restaurant called The Eatery, with many creative vegetarian options named after pop culture celebrities. This restaurant, which is aesthetically playful, retro, modern, and funky all at the same time, is also a must-try.
Everyone has differing tastes and rather than rate each of the restaurants by authenticity of real Japanese sushi, we wanted to suggest our favourite places which we frequently visit. Here is a list of our top 5 favourite budget-friendly sushi restaurants in the lower mainland of Vancouver, which we hope you will enjoy.
5) TOGO SUSHI
To start out, Togo Sushi is one of those surprisingly tasty fast-food sushi places. Normally I visit the location on Simon Fraser University campus in Burnaby since it’s near my work, and their presentation is never sloppy. One of my favourite rolls is the Salmon & Avocado roll. At Togo I’ve been consistently served fresh avocado, and tender salmon which is not mushy. So, if you are looking for decent fast-food sushi on a low budget then this is a great place.
TOGO Sushi
Multiple Locations
$
4) SUSHI BY YUJI
Near nanaimo and Kingsway, Sushi by Yuji is a favourite among many Vancouverites. Friday evenings are busy with many tables either taken or reserved, so it is best to make a reservation. Unfortunately you can’t order take-out here, so you will need to experience their food in the tiny restaurant.
Sushi by Yuji seems to be more of a traditional Japanese sushi restaurant because their menu is straightforward. They don’t play around with crazy variations of sushi rolls like other restaurants using westernized ingredients, such as avocado (unless they are popular). They put lots of care in the selection of ingredients – their salmon tastes firm and fresh.
The menu also includes many options for sake and Japanese whisky, so you can wash down the seafood with a drink. The White Oak Akashi whiskey we tried had a smooth finish, and tasted of banana.
We also ordered the Tanada Udon – green onion, udon noodles, tempura, and ginger. Including, the Battera Oshisushi made with Mackerel. It was salty and fresh, and the slimy Mackerel skin offered a well-rounded taste.
Sushi by Yuji
2252 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
$$
3) KISHIMOTO
On the grungy bustling street of Commercial drive is a higher-end yet affordable sushi restaurant, called Kishimoto. It is always packed here, especially on the weekends, so come early because they don’t take reservations. The first time I tried pressed sushi was in Kishimoto and since then it has been my favourite style of sushi. Their Salmon Oshisushi with seared salmon, creamy sauce, cracked black pepper, and jalapeño, was served warm and melted in my mouth. Another delicious option is the Ebi Oshisushi assembled with cooked seared tiger prawn, creamy sauce, basil pesto, and cracked black pepper.
Their menu is creative and varied in their seafood selection, offering bluefin tuna, yellowtail fish, Norway mackerel, Japanese snow crab, and albacore. They also have a single salmon Oshisushi for $6 which is cherry wood-smoked infused. On our next visit we want to try the Baked Fish!
Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial Dr.,
Vancouver, BC
$$
2) SUSHI VILLE
If you want good quality and budget-friendly sushi then Sushi Ville is a great option. Nestled near Kishimoto on Commercial Drive, this sushi restaurant has an inviting decor and a patio for those summer dates. They make freshness a priority by making everything to order instead of preparing the rolls in advance. Their food presentations are always creative using colourful dry ice, floral cut veggies, and sauces drizzled along the dish like a painter’s palette.
Sushi Ville has regular sized rolls and giant sized rolls. One of our favourite dishes is the Giant Spicy Crunchy Roll, which is $2 more than the regular-sized Spicy Crunchy Roll. This roll is incredibly delicious because it tastes like a warm Dynamite Roll but more crunchy and spicy, with the savoury flavours of a deep fried dish. We recommend this for the Dynamite Roll lovers who prefer more crunch and heat. Their Pork Gyozas are also one of my favourites. They are crispy which I prefer over the slippery soft gyozas at other sushi places.
The restaurant tries to play around with their rolls. Some of their special rolls include the Hawaiian Roll made with avocado, crab, fried banana, mango on top, peanut, and almond. As well as the Vancouver Roll made with cucumber, avocado, crab with sweet potato, almond and peanut on top.
Sushi Ville
2068 Commercial Dr.,
Vancouver, BC
$
1) KISOJI JAPANESE KITCHEN
Kisoji is a wonderful sushi place tucked away in Pitt Meadows, far from the main Vancouver area. It is a restaurant which I would expect to be in Vancouver and not out in the distant ‘burbs’ of the lower mainland. However, due to the rising rent prices in Vancouver it is no surprise that attractive businesses are now catering to the growing population outside of Vancouver. This is my favourite budget-friendly sushi restaurant thus far in the lower mainland. They are consistent in their servings – fresh, warm, flavourful, and arranged with care. Their service is also polite and friendly.
Our favorite dishes here are the Jack Cha Han and the Sake Battera. Jack Cha Han is fried rice with salmon, shittake mushrooms, pickled cucumber, and egg. The Sake Battera is pressed sushi made with flame-seared salmon, lemon slices, and garlic dill sauce. The lemon juice combines perfectly with the salmon, dancing on the taste buds of your tongue beautifully.
Kisoji Japanese Kitchen
19040 Lougheed Hwy
Pitt Meadows, BC
$$
What are your thoughts? Do you have a favourite sushi restaurant in the Vancouver lower mainland which you think deserves a mention? Let us know. We would love to try new sushi restaurants!
Copyright © Beyond Here 2019
Beyond Here 
Have you tried Toshi Sushi on E. 16th in Mt Pleasant? People begin lining up a half hour before they open. Small place, seating maybe around 25 people.
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