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Aoki Sushi
Category: Restaurants Sushi Bars Sushi Bars [Edit]
1888 Broadway WVancouver, BC V6J 1Y9
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 731-5577
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
27 reviews for Aoki Sushi
Review Highlights
"...particular, I love the Pink Godzilla roll they serve, but..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Quality fish - I was impressed that they not only used..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Super fresh sashimi too."
(in 10 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
1/24/2012
Medium-size Resto just off Burrard/Broadway, close to Kinko's. Decor won't wow you but food's good.
Ordered the Pink Godzilla roll, though depends on season of strawberry. A weird mix at initial thought, but yummy. And just the right amt of spicy tuna.
Tuna & sockeye salmon don wasn't cheap at close to $12 but still worth 2 meals.
Since I just ate at Ikura, still prefer Ikura...
They deliver themselves. -
Review from Pavel K.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2011
When I walked in there pretty late in the afternoon on Thursday and there wasn't a soul inside, I should have gotten the hint and left, but nooo..
Small rolls, poor quality.
And when I say small, I mean small.
We usually get 5 servings of rolls and this time they all fit in a single styrofoam container, and it wasn't even tightly packed.
If you live in the area, go with QQ which is only a few hundred feet closer to granville. Their stuff doesn't suck and the size is more than generous (i.e. - 2 styrofoam containers for the same 5 rolls). Cheaper too. -
Review from .Nette T.
11/22/2010
I wanted to go to Ajisai but because it was Canadian Thanksgiving the nex day, they were closed. I tried to call a few other places but they were also closed. Apparently all Japanese owned restaurants close the day before Thanksgiving.
Aoki (which is Chinese owned) was one of the only ones open. When we got there, I vaguely remembered going there 4 years ago with my friends and it seemed okay back then.
I didn't feel like eating a lot so I ordered nigiri: toro, salmn, hotate and ikura. The toro was okay, not as buttery as I remembered it, salmon was fresh but hotate was still a bit frozen. The major dissapointment was the ikura. It had a fishy taste and gummy texture; after the first bite I put the nigiri down and couldn't eat any more. I had to eat a piece of gum afterwards to get the fishy taste out of my mouth.
We also ordered chirashi and it had large basic cuts of hamachi, salmon, maguro, tamago, aji, ebi, etc but it also came with shitakke mushrooms with teriyaki sauce and avocado. Avocado? Is this some sort of California chirashi that I wasn't aware of?!
I really wanted to like Aoki. Service was good but I think it's good for those who want big cuts of mediocre quality fish and odd combinations.
I was really disappointed that I wasn't able to get decent sashimi in Vancouver but I guess that's for the next trip. -
Review from Natalie F.
BC
11/12/2010
Last Friday my bf and I wanted to go somewhere walking distance for dinner. I had once ordered take-out from here but had never sat down to eat.
We walked in (no reso) and were immediately seated. I did notice that there were a few tables reserved. Everyone greeted us which was nice!
A hostess quickly brought us tea while we looked at the menu. They have a really great selection! A ton of standards with a bunch of original creative selections as well.
We had some rolls, miso soup, gomae, and chicken karagae(sp?). The food was sooo fresh and yummy!
The service was also fantastic. Everyone was very friendly and the food was prepared so quickly! -
Review from Joyce P.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2011
Definitely under new management.
Used to be decent sushi.
Now it's umm not so decent. Well I would be ok with it if I got it at a 7-11 but yeah nopes. Not good.
It sucks to have to say negative things about new management but hopefully they are just learning the ropes and things will get better. -
Review from Trish P.
Vancouver, BC
1/2/2011
WARNING! New management, big fail. Now, the fish isn't fresh, the food has lost its delicate authentic nature, service is ridiculously slow, and I'm starting to feel nauseous after the meal. Unfortunately I pre-bought 2 meal coupons deals, might just toss the second one though because I really don't want to return.
The old family owned place used to be my favourite Japanese restaurant in the city... it's a MAJOR loss that they've changed so drastically. -
Review from Susanne J.
Hope, BC
My bf showed up at work one day with a huge platter to surprise everyone... so much tasty fish. Next time my boss wanted sushi for us he went out of his way to pick up an assortment from Aoki, and again it was right on the money. He added to the mix a spicy scallop roll that has become a new fav of mine. I like that there's always something new on the menu (pumpkin rolls for Hallowe'en were yummy) and always great deals.
Super fresh sashimi too.Listed in: Give me more 604!, Get Outta the Tourist Traps…
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Review from Rita C.
Saanich, BC
10/16/2009
Sushi Aoki is my favourite sushi restaurant in Vancouver. Given how many sushi restaurants there are in Vancouver, that's high praise. (I joke that there's one sushi restaurant and one coffee shop on every commercial block, but I know that's not true. Sometimes, there's more than one.)
Sushi Aoki manages to be cheap, high quality, and delicious, and it's genuinely Japanese-run (the owner/chef is an adorable Japanese man who wears these plastic caps on his head. It makes me grin every time I go in.) The menu is large, and has a large vegetarian selection, so there's something for everyone. Most sushi items I've tried have been excellent-- everything is very fresh-- and in particular, I love the Pink Godzilla roll they serve, but given the unusual fruit-tuna-chicken combination, it might not be for everyone. I also recommend their ice creams-- apparently, they're handmade!
My only major complaint is how small the place is-- seating is quite limited, so it's best to call ahead. Some people might not like the atmosphere, but I think the florescent lighting and printout menus just add to their homey charm. -
Review from Desiree M.
Halifax, NS
7/23/2009
One word: delicious.
Ok, a few more words. The avocado roll was the best I've ever tasted, as well as the inari (which weren't just overstuffed with rice), and the shitake mushroom roll was fantastic. I also tried the pumpkin roll, which I'd never heard of before (surprise, it was tasty). I didn't order it, being a veggie, but I noticed that the sashimi was actually served on a bed of ice.
There are lots of other things that make this place good: on the wall they have wooden slats in a frame that have Japanese characters on them, which list different kinds of fish. They're changed up based on what fish the restaurant has on hand. The sushi chef always wears a plastic mask or hat of some kind; when we went, it was a pikachu mask, and when we left he lowered the mask over his face and bid us adieu with 'domo aregato!' -
Review from Daniella E.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2010
After reading the reviews I got hungry, got on my bike and rode here right away. Had dinner on my own.. AMAZING! Spicy tuna roll, salmon cone, seaweed salad and a few pieces of sushi. Can't wait to go try more.
Fresh, well priced, friendly.. My bill was $14 and I left full and happy. Check it out. It's small.. I went for an early dinner and it was already full. Good thing I was on my own and I sat at the sushi bar. This is the perfect Vancouver Sushi joint.. authentic, fast, on the cheap side and quality. -
Review from Jim Y.
Vancouver, BC
8/15/2010
This place went from our usual easy sushi haunt to a fond memory over the course of a week this past Summer. The last I saw of Aoki-san was on a Saturday night when he looked oddly out of place and when I was back the following Wednesday - I was told by the server that he had retired.
I've been back 3 times since and the new owners have made too many little changes that made Aoki what it was - including the quality of the food.
Good luck to Aoki-san with his Pikachu mask and his charming wife Hideko if they open up a new place. Otherwise, I hope they enjoy their retirement - Jim-san -
Review from Lori O.
Surrey, BC
1/14/2009
Having lived in Japan for 3 years of my life, I've come to have more selective tastes when it comes to sushi. Aoki Sushi is one of my favourite sushi places in Vancouver and I've visited quite a few in search of the best ones.
Aoki Sushi's owner/ sushi chef is ACTUALLY Japanese :O. He's extremely friendly and greets all customers in the customary Japanese way, by yelling out "Irrasshaimase!" as you walk in the door. He has a fun sense of humour and is always found wearing a Samurai topknot in the form of a plastic head piece.
The food is a wonderful mix of the tradition and innovation. Their traditional sushi pieces are made of wonderfully fresh sashimi and are just like what I came to know and love during my time in Japan. They also serve a number of funky rolls that combine ingredients you wouldn't usually expect. My favourite is the "Pink Godzilla" roll, which comprises of spicy tuna, chicken, fresh kiwi and strawberry, wrapped in seaweed that is deep fried with a tempura-like batter on the outside. The whole thing is drizzled with mayonnaise and a spicy sauce. Every meal comes with a simple appetizer and a light dessert (usually fresh fruit slices).
Best of all, the price tag on a full meal is very reasonable. Every time I go, my companions and I always leave with a full stomach, having paid $20-25 each (beer included). It's a casual atmosphere though, with tables placed fairly close together, so if you're looking for a place to go on a romantic date, look elsewhere.
So check out Aoki Sushi if you want tasty sushi that won't break the bank in a casual but fun atmosphere. -
Review from Foley L.
Vancouver, BC
7/28/2009
Tiny, yummy and cheap, with friendly service. Authentic and Japanese-run (uncommon for Kits). Quality fish - I was impressed that they not only used pacific salmon, but a very generous slice of it for my bento box lunch.
Rolls were well-made, massive selection, great tea, good prices. What's not to like!
It is small, and the decor isn't amazing, but that's not enough to drop down the rating. -
Review from Ernesto G.
6/3/2010
Disappointing.
Totally craving japanese food tonite. I usually default to either Toshi or Ajisai, but wanted to try some where new tonite. Of course, I always yelp to see what my fellow yelpers say about great japanese restaurants in town. Aoki seemed to fit my craving perfectly: centrally located, great food and great service.
Yes, service is definitely great and its definitely well situated on Broadway by Burrard, but that's where it ends. Ordered the uni and salmon sashimi. It was okay. The uni was slightly melted and did not have that 'sweet' taste it normally does. The salmon was tasteless and the texture was definitely not smooth. The best thing we had tonite was the unagi...quite tasty.
The decor is fine; white walls with tables for 2 or 4 people and a small counter in front of the sushi chefs.
Will stick with Toshi next time I have a craving for sushi and sashimi. -
Review from Debbie P.
6/17/2010
In the land of fresh fish galore I was super excited to find a sushi joint unknown to my bf. With all the 5 star reviews and even one from someone who lived in Japan I have to ask why was I not satisfied and still hungry afterwards?
We ordered uni, sock eye salmon, unagi and seaweed salad to start and stopped there. If you're looking for large cuts of sashimi then you've found your place cuz the cuts are as thick as a steak but don't expect it to be buttery or melting in your mouth. Their fresh uni was already melting and sticking together by the time we got it. To make matters worse the chef laid me uni on a bed of lemon that tainted my uni. How does one mess up sashimi? All one has to do is cut the darn fish!
The only kudos I can give to this place is the unique presentation with the uni shell that was served with our uni sashimi. -
Review from Ken T.
Vancouver, BC
1/3/2011
Ken C wrote a "Quick Tip" on Yelp four months ago that I wholeheartedly agree with...
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Review from sammona g.
Vancouver, BC
3/18/2011
I was hesitant to go in there as there is new new ownership. But the hesitation was put aside when I tasted their famous pink godzilla roll....delicious!!!
Their chef's roll is a plus as well.
My hubby had veggy roll and rainbow roll..and they were delicious as well. -
Review from karen c.
Vancouver, BC
2/8/2010
Sushi Aoki is my favourite! They have the freshest fish ever. I love how they place the sashimi on an ice plate to keep the food fresh. Raw oysters were really good too.
Initially when you look at the prices it may seem a bit more than others, but you'll think twice after eating their food. It's completely worth your money! Everything on their menu is good - however, the time I had the purple yam roll, it wasn't so good. Otherwise, I love their rolls. Aoki roll, salmon avocado roll and spicy salmon roll are my all time favourites. They're plain but they get to the point - yummy!
Service is excellent. This authentic Japanese restaurant knows how to treat their customers. You'll always get a mini appetizer in the beginning and some type of a fruit for dessert when you ask for the bill.
This place is nothing fancy, but I love how plain and simple it is. The food is absolutely amazing. -
Review from Christopher S.
Vancouver, BC
7/14/2009
Really nice little neighbourhood restaurant. Perfect for a quick meal on a weeknight.
Tempura was really nice and light. Rolls were fresh and tasted good. -
Review from Paul C.
Vancouver, BC
6/24/2010
Ordered box B, I believe, which was slightly more expensive than I thought it should be given the description in the menu. But I was being rushed by my dining partner who insisted they were closing soon (not the case). Turns out box B is borderline enormous and includes more items than I recall being listed in the menu. Miso soup, salad, 3 or 4 rolls, six thick slices of tuna and salmon sashimi (3 each), kaarage, steamed vegetables, and a heap of widely assorted tempura. There was also a complimentary little bowl of delicious seasoned salmon to start with, as well as large and free watermelon wedges to finish. Everything was great save for the tempura and karaage, and only because the batter was pretty soggy.
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Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
8/29/2009
Quality to price ratio is outstanding. Some really creative and delicious rolls. Good quality fish. I love their Godzilla rolls. Friendly staff great food and good prices what a delight.
Listed in: Roll Up the Sushi Vancouver!
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Review from Sarah F.
3/26/2010
The sushi from here is by far the best I've ever eaten. All of the sashimi was melt in your mouth tender and I've never had better unagi.
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Review from Dani H.
Vancouver, BC
3/23/2009
Most luscious avocado rolls on God's green Earth.
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Review from T S.
2/27/2010
An astounding value!!! Fresh fish, the rice was not the best, just a bit sticky but for the price a fantastic value. Good tasting rolls and polite service. The sushi chef has a collection of masks that he wears when children are around.
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Review from lucinda k.
Vancouver, BC
6/22/2010
Disappointing- I was in yesterday and so happy to try some great sushi, based on the reviews... I should have gone to AYCE BC sushi down the street~ It would have been cheaper, more variety and probably the same quality. I had edamame and chiriashi that apparently came with miso soup, which I never saw. Unremarkable sashimi.... Like I said, the AYCE would have probably been the better bet. Oh well, live and learn...
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Review from Kyle W.
9/30/2009
Sushi seemed to be good quality and super cheap but this place was a little to divey for tourists like us. Too much florescent lighting and color printouts of $4.99 sushi rolls on the walls for our tastes. I'm sure if I lived there I'd be a fan.
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Review from Eleonora R.
12/30/2009
I've just returned from eating at this restaurant so my experience is fresh in my mind. My husband and I came to the restaurant about 30 minutes before closing time and we were greeted in a friendly matter. It looked like almost everyone there knew the owner (and master chef) and seemed to be enjoying the food. The prices on the menu were reasonable and the food options were diverse. I ordered the rainbow roll ( the most expensive roll on the menu) and the ikura hand roll. My husband ordered spicy tuna and unagi appetizers and an alaskan salmon roll.
Out of all the food we received the ikura hand roll was the only passable item. It was basically a hand roll full of rice with about 10 round fish roe. At least the price was reasonable. It felt like the entire order was rushed and they were trying to get us out of there as soon as possible. The rolls were made of pre-done, lopsided rice and imitation crab and clearly not the freshest fish. My husband's spicy tuna appetizer never arrived (but was included in the bill!). The alaskan salmon roll was basically the rice and crab i discribed earlier with a 1 mm piece of extremely thin smoked salmon. It was a bad combination. Until we asked, they forgot to bring the wasabi. They rushed to get our plates out of the way even before the last pieces of sushi were eaten.
It looked liked the chef was more occupied with posing for pictures with his picachu mask on than making quality food. I would have given this place 1 star but they did apologize for not bringing us the spicy tuna.
In summary, if you're visiting Vancouver, DO NOT go to this place. If you're a local and you have been sold that this place is quality, I guess you'll keep going here.
