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Kibune Sushi
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
1508 Yew StreetVancouver, BC V6K
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 731-4482
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Kibune Sushi
Review Highlights
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"...a ton of stuff including a fabulous sushi and sashimi combo." In 7 reviews -
"...located directly across the street from Kits beach." In 3 reviews -
"Everything was delicious: the toro and hamachi were..." In 3 reviews
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26 reviews in English
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Review from James K.
3/16/2012
My favorite sushi restaurant period. When I lived in Vancouver, this is where I went whenever I was in the Kits area or for special occasions. I've always had a great dining experience.
The prices are a bit above average within Vancouver but the quality is outstanding. Value wise, I think Kibune is 5 stars. Note, I always get the Chirashi combo. -
Review from Gretchen C.
Vancouver, BC
9/13/2011
A day that starts with sunshine and ends with sushi is a day well spent. Kibune Sushi is conveniently located directly across the street from Kits beach. This joint is a little more expensive than the typical, average sushi place - partly because of its quality, and partly because it's literally steps away from the beach.
The fish used in its sushi is fresh, and so are all the ingredients. All the ingredients used are of the highest quality.
Asparagus tempura is available on the menu, which is lightly battered to perfection. The beef teriyaki is well-prepared: thin sliced pieces of beef are marinated thoroughly, giving this dish the utmost flavor.
The ambiance is authentically Japanese, with booths much like Hi-Nippon. The interior design of the place is intricate and classy, yet still cozy. -
Review from Justin L.
8/22/2011
Eeps! Almost forgot to write my review of Kibune after a lackluster visit earlier this month. In brief, this place is too expensive and too slow, and NOT worth the wait.
It was early on Thursday evening (just past 6pm) and we'd phoned ahead to reserve a table for three. Upon arriving, there was only one other table with customers and a guy waiting for his takeout order. After perusing the menu several times, we ordered:
- 1 mixed tuna and salmon sashimi
- 1 prawn tempura
- 1 house roll
- 3 spicy scallop cones.
That's all we could decide on at the moment, so we kept a menu in case we wanted to order more later. We had planned to be in and out of there in an hour. Instead, an hour later, we had only received the sashimi. IT TOOK ONE HOUR TO SLICE SOME FISH. Well, it might be that they had to wait for the fish to defrost: the tuna was fresh enough but still partially frozen; the salmon, while it looked wild, had absolutely no flavor.
Meanwhile, the guy was STILL waiting for his takeout order and getting pissed off, and we were getting annoyed by his irritation because he started pacing and staring at the sushi chefs to make sure they were working on his order. When it finally came out, I was expecting something enormous -- it was one tray of sushi. One!
So, although my theory is that the Kibune chefs were super slow that evening due to a few takeout orders clogging up the production line, (1) the takeout orders weren't that big and (2) does this happen every night?
By this time, the restaurant had filled up with people. Since we sat near the door, we could see how the hostess treated would-be diners. While she wasn't rude, it was fairly negligent and slapdash.
When a waitress saw us twiddling our thumbs over the green tea (we were actually eyeing the Nimby Burger shack across the street, because we were famished) she had the NERVE to ask us whether that would be everything (i.e. are we gonna order anything more?) and I kindly but firmly told her that we've been waiting for an hour for our meager order to arrive. Oh! Well, our sushi roll and cones arrived soon thereafter.
Not worth the wait. The roll's rice was flavorless, so that I really did need to dunk the thing in the soy sauce. As for the scallop cones, they were not chopped large sea scallops, but rather the small tiny ones with some chili sauce, soggy seaweed, and bland rice.
Of course, it took forever to get the bill, too, and then pay it. Yeesh. Then we promptly crossed the street to grab a burger. -
Review from May H.
Vancouver, BC
8/2/2011
This is my first review. I was so disappointed with this restaurant, I felt I needed to add my comments.
- very disorganized, customer service was horrible.
- took forever to order and even longer for the food to arrive.
- the party at the next table left because they were so slow
- when the sushi arrived - it was room temperature - Yuk!
- the spicy chopped scallop was roll was actually chopped scallop
with tobasco sauce - gross!
- uni was not fresh and a little darker in color
- tamago was store bought ( A good sushi chef would make his
own tamago - fresh daily)
- expensive - especially for the food that was presented. Honestly, if the
food was good, the price is not even an issue. I feel robbed and
left truly unsatisfied (that doesn't happen often)
We were planning to eat at Hapa next door, but this place looked authentic and thought we'd give it a try. damn! what a waste of time and money. I appreciate Ajisai even more now - seriously one of the best in town.
for anyone that think this place deserves more than 2 stars - go try Ajisai sushi bar in Kerrisdale and then see if you feel the same way about this place. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
8/28/2011
A bunch of us gathered here before the Secret Supper Elite event for a drink when the original plan of meeting at Local across the street fell through. Because we were about to have an amazing dinner, I only had a Kirin and an order of maguro zuke, tuna sashimi marinated in sauce, but daaammmnnn that was one good piece of tuna.
It's a bit pricey (not surprising, given the location) and service was a little slow, but I would return here for the heavenly fish and authentic Japanese atmosphere. I'm a sucker for a cozy tatami booth. -
Review from Alison S.
5/28/2011
Due to a recent increase in places that I love closing due to bad business, I'm frantically trying to get in gear to write reviews for all the places I love. Kibune's definitely tops that list.
I have been coming here for "nice sushi dinners" with The Boy since we were still in our late teen years. Yes, that meant we were scrimping together money from our minimum wage jobs to afford dinner here, but oh, it was worth it. And now that I'm an adult, I can say the the prices are really not bad for what you get.
For $25 a person you can get pretty full on a decent amount of sashimi and sushi. For $50 a person you can be downright extravagant. The sushi has always been fresh, tasty, and melt-in-your-mouth awesome. Have I mentioned that I love this place?
Things to get:
- Special deluxe sashimi. It has uni (sea urchin)!
- Toro.
- Ocean Roll
- Special Kibune roll
I have brought several out-of-town friends here and they loved it! Also, I can never eat all-you-can-eat sushi again, I just can't, Kibune has ruined it all for me.Listed in: Vancouver Spots
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fairly pricey for a sushi place, but there were no disappointments. The food quality was good, the service was good, the ambience is great. I enjoyed my time here.
Listed in: Shushi
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Review from Ory O.
Vancouver, BC
8/31/2010
Yes it's expensive. Two people, probably 70 bucks for a good meal if you aren't pinching pennies, but you can eat for cheaper if you are selective.
Admittedly, I have on several occasions been sitting at the sushi bar and overheard people complaining about the prices, the slow service, etc.....but they are always the same kind of people....you know the kind....they complain about the rain yet moved to a city located in a rainforest, and then complain about the heat in the summer when all you heard about for the month of June was that it "still feels like winter". Give me a break.
The bottom line is this; Kibune has absolutely mental sushi. Yes, it takes a little longer, just don't be in a hurry. Have some tea. Have a beer. Take in the authentic Japanese vibe created by an authentic Japanese staff and enjoy yourself.
I also have to mention, and this may only be relevant to a few of you, Kibune serves natto! Rare in this city, so lucky you.
Ok, I've said my piece. Give them a try, if you don't like it, send me a message and I will go down there with you and dinner is on me.
Just kidding...buy your own dinner, but if you are going down there.... let me know....just writing about it has made me so hungry. -
Review from Shannon B.
Coquitlam, BC
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was here for a California roll and a beer before the Secret Supper Elite event and it was pretty good. It seems like a pretty decent restaurant and I would probably go back here if I happened to be in that neighbourhood again.
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Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2009
* Bad memories *
Seeing a recent review of this spot reminded me of the one time I visited several years ago. I don't know if this qualifies as a PTSD flashback or anything, but here is the scoop...
Both my dining companion and I got sick (stomach type if you know what I mean) about 3 hours after eating here. It wasn't a pretty sight. I called to let them know and they insisted that it couldn't possibly have anything to do with them, and it must be something else we ate. Odd, considering the only food we had in common that day was the meal here. I have never been back!
Taking a look at their most recent health board report (dated 9/30/2009) from the food inspection website (http://www.foodinspect...) it seems there may be an issue there still.
Here are some quotes that I'll add here, because I know these disappear after a while:
- "Rice tested with infrared gun at 19 Celsius and 34 Celsius respectively."
- "Educated the Sushi Rice must be used within 2 hours after being cooked to prevent bacterial growth to occur and cause customers consuming rice become ill."
- "Lack of accurate reading thermometers in a number of refrigeration units."
- "Food debris present under equipment and in hard to reach areas. Under handles and door knobs need attention on cleaning. 2. Using a broken yellowish/orange discolored cutting board to cut cooked chicken."
Needless to say I will not be returning after my personal experience of us both getting ill, them not taking responsibility, and their most recent inspection results suggesting they are not taking proper care with their food handling - which is something I consider very important - particularly for raw foods! -
Review from Tee D.
10/4/2009
My mission: toro.
On our last night in Vancouver, I had one simple request: to eat as much toro that could possibly fit in my belly.
Our final destination: Kibune.
It was a Monday night when we dined here: the restaurant was not even half full.
The space is really intimate and very cool. I loved that we had a private booth.
We kept it simple that night, and ordered Toro, the Kibune cone, and Hamachi.
Everything was delicious: the toro and hamachi were absolutely fresh and the Kibune cone was really flavorful and yummy.
God, I wish I could get as good of Toro here in Texas.
My belly aches for it. -
Review from Eliza B.
Richmond, BC
8/29/2011
Overrated, Overpriced restaraunt. Went there with about 6 other coworkers once and none of us left full.
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Review from Tae K.
Vancouver, BC
7/9/2009
I have never, ever, been remotely close to being disappointed with anything at Kibune, located a stone's throw away from Kits Beach. Every dish here is beautifully made and prepared, from the combination dinners, sashimi, sushi, and my personal favorite, chirashi sushi (sashimi layered on rice). The place is pretty small and filled with sushi devotees, so you may have to wait your turn. The size of the restaurant definitely increases its intimacy... sitting in one of the booths, along with the attentive service, makes you feel you're the only ones enjoying such a fine meal.
As with any fine sushi establishment, this meal will make a sizable dent in your wallet, but in Vancouver, Kibune is as fine as you can go. -
Review from Phil S.
Vancouver, BC
5/27/2009
Oh. My. God. Such good sushi. I cannot rave enough about their special Kibune cone which is peppered teriyaki beef wrapped in perfect warm rice and further wrapped with nori seaweed, you have to try this, its heaven!
As the significant other had work dinner and after much deliberation on what to eat while on my own, I settled on Kibune's toro sashimi, hamachi, unagi and ebi nigiri sushi. Ever had that fresh piece of sashimi that literally melts in your mouth like cotton candy, yah that kind, they have it, I ate it and didn't want it to end.
They make the nigiri just the way its meant to be, a piece of fresh fish sitting on top of room temperature rice which is what sushi rice is supposed to be, never cold, so ok yelpers/yelpees erm what are we called?... never settle for cold sushi rice, its nihon faux pas or so what my best friend from Okinawa tells me.
Service is also prompt, efficient and friendly. And if you are famished and can't decide, they have combo dinners where you get everything from salad, tempura, sashimi, sushi, grilled robata salmon to green tea ice cream! I adore this little Japanese restaurant that is a short walk from me and the restaurant has been around since 1982, that says a lot! Yep, I'm a huge fan.
Gochi So Sama! -
Review from richard s.
4/5/2009
This is very very good sushi. After a long day of vacation travel I like to end the day with good sushi. My wife and I left our daughter and her friend out at UBC and decamped to Kitsilano for the evening sunset. From the street Kibune looked like an authentic sushi-ya, so we stepped in - it was really busy however we were seated at the sushi bar without much wait.
As for atmosphere? It is a bit of a show. it seems to be a place that has always been "in" and has a certain clientele of funky rich trash. No matter though, the sushi is excellent and the neighborhood is a good place to be. There is no reason NOT to go to Kibune. -
Review from Josh H.
Vancouver, BC
8/7/2010
The first thing you notice when you walk into this beachside sushi bar is the ambience, i has a very authentic and traditional style of decor. In fact, I learned that the interior was hand-crafted in Japan and then shipped to Vancouver where they assembled it inside the shop. The intricate woodwork that you expect to find in Japan has been transported directly to our doorstep in Kitsilano. Stepping foot inside Kibune, you get a real sense that this is the real deal and that these guys are going to take care of you.
The service is decent, nothing too fancy, but if you get a chance, the best place to sit, as at any sushi place, is right up at the bar.
Kibune is one of those places that just "gets it". The sushi chefs are obviously well-trained and have perfected their trade, and having scoped it out over the years, it is evident that they have picked the very best suppliers for each ingredient. The fresh sheet which is on the wall behind the sushi bar is updated daily and is a testament to Kibune's drive to provide their customers with the very freshest of fish, variety, and the best products available. They advertise which fish are freshest and what is recommended by their sushi chefs. When you go to Kibune, talk to the sushi chef because he knows what's fresh, and if you put your trust in his good hands, you're going to get what is best available at that specific time.
On this day, my head was spun right around by the freshest toro, mirugai (geoduck), amaebi, and uni that money can buy. Of course, the fresh sheet varies week to week, so a word from the wise, always put your trust in the chef's capable hands...
What you want to avoid is sitting in the back corner and ordering the same thing over and over again: "Yeah, we'll have a rainbow roll, spicy tuna roll, and a dynamite roll please". Ugh, what is it with you Vancouverites, that just ain't real sushi! Rainbow rolls and dynamite rolls were invented and conjured up to slowly introduce or familiarize westerners to the concept of raw fish with rice. Now, the Sushi Snob is here to enlighten each and every one of you about the art and science that is real sushi. So please, drop the "roll act" and get on the authentic train, 'cause I'm telling you, once you've tasted the variety of textures and tastes out there, you'll never go back. For guys, it's like foreplay versus sex. Once you've had the latter, or the full course if you will, you're addicted and you'll never go back to the pre-cursor.
So after a brief look at the menu, I ordered what I always do, the Deluxe assorted sushi. I'm looking to try everything that a place has to offer because the best indication of a good sushi restaurant is the variety it has to offer, and it's ability to achieve freshness on all levels across that spectrum.
Needless to say, we made quick work of Yamazaki-san's creations, and when all was said and done, we left full and completely satisfied. I wish there was more Kibune in Vancouver, there's just something to be said for authentic sushi done right. -
Review from War C.
Edmonton, AB
3/15/2010
This food is heaven. It's mouth sex. Yum. I'm alarmed at the reveiw saying the customers got sick from eating there. I've eaten at Kibune's for years and love it. Crave it. Need it! Nothing beats Kibune so I do hope the quotes from the health inspector have only helped the management keep things aces in the kitchen and in the serving area.
Honestly, if you want great sushi, Kibune beats Tojo's any day. -
Review from Brad H.
Vancouver, BC
7/29/2010
Very good authentic sushi bar. The service and food is excellent, but you do end up paying the price for high quality sushi on the beach. I have gone to the Chinese run sushi store next door for cheap sushi, but as far as the food and flavours go, the Chinese sushi does not compare. If money isn't an issue and you're looking for good sushi, then this is the spot for you.
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Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
7/6/2009
Take a walk along Kits Beach as the sun sets then go across the street to Kibune, preferably mid week and in winter so much the better. The quality has been consistent for over 20 years. I introduced many people to sushi here and continue to go about once a month, I only give it a pass when the line is out the door, I can go back another day as it will still be there and the quality will be the same.
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Review from West D.
Vancouver, BC
12/22/2009
I think that this is one of the best sushi restaurants in Vancouver. It's small and little known, but staffed with genuine Japanese sushi chefs. They offer a wide variety of sushi and other Japanese foods, beers & sake. Rather on the expensive side compared to the typical Chinese-run sushi bar, but worth it if you're a sushi connoisseur.
Cosy location across from the beach in Kitsilano. Small deck for outdoor dining in summer. -
Review from Marlena M.
Vancouver, BC
2/4/2010
This is very, very good sushi. Often we in Vancouver get used to "fast food sushi". There are lots of good, but basic places in town that we start finding it hard to justify tracking down the real thing, ordering Sake, and taking our time. This is the real thing, from the private booths to the guy behind the counter with a long, grey braid wrapped around his head.
We ordered a ton of stuff including a fabulous sushi and sashimi combo. Everything was fresh, beautiful and perfect. The menu is also very small, stripped down to just the best of the basics. There are always daily specials; look at what they are working with. Even better, ask what's good that day.
The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the soup as I found it a little bit boring, but that's just my personal taste. All in all we spent about $90 for 3 large bottles of sake, 2 starter, soup and sushi and sashimi. Now really, that's not that expensive considering we ate like spoiled brats. -
Review from Yunn A.
7/4/2010
Sushi is not good here. Not fresh, service is slow, and you could have so much better sushi within a couple blocks.
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Review from Esther Y.
8/29/2008 3 photos
Very small restaurant but a hidden gem near Kitsilano Beach. Long waits for seating, but delicious food that is well presented! See pictures!
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Review from Jamie K.
Vancouver, BC
1/30/2011
Having dinner with TY and the Wus. Great sushi
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Review from Meredith O.
10/27/2008 2 photos
I can honestly say that this was the best sushi I have ever had in my life. My boyfriend and I were on vacation in Vancouver and my loved one insisted he take me here after him visiting a month before with a work colleague.
Walked in without a reservation and the place was pretty packed, so instead of sitting at a table we ate at the bar...which turned out to be the best seat in the place !
We ordered Omakase (Chef's Choice) which means we tell them a dollar amount per person and the sushi chef serves you what he pleases. Beautiful cuts of sashimi plated with intricate shavings of vegetables cut into flowers and draped with garnishes. Absolutely delicious. It began with the first course being a highly special mushroom soup that had tons of flavor, then came the sashimi and some rolls. We asked that they keep the dinner $50 per person and that gave us four courses with a mango ice cream for dessert. Absolutely delicious...this will go down as my most memorable sushi dinner for sure ! We will be back the next time we are in the Couv ! -
Review from Danny D.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2010
I found this place way too much for my liking. Dish were way too over price.
