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Shizen Ya
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Vegetarian Japanese, Vegetarian [Edit]
1102 W BroadwayVancouver, BC V6H
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 569-3721
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
9 reviews for Shizen Ya
9 reviews in English
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Review from Larry L.
Quinoa Inari. whole wheat tempura, organic tofu steaks, tofu cookies, veggie sushi, Japanese styled salads, Ocean wise fish, spinach curry with brown rice. This is modern Japanese food on the verge of being macrobiotic. It's health consciousness in a Japanese tofu sushi package. I Likey !
With the growing rage for healthier food in Japan. Your everyday old boring vegetarian fare is getting more interesting. Diabetic restaurants and restaurants for people on a diet that show exactly content is in the food that is on the menu. Healthy eating is now becoming a way of life, in a restaurant.
Of course it comes at a price. Which is a price to pay for better living and a healthier body, mind and soul!
Back to Vancouver, we have Shizen Ya (Natural or Natures way). One of only a handful of Japanese restaurants that is now serving food for to people that have a consciousness of what is to be eaten and even why.
Tried pretty much all their signature dishes that had flexed a good assortment of vegetarian items on the menu. I must say that I was impressed with their assortment.
The presentations were typical Japanese minimalist and the flavours in almost everything was slightly sweet. Typical of what I find for the Japanese palate.
However, this is also what I try to avoid. In most cases when I have sushi, I go hyper-glycemic in seconds and get dizzy. We asked for less sugar in the dishes that I knew would have, but it was kinda hard to avoid. Thankfully I had a driver, so I could try their food in the way that it is regularly served. With no need to worry about driving afterwards.
My venture for a true diabetic restaurant is still elusive to me, but I'm getting closer to finding what I really want.
For now, this place is one of the few Japanese restaurants that I would recommend if you are concerned about what goes in your belly.
Besides the sugar (I wonder if they used white sugar or brown, whole sugars) which I would love to see them use a natural sugar substitute. I only had one other qualm.
The brown rice was too soft.
If they could have various preparations of the brown rice, that would be great.
Right now most of the brown rice I had today was too soft and the glycemic index on that wouldn't be very good.
Other than that, (which I'm sure you readers are thinking, I'm being nit-picky about) I think this is near perfection.
You can't get any better than that, even if you were a Tetsujin trained by Budha himself.
Parking is available in the back and you don't need to wear sandals and white socks to eat here. Actually leave the white socks if you do. -
Review from Wendy Y.
3/15/2012
My significant other and I came here for lunch over the weekend. We honestly wouldn't have come here if it's not for Larry L's five-star review of this place. Unless you are walking in the neighborhood, as a driver you can easily miss this little gem.
Amongst the two of us we ordered a beef teriyaki on brown rice and house-made gyoza. The lunch combo came with a small organic mixed green salad. The vinaigrette was citrusy and appetizing. The beef teriyaki was well prepared. The sauce was a tad too sweet and salty for my taste but still good. The brown rice was cooked perfectly - not too soft or hard. The gyoza was my favorite. The skin was thin, almost transparent. The filling was plentiful. I like how even though they were pan-fried, they weren't greasy.
Although the price is on the high side, I would come back and try other menu items. I guess that's just how it is if you want healthy and delicious food. The service was attentive and relatively quick. The place has simple decors (dark hard wood with grey pebbles) but they feel modern at the same time. I love how clean it is too. This is a kid-friendly restaurant. Booster seats are available. While I was dining there I saw 3 toddlers munching away. I bet they have no clue how lucky they are to be eating yummy and healthy food here.
If you decided to come here, do check out the washroom. Their wooden basin is quirky. What a character!Listed in: Japanese Food
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Review from Brian S.
Updated - 3/26/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Tried the green/veggie rolls tonight refreshing and tasty. Brown Rice is well prepaid not just marking item to add to the menu. I be back for more soon.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/15/2012
I had the Combo Dinner, My partner had a Sashimi Don.
The Fish was of good Quality but it was still… Read more »
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Review from Johnny P.
Maple, ON
3/1/2012
I have had one of the best lunches here
Udon Lunch special
toro, anago sushi
They use brown rice and organic greens
You can really taste the freshness and the attention to small details in the presentation.
This tells me the chefs are artisinal and focus on quality
And attentive service
The japanese waitress is so shy in a very cute way
Love this place -
Review from Vivian W.
Vancouver, BC
11/9/2011
This is a new favourite. There is also a smaller outlet on Hornby Street as well but this location is much bigger. I love their concept because it seems to be more in line with authentic Japanese cooking - homemade, no additives and a focus on using fresh vegetables and natural ingredients.
Their lunch time udon + sushi combo is great for under $10. Lots of vegetarian options and the use of brown rice and other grain options (like quinoa in soup) is refreshing. They serve great genmaicha as tea! As well I saw a larger group of 10 reserve seating so they can definitely accommodate. I can't to go back regularly! -
Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very nice sushi, lots of real vegetarian options and good prices. This space has been lots of things from gelato to Indian food, maybe a little sushi place will hang around for awhile, I hope so I live nearby.
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Review from Wendy P.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2012
This place is fantastic! I can't say enough about their creative rolls and commitment to sustainable (most things are oceanwise certified) and healthy ingredients . Honestly, a couple of their signature rolls are among the best I've ever had (sakura blossom, natural bomber rolls). When I last visited they were still waiting on their liquor license, but don't let that stop you from checking it out. I've got my fingers crossed that this place is here to stay!
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Review from Jennifer B.
9/21/2011
My latest favourite little local japanese restaurant. Recently opened, so the atmosphere was quiet. Fresh, organic ingredients, good value & friendly service.
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Review from West D.
Vancouver, BC
10/9/2011
This is Japanese restaurant offers some interesting vegetarian dishes, although they did have fish and chicken items also. I had maki rolls that were all vegetable and no rice, a spinach curry, and sautéed lotus root with organic carrot - all good tasting and very healthy if you believe in the benefits of a high-vegetable diet advocated by the likes of Drs. Joel Fuhrman or Gabe Mirkin. The interior of the restaurant has a simple but modern decor. Prices were reasonable - a dinner for two cost $25.
