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Suika
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Japanese, Tapas/Small Plates [Edit]
1626 W BroadwayVancouver, BC V6J 1X6
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 730-1678
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 1 am
- 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:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Ying Ying L. said: "Wine & painting...a combo that's hard to beat. If you want a place to relax, chill and get your artistic side out, this is the place for you. Go on your own or with some friends. You don't all have to paint so if some people just want…" read more »
73 reviews for Suika
Review Highlights
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"Fun, friendly izakaya without having to go downtown." In 21 reviews -
"Beef Short Rib - Must try." In 5 reviews -
"Ebi Mayo - It was crispy and delicious." In 8 reviews
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Joanna N.
I tried out Suika during our yearly xmas trip back to Vancouver.
They have a lot of items on their menu, but we tried the:
Chinese poutine $6.80, corn kakiage $4.80, grilled duck $7.50, torotoro Cha-shu $6.80
Drinks: Boston mojito $8.00, fresh ginger ale $3.50
I loved the food! And the service was equally amazing!
What more could I ask for?!
I'm planning on going back here next time we're in Vancouver! -
Review from Awesta M.
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh Suika, you're so sweet to me! Hubby and I hosted our birthday dinner here with 12 of our friends. They accommodated our large group by making sure everyone had a separate bill which is such a nice touch.
The service was great. Our waitress was extremely attentive and patient with our varying orders and dietary needs. (Yes, we're that annoying large group, but I promise we tipped well!)
The food was great. I think we honestly tried everything on the menu between everyone at the table. I really loved their noodle dish (which I can't remember but trust me. They also randomly served a beef short rib that was cooked to perfection.
I would go back and have gone back. It's great and I think everyone should go. I also thought it was good value for my (husband's) money unlike other places. (j/k) -
Review from Robin M.
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
That's it, I'm riding this Suika train all the way back to the West End! Who knew such an amazing and authentic Japanese izakaya would exist outside of my favourite little corner of the city? Well, a lot of people, apparently -- this place is *always* packed. And for good reason: this little brother (sister?) of Kingyo (one of the absolute best izakayas Vancouver has to offer) is spacious and comfortable while maintaining the typical dark, slightly edgy feel of a traditional Japanese tapas joint. It's cool, but not too cool, if you know what I mean. Like, c'mon: this is Kits, people.
But the food!
The fooooood.
The food is unreal. Sashimi Shake Salad (impressive in both taste and presentation), Tuna Tataki, Pork Belly get in muh belleh. The Grilled. Sablefish. People. Honestly, order anything on the menu, hell, order errthang on that menu and prepare to be wowed.
Awesome ambiance; limited (but present! Proper-like) scotch menu; loud and energetic staff -- this is the Suika train. I encourage you to hop on. -
Review from Martina M.
Vancouver, BC
4/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I planned a surprise birthday party for my fiance, and ended up making a reservation at Suika thanks to many positive reviews on Yelp and Yelper recommendations. I chose Suika also because it is kid friendly, reasonably priced, and willing to accommodate 20 people on a Saturday night. They were also cool with having people arrive at different times, so the entire group didn't have to arrive at 5:30 PM. The only request Suika had was that we finished dinner at 7:30 PM, which was easy enough.
We were seated at a long table against the wall right next to the front window, which was perfect. We were given a few menu sheets, which has tons of drink and food options. The cocktail options are pretty neat, and include oolong tea cocktails and plenty of sake options (which I'll have to come back and try). I had a Suika special, which was full of watermelon deliciousness. I also had a real screwdriver, which included freshly squeezed orange juice and was also great. My fiance and a few of the guys indulged in Sapporo pitchers, which were $11.
As for the food, it was fantastic! I ordered the avocado sushi, which had avocado on beds of rice sashimi style, and was way more delicious than words can say. I also love spicy food, so I ordered the hells chicken, which Suika claims is addictive and spicy. The spice on it was great, it was very flavorful and packed just the right amount of heat. The chicken was also perfectly cooked. I also tried a bite of octopus, which was a bit chewy (as octopus normally is) but it was really neat. Everyone's food looked fantastic, and I'll definitely be back to try more menu options.
As for service, our waitress was nice and accommodated our request to give everyone separate bills (since people were leaving at different times). I know this was a pain, but it made everything so much simpler. Our poor waitress was slammed with other big groups, so she forgot a few drink and food orders. However, when reminded, she did get the order in and bring everything as fast as possible. I really appreciated how she brought everything out as soon as it was ready, so nothing was sitting in the window.
Overall, Suika is a great place for large groups, kids, and anyone who wants to try different Japanese Tapa's without breaking the bank. I'd just come early, because it was jam packed by 6 PM when we were there. -
Review from Evanna F.
Vancouver, BC
5/6/2012
Been here twice now and keep wanting to go back. Great place to go with a few friends to share food. Service was phenomenal. Food was delicious. The hiramasa was a hidden gem that people must try. They seem to be out of yellowtail cheek each time I've been there. It must be that good!
Date of meal: May 3, 2012 -
Review from Meana k.
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Move over Guu. I might actually have another izakaya go-to. Came here for a CMYE put on by Robin M, so had a fun bunch of Yelpers to dine with. We sat in the back corner in some UFC cage enclosed little room past the bar and before the washroom. Plenty of seating for a large group.
Amebi Kimchi -- delightfully different way of seasoning the sashimi shrimp. Ask them to deepfry the heads for you. Yum.
Ebi Mayo -- was nice, pretty standard.
Hellz Chicken -- deep friend hot wings; YUM. The menu says dangerous, they're addictive. I liked 'em. I'll order them again. Boneless, to boot.
Shake Sashimi Salad -- awesome!!! Great value, tons of sashimi in there, the dressing was perfect. Loved the presentation in a large mason jar.
Tuna Avocado Sashimi -- Nothing special. Pretty standard but came with a nori puree that was interesting. Tons of onions, too.
Pork Torotoro Chasu -- Tried a small bite and wanted to order my own. So melt in your mouth good!
Kakumi Bibimbap -- Tried a small bite and enjoyed it. I wouldn't want this as my full meal, but great for sharing. Didn't taste like an authentic bibimbap, though.
Off the special menu, tried a bite of the sting ray which was not the texture I was expecting but had the flavor I thought it would. I wouldn't want a full order of this, personally.
Service was super friendly and sweet, but would have been great to have a little more attention on drinks and have water fillups come around more often. (Why don't restaurants just leave pitchers of water at the table??)
I also would have loved a little more clarity on the menu and what/how to order. For example, I like how some izakaya restaurants divvy up their menu by types of food and/or how shareable or large the item is. The broken English didn't help things questions were asked.
Still, I look forward to coming back here again soon! -
Review from Rick C.
I could eat at Suika everyday. Usually, I go for after hours eats, but this time Sophia and I got a late lunch at our favourite Broadway eatery.
We shared a bunch of dishes including a spicy pork rice bowl and French frites. I couldn't resist snacking on the fries and gobbling up the mixed rice.
Probably my pick for chicken katsu curry. It was delicious and filling. We also feasted on some chicken karaage and the chewy rice cakes with sauce, both very tasty.
It was another fine meal. Suika always delivers a more than satisfactory meal and dining experience with interesting dishes cooked well.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/11/2012
Hands down, one of my favourite places in general, but especially for after hours eats, is the… Read more »
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Review from Wendy Y.
3/30/2012
If you wanted trendy creative Japanese tapas, do come here. Suika is a solid 5, no less in all aspects - food, service, and ambiance. Even though I've been here a couple of times I must say each experience is unique.
My recent experience was coming here on a date with my dear significant other. He bought a Groupon for the two of us so as a token of appreciation the sake was on me. Side note, the service was fast. The first dish came out in about 5 minutes after our order was taken.
The first dish was a salmon Carpaccio salad. The sesame dressing with a light hint of wasabi mayo went well together. It was light and refreshing. The yuzu zest gave the salad a bitter (good) kick.
The second dish was a AAA beef steak with dried garlic and wedged/baked potato with skin. We were never asked how we wanted our steaks done but they came out pink on the inside and so very juicy. The portion was generous too both the meat and the potato.
The third dish was an oxtail ramen. I love the ramen. The noodles ware chewy and bouncy. And grease from the beef broth was so heavenly. The chopped green onions were more than just the decor. They helped cut the fat and I never wanted the magic in my mouth to end. I love how the portion was smaller than the second course and the amount was just right. If the ramen was to be any bigger, the diminishing return would have made this dish mediocre. Smaller portion allowed us to savor every mouthful! Side note, sake went exceptionally well with the fatty ramen.
Our meal ended with a lovely pumpkin creme brulee. I enjoyed clever twist to the traditional eggy dessert.
I must say the service was very attentive. When I couldn't find a server to get my bill (because it was prime dinner time), I accidentally made eye contact with a chef and he summoned a server to me right away.
If you have not been to this restaurant and you are reading my review to help you decide the "should I do it or shouldn't I" question, hesitate no more my friend, pick up the phone and make a reservation today.Listed in: Japanese Food
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Review from Nicolb T.
3/27/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Friendly staff & delicious food.
I haven't ordered anything on the menu that I wouldn't recommend, so for the good of your tastebuds and stomach, ORDER. EVERYTHING.
Their brunch is delightfully flavourful as it was filling and affordable. At approximately $10 per person, you'll get a fill of izakaya mastery and more.
As it's currently the beginning of oyster season, they have oyster specials for $1.80 or regular $2.00. Though not a huge drop in price - considering happy hours downtown offer $1.00 shucks - the quality is top-notch and the flavour pairings are a favourite. Ponzu jelly mixed with yuzu zest and just a touch of vinegar. I can't ask for better.
They're pretty awesome when it comes to birthday parties as well, offering a small private area for everyone. Oh, and they'll sing.
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On the table in IN MUH BELLY:
lightly smoked tuna tataki
asparagus chawan-mushi
tokyo oxtail ramen
negitoro battera
tako karaage
beef short rib
toro toro cha-shu
beef filet steak
kakuni bibimbap
almond tofu
matcha brulee
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Extensive recommendation list for an impressive menu.Listed in: Oysters & Pearls & Tabasco!
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Review from Odette C.
Vancouver, BC
3/28/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great location (I even found free parking close by), great food, great drinks
Not a huge fan of beer but you get a pitcher of Sapporo for $15, I can't refuse.
My favorite dish was the beef short ribs, so much tender moist meat with a terrific sauce. Maybe order the bibimbob rice to go along with it.
Always I order the prawn ebi mayo, this one was delicious
Toro toro char siu was ok, better than the char siu @ the ramen places though.
Tofu salad. Love this salad although it sounded kinda strange. It's actually a normal salad with dressings with almost what is like a mapo tofu on top (minced pork on top)
oxtail ramen. not really like the oxtail ramen I've had in Japan or Hawaii. It's a fairly light broth with small chunks of oxtails, the ramen itself was really nice.
matcha brulee...it's actually matcha ice cream with brulee topping.
I would definitely go again. -
Review from Vincci L.
Get the Kakuni Pork Belly bibimbap. They have perfected this stone bowl rice with a flavourful pork belly, dried shrimp, and scallions, mixed together with a sweet sauce when served. The result-every grain of rice is coated in the sauce, and the hot stone bowl creates crispness in the texture of the rice. Absolutely indulgent.
Next, order the Negitoro Battera: pressed sushi with tuna belly and scallions, topped with a sweet soy on top. Delicious.
Last, the matcha brulee. Yes, a matcha creme brulee, to be exact. So creamy, so good! The addition of a red bean sauce also makes this dessert on of my favourites in Vancouver.
With a hip atmosphere, it's a great izakaya out of downtown. Be prepared for waits on the weekend though, this place gets really busy!!Listed in: Irresistable Izakaya., Bibimbap Crazy!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/19/2010
Suika! Suika!
Such a cute name! (Suika means watermelon in Japanese.) Newly opened at Broadway &… Read more »
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Review from Mark H.
Long, long overdue update to my favourite restaurant in Vancouver.
I've been 16 times and counting and they've never let me down.
Makotz (manager) rocks this ninja joint. And his tweets are always entertaining @suika_izakaya. All the Japanese servers are sincere and attentive and don't excessively yell like another place.
Newest discovery: Suika's own Sake. This sh*t is smooth!!Listed in: Real Japanese Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/8/2010
Aptly named 'Watermelon', this Jap joint is a refreshing addition to Fairview slopes. Random fact:… Read more »
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Review from Maggie L.
Vancouver, BC
3/7/2012
LOVEEEEEEE SUIKA!!!
I came here one night after a not so awesome meal elsewhere with the love. I called in 15 minutes before to make sure we'd get a seat and the waitress saved us a 2 seater right by the window. Now this being my first time.. I was super impressed with the amount of space Suika has! Compared to Guu, Gyoza King and the likes..I felt at ease not having to rush through my meal for the next guest or feel super cramped with another table right up in my grill. I felt really comfortable and thought Suika did a ncie job with their decor as well.
We ordered:
Ebi Mayo
Tako Wasabi
Scallop sashimi
Oxtail Ramen
Everything was SUPER tasty..and can I just say I've heard RAVE reviews on their oxtail ramen..but to actually taste it for myself..OMG. *DIES* Seriously the best thing I've had to date for 2012. Price is very reasonable and I know I'll be back. There was a HUGE birthday table behind us (30 people I'd say) so it was a bit noisy..but I like the livelyness it brings and fits the mood. I really enjoyed the loud banging and singing the waitresses/waiters would do when they send out a birthday cake...very very entertaining.
Service was quick and prompt, very friendly and felt taken care of. Our waitress would walk by every few minutes to check on her area and I liked that she wasalways available even if we didn't need her.
My only complaint would be: Charging for tea. I know a lot of places do this now..but it's tea. However, it's not a major issue for me..just more of an observation. -
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 3/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Still a fan of this place, just not the $18 VanEat. Included the sashimi salad, maybe 3 pieces, which actually was quite good, then the sirloin steak on the hot stone w/ nice crunchy garlic chips, but the wedge fries that came with it were forgettable. The average dessert was the pumpkin creme brulee; once you've had the regular flavour, nothing's the same ;(
Still ordered the ebi mayo as an extra which was pretty yummy as usual, and managed to get a table even on a Friday night.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/12/2012
My newest go-to izakaya w/o driving to DT! Definitely lived up to its billing to its sister Kingyo,… Read more »
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Review from Kari C.
Updated - 2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can't say enough how much I love this place.
Have been back a few more times since the last review.
They have lunch service now!
I tried the black ramen and the tonkatsu curry.
The ramen at Suika is always pretty good, with chewy noodles, tender meat, and rich broth, but it's not on par with what you can get at ramen houses like Santouka and Motomachi. I don't expect it to be, because those places specialize in the dish, but just be warned that you can't really get disappointed about it. Suika is an Izakaya place that has some decent bowls of noodles on the menu.
That being said, lunch service comes with a complimentary salad of iceberg lettuce and what tastes like a sesame and garlic dressing. It's really strong, crisp, and refreshing. Nice touch.
The tonkatsu curry is a giant (really, there's a mini-version that is normal-sized) bowl with sushi rice, a reasonably large pork cutlet, a pile of shredded cabbage, and a lot of sweet, gently spiced curry with shredded beef tendon inside.
It's glorious. The pork was perfectly cooked and juicy, with a crispy exterior, still crunchy even after sitting in the curry.
You know what makes a great lunch even better?
Plum wine.
Yes!!!Listed in: Surefires, Werewolf Time
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/25/2010
I went here last night with my brother, his girlfriend, my boyfriend, and my sister. From the very… Read more »
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Review from Sophia C.
Vancouver, BC
1/9/2012
Suika is my favourite izakaya in Vancouver. There are plenty around town, but Suika is always my number one choice. It's also not downtown, so parking is usually easier.
The ambience is casual yet stylish. The beer bottle lighting is a nice touch. The staff is friendly and helpful.
My favourite dishes are the oxtail ramen, beef short rib (fall off the bone), hellz chicken (super spicy to me), tofu salad, french fries (yes, french fries) their various carpaccios, bibimbap, fried udon, and negitoro battera. The food is just so delicious! Never disappoints. If you have room for dessert, make sure to order the Matcha Brule, which is a frozen version of the creme brule. They also have seasonal specials. The winter brule with mango ice cream is a new fav of mine.
For drinks, I love their fresh ginger soda, which I believe Kingyo also serves. Suika's ebi mayo is not as good as Gu's, however.
I love coming here for lunch or dinner. Give it a try! -
Review from TheHungryNomad E.
2/14/2012
We are so spoiled in Vancouver...on many fronts but particularly on the food front. Thanks to the various immigrant groups that have made this city as colorful as it is today you can have any type of food your little heart desires any time of day and night. I've searched the world through and through (excluding Japan) and can hands down guarantee that we have some of the best Japanese Izakayas in the world. This confidence was bolstered by my last visit to a new Izakaya (its been around for 1 year now): Suika Izakaya.
This place was recommended by fellow bloggers. Wanting to try something outside of the downtown core we headed over the bridge (5 minutes over the bridge) to Suika- located on Broadway and Burrard. It is a great Izakaya place: good food, great service and great ambiance. The decor is really well done. I especially loved the empty sake bottles hanging chandelier. -
Review from Francesca P.
1/1/2012
Fantastic. Like being back in Japan (sort of): love the standard greeting!
Also the ambiance is dimly lit and lovely, and the music is good. Menu is a little off beat in terms of what people generally think of when considering Japanese food (for example, only two sushi choices are available and they are not rolls) it is lovely, but could put some people off. Give it a chance! The flavors are vibrant, the presentation is modern, and everything is simply delicious. Really excellent food. Matcha creme brulee for dessert is sublime! -
Review from Elaine V.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2012
My favourite Izakaya in Vancouver, hands down!
They make the BEST, most delicious cocktails (try their famous 'Suika Soda' made with fresh watermelon puree and you'll know what I mean) and their food is just as good. I've been here twice for dinner and both times, I had some pretty delicious food. Standouts were the Sashimi Shake Salad, Tuna Tataki, and the Pork Belly Stone Bowl. When I visited for the first time back in October, they were serving a Pumpkin Creme Brûlée on their seasonal menu and it was the best creme brûlée I've ever had!
The staff are friendly and accommodating, and reservations on weekends are a must because the restaurant can get quite busy!
Give Suika a try! Mmm...that Suika Soda.... -
Review from Diana C.
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here with a friend during DineOut, but unintentionally. We ended getting one DineOut meal to share along with some other dishes from the main menu.
My favourite dish was definitely the beef short rib! It was a good size, EXTREMELY tender, and the sauce was delicious! Definitely recommend getting this - they have this on their regular menu as well. Another favourite was the black sesame cheesecake from the DineOut menu. It was the perfect combination of sesame flavour plus original cheesecake. Yum!
It is quite loud, crowded and dimly lit in there - but that's all part of an authentic Japanese restaurant dining experience. All the best Japanese tapas/izakayas have been the same. It's definitely a really great home-y place to try new dishes (or drink!). Service was great! -
Review from Brittany W.
North Vancouver, BC
Suika is currently my favourite Japanese tapas restaurant. Here's why:
The food is consistently satisfying. The chefs and servers are welcoming and friendly. The decision makers seem to be generous and active in community engagement (hosted a Yelp Elite event and Suika Me Silly). It's beautifully designed, comfortable and modern. Plus, the washrooms are very clean and stocked with a 'hygiene' bar. Love it!
I came for an intimate Suika Me Silly UYE with three great people (Christine R, Dru C and Mark H). For $16, we enjoyed an amazing 4-course meal:
- Spicy beef tataki with salad
- Deep fried corn fritters + Mapo deep fried rice cake
- Smoked mackerel nigiri and negitoro nigiri
- Green tea creme brulee with strawberries and whip!
I would order all again, except the second dish as it's a little heavy for my liking (but still delish). Easily would have paid double+ for the courses, the service and full experience. Can't wait to be back!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/28/2011
A modern Japanese Izakaya with delicious reasonably-priced tapas in a friendly and professional… Read more »
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Review from Dru C.
A western modern twist to a tapa bar. One thing is that it really doesn't resemble Japanese. I like that about this place that it is different, and not seem so on the down low.
I actually like this place. I promised myself to at least come here after that Yelp Elite Event, and for sure I can say it was worth it. The style of making the food is not very traditional Japanese, but I can say that the flavour of the food here is exquisite.
We had the set menu as it was made in 6 types of dishes.
The first dish was a Spicy Beef Tataki. It was a VERY spicy dish, even for me, as I love spicy food, like a lot. The other thing is that the dish contains a lot of greens, which I approve on. 4/5 for that dish.
The second and third dish was Deep Fried Corn Fritters, and Mapo Deep Fried Rice Cake. I enjoyed the deep fried style. You can taste the fresh oil and it was very crispy. To be honest, I really didn't taste the corn sweetness, it was lost in translation. But I did like the texture as they were nice and small and round. It was very cute. The fried rice cake was not really my thing. It was really hard and not that chewy. I can for sure say it was really hard to eat. The Mapo sauce on top of it was well done though, I can say that, but the fried rice cake really didn't need to be deep fried. 3.5/5 for both.
The next two dishes were a sushi dish. There was smoked mackerel nigiri, and negitoro nigiri. I loved the negitoro as it was perfectly seasoned, and perfectly fatty tasting. TEEHEE. The smoked mackerel was seared in a different way that I wanted it, but it had the perfect texture. The only negativity I have here is that the sushi is not a hand pressed style but in an already made square format. That was the only thing I didn't like, because once they did this, the sushi rice was easily broken, and it didn't have structure. 4/5
The desert, and last dish was the Green Tea Creme Brule Square which we had at the Elite Event. Those were for sure my favourite. The Matcha was very strong and it was perfect for my creamy adoring pallete. I loved the creme brulee enhancement they added onto the dish. I do believe it was a tad cold for my taste, but overall it is perfect in every way. 5/5
I enjoyed the place a lot, especially the modern art decor and the atmosphere. The place looks clean, as usual, and the waitress and hostess was very friendly. The food was lovely, and for sure I would come back here anytime!! LOVE IT, it truely deserves a pure 4 out of 5 stars!! :DListed in: Yelp's 30 DAYS of AWESOMENESS, Authentic Japanese Food
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Review from Sarah Y.
Vancouver, BC
This place is a staple for me - even when I'm feeling like doing something healthy. The ramen noodle salad, pork broth and the smoked tuna tataki is delicious.
And once you go BLACK, it's true, you can never go back! Order the Asahi Black beer. You won't regret it. =) -
Review from Jacqueline T.
Yum!
Already a lot of informative good reviews for Suika. Just wanted to add my ratings, and also note that Suika is now open for Lunch as well starting at 11:30AM, except Wednesday where they are closed.
Menu's for Lunch and Dinner are very different. But both very delicious. The typical style of tapas in a izakaya place, but with a lil modern, not so formal kick. Presentation of all the foods was wonderful, and everything tasted very different from one another.
I always can't resist ordering multiple dishes. Even for lunch.. when the lunch portion is hefty already, I still had to order a side of fries :) I recommend you choosing the items that make you start salivating when you read them! Take your time, I know there's a lot to choose from. Dinner tapas are more on the smaller side, but just makes you be able to try more dishes!~ One of my favorites is their clam pan fried udon! mmmmm
Price is a bit more friendly than Hapa, and more similar to Guu!
Classy, modernistic environment. And very go-happy service! They even open the door for you with a smile when you leave - inviting you warmly to return again soon!
My photos enclosed :)Listed in: Japan! Arigato!
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Review from Nancy W.
12/4/2011
Kingyo expanded a sister restaurant Suika Izakaya on West Broadway and Fir St. I was there on a Tuesday night and it's already packed around 7pm. Make sure you make reservation if you want to come on the weekend. I really enjoy looking at their beer bottles covered lights, quite creative.
They have a Suika-watermelon signature drink and they serve it in a cocktail glass that also has a watermelon on it. I finally realized that they put the Japanese cartoon character Doraemon and his little sister Dorami as the menu background at the second time I was there. Obviously I am all about their food.
Cuisine: Japanese, Izakaya, Tapa
Price/Entrée: $10-20
Out of 5... (1: Don't bother -- 5: Excellent)
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ambiance: 4.5
Overall: 4
First we started with Toko wasabi and amaebi sashimi. Amaebi is always my favorite and it's a must order item. I wish they could deep fry the shrimp heads. It looks more appealing and fresh with the whole shrimp on the plate.
Amaebi Sashimi $5
Toko wasabi with seaweed $3.5
Kakuni Bibimbap $8.80 picture take after the server mixed the rice.
Stewed pork belly, sweet dried shrimp & scallions on rice served in a hot stone bowl.
Another must order item is Aburi 'Shime-saba' sushi. Saba became my new favorite sashimi a couple years ago. The rice was a bit soggy with too much sauce.
Aburi 'Shime-saba' sushi $12
Seared Cured Mackerel Pressed sushi served with mustard soy dressing.
AAA steak on hot stone plate. You can tell I am a fan of hot stone bowl/plate. You can cook your steak a bit more on the hot stone plate if you wish. But I like it as is, perfect medium rare. You may find it a bit more on the salty side.
AAA Beef filet Steak and fresh garlic served on a hot stone plate $16
Comes with fresh shichimi spice & soy onion sauce
If you have more room for dessert, I would recommend matcha cream brulee to complete your meal. It's a frozen dessert and it tastes like ice-cream. So yummy.
Matcha cream brulee (left) and red bean strawberry cake (right)
They do open late, a good place to have dessert and drinks! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/13/2011
In recent years, I haven't been much of an izakaya goer. I love the innovative style of food and sharing plates of these Japanese drinking and eating spots, just not the loud, boisterous crowded aspects, like lining up on the sidewalk with hordes of ESL students all furiously texting one another.
Suika is like a more mature version of the izakaya. It's on the West Side, not in the West End, set apart from that nexus of other ramen shops, AYCE sushi, Korean joints, and izakayas like Guu. (Bonus: easier transit and parking.) It's also got a darker allure with arty touches such as the sake bottle chandelier and textured walls inset with abacuses and chopsticks wrapped in colourful fabrics. But it still has the playfulness of a classic izakaya in touches such as a big Doraemon face on the menu (a famous Japanese character often seen on cute stationery and other products in Japan), the cute girl-drink cocktails, and food so photogenic it practically poses for the camera.
A lot of people will twist themselves around trying to decide whether or not Suika is "authentic" enough ... I lived in Japan and often went to izakayas with my friends, and Suika does not physically resemble those joints with their red lanterns and luck cats and fish tanks and bright lighting and (oh I just teared up a little here) all-you-can-drink beer and cocktail specials. But that's okay. What we do have on this side of the Pacific is the good food, built to share.
Well, actually, on this trip, we all got our own food, via the Suika Me Silly dining passes. Dru describes it excellently, six courses of oishii yums: saucy beef tataki, corn kakiage (fritters), the ma-po rice cake (a mochi with pork sauce - a challenge to eat elegantly, but guuud), negitoro and mackerel pressed sushi, and finally, the matcha brulee, a green tea ice cream with caramelized surface and served with whipped cream and fruit.
To drink, I had a New Caesar and a Suika Cocktail ($7 each). The Caesar was described as having kimchi, which made me curious enough to order it, but it tasted just like a regular Caesar. The Suika cocktail (suika means watermelon) tasted like very sweet watermelon. Both contained plenty of ice and well-disguised vodka. Girl drinks! (A full list of harder stuff - whiskey, sake - is also available.)
Finally, I rolled to the washroom. Love the little floor lamps lighting the way when you get past the kitchen and bar area ... and the little array of freshening-up items on the bathroom counters - mouthwash, toothpicks, etc. My dining companions tell me that many nightclubs have these now, except there's an attendant you have to tip in order to use the toiletries. Suika just provides them. Lovely, lovely.
Such a gracious establishment. So many things I need to eat here. So. Who's up for a trip to a different kind of snack bar?Listed in: Irraishaimase!
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Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I visit a Japanese place where I'm the only Caucasian there, (which was actually extremely surprising, but that's another story) I take that as a good sign. Not so much in this case, but maybe they know something that I just don't. I loved the Japanese atmosphere, friendliness and decor--that is, until the dishes arrived.
Drinks-extremely reasonably priced, but if you don't drink mixed drinks, there wasn't much for me choose from where wine was concerned.
Order:
Skipped the prawns due to recommendations on here. What we got instead which WAS recommended was like one giant deep fried potato pancake consisting of squid and onions. Quite disappointing and greasy. We were not off to a good start.
Short rib-by far, the best part of the menu. Sweet and tasted like candy. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too fatty, and I love fatty short ribs.
Mackerel + salad- the salad was okay, but I'm not a mackerel fan in the first place. My partner, a huge mackerel fan said it was just ok, so I won't comment further on this dish.
Rice bowl with pork and shrimp-just way too greasy, and this is a regular order for me elsewhere.
Maybe we ordered too many things; by the end of it all, I just felt ill but not satisfied from all of the grease. I might as well have imbibed on a White Spot cheeseburger and fries. The best part was the frozen grape in the frozen dish.
The second best part was watching the young teenage boy play his video games, wearing huge headphones, and eating his dinner. His parents didn't seem to care in the slightest. I guess that's par for the course.
Although it was nicely decorated and service was great, we were not impressed with the food, overall. A solid 2.5 and I probably won't be back, otherwise I would bump it up to a 3. I guess I've been spoiled by better Japanese elsewhere. (Miku, for one). -
Review from Janice F.
10/24/2011
Fun, friendly izakaya without having to go downtown! Parking galore, and no long waits on a weekend - score.
Massive fresh squeezed grapefruit + cassis drink, cheap pitchers of asahi and many girly drinks on the menu.
The hits:
Toro chasu - oooh, this would go well with ramen. A must order.
Deep fried corn fritters - well-seasoned and pops in your mouth!
Ika karrage - deep fried squid, plum & egg white marinade
Pork belly stone bowl fried rice - tasty & a bit spicy
Red bean daifuku - creamy red bean gelato wrapped in mochi skin
Frozen green tea creme brulee - you can really taste the green tea
No major misses except for the 4 person steak - it looks good, but it was really well-done.. you can grill up a better steak at home. -
Review from Roanna Z.
11/1/2011
In a parallel universe where I can eat all foods, and my eating partner isn't such a picky eater, I would LOVE this place! It's so fun and the food is fresh and beautifully presented. I'm a bit of a fraidy cat about eating these kind of raw foods, but I just opened my mind and went on my own private culinary adventure, (and lived to tell about it). It was good!
I love the interior. The details are so cool, like the Saki bottle chandelier, the vertical trim used for parts of the wall, the concrete squares used as a wine rack, the plumbing pipes and hardware used as a room break. These are all so imaginative!
The service is patient, (although, communication is definitly handicapped because I don't speak Japanese), they tried to accommodate my allergies but I wouldn't recommend it openly for people with allergies.
They're even child friendly. The couple next to us had three children. A brave thing it is, to bring them to a Japanese resto!
-btw. these children were gorgeous! I kept staring at them. We eventually began a conversation because I couldn't take my eyes off their beautiful kids. I joked; "Are they real or CGI" ? They laughed. The kids found enough to eat and did not complain. I was really impressed. -
Review from Derek W.
11/12/2011
Like it's partner Kingyo (http://www.yelp.ca/biz... ), Suika delivers on Japanese tapas and even a few mains. It is quirky enough to be fun, and decor classy enough for a first date.
The $38 "Dynamic Steak" was the highlight of my experience. Shared with two other big eaters, we each got a massive cut of the "W lb!" bone-in. On the tapas front, the mayo prawns weren't too mayo-ed, and the Sashimi "shake" salad is "shaked" right at your table! -
Review from Takeshi T.
Vancouver, BC
2/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went to here last December with my friends. Actually I don't remember so much about menus, place, price and so on. But it might not be so bad feeling. That's why rating is star three. I will try again someday! (Suica is little bit far from my house.)
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Review from Roni L.
Vancouver, BC
I went to Suika on sorta-first date/more food outing and she really wanted to try Suika, so off we went. It turns out that Suika is owned by the same people who operate Kinyo on Denman, which I see lineups for, so I was curious what it as like.
The interior of the room is beautiful. Very nice and very busy, with lots of staff scurrying around.
We had the 9 dish appetizer to start, which was ok, but really small. Then we had the Ebi Mayo, which is deep fried tempura prawns with spicy mayonnaise. It was the highlight of the meal. Next we had the pork cha sui (which was way to fatty) and the duck (super tiny, was there a duck on the plate?) and then the bim boo rice, which was ok as well.
The matcha creme brulee wasn't anything to write home about either.
All in all, it was nice to say you've been there, but I'd rather go to Guu and get some real Japanese tapas. -
Review from Annie W.
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here tonight for dinner prepared to be let down by the hype. Happy to say that Suika did not disappoint and I am now quite the fan.
Suika gets 4* for Service, Decor/Atmosphere, Crowd, Food Presentation, and overall first impressions.
Food gets 3.5* as I did find a few of the items a bit too "fishy" tasting or on the salty side (that's you mapo rice cake). On the plus side I think I found my new food addiction - it's called Crack Corn...I mean Corn Kakiage. It's dangerous stuff.
Can't wait to come back and try some of the other interesting dishes that landed on our neighbors tables!
Ok I lie. I just want more of that crack corn.Listed in: Yelp 30 Day Challenge 2011
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Review from Scott H.
Updated - 12/2/2011
Starting to get a little sweet on this place. Second stop in and of course I get the Ebi bowl, because it's easy, tasty and cheap...just like me, save for the tasty part. The wife gets the Short Rib, and, in case you didn't know, Short Rib doesn't mean small. It was a friggin monster piece of meat, and it was tasty as all hell. That's 2 dishes that are orderable and perfect for lunch.
I'm likely being a little hard on the place and it could be close to a 4, but the honey soda drink they said was "so gooood" sucked, the service seemed a little weak and the Irasshaimase! seemed a little forced. Man, that sounds doucehbaggy. Well I do live on the verge of Yaletown...
Arrigato!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/22/2011
Not bad, not bad at all. Had the ebi rice bowl. Was very good. Friendly staff (if not the most… Read more »
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Review from BB H.
Burnaby, BC
9/15/2011
Has the same atmosphere as Japan-based izakayas and is super busy. The food though very good veers on that stupid fusion style. Would it kill an izakaya here in Vancouver to just do an EXACT copy of, say, Shirakiya or Murasaki Mura chain izakaya in Tokyo?
Yes, that is a pet peeve of mine but do go here, people, as it's pretty danged close to the real izakaya experience and I'll say the seafood tempura rocked, the yaki udon was seafoody-licious and the renkon was superb. Karaage was excellent as well. -
Review from Jaime T.
Burnaby, BC
Must have dined here on an 'off' day.
Servers brought the wrong items to our table twice (and we noticed they did the same thing to another nearby table).
After taking our order, one item arrived fairly quickly (toro chasui), but it took almost 45 minutes for our Tokyo oxtail ramen to arrive, and at that point, I asked whether our Chinese poutine was coming, too. (that arrived soon after and tasted a bit over done.)
Would have preferred to get both starters at the same time, and then the ramen last. Instead, we were eating ramen while our poutine got cold.
At the end, they cleared away our dishes as we were chewing our last bites. -
Review from Joanne M.
Vancouver, BC
12/4/2011
Finally, a restaurant that will make it in that space on Broadway and Fir!! The restaurant is across the street from my yoga studio and it is always packed when i look out the window. Thought this must be a "must try", did not disappoint at all. Similar to Kingyo they greet you as you walk in (I'm assuming they are saying something nice!).
Our favourite dishes are the oxtail miso, Ebi bowl, home made gingerale and melon soda.
Well done Suika, well done indeed. -
Review from Ellen L.
11/6/2011
We sat in a cage. Fur rills.
Actually it was kind of awesome, in a grungy urban chic kind of way. Ok, now I'm just piling adjectives together.
The food was alright. The Torotoro Cha-shu blew me away. They weren't kidding that "it melts in your mouth!!" It was really fatty though, so not for the squeamish lean eaters (cough, boyfriend, cough). The Negitoro Battera was weak on the scallion taste, but overall I enjoyed it. The Tuna-avocado was generic. The tuna sashimi (3 pcs) were very fresh, but the seaweed sauce was kind of a meh. The avocado pieces had started to oxidize by the time it was served. Not that I'm picking on them for that, just a friendly observation. :) Also had a taste of other people's food, namely the Corn Kakiage (never had deep fried corn, very very interesting; I liked it) and the Beef Short Rib (very tender).
To me, the appeal of sharing tapas is that it's intimate. It was so so so loud at Suika that it was difficult keeping conversation. Well, I guess it's first and foremost a drinking establishment (am not a drinker). Maybe you need to drink a little to appreciate the crowd. Maybe that's how an authentic izakaya is. But for me, the loud environment is a turn-off to enjoy the innovative food and its presentation. Shrug. -
Review from Annie M.
Vancouver, BC
I was craving for Japanese Tapas last night but didn't feel like drive all the way to downtown. That's why I searched on Yelp and found Suika to try out.
The interior was very modern and simple, the beer-bottle chandelier was so cool and caught my attention.
The drink and wine menu was great and many selections of cocktails too. However, the food menu was not outstanding.
Sashimi platter - Sockeye salmon, Tuna, Yellow tail, scallops and prawns. None of the items were fresh and tasty. I felt like having "All you can eat" that kind of quality!!
Ebi Mayo - It was crispy and delicious
Black Cod cheek - It was big and came with 2 pcs. However, it was too fishy and oily.
Grilled Duck - It was chewy and only 6 tiny pics!! Without the special saucing, it wasn't taste good.
Green Tea Brulee - It tasted strong favour of green tea and melted in your mouth. -
Review from Trude H.
Vancouver, BC
10/6/2011
Did lunch here today. What clinched the deal for me was seeing two young friends of friends go in - I know their tastes and I know their budget - I was the only caucasian for the first 15 minutes.
The chicken karaage was right on. This is one of my long time favorites, and here at Suika, there was not a hint of old oil taste. I especially enjoyed the fresh cilantro and the Sansho-Jio, both made this plate extra tasty. I ordered a bowl of rice and miso soup, and found thinly sliced turnip in the miso - a home style touch.
Seated at the bar, I had no idea how quickly the room had filled - whoa! A lineup out the door for lunch?
This location, as other reviewers mention, is on restaurant row. With Suika on the block, you can do tapas or a rice plate or bowl, according to how hungry you are. I like having a choice at lunch. And this is a grand place to have a business lunch. It's worth walking over from Granville Street.
I did notice, some of the Japanese patrons were handed another fresh sheet; today's offering was Sea Urchin Rice Bowl, something that I totally love and would have ordered, given the chance. I will be more vocal about my tastes next visit.
Friendly service, modern decor, 70's music today. Next visit I will sample the Suika Shirley Temple, made with fresh watermelon puree, calpico, soda and lime.
