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Umeda Japanese Cuisine
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
1157 Granville StVancouver, BC V6B 2G6
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
(604) 687-0038
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 12 am
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
12 reviews for Umeda Japanese Cuisine
12 reviews in English
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Review from Scott W.
Vancouver, BC
3/10/2012 1 photo
This is the greatest place! We've been coming from day 1, when our other favourite moved out of town. Skeptical at first, because the service is spotty and sometimes the order is wrong, but the staff is family and a little overwhelmed at time by the number of people at lunch. And they open at 11:30...but don't actually 'open' until about 12 (you'll just sit and wait).
One compliant: it's cold. They don't seem to heat the place. I always wear a jacket.
But...that much said. The prices are very, very reasonable. I come probably four times a week, lunch, and when I had a week off ate every night for 9 days their takeout.
My dining partner always has either sushi roll combo (6.95...and these are gorgeous, large, rolls...spicy tuna has this beautiful slight crunch to it).
I always, and have never strayed, order sashimi combo (8.95 with miso). It is, hands down, the most generous portion of sashimi I ever had anywhere. I can't make it this large myself. And the tuna is unbelievably buttery/velvety. Nothing I've tasted before (I know so many sushi places around town) and the salmon could not be more fresh. If I can attach a pic, you'll see (check out the size of the quarter).
I came on a Sunday once, different staff (the family takes some time off) and the sushi chef served me the sashimi...not nearly as generous. Exactly what you get elsewhere for 9.95 or 10.95. I never go on Sunday but the M-F son said he was going to talk to him and adjust for consistency.
I mean, really, it is hands down the best deal, the best quantity, the best quality. Just be patient...pay the bill at the front if you can, understand their short-staffed and trying their best, accept the tea the mom keeps offering even though it would be impossible to fill your cup anymore, and wear something warm! -
Review from Taylor K.
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not bad sushi. The space is spacious with booth seats which I really like. It's big enough to fit a stroller in and that's a pretty big deal for me.
I ordered spicy salmon roll, volcano roll and a beef udon.
The spicy salmon wasn't that great. It was nicely rolled in the rice but the tempura bits they put in the roll was too much for the roll. I couldn't taste the salmon and the crunch bits was just distracting. It did not complement the salmon at all. And top it all, it wasn't spicy either.
The volcano roll was interesting in a good way. It is fairly pricey but it was way better than the spicy salmon.
The udon was all right. The broth was little bland and I didn't really like the lettuce they put in the soup. The lettuce was all soggy from being in the soup.
Overall, I like the space and the cleanliness. The sushi isn't too bad. Just don't expect spectacular sushi. The price is good and the location is pretty spot on as well since is fairly close to my house
The service was hit and miss. They were great about topping out tea cups but took awhile before coming to take our orders and for the bill. I ended up having to go to the front to pay which is fine with me. I just didn't like sitting there waiting for the bill that never came.Listed in: Baby friendly
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Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2012
In terms of food, nothing to get too excited about. It's above average, but this time I did venture something new, the Volcano roll, the cashew nuts was a bit different.
The dragon roll was on par with others.
It's in a convenient location and one of the cleaner restos there on Granville. Booth seating for those who care. I'd go back again if we're in the hood for casual drinks/eats. -
Review from Kwoky L.
Whenever we were craving for some cheap Japanese food on Granville St, Umeda is our go-to place. They don't have the finest food, but their combos are great for the budget conscious. They have a $6.95 deal for 3 sushi rolls but my favourite is the $7.25 combo with three piece nigiri sushi, salad, rice, miso soup, chicken/beef entree, and tempura. Some combos are also eligible for 10% off for pick ups. Their service is pretty good and friendly. They even served us green tea while waiting for our take out order on a cold winter day. That's a nice gesture from them.
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Review from Susie H.
8/12/2011 12 Check-ins Here
I'm so happy this place is close to where I live, because it's amazing! I recently moved to Vancouver from Toronto, so my standards may be lower to begin with, but the sushi here was really good - fresh, tasty, and inexpensive. The real crab California roll is amazing (in Toronto, these barely even exist)! The cooked food is also really good, and served hot.
One of my favourite things about Umeda is that the "lunch specials" are actually available at any time, AND they are available for take-out! The sushi special is $6.95 for any 3 of 30 specialty rolls (standards like salmon roll, cucumber, dynamite, bc, california, yam tempura) and miso soup. Although this kind of special is not unique to this restaurant, it's definitely a great deal! The bento boxes are also really well-priced and you get a ton of food, definitely enough for dinner (the $6.95 one gets you tempura, a spring roll, chicken or beef teriyaki, California roll, soup and salad).
The waiters here are always prompt and friendly, and I've never had any service-related issues.
They also offer 10% off when you pick up orders (if you order the $6.95 special, dinner combo, or a party tray, you have to order it 24h in advance to get this discount), and a free 2L pop when you order a party tray. -
Review from Amy T.
4/13/2011
I was excited to see a new sushi restaurant downtown and since we were too tired to keep walking in the rain, we decided to eat here.
The restaurant is fairly clean and new looking. There were some bento boxes still packaged up with platic on the shelves and everything looked organized. The servers weren't quick to help you and they kept forgetting things, but overall very friendly.
We ordered sushi rolls and the dinner for 2. The sushi is average, but the cooked food wasn't very good. The fried udon was too oily, didn't have enough taste and soggy. The chicken karage was fried too long, and tasteless. The tempera was edible and crispy except for the pumpkin piece. The pumpkin needed to be cooked longer or at least wait for the vegetable to be more ripe before using. My last issue was the ice cream that the dinner set came with. It was mint and chocolate chip which by the way is my absolute least favorite flavor. The ice cream tasted old because it had that powdery taste. I asked for another flavor, but they said they ran out of everything. I wish they would tell me before I ordered, but it's not a big deal. (I walked down the street for dessert)
The prices are extremely well priced and it only cost $16 per person for 3 people. Even though it was dirt cheap, I would probably venture out to other Japanese restaurants downtown. I rather pay more and there are plenty of restaurants that are of better quality. -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2011
I was pretty excited when I ordered my dinner here - their menu showed a good selection of sushi, sashimi, grilled food and box combos. As always, my eyes found the specialty rolls and I proceeded to order three items off the list over the phone for a pick-up. They said it would be 10 minutes, but I gave them 15 for good measure. Unfortunately it still wasn't ready by the time I got there. In fact, they probably were just making the first roll. Bummer!
The servers were nice though, and gave me some tea while I waited. The restaurant is clean and spacious, and with two large TVs in there playing the hockey game, I was easily distracted during the wait. Another ten minutes and my food was finally ready. I paid (10% off for pick-up orders) and walked home quickly... and hungrily.
The food presentation is quite nice. They add garnishes in even for take-out orders and it looks delicious. But the first piece I dove into (the umeda roll) completely fell apart. It was the best tasting of all three, but none of the pieces stayed put-together. Arugh! The sakura roll (spicy tuna & tempura prawn with chopped scallop on top) was okay, but it wasn't very spicy and the tuna mix was pretty mushy. And the spider roll wasn't extrodinary, but the crab portions were good and the sauce was delicious. Overall, the specialty rolls aren't the best I've had, but their umeda roll is probably the only one I'd go back for (provided it doesn't fall apart again).
I also ordered a wakame salad, which was a bit soggier than I'm used to, but flavoured well. It's also a smaller portion size than some other places I've been to (but not by much).
Overall it's an okay place that has lots of potential. With a few tweaks, their specialty rolls could be pretty decent. Maybe I'll give them one more try this month and then decide whether I'll make this a regular joint.Listed in: Sushi!
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Review from Kaegan D.
Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
7/6/2011
This place is great. The price is just right and the quality beats many places in the area that cost way more. I haven't been too adventurous with the menu, but what I've had is delicious.
The Sushi Special Combo lets you chose between 30 rolls and comes with a Miso Soup for $6.95. I'm a fan of the Dynamite Roll and the Tuna Roll.
Their Salmon and Tuna sashimi is some of the best I've had, seriously. The chunks are -huge- and delicious.
I come here once a week and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. You should too. -
Review from Hackney C.
Vancouver, BC
4/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Disclaimer: I am vegan so I'm basing the review on tofu and veggies HOWEVER my husband had the sushi and was a fan.
Small, IKEA neat and clean and friendly, this Japanese restaurant immediately won my heart. The lunch special that my husband ordered came with three rolls and miso soup (basically, a ton of food for $6.95) and for the same amount, I got the Japanese vegetable curry, which was basically a pile of fresh broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, carrots, and one piece of a potato in a yellow curry (I needed to add a bit of red spice to add heat) on top of a mound of fluffy white rice...and so much food, I could not finish. I'll be getting something different next time I go knowing that I'll actually be getting delicious vegetables in any vegetable dish I order (which seems to be very rare in Vancouver).
As I said, the husband ordered sushi and loved it.
Also, the booze is reasonably priced which makes it even more appealing for a good lunch break. -
Review from larry h.
10/25/2011 1 photo
Close to my hotel, and hard to see next to the Forum Sports Bar. However once inside it's quiet, clean, and modern. Prices are great, and the service is awesome. I was walking around and walked right past it but called in and they patiently explained to me how to get back to the place. It's run by Chinese-speaking people and are very friendly. Food is decent but not awe-inspiring, the take out presentation is very nice. I had the Hawaii roll and Oyakodon and the rolls were great. The Oyakodon chicken had a liver-like texture and taste that was not pleasing and was not expected. Overall a solid pick and I'll definitely be back.
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Review from Hanna S.
11/18/2011
Great rolls! Try the dynamite and volcano. Decent prices. Will come back here again.
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Review from annik l.
Vancouver, BC
3/2/2011 6 Check-ins Here
this is my new favorite sushi spot because there is a brown rice option available! they opened two weeks ago and my roommate found it :) good portions for the price. friendly staff, beautifully renovated. im gonna go there right now!
the business that was in this location before was called excellent sushi, and it was not actually excellent.
(one thing i would like to add: there is a tiny asian lady that no speak english that takes the orders sometimes. you are best off bringing your order to the chefs. she gets it wrong, even if you repeat and ask her if she gets it. she doesnt. very nice though haha.)
