Toshi - Sushi at it's best in Vancouver, Canada

Toshi may be one of the smaller restaurants, but it's small size certainly doesn't stop it from being one of the best Japanese restaurants in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  This is one of the most frequented Japanese restaurants in Vancouver, and I would surmise it to be one of the best of British Columbia, even in comparison to restaurants of a higher caliber in costs, such as Tojo's.  Although the dishes may not be as extravagantly pictured in a menu as the higher priced Tojo's, the menu still give a variety of fresh dishes prepared and served the right way.

One of the first things that people will notice when they eat the sushi here, is that the rice is not of the cheaper Chinese or Vietnamese variety, but instead, is made of Japanese style short grain rice.  I may say it's imported from Japan, but it may still be of the Californian imported grains, but nonetheless, the higher quality of the short grain rice stops it from becoming hard and unpalatable when cooled, unlike it's other longer larger Asian counterparts.

Another thing that a person will notice is that shiso (a Japanese Perilla leave) is used to separate the nigiri topping from the rice bottom.  The separation of the two will keep the two flavors apart, so that only when you eat the nigiri, you get the tantalizing taste of the fresh sushi in your mouth.

Decor
One of the smallest restaurants of its caliber, is also still one of the more comfortable restaurants in Vancouver.  The reason making it a great environment is that it is clean, and well lit.  The tables are given a generous amount of space apart, and there is still plenty of tables for the recommended parties of less than four.  It is definitely not someplace you would go for a large party, but more for a group of four or less, as the size is more similar to an Izakaya than one of the other Chinese ran imitation Japanese restaurants.

As the size of the restaurant is small, be prepared for long line ups, as Toshi doesn't take reservations.  Line ups are determined by a sheet of paper in the restaurant, where you sign up for a table, and wait until your name is called.  Be wary though, as sometimes there are line ups of up to an hour to two hours long, as it is a very popular restaurant, and you may have to give seats to other parties first if your group is not complete.  When arriving at the restaurant, remember to walk in quickly and sign up or you may find your self waiting a bit longer; although the wait may seem long and tedious, every time I got a seat, I found the wait more than worth it.

Menu
The menu, although lacking in number of choices in comparison to some of the other restaurants, is definitely not lacking in quality.  One of the main reasons why I continue to return to Toshi is to try the Soft Shell Crab, which is one of the more flavorful delicacies.  The very thought of the crunchy texture on the outside, and the soft inner crab meat inside, dipped in it's own special tempura sauce incites drool every time.

Other choices include more common and usual North American dishes such as the California inside out roll, Salmon rolls, Tuna rolls, nigiri equivalent of the latter two, and additional dishes often found at other Japanese restaurants.  Another thing that differentiates Toshi from other Japanese restaurants in Vancouver, is it's freshness.  Everything from the specialty red tuna (two types), the ikura (salmon roe) topped with quail egg, to the uni (sea urchin), everything is served cool and extremely fresh.

Although not on the menu, be sure to order the Toshi Box Sushi Roll, as it's uniqueness is definitely a treat for your taste buds.

Drinks
Toshi has all your traditional Japanese beers, and a wide selection of cold sake, as well as the house hot sake.  If you want, the usual soft drinks are also available, or you can just stick with the free hot green tea.

Location
181 16th Avenue East
Vancouver, BC V5T 4R2, Canada
(604) 874-5173


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