Ever since I left Tokyo a couple of months ago, I had been craving a good and authentic Japanese meal. Whether online or offline, foodies speak highly of Raisu, so it naturally ended up on top of my list of places to try.
The Atmosphere
Raisu is a Japanese bistro (izakaya in Japanese) located in Kitsilano. I went there with an open mind. I did not expect to find the somewhat chaotic atmosphere that you usually find in a real Japanese bistro. Yet, I was genuinely curious to see how the Japanese izakaya concept had been transposed outside Japan.
As soon as my partner and I seated, I could hear some Japanese coming out of the kitchen. It put me at ease. We sat at a rectangular counter table in the center of the room, which was a great spot to glance discreetly at other people’s trays and work up our appetite.
The Food
Takowasa with nori (raw octopus flavored with wasabi and seaweed sheets)
In an authentic Japanese bistro, alcoholic beverages are typically served with otsumami (small appetizers). Raisu made no exception to the rule. We were served some raw octopus flavored with wasabi, which came with a side of seaweed sheets to make our own little wraps. It was as authentic as it can be, and it tasted just like it would have in Japan.
Omakase Aburi Sushi (8 pieces) $22
We could not help but order Aburi Sushi out of curiosity. This was the least authentic looking dish, yet the flavors were truly Japanese. The seared salmon was topped with salmon roe, kombu (seaweed) and pollock roe. It was the first time I even saw some green pollock roe. Even though it was not typical nigiri sushi, I absolutely loved it.
Unagi Bara Chirashi Bowl $27
Before stepping into Raisu, I had already made up my mind. I am a huge sea urchin fan, so I had to order the Sea Urchin Donabe Bowl. Unfortunately, the kitchen did not have any sea urchin that day. I was of course disappointed but I went with the Unagi Bara Chirashi Bowl instead. The eel was soft and sweet, just how I like it. It tasted very authentic and the dish was twice as big as what you would normally get in Japan. A 10 out of 10! It was served with a light, flavorful and delicious miso soup.
The Drinks
Plum Wine Sangria $8
I love umeshu (plum wine), so I had a glass of Plum Wine Sangria. It was a nice and refreshing drink with just the right amount of sweetness.
Overall
Raisu brilliantly adapted Japanese bistro culture to Canada. The portions were bigger — because let’s admit it, we eat generally more than our Japanese counterparts, and the wooden and modern Japanese décor gave this bistro a slightly fancier vibe than the average izakaya. The service was also very Japanese, that is to say professional and polite.
The food sent me back to Japan the time of a meal and it is exactly what I wanted. Everything tasted great and the flavors were authentic. If you are looking for a great casual Japanese meal, search no longer, Raisu is an amazing option.
Without a doubt, I will go back to Raisu on a regular basis. It is a great spot for a Japanese food fix! I am already looking forward to my next visit.
Raisu
Opening hours: open every day from 11.30am to 9pm
Website: click here
Address: 2340 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1P1
Telephone: (604)-620-1564
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
