I had been dying to go back to Raisu, until I randomly stumbled upon the Japanese bistro Suika on Broadway.
Quite ironically, I did not know that both bistros belonged to the same restaurant group. If I had to compare them, I would say that Suika is like Raisu’s little brother: it’s less formal and a lot simpler.
The Atmosphere
I arrived at 6pm on a weekday and the place was already almost full.
I liked the décor, which had a strong street-like vibe with a slot machine at the entrance, as well as fences and pipe-shaped wall separators.
The branded glassware and tableware was also a nice detail.
The Food
Suika’s menu is varied and, as to be expected from a Japanese bistro, most dishes are meant to be shared.
Kani Miso Crab Butter – Fries ($12.80)
My first dish was the Kani Miso Butter with Fries. Unfortunately, the magic did not operate. The fries were sprinkled with spicy flakes, which I thought overpowered the subtle taste of the kani miso butter (crab innards butter). However, if you like mayo-based sauce and spicy food, it is safe to say that you will most likely like this dish.
Uni, Ikura & Crab Carbonara Udon ($16.80)
The Uni, Ikura & Crab Carbonara Udon was fabulous. The creamy sea urchin went very well with the crab meat and the salmon roe. The udon was topped with shredded nori and greens. I loved the strong ocean flavors of this dish.
Aburi Salmon Pressed Sushi ($13.80)
I’m hardly ever impressed by pressed sushi but I still order them once in a while to bring some substance to my meals. Suika’s Aburi Salmon Pressed Sushi were enjoyable, but not noteworthy.
Black Pork Ribs ($18.80)
The Black Pork Ribs was my least favorite dish. Although they were good, there was so little meat on the bones that I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by this nearly 20-buck dish. That’s too bad because the balsamic sauce was tasty.
The Desserts
Red Bean & Chocolate Daifuku ($6.80)
The Red Bean & Chocolate Daifuku was excellent. I loved how Suika twisted this traditional Japanese dessert by replacing the usual red bean paste with a rich chocolate terrine. The play of textures worked very well. The crushed biscuit added some crunchiness while the strawberry coulis brought some fresh and sweet notes.
Kinako Tiramisu ($6.80)
Suika’s Kinako Tiramisu was also a great dessert. The kinako flavor was too subtle to my liking, but the rich mascarpone was delightful.
Overall
Suika is a chilled bistro with a nice and informal atmosphere. Overall, the food was good and so was the service. It is a little more casual than Raisu, so the price point is also slightly cheaper.
If I had to choose between these two restaurants, I would say that you can’t go wrong with either of them. If budget is not a problem Raisu is a better option for a date or to indulge yourself. For a casual night between friends, Suika would be up to the task!
Suika
Opening hours: open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 10pm
Website: click here
Address: 1626 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1X6
Telephone: (604) 730-1678
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
