Iki Japanese Restaurant - Vancouver

Being coeliac it has been a long lost dream that I would ever taste tempura, teriyaki, gyoza and tofu agadashi ever again. Alas, dreams do come true! I cannot explain the joy it brings me sitting down at Iki, staring at the menu and knowing that I can eat almost everything on that menu. It's like I don't even have coeliac when I'm there. I can eat everything I once thought I would never eat again. Not only is most of the food gluten free, it all tastes amazing. It's so amazing I cannot fathom why there aren't more restaurants that provide gluten free Japanese food (other than the typical sushi rolls and edamame, without soy sauce). All that's left to say is thank you Iki, I love you.

Before I left for Asia, Grayson and I stumbled upon this lovely Japanese restaurant in West Vancouver. The interior was spacious and had bright decor speckled throughout to add some light to the room. I thought their menu was sleek…. And quite extensive. Our meal came with a bowl of miso soup. I found this one to be interesting because it included pieces of carrot, onion, soybeans and chickpeas in it.

It was Sunday evening, and both Drunken Master and I had separately had busy days filled with much food and wine. We weren’t particularly hungry, but for whatever reason felt compelled to meet up for a late night dinner. We agreed to go somewhere close to both our places that served lighter fare, and wound up settling on Iki Japanese Bistro at Broadway and MacDonald. We actually had a bit of a misunderstanding by text message prior to meeting, in which both of us sent the other a text saying “I’m here!” even though we were both standing in what we thought was the restaurant we were meeting up in. Whoops! Luckily the other restaurant was nearby, and Drunken Master quickly rectified the situation. Iki is a small restaurant with about a dozen tables, and a more upscale vibe than your typical sushi restaurant.  This is also reflected in the price as most items are about a dollar more than you would find at your regular hole in the wall. Not a bad trade off though. The restaurant was about a quarter full when we got there around 9 PM, and there was only one waitress working. Despite this, service was great throughout the entire meal. We began by ordering a California Roll and their Crunchy Roll featuring tuna, salmon, crab, cucumber, and avacado, rolled in tempura crisp. The sushi rice was minimal and properly seasoned, although some of it came falling off the rolls. The california roll was your regular culprit, being sweet and creamy, and the crunchy roll was also fine with fresh fish. Neither Drunken Master or I were fans of the tempura crisps sprinkled on top of the roll though. We were expecting sprinkled panko crumbs, but for some reason whatever they were had the taste and consistency of dry overcooked rice. Both Drunken Master and I were in a noodle mood, and so I decided to get the Laksa Udon Noodle Soup. The broth was light, but still quite flavourful be

The restaurant offers delicious food that is of higher quality than most affordable sushi restaurants in Vancouver. The veggie bento box C is considered one of the best in the city, with grilled tofu that is a standout and generous portions. They also offer veggie miso soup, but you have to request it. In addition, they are one of the few sushi restaurants that regularly clean the chairs, walls, and tables so that nothing sticks. The staff also speak fluent Japanese, adding to the authenticity of the dining experience.

When this restaurant gets things right, it is good. The food is good and the lunch boxes are a great deal. However, the contents can be inconsistent. One week you may receive steamed broccoli with sesame sauce, while the next week you might get raw broccoli without any sauce. One week you may get extra salad, and the next week tofu with rubbery mushrooms (even if you didn't order the tofu box). Thankfully, they can't go wrong with a yam roll.