Fresh Sushi in BC

Vancouver’s dining scene is one of the most diverse in all of Canada. Calvin Duong, the owner of Oishii, knew then that it would make a great place to open a restaurant. “I opened Oishii Sushi Japanese Restaurant two years ago. In my mind, starting a business during an economic downturn in an area where competition is fierce was definitely a risky step but I still believed that a good restaurant can always find a way to shine.” During these past few years, Calvin has witnessed a lot of restaurants opening and closing, but he has managed to hold his own against competitors by continuing to be dedicated to high quality food and friendly service. His approach has paid off and this modest family-run business has become a hot dining destination for many locals looking to satisfy their craving for East Asian delicacies.

Japanese cuisine has spread across the globe due to its use of natural ingredients, healthy cooking style, and emphasis on creativity. Oishii, in Japanese, literally means “delicious,” and that’s the best word to describe the food served at Calvin’s sushi joint.

Calvin’s Oishii Sushi Japanese Restaurant is located conveniently in downtown Vancouver on Denman Street. It not only serves popular fare like California Rolls but also offers more inspiring choices like Nigiri, tempura and signature Kakisu (fresh oyster) in a stylish yet comfortable dining room.

Red walls, soft lighting and green plants swirl together beckoning diners into a vortex of taste and flavor. The owner eschewed the cold look of many Japanese restaurants, in order to fill the 1,500 square foot house with a welcoming décor that would help to prepare diners for an unforgettable dining experience. The ceramic Japanese fortune cat on the counter encourages customers to enter, and in doing so does its part to help bring good fortune to the business. Customers who are interested in watching chefs prepare sushi can choose to take a seat around the sushi bar in the middle of the restaurant. Another attraction is the big aquarium, which is filled with colorful tropical fish. It never fails to amaze guests, especially kids.

Oishii!

What sets Oishii Sushi apart from other Japanese restaurants in the area is its uncompromising focus on high quality. Calvin is very particular about how ingredients are stored and handled. “Fish should be a specific size, and the temperature inside the refrigerating cabinet must be always fall within the range stipulated by the Health Bureau. In short, strict rules must be followed from start to finish.” Despite facing rising food costs, the owner has never boosted his profits by sacrificing on food quality or raising prices.

The freshness of ingredients is always the main concern for customers, and also the owner himself. “As fish is the menu staple at Japanese restaurants, owners have to find a way to ensure that the fish they purchase is fresh,” he insists. At Oishii Sushi, fish is not kept frozen only to be used weeks later. Instead, Calvin goes the “just in time” route by only having goods delivered by an Asian food delivery company known for being able to maintain freshness during transit.

Oishii Sushi’s menu is almost as mouthwatering as the food. The detailed pictures of the food offerings help curious customers get an idea of what each item looks like before they order it. Before ordering some sushi, you may want to start off your culinary journey by having some tempura.

Creative rolls are a big hit with the customers. One of the more popular creative rolls is the Oishii Roll. Named after the restaurant, it is understandably also one of the more frequently ordered items. Filled with crispy fried shrimp tempura and topped with fresh mango and roe, this appealing triumvirate of flavors is a true crowd pleaser.

Once the mouthwatering smell of the Special Roll snaps you back to reality you’ll see that the dish has combined tuna, yellowtail eel, basil, tomato, and some homemade spicy sauce together into a multicolored taste bonanza. Before the roll is served, the surface is seared with a culinary torch and then topped with olive oil and soy sauce. Those who are not fond of raw fish won’t want to miss the Hawaii Roll. Another strong seller, the Hawaiian Roll contains avocado, soft crab and is topped with roe. The presentation and taste are perfectly matched. It’s worth a try!

Even with the other delicious menu offerings, the focus of this restaurant is definitely on sushi. You will find the sushi is made based on traditional methods, but with a special twist. The tastes have been modified slightly to suit the needs of customers. Calvin enjoys adding new dishes to the menu and makes sure to always keep current with Canadian dining trends so that he can get an idea of what the customers may be open to.

The customers never hesitate to offer a bit of praise when they try a tasty new dish for the first time. “The sushi chef and the hostess have an encyclopedic knowledge of sushi and the food is a lot nicer than you would expect,” raves a reviewer on Yelp.com. The owner is aware of the high praise customers give to his restaurant’s food and service. He seeks to live up to that high standard and continue to make new breakthroughs.

An Overall Game

Oishii Sushi Japanese Restaurant is a community based restaurant and builds its reputation through word of mouth. There's take-out service available yet the restaurant also delivers, which is a bit unusual for this type of restaurant. Party catering is a separate business that Calvin thoroughly endorses and will continue to bolster by building even more relationships with other local businesses.

A good restaurant should evaluate itself every once in awhile basing 30% of its score on service, 40% on food, and 30% on the ambiance. Calvin believes that running a restaurant is like playing a game. “There’s no shortcut to the final stage but only moving step by step.” His dedication has paid off and he feels lucky that the restaurant has done so well. He is also grateful to his loyal staff and customers, with whom he has built a very tight relationship.

With quality food, attentive service, and their customer-oriented management concept, Oishii Sushi Japanese Restaurant is poised to make a real splash in Vancouver’s culinary scene. As for the future, Calvin hopes to open a Japanese & Chinese fusion restaurant within two to three years. “I aim for the stars and am always looking for something new to challenge me,” Calvin reveals. “Fusion cuisine has a lot of potential!” A fusion restaurant is indeed a challenge to manage but with Calvin’s ambition and hardworking nature, anything is possible.

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Name: Oishii Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Location: 780 Denman St. Vancouver, BC V6G 2L5
Phone: 604-687-0634
Offers: Dine-in, Take-out, Delivery