Guu Japanese Bar (web site, 838 Thurlow Street, near Robson, Vancouver, phone 604-685-8817) serves creative Japanese tapas / Tokyo pub food in a fun atmosphere. Dishes range from $5 to $10 and you’ll want to order lots! Pictured below (in order from top) are the Grilled Squid legs w/Spicy mayonaise ($4.60), Cold Spicy Chicken special, Pork special, and BBQ Eel & Mushroom Rice Gratin ($7.80). This restaurant is also known as “Guu with Garlic”.

Samurai Japanese Restaurant (1108 Davie St., phone 604-609-0078) has become one of my favorite places to go for gigantic and fresh sashimi and sushi rolls. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown Davie Street area, Samurai is usually packed with people well into the evening. Be prepared to wait a few minutes in line, but I think you’ll find that the wait is well worth it! Pictured below are the assorted sashimi, and the Saba (mackerel) sashimi. Price is quite reasonable at this restaurant, considering the quality of the food. For two people ordering some pretty fancy items, the bill came out to around $30.00.

Honjin Sushi Japanese Restaurant (dinehere.ca link, 138 Davie Street, phone (604) 688-8808) is a popular place in Vancouver’s downtown Yaletown neighborhood for excellent sushi, teriyaki, tempura, and other delicious Japanese items. It’s located near False Creek in the same complex as the Roundhouse community centre. The menu is a-la-carte, large, and varied, with a wide selection of everything from ebi gyoza (dumpling with prawn, $9.50), to the assorted sashimi (pictured below, $11.95), and the assorted sushi (pictured below at bottom, $10.95). If you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to try one of their specialty rolls such as the Sunshine Roll (which is topped with mango), or the Yaletown Maki (a prawn tempura roll wrapped with sliced raw seafood).