Arubi Saba ($8.99) - seared mackerel, always one of my favorites |
Kinoko Ishi-Yaki ($9.99)- rice, mixed mushrooms, iwanori served in hot stone bowl |
Spicy Pork Ishi-Yaki ($9.99)- rice, minced pork, garlic sprouts, egg, tomato, lettuce, spicy miso, served in hot stone bowl |
Karaage ($8.99)- deep fried boneless chicken, soy ginger sauce |
Six large pieces of fried chicken. Inside was moist and tender but I wish the skin was crispier. I always thought karaage was like 雞軟骨 (chicken cartilage or salty Taiwanese style popcorn chicken) |
Negitoro ($8.99) - chopped albacore tuna, spring onions, toasted garlic bread |
Halibut Taco ($7.49)- BC halibut tempura, house made bacon, shoestring potatoes, roasted jalapeno tartar sauce, wrapped in flour tortilla |
I was really excited to try this new izakaya from Vancouver. It's recognized as top 5 izakayas in North America along with other food magazine/newspaper awards. The food seems more fusion and the restaurant itself is much more Westernized than I'd expected. Although the staff do welcome guests with a loud Japanese greeting when they enter, the decor and ambiance is more upscale/modern and the waitresses are all tan and speak fluent English - reminds me of something like Moxies or Joey. Overall, the food was alright but nothing really stood out.
www.hapaizakaya.com