Ajisai Sushi Bar is a tiny Japanese restaurant in Kerrisdale that only serves sushi dishes. Ajisai is tucked away in a little complex, but as soon as it opened the place was packed full of people.
I was feeling a boring and unadventurous, so I ordered the salmon don.
I love wild salmon, but honestly, I still enjoy eating Atlantic salmon too (and it’s cheaper). This was the best Atlantic salmon sashimi that I have had. At most places it tastes the same, but it just tasted extra fresh here and it had a buttery smooth texture.
This was also the prettiest looking salmon don I have ever had. I always appreciate beautiful presentation, especially when it comes to sushi. The sushi rice was mixed with what I think was Japanese pickled plums and something else that I can’t remember. It tasted very good and unique.
I loved Ajisai and they took a standard dish and made it into something unique and special. I wish I lived closer to it so I could be a regular customer.
Recommendation:
Yes, for excellent sushi.
NIce picture of Ajisai’s Salmon Don. They are known for really fresh fish there. The fish monger at Granville Island (also Japanese) said they had the freshest (or something like that) and authentic sushi.
Personally I prefer wild salmon as well (because you know it isn’t filled with antibiotic and also probably more nutritious since they have different organisms in their diet rather than colored feed) although the occasional Atlantic Salmon is nice because these are typically more fatty.
I listed Ajisai as the #1 best sushi in Vancouver:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/ubcfoodie/2016/03/09/the-best-sushi-in-vancouver/
It’s very near UBC too haha.
Best Regards,
Benjamin