Three casual Japanese restaurants have injected new vitality into a single Vancouver block, creating a dynamic dining destination on West First Avenue. New Fuji, Toyokan Plaza, and Toyokan Bowl collectively offer fun, affordable food experiences under the guidance of owner Minoru Tamaru.
A Trio with Cohesive Vision
Like siblings with distinct personalities, these three establishments on the 1800 block of West First Avenue each have their unique characteristics, yet they share a coherent vision thanks to their savvy owner. Operated under Tamaru's Tamaru Shoten Marketing Corporation, they continue his legacy of successful and imaginative izakayas that began with Kingyo in the early 2000s.
Minoru Tamaru's Culinary Influence
Tamaru, who founded several popular Vancouver restaurants including Raisu, Rajio, and Suika (the latter closed after a neighboring fire nearly two years ago), brings global inspiration to his culinary creations. According to Tamaru Shoten's general manager Masayoshi Dandoko, "He loves to try new foods, experience new cultures. He's always overseas, trying new things." These international experiences directly influence the restaurants' menus.
Japanese Interpretations with Global Flair
The food across all three establishments represents either tweaked Japanese classics or Japanese interpretations of other cuisines. At Toyokan Plaza, pizzas receive a distinct Japanese makeover that would surprise traditional Italian chefs. The unagi nori pizza, featuring unagi sauce, eel cubes, Gorgonzola, mozzarella, and a sunny-side-up egg, exemplifies this creative fusion approach.
"He always says we are Japanese," Dandoko explains. "Pizzas are Italian and we cannot win, so we'll make pizzas with our own ideas." This philosophy mirrors the approach of Japadog's adaptation of American hotdogs, creating something uniquely Japanese-Canadian.
New Fuji: The Trendsetter
Among the three restaurants, New Fuji stands out as the coolest sibling, featuring a luminescent aquamarine grid behind the bar filled with spirits bottles and Japanese pop iconography. This bustling spot offers both quick meals and more elaborate dining experiences.
Patrons can enjoy a simple bowl of udon, a plate of yaki udon, or a fluffy omelette with unagi for a fast meal, with comforting udon proving particularly popular. For those seeking more adventure, the menu includes pressed sushi, chirashi, truffle corn karaage, and truffle edamame "flambéed with red wine for aroma." During lunch hours, a bento-style 'gozen' offers sushi, udon, salad, a deep-fried dish, and a choice of main course.
Standout Menu Items
Recent samplings reveal several standout dishes. The chicken dashi karaage ($14 for five pieces) features chicken marinated in dashi soy, resulting in juicy meat encased in a delicately crisp batter. The bluefin tuna negitoro ($18) presents as pressed rectangular sushi topped with a mixture of tuna, rice cracker bits, onions, and apple, layered with shiso and kombu, then drizzled with shiso chimichurri, scallion ginger sauce, and sweet soy.
While complex in composition, the dish maintains a tidy and precise presentation that reflects the restaurants' attention to detail. Each establishment contributes to making this Vancouver block a destination for those seeking inventive Japanese-inspired dining at accessible price points.
The trio's locations are conveniently clustered: New Fuji at 1815 West First Avenue, Toyokan Plaza on the ground floor at 1898 West First Avenue, and Toyokan Bowl on the second floor of the same address. Together, they demonstrate how a single visionary restaurateur can transform a city block into a cohesive culinary destination while allowing each establishment to maintain its distinct character.
