Everyone loves discovering a new fusion spot at first—the thrill of unexpected flavors, the Instagram-worthy plates, the feeling you’ve found something special. But after a few lackluster meals, the magic fades. You’ve spent too much on mediocre sushi burritos, grown tired of predictable sweet-chili glazes, and you’re ready for restaurants that actually deliver. These 11 spots in Vancouver do exactly that.
Tender Green Lounge
$ | (360) 896-5799 | WEBSITE
Tender Green Lounge has enough glowing neon signs that it could almost pass for a retro arcade, but instead of teenagers playing pinball machines, this Asian fusion spot in Vancouver is filled with groups sharing generous portions and cocktails. Get the bartender’s recommendation, which has friendly service, attentive mixing, and a bunch of other qualities that people mention to themselves when they’re craving a relaxed night out.
Joy Teriyaki
$ | (360) 852-8460 | WEBSITE
If you find yourself on Family Feud, and Steve Harvey asks you for words people associate with a satisfying meal, you just need to remember an afternoon at Joy Teriyaki in Vancouver. Think about enjoying generous chicken teriyaki bowls and salmon plates while sipping iced tea, followed by sharing an extra order of gyoza at your comfortable booth while the friendly staff keeps things moving. And then just say, “value” – that’s probably the top response.
KIAWE Island Bistro
$ | (360) 254-5544 | WEBSITE
When people dream of island getaways from Vancouver or crave authentic Hawaiian flavors after a long week, we imagine it happening somewhere like Kiawe Island Bistro. Gentle strains of Hawaiian music – the playlist alone could soundtrack a whole vacation – fill this small, welcoming restaurant, and the atmosphere is made up of clean, inviting spaces that wouldn’t feel out of place in a cozy Oahu eatery.
Sit at a table with friends, and try the teriyaki chicken bowl or spam musubi while appreciating how perfectly cooked the chicken is and how tightly wrapped the seaweed holds everything together.
Hawaiian Style Grill
$ | (360) 993-5306 | WEBSITE
Driving through Vancouver never makes anyone feel better about anything, unless it involves grabbing a chicken teriyaki plate at Hawaiian Style Grill. This popular spot known for generous servings serves delicious teriyaki sauce and homemade-tasting mac salad in a busy, no-frills setting. Eating a Huli Huli chicken plate near the counter would probably feel ordinary if it weren’t this flavorful (and satisfying).
Pure Thai Cafe
$ | (360) 946-4927 | WEBSITE
You know who doesn’t have to deal with mediocre pad thai and watery tom yum? People who are smart enough to eat at Pure Thai Cafe. Pretend you’re one of them. Even though you probably can’t make use of the family-style sharing for a solo meal, the interior of this Asian fusion spot in Vancouver has cozy furniture, inviting decor, and a warm atmosphere that makes you feel like you should be ordering at least one extra dish to share.
Ichi 29 Teriyaki
$ | (360) 768-5174 | WEBSITE
Most Japanese restaurants with teriyaki, gyoza, and portions the size of spare tires are good places to grab a quick meal, and Ichi 29 Teriyaki in Vancouver is no exception. But what makes this place different from other teriyaki spots is its unique menu items, which are highlighted by the staff with beautiful smiles and enthusiastic descriptions. The teriyaki dish here is better than expected, and the gyoza is delicious, making it worth the drive for customers seeking great tasting food.
Sushi Sapporo Grill
$ | (360) 694-6331 | WEBSITE
Some restaurants try to be everything to everyone, and then there’s the minimalist trend with bare concrete walls, and then there’s Sushi Sapporo Grill. This Asian fusion spot in Vancouver is clean and stark inside year-round, and when you’re eating their beautifully presented teriyaki or generous bento box here, you’ll forget about needing warmer lighting or more personality for another meal.
The waitress is always sweet in this cute and small space, making the vegetarian options and incredibly reasonable pricing feel even more inviting than any decor could.
Kai Asian Street Food Vancouver
$ | (360) 852-8841 | WEBSITE
Maybe we watched too many street food documentaries when we were a little too hungry, maybe not. Either way, we spend a lot of time thinking about where we’d go if the craving ever really hit hard. Rainy Vancouver evenings aren’t quite the same as culinary emergencies, but they both make us want to head to Kai Asian Street Food to ride it out.
This small, cozy restaurant serves some of the best Thai food in the area, as well as delicious takes on Asian street food, like pork buns and mango sticky rice. And if the hunger or gloomy weather does get the better of us, you can bet that we’re not going down thirsty, which won’t be a problem thanks to the refreshing Thai iced tea and option to make any dish as spicy as desired for no extra charge.
Ichi 16 Teriyaki
$ | (360) 571-0155 | WEBSITE
The best homemade kim chee in the Pacific Northwest is probably made by someone’s Korean grandmother. We have no idea what else goes on in that kitchen, but we’re pretty sure it never involves skimpy portions that somehow leave you hungry an hour later. If you want to understand what that type of worry-free eating is like, head to Ichi 16 Teriyaki in Vancouver.
The tiny teriyaki place has popular dishes like Korean short ribs and gyoza, and in the event that some of your friends don’t feel like teriyaki, the generous menu also has yakisoba, fantastic bipimbop, and plenty of gluten-free options. The friendly staff ensures all needs are met, and they even throw in a complimentary egg drop soup when you dine in. It’s a good value meal for families, especially if kids share plates or order the mini options.
Just be prepared for slightly higher prices—though the ample servings make it worth every penny—and maybe park carefully since some spots are a bit tight.
Ei8ht Noodles
$ | (360) 574-1351 | WEBSITE
The idea of Asian fusion always seemed kind of overdone to us – why go through the charade of mixing cuisines when you could just stick to one? We’re still not totally sure of the answer, but after eating at Ei8ht Noodles, we think it has to do with having familiar flavors that kind of feel new. The restaurant has a clean, relaxed atmosphere that fills up with groups enjoying generous portions.
Some of the dishes are big enough for sharing, but they’re best for a full meal, like the miso ramen and beef curry noodle, with friends.
Mar’s Cuisine
$ | (360) 258-0352 | WEBSITE
Sure, you’d probably love to go on a culinary tour of China, but that would require lots of time and money, let alone travel visas and language apps. Instead, go to Mar’s Cuisine, a takeout-only spot in Vancouver, and take advantage of the best part of any Chinese meal: the takeout. Have some orange chicken and General Tso’s chicken from the friendly staff at the counter, or call ahead for quick pickup of their fresh, flavorful dishes.