Miku is one of Vancouver’s best restaurants per multiple online sources. Is it really? Let’s find out whether the hype is warranted.
Miku is a large restaurant with view of the Vancouver Harbor. It’s right next to Canada Place, which is the main origin for cruise ships departing to Alaska. The restaurant features a full bar/lounge area, a sushi bar, waterfront patio, a large dining area and private dining rooms. The white interior with its matching white table tops gives it an upscale dining environment.
Miku is the brainchild of Chef Kazuya Matsuoka and Chef Kazuhiro Hayashi. The two introduced the Aburi-style cuisine, which is far from the traditional omakase, kaiseki or Western sushi rolls seen in other parts of the world. Arubi-style is a blend of traditional Japanese nigiris with additional sauces other than the typical soy sauce or wasabi; the nigiri is pressed then blowtorch to give it a different texture and depth.
I had late reservations at Miku. I arrived a little early to be seated at the sushi bar. My waiter came by to introduce himself and drop off a copy of my requested dinner menu. It’s a typical request I’ve built up through my years of travel to request a copy of the menu as a souvenir. He was very pleasant and explain Miku’s Arubi-style in great depth. Also, he informed me that they wouldn’t be able to serve me the Arubi menu due to my late reservations; but, the Kaisen menu was still available.
It was a bit disappointing but life goes on. Kaisen menu is a six-course tasting menu offering some of Miku’s signature sushi selections along with a few cooked sample entries, sashimi and amuse bouche. The menu is definitely a fusion of traditional Japanese flavors with modern technique created for Western palates. Here were the notables:
- Sashimi – The sashimi sampler included salmon, tuna and white fish. The sashimi was accompanied with wasabi and the presented wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. However, the sashimi tasted clean and fresh without any trace of the pungent fishy taste or smell.
Sashimi - Pan Seared Scallop – The pan seared scallop was accompanied with yuzu puttanesca. The dish draws Italian influences due to the usage of puttanesca. The scallop’s tasty texture combined with the diced pungent ingredients of garlic, anchovies and capers. It gave the scallop a vibrant flavor in Vancouver’s cold winters.
Pan Seared Scallop - Filet Mignon – The filet mignon was sous-vide then topped with Wasabi Veal Jus. The wasabi veal jus was is nothing more than a thick sauce made from the meat’s juices. It was a solid piece of steak with tenderness and a decent amount of flavors; the vegetables were clean and earthy in flavor.
Filet Mignon - Nigiri – The dish contained three types of sushi — Arubi-style, rolls, and oshi. The flavors were a blend of international flavors from traditional Japanese to Spanish. Arubi-style is Miku’s signature nigiri. The compressed and blow-torched nigiri wasn’t anything exceptional. The rice was colder than Vancouver’s winter weather. The dense rice overshadowed the flavors of the fish and it’s definitely a nigiri style catered to Western palates.
Nigiri
As I paid the bill, I started to think about Miku’s menu and my experience. The upscale restaurant with a bay view provided a great dining environment; however, the cuisine didn’t match the decor. I was expected a good to great meal, but the dishes tasted rush due to the kitchen closing up for the day. The nigiri’s rice was definitely leftover after a long day. With everything considered, I would have to say Miku is a mediocre restaurant when it comes to flavors; but, the service, atmosphere, and menu value definitely brings up the overall rating.
Check out our other Vancouver articles here.
- Service - 7.5/107.5/10
- Presentation - 6/106/10
- Flavors - 5/105/10
- Decor - 7.5/107.5/10
- Ambiance - 7.5/107.5/10
Summary
Miku is one of Vancouver’s best restaurants per multiple online sources. The upscale restaurant has a view of the bay and provides a dining atmosphere. With everything considered, I would have to say Miku is a mediocre restaurant when it comes to sushi; but, the service, atmosphere, and menu value definitely brings up the overall rating.
