SO SO GOOD! We waited about an hour to get a table (and filled the time with getting a drink at a nearby bar) but it was so worth it. The tonkatsu here is delicious. Hands down the best I've ever had. My mom was shocked to hear me say this since I grew up in Hawaii, but this one was outstanding. We were seated towards the end of the dinner service time so we got placed into a large booth! We had a lot of space to enjoy our meal. While my husband opted for just tonkatsu, I also wanted ebi so got the combo. Everything was perfect. They fried everything to perfection. Light and crispy and not overly oily at all. The true indicator of a Japanese restaurant can boil down to the rice and it was perfect. Everything checked off here. I hope to be able to come back to this delicious restaurant one day! read more

Saku was one of the meals I was most looking forward to in Vancouver, and it did not disappoint. The Yelp waitlist makes it easy to get seated despite its popularity and lack of reservations, the space is modern and beautiful, service is great, and the food is delicious. My friend and I shared the THE ZENBU KATSU ($38; Rosu, Hire, Chicken Thigh, 1pc Cheese, 1pc Ebi, 1pc Hotate and 2pc Vegetables), which was a good amount of food and offered a really great sampling of all the greatest hits. We also had fun trying out different combinations of the different meats and rice with the provided salt, sesame seeds, mustard, and sauces (Tonkatsu, ponzu, and Japanese tartar). The Panko breading is very light and crunchy, and everything was fried to perfection without feeling oily. I especially enjoyed the chicken thigh, which was very moist and tender, and both vegetable pieces (eggplant and kabocha). I also personally preferred the fattier Rosu to the leaner Hire, which I found a bit dry, but my friend liked that one best of all. As far as the highly recommended cheese Katsu, it was certainly decadent, with oozing cheese completely overtaking the very thin layer of pork around it, and I'd definitely suggest sampling it. However, I probably wouldn't want a full plate of it as my main. If sharing the Zenbu, you can add another set of rice, soup, and cabbage for an additional $8, but we skipped this since we wanted to try out more places and weren't looking to fill up on rice. That said, we loved the light, crisp cabbage salad, which cut the richness of the fried Katsu and went perfectly with the sesame dressing, and could have done with a couple more bowls of it (if you do get your own set, it comes with unlimited refills). I'd definitely visit again if back in Vancouver! read more

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My brother recommended Saku to me since we were pressed for time, I ordered the food to-go. Unfortunately, some of the dine in menu are unavailable for take out (esp. cheese katsu that was highly recommended). So, I called & ordered rosu & chicken katsu. The girl who took my ordered said it would be ready in about 20 mins. When I got there 20 mins later, my order was ready. I got to the front & paid and the girl who served me was very friendly (typical Japanese hospitality). - Rosu Katsu: first thing I notice was how crispy the breading was! The pork loin was tender & juicy (perfectly cooked). The portion was generous enough. My minor complaint was that the seasoning was a bit lacking. Even with the sauces that they gave, it tasted like a regular katsu. However, the quality of ingredients & the crunchy breading still win my tummy! - Chicken thigh Katsu: the chicken thigh was juicy and tender. The breading was crispy. And my husband also felt a bit disappointed about the seasoning & sauces. I think I'll dine in at the restaurant next time to taste the delicious cheese katsu. But I agree that it was the crunchiest & juiciest katsu I've ever had! read more

Saku - Rosu katsu & chiken thigh katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Wow. Wow wow wow! We had been missing Japanese food (and katsu in particular) since leaving our trip to Japan and this place hit the spot. The katsu itself was juicy and perfectly crispy without having too thick of breading! We had been walking around the area and randomly stumbled upon Saku and decided to give it a try based on the cute aesthetics and overall ambiance, and we were blown away by everything else! Our server was in training that day, and she was incredibly kind and knowledgeable on recommendations. read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This place is amazing! Me and my friends got the miso pork and chicken curry. All of us loved the food, and it came with miso soup, rice, and salad. We were visiting from Seattle and would 100% come again. As a last note I will say the ambience is really nice and cozy and we loved the way the food was plated read more

Well know for their katsu - I usually get their pork version - either the fillet or loin. There are a lot of side dishes that have unlimited refills (miso, rice, salad) and the portion sizes are quite filling. We came here on a weekday evening and there was no wait although they do not seat you until everyone in your party is here. You can also join the waitlist virtually which is nice if having to make plans ahead of time. Lots of spacious seating. Would recommend! read more

Saku - Rosu Katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The food is amazing, the quantities are big, and the unlimited miso, coleslaw, and salad dressing are incredible. It's also a nice big open space and has very clean washrooms! read more

If you're familiar with the Saboten chain of katsu restaurants, you'll also love Saku. Very similar concept. Make sure to check the waitlist often as it can get busy very suddenly and it is one popular place. Host was very accommodating and got us a whole nice booth to ourselves (just be willing to wait a little more) but I love the text when table is ready feature so you don't need to crowd around the host desk. Our server was very friendly and also spoke Japanese! Food was great, you do get refills on rice salad and soup. The tokujyo pork was recommended as premium. Tasted good had some tender parts and some less tender. I'd recommend trying to eat the katsu asap before anything else because the breading got steamy and then soggy by the time I got to it. The kabocha croquette was pretty good as well. Overall it was a sumptuous meal and highly recommend it read more

Saku - Corner shop - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I happened to see a reel on Instagram for Saku just before our trip and made it a point to get here on our first day. We showed up just before opening time and the staff graciously let us wait inside since it was raining out. They pointed us to the menu and asked us to decide ahead of time while they got the restaurant ready. I opted for the Ebi Hotate Katsu and my partner got the Hire Katsu Curry. I still dream about mine LOL The tempura was fried to perfection - a spot-on ratio of breading to filling. HUGE pieces of shrimp, plentiful sides (free refill for soup, rice, and cabbage), and beautiful presentation to match. Your meal is brought to you on a huge wooden tray with each part thoughtfully arranged The service was also fantastic. I think they were training the waitress helping us, and she was so thoughtful and attentive. I overheard them checking in with many other tables that filled up very quickly after opening. Inside the restaurant was very clean and spacious with a modern feel to it. I really enjoyed it! I'd even say the katsu here rivals what I've had in Japan, except much closer. I'll definitely be back!! read more

Saku - Ebi Hotate - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Solid katsu place! Just a forewarning that the cheese katsu is literally just cheese - not pork cutlet + cheese like I was expecting. I wouldn't recommend unless you really really love cheese. I recommend the rosu katsu! read more

Saku - cheese katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Worth the visit! Came here on Monday night and waited for about 30 minutes for a table of 1. The host was extremely nice and accommodating. I tried their cheese Katsu and added a side of a hot udon! It was very delicious, however, got sick of how cheesy it was once I got to my last piece. Definitely would come back before my trip ends in Vancouver to try something else. The servers were all very sweet and explained how to eat everything! The aesthetic of the restaurant is super cute and we need something like this in LA! read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Probably one of the better executed tonkatsu restaurants in town. Saku is definitely a great choice for quality ingredients cooked to perfection and presented magnificently. Piggy lovers, the Tokujyo Rosu Katsu will give you the satisfaction of sweet clean meat juices and tender textures. Good deep frying made the rendered fat super yummy. For the undecided, the Zenbu Katsu, is a no-brainer as you get a little bit of everything but even then, the portions were unbelievably big. Great for the family to share. read more

Saku - Tokujyo Rosu Katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tl;dr some of the best katsu outside of Japan Came here right at 11:25 and got seated promptly with my group. The wait staff here is so kind and accommodating. I ordered the zenbu katsu to try a bit of everything and I wasn't disappointed. It is a ton of food so next time I plan to split between me and a friend. Everything on the zenbu katsu was delicious but my favorites were the pork loin, chicken, and scallop katsu. Delicious and fried to perfection. read more

Saku - Zenbu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Truly insane place that I will go to again and again. Their panko is light, flavorful, and crisp. The cheese, chicken, and pork were incredible, fresh and light. All the sauces were perfect additions. Wait was about 25 minutes for 4 people mid afternoon, but they have a neat feature in Yelp to join the waitlist. Staff is so friendly and service is quick. Love the aesthetic as well, next time I'll bring a larger group and get a booth. read more

Saku - Cheese is incredible! - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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We ordered the Rosu Katsu, a deep-fried breaded pork loin, and the Hire Katsu, a deep-fried breaded pork fillet, at Saku on Robson Street in Vancouver. The Katsu set was served with unlimited rice, tonjiru soup, and shredded cabbage, making it a satisfying and well-rounded meal. The sesame-based dressing on the cabbage was particularly delicious and added a unique flavor to the dish. I loved it so much that I wished it was available for purchase to take home. The crispy, juicy katsu and thoughtful accompaniments made this dining experience unforgettable. read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This was the best tonkatsu I've had outside of Japan! My friends and I ordered 3 "zenbu" (meaning "all" in Japanese) platters to share since we wanted to try different menu items. It was a perfect assortment, with pork, chicken, seafood, and veggies. Our favorite was the cheese pork cutlet. The seasonings were tonkatsu sauce, lemon salt, and some kind of mayo/mustard which were all very good! The interior of the restaurant is really nice, modern, and spacious. The staff gave excellent service. Would definitely recommend this place! read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Our friends recommended this place so we went out of our way to make sure we went on a recent trip to Vancouver. We took a crowded bus from our hotel near Canada Place, and even our kids agreed it was worth it. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and were fortunate that there was no wait for a booth. We ordered The Zenbu Katsu (shared by two adults), and kids meals (forgot the name, sorry) and this was plenty of delicious food. We actually ordered an extra chicken katsu, thinking we could eat more but we ended up bringing it home. Everyone left very satisfied. We will definitely be back again on a future trip. read more

We couldn't find a table at Saku on our way to Whistler a few days ago, so today we tried again on our way back and we were lucky, we got there at around noon on a Wednesday and there was no line, and plenty of seating available. We got seated immediately and ordered soon after. The place is quite big, with a lot of "unused" space, meaning that if they wanted they could pack in way more people. Tables are huge, maybe because they bring the lunch sets in huge trays, which would not fit tiny tables. Anyway, we got curry udon, one kaki fry appetizer, a rosu katsu set and a menchi katsu set. Everything was absolutely fantastic. Special mention to the menchi katsu, super delicious and super juicy, I think that's my item. Next time I'll have to try the korokke and the cheese katsu. Can't miss this place! read more

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Saku is probably some of the best katsu I've ever had. We got the Zenbu set to try a little bit of everything! All the pieces were breaded nicely and cooked to perfection... such a good crunch. The bukkake udon was so refreshing and perfect for a hot day! There's also unlimited rice, salad, and soup! Service is great and very attentive. read more

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Great food and service!! And I love their new location they could accommodate more guests.

Portions ended up being bigger than expected which is a PLUS. We got the set which included a little of everything. Would definitely recommend for two people who want variety to share. Everything was so good. Would definitely recommend. Make sure to reserve 10-20 minutes before on yelp. There's a waitlist that you need to go on - I didn't know this, but the wait still wasn't too bad fortunately. Staff were great. Everyone was so nice. read more

Saku - zenba set - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

We ordered the signature pork loin katsu set and curry chicken thigh katsu set. Good service - the waitress is a trainee and she is courteous and listens well to our order. Just her voice is very soft that when she repeats our orders we have some difficulty in hearing her clearly. Otherwise she is attentive to our needs, eg to refill the cabbage salad. The pork loin katsu is moist and soft. The grinder sesame katsu sauce is flavorful. High ceiling and the store is spacious. Overall an enjoyable dinning experience. read more

Went to Vancouver with friends for a quick trip up from Seattle and we went to Saku for our first meal. It was outstanding and I would eat there every day if I lived in Vancouver. Chicken katsu is one of the best chicken dishes in my opinion and they nailed it. Service was quick and friendly (like every restaurant we went to) and the ambiance was nice since it looked like they recently renovated the place with nice lighting and new finishes. I should mention that the portions are great and the food is even better. I think this may be one of the best chicken katsu's I've had and I would definitely come back to try it again. It was very crispy and the chicken was tender. The sesame dipping situation you get to make yourself by mashing it around with the stone thing. That was fun as well. I will definitely be back to try something different if I come back to visit Vancouver! 8.75/10 would recommend. read more

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We ate here twice in the 5 days we stayed in Vancouver. Obsessed, much? Yes. We missed the lunch hours one day by 10 min (they open at 1130am to 3pm). We would've waited 2hrs for the dinner rush, but already had ressies somewhere else. I vowed that the next day we'll be there right at opening. A line already formed at 1110am and we were 5 parties deep at 1130am on Sat. Nothing was gonna stop me today. They quickly seated everyone and spaced everyone nicely so that not all 2 people parties were sitting next to each other. I ordered from the specialty menu item and got the extra fatty premium katsu. My guy got the miso katsu. They promptly came out in these beautiful wooden trays. Each came with rice, miso soup, cabbage salad, roasted sesame seeds (that you crush and add to your tonkatsu sauce), and a small seaweed salad or pickled radish. Honestly, I couldn't tell the quality difference between my fatty pork and my guy's miso pork. Both were tender, juicy and the right amount of fatty goodness. We actually liked the miso sauce on his more than the tonkatsu sauce that comes with the meal. The miso was a bit more sweet whereas the tonkatsu sauce was a bit sour. To each their own. We absolutely loved the sesame dressing that you pour on the cabbage salad. We basically used half the bottle in one visit. And would ask for extra cabbage salad to douse it with more of that dressing. Too bad they don't sell it. I liked his miso tonkatsu so much that 2 days later we came back and both got the miso tonkatsu. A very satisfying meal. Very attentive, quick and friendly service both times. We will miss it. Until next time. read more

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Love Saku! My favourite place to get Japanese Katsu!! The food is always well made, very crispy and fresh Katsu. I'm lactose intolerant but the cheese katsu, so amazing. I love being able to have unlimited rice, miso soup, and salad. Their miso soup is actually one of my favourites, I love the onion and carrot in the soup, really makes it feel like a hardy soup. Service is always great and they are always very nice and honestly it's fast for what it is. Expect a lot of check in and don't be shy to get that extra bowl of miso soup! The space at the Robson one is honestly quite nice and it has nice high ceilings and warm lighting. The booths feel like separate rooms cause of how deep they are. Amazing food and an amazing time always, never disappointed! read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

How can you go wrong with deep friend pork and chicken? Add in a layer of cheese or curry to make it even more delectable. With your meal you get endless salad, miso and rice. We got the Zenbu platter which has two pork Katsus, chicken thigh katsu, two pieces of cheese katsu, 1 ebi katsu, scallop katsu and two veggie katsu and then an additional cheese katsu. Everything was juicy, crispy and delicious. I found the flavours quite similar overall so the sauce and the salad with the dressing is necessary. Also got a honeydew ramune which hit the spot. I think I would order curry katsu next time to add even more bathing flavours. Service was good and food was amazing. No complaints! read more

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Food is always 10/10. service is pretty good too, as i cant complain. Beware of lines tho as it can get pretty busy!

Saku, Saku, where have you been? The katsu was just amazing and we got the zenbu set to share. So much variety and son really enjoyed the kabocha croquette. Highlights were the tonkatsu and menchi cheese. Huge plus was the unlimited refills for the miso soup, rice and cabbage. This place reminded me of other tonkatsu places we've had in Hawaii but better. read more

Saku - Zenbu Set - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Tip: Join the Yelp waitlist ahead of time. They don't take regular reservations but you can join the Yelp waitlist even remotely and then just check in when you get there. Yes, there is going to be a very long wait but the wait was totally worth it for us. Food: Saku had the best Katsu I've ever had anywhere. The coating was light and the meat inside was cooked perfectly tender. The flavors were so great. They also give you unlimited Miso Soup and Cabbage Salad - I could not get enough of the salad and their salad dressing - definitely got at least 2 refills of that at our table. We also got at least once refill of the Miso Soup. Don't forget to take advantage of the refills! I really wanted to get their sampler but I ended up getting the premium pork. My friend got the one with the curry and they were very impressed with the curry. You can get an extra side of curry so you can have some extra dipping sauce! Highly recommend a meal here if you are in the area. Just plan to wait a long time but be rewarded at the end! *Oh they were super concerned about allergies and made sure my friend wasn't eating anything she couldn't. They pulled out a whole ingredient list to double check!* Great service! read more

Before Saku, I was not the hugest katsu person but after Saku, I still dream of the delicious katsu I had at Saku. Stumbled upon Saku for an early dinner as there wasn't a huge line to wait for it. My friend previously had it before and she said Saku was good so I was excited to try it. We ordered the Zenbu katsu and the miso katsu. All the katsus were deliciously fried and not too over breaded. I especially liked the Zenbu katsu as it allowed us to sample a variety of katsu. The Zenbu katsu comes with Rosu, Hire, Chicken Thigh, 2pc Cheese, 1pc Ebi, 1pc Hotate and 2pc Vegetables as mentioned on their menu. It's definitely a must get on your first visit so you can figure out what you like. Each dish comes with a set of rice, tonjiru (miso soup), and salad. These items are unlimited. I really liked the salad as it helped to balance out the katsu we're eating. The sesame dressing along with the salad was so good and I'm pretty sure I ate at least 4 servings of salad LOL. Ambiance is nice too and it's definitely a spot for cute date night. Would definitely recommend this as a spot if you're in Vancouver! read more

Saku - Miso katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Wow this spot is one of the best katsu places I've ever experience. There's unlimited rice, salad and soup, and the staff is very attentive with providing refills generously. The sesame dressing for the salad is to die for. Katsu is breaded perfectly, with the best crunch factor. Ambiance is absolutely beautiful, the decor especially along the booth seating is elevated and modern. Highly recommend this spot, can't wait to come back! read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

No complaints from me. Been here twice now and can say (so far) that they are consistently good. I get the rosu katsu and the pork is always juicy and thick. The portions are quite large as well, which is a plus. The staff are also always friendly and accommodating. Ps the croquettes could use more flavor but the crunch is fun. :) read more

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When I saw pics of their Katsu dishes, I knew we had to hit this spot while in Vancouver. The place is very Japanese...with sleek, minimalist designs and ambiance, including folksy ballad Japanese overhead music. Think all staff members were Japanese as well? However, the place was so hot and muggy upon entry, I immediately had to ask our waitress to turn the A/C down...and luckily, they did! Now to the food! This place delivers killer Katsu, and not just Katsu, but a vast variety of them! I ordered this monster-sized Zenbu Katsu (to share, of course!), and my husband ordered Rosu Curry Katsu...and well, as expected, they were AMAZING! In fact, my hubby said this was probably the best Katsu he's ever had...and I think I may agree? Am SO glad we chose to check out this place...and can only hope to revisit. read more

Saku - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Their company policy is that everyone in the group needs to be present before being seated, so make sure you plan ahead. We ordered a variety so we could try multiple items on their menu as we were only in Vancouver for a short trip. The best dishes were the chicken thigh with curry and seafood katsu. The chicken thighs were so juicy and tender, the pork just seemed tough in comparison. The ebi and scallops were also huge and fried to perfection. Saku is the first katsu restaurant I've been to where I don't leave feeling like I've had a heavy meal. Their batter is somehow light and their salad with their secret dressing complements it perfectly. My friends also got their potato croquettes which had a crisp exterior with a mashed potato interior. The restaurant itself is also beautiful and they have a great set up for groups as well as individuals who come to eat alone. Service is attentive and they gave us space to enjoy while making sure we stayed hydrated. We will definitely be back next time we're in Vancouver! read more

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Excellent. I went here with a good friend. He had a pork one and I had the tofu with curry. The servings are quite large, I think it would be better to get different ones and share them, but alas I don't eat meat. They have unlimited rice and a cabbage salad with sesame dressing which is great!wr had Japanese beer, but I would have preferred a glass of wine instead. The restaurant is very open and airy, with lots of wood. It feels very calm, even though you're surrounded by people enjoying their meals. The service is very quick. They took out orders before we sat down so we didn't have to wait long for our food. All in all, it was pretty tasty, though I didn't want to eat anything deep fried for a while after, but in a good way. You can make a reso on yelp, do that and you'll skip the queue. read more

Saku - Tofu and veggies with curry. - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Great spot for katsu! I was visiting Vancouver and swung by for a late lunch around 2 on a Friday, and didn't have a wait. They do have help check-in for when it is busy. The interior of the restaurant is very modern and upscale looking, with big booths and arches. The servers were very attentive and helpful with any questions we had about the menu. When they saw us struggling to open the salad dressing because it was stuck, they immediately got us another one. They also came by often to refill water and ask if we wanted more cabbage salad (since it is unlimited refills). I got the hire katsu, which I thought tasted a bit more tender compared to the rosu katsu, though both were delicious. The katsu orders come out on large platters, including rice, soup, cabbage salad, and sauce for a very lovely presentation. A few of my friends added udon as well. I also got to try the katsu nabe, and the sauce went really well with the katsu. The katsu itself is super crispy and juicy. I will say it is not the best katsu I've had, but it is great and will leave you satisfied. Overall, it was a great meal and I'd definitely recommend! read more

Saku - Katsu nabe - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Was walking around the neighborhood and stumbled upon this place because we were drawn to how pretty it looked inside! The food was incredible, definitely the best katsu I've ever had in my life without a doubt. Our server had a trainer badge on, but she was super tentative and informative. Definitely recommend the Katsu Nabe (Katsudon) and the Rosu. We also got a side of the cheese Katsu and it was a perfect small portion for us to sample. read more

Saku - Yuzu Lemonade - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Saku has very delicious katsu selections. We ordered Ebi Katsu and Rosu Katsu with the Curry Add-Ons. They both are wonderfully flavored and very tender! read more

Saku - Ebi Katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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It's embarrassing but I'm literally salivating just by clicking on their Yelp page. I wish I lived in Vancouver but it's worth the 2.5 hours crossing the border for. Their chicken is soooooo crispy and juicy! And what you can do is just order one meal and order extra rice/soup/salad on the side. It's unlimited refills. The cutlet is pretty big anyway and it fed my husband and I. So it's a way to treat yourself but also save the $$ while dining out. I'd definitely shell out a few more bills for unlimited refills! This place is great! But the wait is always long. So be prepared for putting your name down and waiting in line. No reservations and who wants to take home soggy cutlet?! Just be patient, plan ahead and enjoy. You can walk around Robson street while you wait! read more

Came for dinner on a Monday and there was a line before they opened. We ordered the cheese Katsu and the curry chicken. The cheese Katsu is always my favourite. I love the oozing cheese. My favourite part is always the cabbage. You have to put an absurd amount of dressing on the cabbage. It's delicious. The free refills on cabbage, soup and rice is the best part. The chicken Katsu with curry - very crispy and juicy. The side dishes are all the same for all the dishes I believe. The curry tasted like generic curry from the box. Wouldn't order the curry dishes again Overall - I've tried the cheese, the chicken curry and also the pork and my favourite is still the cheese. read more

Saku - Cheese Katsu - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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