Shiro has the freshest sashimi I've had in Vancouver. It reminds me of a good sushi place in Tokyo. The fish melts in your mouth. Some other good points: -real wasabi -real crab in their california rolls If you go for lunch, I highly recomend lunch box G which as a little bit of tempura, katsu-don, bc roll, tuna and salmon sashimi, and some broccoli. All for $11.50 There usually is a wait if you show up during peak times, but worth the wait. read more

It's the little details that really make a difference. I really love their wasabi (it's fresh! Not tubed or powdered), spicy and got the natural not overwhelming-ness... But then, BAM, wasabi brain freeze! aWkWaRd!!! You know what I mean wasabi takers. Fish is nice and fresh, its like a hybrid of Sushi California and Tojos quality so completely passable! Lots of rolls to choose from as well as fried dishes and bento boxes. If you like uni, definitely try it here I love it so fresh and slimy (any takers?). Their scallop rolls and spicy tuna is definitely on point as well. I've been going here a long time, before they got super busy and the sushi craze went around so I can attest that the service is sort of spotty, sometimes you get good sometimes... you feel a bit baffled. I understand though since they can get pretty busy. Nothing too fancy here, just good eats and reasonable prices and service. Try it out if you're doing the Vancouver great sushi challenge of eating at every sushi joint. read more

My friends and I try to come here at least once every couple weeks. The problem is that they are such a small place, so getting a large group in is difficult. The food, however, is always good. I literally cannot leave without having silky piece of Hamachi (yellowfin tuna), their Unagi (grilled eel) and some of their deep-fried chicken wings. Everything is always fresh and consistently high quality, from the sashimi down to the wasabi (which they make fresh themselves). This isn't my favourite dish, but for you California Roll lovers out there, they can make it with real crab meat. read more

Shiro - Assorted Nigiri (clockwise from top left): Unagi, tamago, Hamachi, Uni, and Toro - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

See all

Lunch. Box. G. You will never regret it. Delicious tuna sashimi. I was lucky enough to see the man who delivers the Pocky sticks, we was delightfully wise in age and even had a Pocky shirt on! He had lunch with his wife, and my table was all smiles watching them eat. Cutest couple ever. Wonderful staff, wonderful food. Definitely recommend. read more

This place is a sorry excuse for a sushi joint. Maybe if your definition of sushi are crazy rolls dripping with mayo, then this place is for you. If you want quality fish, go someplace else. The chef is so heavy handed with the cheap wasabi on the nigiri that you can't actually taste the fish. Why even pretend then? Even though the staff speaks japanese, this place ranks lower than many of the chinese-run all you can eat joints. Don't believe me? Sit at the bar and watch the frozen fish being defrosted in water in the sink. I'm absolutely astounded that you can get away with this poor quality sushi in Vancouver. Don't waste your time or money - walk a few blocks and go anywhere else. read more

As we were turned away from another establishment further up Cambie (our fault for not making reservations in advance), I recalled my dad recommending Shiro a while back. I suggested it to The Boy and he agreed that we should try a new sushi place (we have our standbys). Once in, you're greeted by the all-Japanese staff. In terms of decor it's a little dated but they make up for it in the food. We enjoyed all of the nigiri that we ordered (the fish was fresh and tasty) when something caught our eyes. One of the sushi chefs placed a plate of two ikura nigiri topped with quail egg yolk in front of two other customers. The Boy and I exchanged a look. It was time to go advanced-mode. It went well! That particular item is not on the menu, but they will make it for you if you describe it to them. Will return! For a weekday night it was quite busy, and I now know for good reason. read more

After having moved away from my favorite neighborhood sushi joint (Sushiyama), I was feeling a bit down with nowhere to saunter to for a quick roll. Shiro was a recommendation from a stranger at a party. I was skeptical, but his review was so glowing I had to give it a chance. Sushi places are a dime a dozen in Vancouver and I'm a picky girl. [ A little side note on my sushi philosophy - I have standards for sushi and if the standard doesn't meet the price I'm let down. Sushiyama (low end) and Octopus' Garden (high end) are my other favorites. I would consider Shiro to be my favorite in the mid price range. ] The restaurant is a small with simple decor. There is often a line out the door at dinner time. It is a little on the pricier side. However, Shiro only serves wild BC salmon and you can really tell the difference. They also provide the un-dyed, not-too-sweet pickled ginger which makes me happy. My highest recommendation would be the BBQ salmon belly. So flavorful and fatty and always prefectly done. The croquettes are also great. My boyfriend often hand picks a selection of sashimi and is very pleased with the quality of the fish. We both love the spicy tempura roll. If you order a large bottle of Asahi, you will get two tiny 6oz glasses to share it. Somehow this heightens the experience. Take it from me, this place is the real deal. read more

Really great sushi, fantastic neighborhood feel, and lots of locals. Everyone working there has a big smile and while busy, they are super friendly. We will be going back. read more

Been coming here for years, consistently good. I've tried most menu items, but stick with the tuna sashimi, spicy crab roll is excellent too. read more

Second time here, better than the first actually, five years ago, and goddamn is it good to have some REAL sushi in a town of over priced mall quality sushi. What a treat to have some of the closest Sushi to back in Japan, that won't actually break the bank. read more

Shiro - We had the house futomaki, and it was absolutely divine. - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

See all

How I heard of this place: Roya and Martin were craving Japanese fare and considering the area of town we were in, Bayan selected Japanese Restaurant Shiro. Type of cuisine: Japanese food - soba or udon noodles, donburi, sunomono, tempura, maki, sashimi, temaki, etc. Ambiance: Walking in, through two panels of fabric and between two tall cubicle walls, you are greeted by the staff from all over the restaurant - behind the sushi bar and throughout the space. The space includes a sushi bar as well as table and chairs nestled closely together in the small establishment. Dark chairs and tables are decorated with napkins, chopsticks and small side plates for soy sauce/wasabi. What I ordered: We had three orders of miso soup ($1.25 each), one order of assorted sashimi ($13.25), one of the katsu don ($6.50) of pork and egg on rice. I ordered the spicy tuna roll ($4.25), smoked salmon roll ($4.15) and an asparagus/ebi roll ($4.75) with boiled asparagus and prawn, rolled in sushi rice with masago and mayonnaise. Our two dining companions ordered one asparagus/ebi roll, two smoked salmon rolls, one salmon cone ($2.95) with mayonnaise, a California roll ($4.30) with real crab, avocado and masago, and a small dynamite roll ($5.95) with prawn tempura, rice and seaweed. What I loved: The spicy tuna was my favorite of the sushi options. The katsu don was also very tasty, full-flavored and perfectly crispy. Why I loved it: The food is delicious, the service friendly and the food amazingly fresh! Cost: Average ($4-$20 depending on the rolls, cone or dish selected) read more

Love this place, they never do me wrong. Proper authentic Japanese, fresh and they even have Shiso up in there! Their BBQ squid is the supreme bomb I gotta say. Shiro is on par with Toshi's but without having to wait in the godamn rain for like 4 hours, sometimes there is a wait at Shiro, but its not to bad and if you roll solo you can sit at the bar pretty quick. When you go out to eat with friends you always gotta wait for tables and shit, they are just baggage weighing you down when it comes to getting a table at busy joints. read more

Maybe I was just unlucky, but the sushi set I ordered tasted weird and fishy. I think the chef must have defrosted the sashimi incorrectly...... ): I wouldn't come here again. The only plus side to this place is that, you get a free pocky. read more

~3.5 stars round up to 4. Good lunch sets and decent sashimi for the price. I'm not quite sure why some Yelpers found Shiro to be expensive but I thought it was quite reasonable and slightly cheaper (not by much) compared to Toshi's or Ajisai. My friend is really into their dons and lunch sets but I had more of their sashimi which is quite fresh but doesn't taste particular amazing. I'd prefer Ajisai or Toshi's for straight-up high-end sashimi meals. Their lunch sets are a good deal and have a variety of tempura, sashimi and etc. Their wasabi tastes really fresh (homemade perhaps?), gives a major kick to the sashimi so +half star for that. I had a katsu don which was a bit soggy, probably because of the rice and sauce. The pork was tender but I wished it as more crispy. Nothing on their menu stands out but the food is pretty good. Service is attentive and nice like most Japanese sushi places are. read more

See all

Awesome sushi at Shiro! I'm a sushi junky and this is one place I just keep going back to over and over. Very casual room (good place to take my 2 year old!) read more

Great quality sushi and a nice alternative if the line at Toshi is too long for you. I'm a sucker for their Futomaki roll (huge 10 pieces), chopped scallop roll, and extremely fresh sashimi. I'm not usually a wasabi person but I love it here. Super fresh and high quality, none of that neon green clump you often get at other places. That's why I'm okay with it being pricier than other sushi places. You're paying for quality here. Pro-tip: Even better are the lunch combos, priced reasonably from $9.99-$13.50 and you can get a variety of options to try: tempura, teriyaki, rolls, sashimi, etc. I'm a fan of Combo G with the katsu don. A nice end to the meal is the complimentary package of pocky as dessert! read more

This place is very good, pricing is spot on for high quality fresh fish. Mackerel is one of the most difficult items to keep fresh for sashimi (so the Japanese say when I resided there) but they prep'd it just fine here. Very rare in Vancouver. They have a about a dozen items on their specials menu. I ordered an assorted Sushi plus a vege sunomono. The sunomono for about 3.50 tittered on the small size. Decors are very conservative, seating is spacious enough even though it's fairy busy on a Saturday night. Most important of all staff and chef are all Japanese and speak it. This venue has been here for eons and I'm glad I've "re-found" it and can consider it for future dinning. No Reservation on Saturday (but not sure about other times). read more

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Shiro until now. I only lived down the street from this temple of fish heaven for 1.5 yrs! If I were a high quality tuna or sockeye salmon about to meet it's maker, I would be glad to be sliced up by the skilled hands of the chefs here and entering the bellies of classy people who have sought this place out to consume me. Seriously the first words that you utter to the server should be _____ sashimi. It's all good! Maki and nigiri are also top notch. I'm partial to the negitoro and sockeye salmon and have never been disappointed. The homemade wasabi is icing on the cake! I've never actually had any of the cooked options here but I'm sure they're also awesome. Downside is the place isn't very big and is already wildly popular so be prepared to wait more often than not. But trust me, good things definitely come to those who wait! read more

Came here once and it was ok. Came here twice, and now I can see why everyone loves this place. The food is fresh and delicious. They price is ok, but you definitely get some good quality stuff. Best nigiri sushi I've ever had! And I never thought I would be saying that because really, how great can nigiri sushi be? But somehow Shiro manages to make it wonderful. I will be back! Ambience- Good Service- Great! Food-good Quality-Top Notch! Price- Above average read more

Shiro's got the best sashimi I've had so far. The service was amazing (my tea is always full). We ordered the hamachi, salmon and tuna sashimi. All of it was fresh and delicious. We also got the spider roll which gave us 12 pieces but it was really crispy, very light on the mayo. At the end we got pocky with the bill! read more

See all

This is the best quality/price sushi in the area, including Toshi's. We tend to order basics- salmon sashimi, scallop roll, Cali roll, negitoro, that kind of thing. And Shiro consistently puts out fresh tasting fish and well prepared rolls. It's a litte bit pricier than the cheap-o places (maybe 2-3 bucks more per person per full meal) but the taste and quality are way, way better. It's small and there is often a lineup at peak times, but it usually moves pretty quick. I've never waited more than 10 or 15 minutes. Service is fast and friendly. read more

Your everyday small sushi joint packed with great taste. I always pass by but never noticed this place until I read some reviews about it.. Glad I did. Their sushi is simple and tasteful, their seaweed is unbelievably fresh. I also think their wasabi might be specially-made, the flavor went straight up my nose, and had a tint of sourness in it. Very unique (maybe that's why the waiters always ask if wasabi and other accompaniment items are okay with you?). They have a wide range of great stuff; I've been there for lunch and dinner now. Dinner, there are a list of specials that I didn't know half of, but the chicken abura (I think that's what it's called) - the deep fried chicken wrapped in seaweed, is a must-try. Cheap and a great selection of food, it's a place I'll stop by for a quick delicious fix :) read more

One of the best Sushi places I've been to, everything was so fresh and tasty. The service was fantastic and the prices were great! I got Agedashi Tofu, Oyakadon, Miso, a Tuna Roll and a Unagi Roll for $24. If I lived in Vancouver I'd make a habit of eating there. read more

Delicious sushi and sashimi for a very reasonable price. Ordered the assorted sushi which came with 7 pieces nigiri and 6 pieces tuna maki. Also got a spicy tuna roll, which was actually spicy and delicious, and the Shiro roll which has tuna, salmon and one other fish that I forgot. The Nigiri, tuna maki and spicy tuna roll were delicious. The Shiro roll had a little too much rice which overwhelmed the overall taste and texture of the fish inside. I found their rice very sticky and not very appetizing. The service was average. It wasn't very busy when I was there, but there was a steady flow of customers. I can see this place getting packed quickly on busy nights. Our sushi took awhile to come, longer than I was expecting. I think hot food might actually have been faster. My dining companion had to ask for tea 3 times before he finally got some. Given that, the food was still delicious. Think I'll head back during lunch time and try their lunch box everyone is raving about! read more

For all the rave reviews I expected it to be a little better than it was but it was good. The staff were friendly and I loved that all the chefs said thank you as we left, it was like a chorus of thank you's. The wait wasn't too long though the other waiting patrons were quite rude which put us off quite a bit as well. In spite of sour attitudes we enjoyed our meal. read more

I actually can't believe I haven't written a review about this place, I'm glad that yelp reminded me! Shiro has been around forever, but I didn't discover it until last year - and I'm so glad I did. For me, this is the best reasonably prices sushi in the city, by far. The staff is great, the food is excellent, and with their late afternoon take-out deal the prices can't be beat. Their sashimi and daily specials are amazing, but so is everything else on the menu that I have tried. I think the food comes close to competing with Minami or Tojo's, but at a far more accessible price point. read more

Shiro is just the absolute best! Having this little gem in the neighbourhood is a delight. The sushi is really delicious! If you're here make sure to try some of their specials. We always try something new when we come here and are always pleasantly surprised. I love their spicy agedashi tofu. It's so delicious and so spicy! The staff are some of the most incredible people! They are nice, fast, attentive and I would come back just for them. They used to give pocky at the end of your meal, which they stopped. I understand it's likely costly, but I almost wish I could add it on for $1 or $2! I adore this place and come here a few times a month! I highly recommend! They also have a Japanese heated toilet in the women's washroom! So good! read more

My husband and I went because of all the great reviews - we're currently touring all of the top ranked sushi places in Vancouver. We ordered a variety of sashimi, negitoro, and miso soup. We were NOT impressed at all with the negitoro - it was mushy, sort of a paste of tuna and green onion, and not appealing. The miso soup was just meh. The sashmi was ok, but I've had better from mall sushi places. Prior review said Shiro served real Japanese Wasabi, but this was just horseradish tinted green. It wasn't real wasabi. We've heard the place changed ownership this Spring, so maybe that explains it? read more

This place completes me...ok, maybe not me but my week. It's not fancy or original in how it looks. In fact, it LOOKS like what I think a neighborhood sushi joint should be. It is consistently delicious and fresh. It's menu is not super unique but what it offers is authentic and well made. I'm just as comfortable going here and sitting at the sushi bar to getting take out on a Friday night. That's saying a lot, I like my comfort. I usually get the tuna/salmon don and have never been disappointed. It's my litmus taste for a sushi joint. The pieces are the right size, the rice is perfectly balanced, the shiso leave when in season is a nice add. The fresh crab cone is a must to start things off. On top of all this, great friendly service and real sushi chefs behind the counter, what more can you ask for from your neighborhood joint? read more

Authentically good. Creative feature dishes, great sushi and the best Katsu and Okayo Dons in Vancouver. read more

We've been going to Shiro's for years when in Vancouver. You can't beat it for very fresh, good sushi, and good prices too. We always sit at the sushi bar, and the only disappointment this time was that it seemed we were expected to order from the waiter instead of the sushi chef. Took a little fun out of the experience, but we'll be back! read more

Great Japanese joint! I would come here more if I lived around the area. My friends ordered the seafood salad and noted that the seafood was super fresh. Big slices of sashimi and octopus, and a great dressing on the side. The rolls are small but taste great, and are served with fresh wasabi. The service is so friendly and you get a pack of strawberry Pocky at the end of the meal! read more

Fresh fish + fresh wasabi = fn good sushi joint. I can't remember the last time I went to a sushi place where the fish was just the right temperature, very fresh, and accompanied by wasabi that didn't look and feel like it was squeezed from a tube. Don't let the fact that this place is in a grubby little strip mall turn you off. And as far as the decor goes, things don't really improve when you get inside. Perhaps that's its charm. Dunno. But it needs and overhaul. None of that takes away from the quality of the food they serve. All the same, there are dozens and dozens of sushi places in Vancouver -- dozens -- but this one is worth hitting. read more

The toro is great, sashimi great, price okay, renovation okay. Overall food is great. Dont like the fact that there is no reservations. Love the free green tea pocky that comes with the bill. read more

Shiro - Green tea pocky at the end of the meal! - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

A small Japanese owned restaurant tucked inside a plaza in a residential area, but come opening time, it's always packed. For good reason too! Fresh sushi, quick and friendly service with a reasonable price. I always get the whelk clams and the toro sashimi. I've been coming here frequently since I live in the neighborhood. The only negative thing I can say is that they are almost always out of certain items (aburi sushi on their special) and that they have not changed their menu in a long time. Their rolls are not as interesting as others, but I think it's because they want to stick with the classics. read more

Shiro's is by far amongst my top 3 Sushi places in Vancouver (after Toshi's and Hapa Izakaya). They offer really good stuff for a reasonable price; the portions are not as big as most other sushi places though! The best part is their Agedashi Tofu and the real wasabi, yumm! I go there once every two month or so even though it's not too close to where I live... totally recommend to check it out. read more

Simple sushi. You would think that might be a knock against it BUT it is simple and fresh and not overwhelming. This is exactly what I was looking for in a sushi joint, I could eat this stuff everyday and not feel gut bombed. We did take out, it was about 20 minutes. Polite, prompt...simple. A solid place. Oh and added bonus, lots of cooked options for your pregnant friends ;) read more

I am a sushi critic. It takes a whole freakin' lot to impress me, and I am easily turned off by dry rolls, creepy mayo based sauces all over everything and undercooked rice. We may have a lot of sushi in Vancouver, but that also means we have a lot of BAD sushi in Vancouver. So thankfully I have found a new alternative to Sushiyama close to my house! Shiro is a small, unassuming place in a strip mall with basic decor but my favourite accessorry of all: a line up. That's right - if people are willing to wait, chances are there is something worth waiting for! I enjoyed the small, delicate rolls (asparagus and blanched shrimp was a favourite) and the salmon sashimi was melt-in-my-mouth ultra fresh. The menu was nice and small and nothing was overwrought - no giant crazy rolls here! We both really enjoyed the food and will definitely be back! read more

Came for lunch and the food was decent. I can't really comment on the freshness of the fish because I don't eat sashimi but the wasabi however is house-made and definitely fresh. The tamago nigiri was light and perfectly proportioned. I hate when the piece of rice is larger or even equal size to my slice of tamago. Had a few other items but the highlight was the spicy chicken karaage. Arrived at the table hot and crisp, drizzled with sriracha mayo. Parking lot is extremely tight and only a handful of spaces. Better luck finding street parking. read more

This is my favourite Japanese restaurant. I've dined here many times and thought it was about time I posted a review. I always come early because it's a small place and fills up quickly. Plus my favourite dish is 'limited edition' as they only make a few orders each night: the mackerel aburi sushi! So good. Tonight we also had the butter fish sashimi on special. It was so fresh and light. We also ordered salmon sashimi, spicy salmon roll, crunch roll, negitoro roll & BC roll. Everything was fresh and delicious. It's reasonably priced. Our bill was $54.00. Service is prompt and friendly. read more

Shiro - Aburi sushi mackerel is limited so get there early for this tasty dish! - Japanese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia