Tojo a grandi après la guerre au Japon sous la splendide montagne volcanique nommé Sakurajima à Kagoshima, à la pointe sud du Japon. À son jeune âge, il a voyagé à Osaka où il devient apprenti dans le célèbre restaurant Ohnoya, qui est l'un des principaux ryotei du Japon, un restaurant de type très haut de gamme et très traditionnel. Pendant des années, Tojo a travaillé 16 heures par jour à Ohnoya, il a ainsi maîtrisé un répertoire encyclopédique de près de 2000 recettes traditionnelles japonaises qu'il peut faire resurgir de sa mémoire même aujourd'hui. Ici, il a également développé les disciplines de sélectionner les poissons et les produits les plus frais . Reconnaissant que sa passion pour la créativité le conduisait au-delà des frontières strictes de la cuisine au Japon, Tojo a choisi de venir en Amérique du Nord en 1971, où il a estimé qu'une population multiculturelle sans a priori serait plus réceptif à ses idées. Il a trouvé son public parfait à Vancouver.
The term “edible art” is an appropriate way of describing Zen’s menu. Inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine, the inventive menu is heavily influenced by the abundance of wonderful West Coast seafood and produce. The premium is on quality, with the best offerings from Japan being served daily. Sushi and Sashimi creations are staples, but Zen has something special for any and all diners including a selection of highly innovative tempura, teppanyaki, and delicious robata (Japanese barbecue) highlighted by chicken yakitori, garlic short ribs, and simply grilled fresh fish. Adventurous diners can choose “omakase” and have our master chef put together the day’s finest selections. Zen’s knowledgeable staff will assist you in choosing the perfect beverage to accompany your meal from an unparalleled inventory of premium sake and specialized beer and wine lists. Zen is also a perfect venue for social and business gatherings
Nestled on the border of historic Chinatown, Torafuku invites you to experience simple, yet adventurous interpretations of pan Asian flavours. Explore contemporary dishes crafted with local ingredients sourced from local farms complemented by carefully selected wines, local craft beers, and a fashionable cocktail list.
Diners are encouraged to enjoy innovative, yet affordable shared plates where east meets west, in a dynamic open concept space.
Come in and discover delights to intoxicate the senses. Restaurant Yugo invites you to experience the joy of coming together and sharing the finest fusion of delicacies and flavours. Exceptional taste mingles with warm camaraderie to create a meal to be remembered long afterwards.It excites us take the sublime flavours of Japan and merge them with the sophistication of French cuisine to create a harmonious symphony of taste and flavour. Enjoy the blend of sous-vide cooked endives with yuzu, sashimi with truffle oil, confit octopus and green tomato salsa.Let us be enticed by a warm relationship of flavours. Let us drink to the friendships, the esprit du corps, the way we mix together. And let us breathe deeply the smoky florals of a rich glass of Bourdeaux, sip iced Sake, and raise cold glasses of Asahi.We will laugh together, share stories together and enjoy our experiences together.
