Bistro Taiyo Japanese Restaurant

All the employees were speaking Japanese to each other when we got in so we knew it was going to be good. We had the tonkotsu black, the miso tsukemen (I forgot to take a pic), salmon and avo sushi, and the regular sashimi. The ramens were so flavourful and rich. The sushi was fresh and buttery.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Probably the best sushi in town and I have eaten at all of them!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We arrived at 7:02 p.m., only to be informed that we could no longer be accommodated. Considering there was still ample time before closing, this refusal to serve guests reflects poorly on customer service and overall business attitude.

P.S.: To better serve your customers—especially those who arrive well within reasonable hours—it would be wise to adopt a more flexible approach. While it may be easy to present excuses, with proper planning and the right mindset, solutions can always be found.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Food wasnt bad to begin with but the portion seems a little on the lighter side. For an average of $20ish spend on their lunch set, would expect to be full and not be snacking on stuff just under an hour later.

The tempura and fried chicken seem a little over cooked, could taste the charness in them.

A small place , so if you plan to come for a bigger group, might need reservation.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Sometimes you go to a restaurant and say you would eventually go back, one day. But the first time I ate at Taiyo I came back the following day ! And it was not just my call, but we were 5 to have the same idea ! The reasons are undoubtedly the delicious ramens (especially the Garlic one, I miss you so much), the exquisites sushis and makis, not to forget the tasteful Yakisoba. All in all the food was excellent and the service so very friendly. If you live in Namaimo, well you are bless with a great Japanese restaurant. If you just stop by while visiting then if you do not encounter a bear then you can quench your sorrow by coming to this great restaurant !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really bad pricing. Salmon nigiri are 2 pieces while in other sushi restaurants you can get 6 with same quality. Expensive 15$ rolls are just average rolls that are 8-9$ at other places. Very disappointing. Service is good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Great sushi spot! Very friendly staff, quick service. Exactly what we were looking for on our holiday. Since we had our dog we took it to-go and enjoyed it next to the harbour.

This tiny family run restaurant is authentic and the perfect date night spot. The service was exceptional. The food was fresh and portion size was perfect. We enjoy sushi all over canada. This was the best. The people working are passionate about their job. The drinks are really good and the sashimi+ Nigiri was fresh fresh fresh.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely, my favourite place in Nanaimo! Was up here for work this weekend last week so I went to quite a few restaurants, This is the only place I went twice.

The food was absolutely amazing, but it was the service that was even better. The server remembered us from the previous and even remembered dietary issues, She was so lovely and so friendly… Just made us feel like old friends, even though she is very young and we are very old lol. If you’re stuck on a place to eat in Nanaimo, you’re not gonna go wrong with this!! Will 100% be back again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Why would you charge for large group when we need to be seated separately??????

We were a group of 7. They asked for a 18% service charge when we enter and that is fine. But they want us to seat separately, not side by side but the other side of the restaurant. Didn’t not enter because we find this not fair.

Hidden gem. Small dinning room but they make it work. Great food above average service/ top notch. I have allergies and they were understanding and knowable about how item were cooked and alerted me to where cross contamination could occur. The food was great. I had a bento and fish Sashimi. Both were excellently prepared. Very happy

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The ramen was super good — and the salmon roe was pretty tasty too!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent service, the daily Bento has great variety and the ingredients are always high quality

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had the shout ramen here. It tasted great and the price was right. It's a smaller restaurant so you may have problems getting a spot on a busier day but for 12 on a Wednesday there was plenty of room for me :)

The only reason I dinged it a star was because the menu wasn't super descriptive and that is a place it could be improved. Otherwise this is an amazing place for ramen and I'm looking forward to trying their Japanese curry someday.

Just terrible food, really poor rolls, soups are a ripoff, they are running a scam operation. California rolls had no crab in it, pork belly in soups are paper thin, you are better off at the mall food court.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4