Kuroki Kaiseki Omakase Kitchen

This is such a gem. The only one in lower mainland that does this type of Japanese cuisine. The chef is really passionate about his food and I've had the privilege of him passing knowledge about the history and philosophy of how and why this cuisine came to be. The place is run by him, and his wife who are both so lovely to talk to.

The food showcases all the technique and experience that the chef has. I will just highlight some of my favorite here. It's seasonal menu so it will change. The texture of the sesame tofu with yuzu miso and aka miso was one of my favorite appetizer bites. Expect a spongy texture that bursts with dashi flavour in your mouth. The blackbean on top adds a bit of savoryness, and the fried burdock flakes gives it some nutty and earthiness to the dish. The wan-mono of the day was a delicious velvety and full-bodied clear bonito and kunbu broth with Japanese root vegetables, woodear mushroom, and a few types of seaweed. The sashimi of the day was a big portion for 2 people. There were 5 kinds of fish, each with 5 slices (hotate, take no ko mebaru, hou bou, matou dai, and bluefin). The bluefine came with both akami and chu-toro, both lightly seared around the edges. The chef is dedicated to procure the most sesonal fish from Japan and even got an importer license himself to do it. My favourite was the matou dai -delicate light white fish that leaves a sweet flavour in your mouth. The tobiko on the hotate is also super sweet and crunchy that bursts with savory goodness when you bite unto them. The yakimono of the day was a play on stuffed baked crab shell. The plate resembled a crab shell, and it was creamy mashed potato mixed with sweet baby scallops and japanese matsuba kani and kani miso, topped with a hit of panko for crunch. The crab flavour really shines in this dish from the sweetness of the crab meat to the umami of the kani miso. Very luxurious and rich mouthfeel.

All the dishes were delicious and those were my highlights. I highly recommend coming here to learn about a different type of Japanese cuisine that is full of Buddhist philosophy in it's planning and preparation. What an amazing experience~ I will definitely be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I don’t know how to rate this because I didn’t have the opportunity to eat here. You need to make a reservation 2-3 days in advance. There were only 3 people at the bar and no one at the tables. Oh well we have other options. Make a reservation if you want to eat here

Service: 1

Really enjoyed our Kaiseki experience last night with Ray and Christine. Sashimi tasted really fresh and the tuna especially O-toro add-on was the highlight. Everything was presented and served with love and care. Hope to be back again another time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really amazing meal and experience. Everything was delicious and beautiful. The blue fin tuna cheek sashimi was the best piece of sashimi I've ever put in my mouth. Will definitely go back again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was incredibly fresh, and the service was outstanding! From the moment we sat down, Christine and Chef Ray made us feel genuinely welcome. They took the time to learn our names and asked if we were celebrating anything special. We were there for my birthday, and they went above and beyond to make it memorable.

Chef Ray even wrote me a birthday card while preparing our dishes—a truly thoughtful gesture. Christine was wonderfully informative, describing each dish in detail, while Chef Ray’s craftsmanship and attention to detail were evident in every bite.

We decided to include Toro in our meal, and it ended up being the highlight of the evening. I highly recommend visiting this charming mom-and-pop spot—it’s a hidden gem worth experiencing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food. Great people. Great conversation with Chef Ray. Can't ask for more. We will see you again.

Had such an amazing omakase experience at Kuroki—it was honestly one of the best I’ve had. The fish selection was incredibly fresh, and they served some rare cuts you don’t often see, even at high-end spots. Every piece was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.

What really made the night even more special was Chef Ray and Christine. They were so warm and welcoming, taking the time to explain each course and share a bit about the sourcing and technique behind it. You could really feel their passion and pride in the food, which made the whole experience feel personal and memorable.

The atmosphere was intimate and relaxed, perfect for enjoying each course at your own pace. If you’re looking for top-quality omakase with a personal touch, this place is a hidden gem. Can’t wait to go back.

We had the pleasure of dining at this exceptional Japanese omakase restaurant for a birthday celebration, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The chef is not only highly skilled but also deeply knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine and culture, which added a layer of authenticity and thoughtfulness to every course served. Each dish was meticulously prepared and beautifully presented, showcasing the chef's precision and passion. The ingredients were of the highest quality, and the flow of the omakase menu was perfectly balanced—from delicate starters to rich, satisfying finishes.What made the evening even more special was the warm and attentive service. They also went out of their way to make the birthday feel truly celebrated, with kind gestures and a friendly atmosphere that made us feel welcome from the moment we stepped in.Highly recommended for anyone seeking an intimate and refined Japanese dining experience.

The service was 10/10. The quantity of the food is great portions.

I just don’t understand how I paid $220 after tips and taxes and there wasn’t a single premium sashimi. There’s plenty of other omakase that’s cheaper but have premium items on the menu.

And honestly most of the food was mostly bland. The only thing I really enjoyed was chawanmushi and the desert. The grilled dish for the day was cod and it tasted frozen. It was tough and firm, not soft and buttery like how cod normally taste.

Left very unsatisfied and disappointed on just the food. But the service and atmosphere was great.

Had a wonderful birthday evening spent here at Kuroki! Learned a lot about kaiseki cuisine and our hosts were lovely and took great care of my wife and I. The food was very distinguished and showed great skill and craftsmanship. All the dishes were well balanced and were presented beautifully. I would highly recommend this dining experience to anyone who loves learning about different foods and cultures and experiencing it freshly made by a masterful chef!

Never thought of having such authentic kaiseki dinning experience in Vancouver! From the ingredients, cooking , and the presentation, everything is so perfectly executed!
Chef Ray and Christine made our anniversary dinner very special! Will definitely visit again, indeed I already made my next reservation

Authentic dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients. Meticulously prepared. Attentive and friendly service. A cozy spot to experience a tradition, well-planned kaiseki menu.

We had the most amazing time from start to finish. The food was great. All of this was overshadowed when we were charged for something we didn't order and that ruined my ENTIRE experience/evening.

During dinner, chef asked if we liked uni. I told him my gf loves it and she's visiting from out of town. We were presented with an uni dish/add on. At no point were we asked if we wanted it. At no point were we told we would be charged after receiving it. I thought it was a gift. I never asked/ordered it.

The additional charge was $50, not that it's a huge amount in the grand scheme. But I felt wronged and cheated.

Do you want more proof?

This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. We were a group of 5 and were able to snag a seating at this lovely little gem. I adore japanese food and have eaten kaiseki in Kyoto before. This is authentically made, fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. The flow of the menu was thoughtful. Everything was fresh, seasonal and homemade. Favorite dishes were the five types of sashimi (freshly flown in from Japan with delicious yuzu and soy dipping sauces, fresh wasabi - scallop was SO sweet and fresh), the fried dish (melt in your mouth lightly battered oyster), soup and the rice dish. We appreciated all of the extra little touches that Christine and Chef Ray put into the meal (for instance they made a cute little handmade card for my friend's 40th birthday). Sake paired delightfully. If you are looking for a special meal in an intimate dining setting, look no further! Come here and experience if for yourselves! We will be back. Thank you Kuroki Kaiseki Omakase Kitchen!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent experience. The chef is well versed in Japanese culture and the quality of the ingredients is excellent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5