Masayoshi
4376 Fraser St, Vancouver
(604) 428-6272
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Always a fantastic experience at the bar watching the master at work. Every dish was perfect and delivered with precision and pace. Great selection of Sake! Looking forward to my next visit.
Best sushi in the town .
Both the food and the atmosphere at this establishment left me with the same impression: refined, but ultimately a touch bland. The ingredients were of high quality and each dish was executed with care - yes, it was delicious. But for the price point, I found myself craving a bit more risk, a bit more personality. It’s as though the kitchen, like the space itself, played things just a little too safe. That said, the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. A polished experience, though one that could benefit from a bolder point of view.
As someone who experienced multiple omakase experiences, this is definitely one of the worst experiences. We waited over 40mins and only three dishes had came (All omakase dining are very strict about timing for both customers and restaurants) All beginning courses were not made in-front of us which is very unusual for omakase. The taste of the dishes are hard for me to explain, they just don’t meet the standards of a Michelin one star restaurant.
I’ve had countless omakases in my life, and this was the worst I had. The reservation was at 8:30pm (we arrived on time), but then the first dish came out at 8:52 because they were busy preparing, and the next few dishes came out every 10-15+ minutes—which is quite slow. At one point, there was a 20 minute wait for a dish, which is ridiculous. First nigiri was served at 10pm. Food was decent, and the tamago was really good. But overall, because of the service, I am very disappointed and won’t come back.
Masayoshi may be small, but it offers an incredibly intimate and welcoming atmosphere—ideal for an omakase experience. Each course arrived with impeccable presentation, capturing the essence of seasonal ingredients. From the silky texture of the first creamy dish accented by a light sauce and subtle spice, to the delicate simmered fish in a flavorful broth, you can truly sense the chef’s dedication. The grilled fish had a wonderful caramelized surface that balanced savory and sweet notes. Every sushi piece was equally memorable: the scallop was naturally sweet, the tuna firm and fresh, and the uni luxuriously rich, brightened by a touch of wasabi. Even the negitoro hand roll stood out with its crisp nori and generous filling. Despite the chef’s reserved demeanor, his craftsmanship shines through in every carefully balanced bite. If you’re looking for a clean, fresh, and refined omakase in a cozy setting, Masayoshi is well worth a visit.
What an exquisite experience. Otoro was my favourite, almost an instant melt in my mouth. Each dish was introduced and explained in detail.
I was hesitant to go because I’ve been to Michelin star sushi restaurants in Japan and didn’t know if it would be good, but I am happy to say that my experience at Masayoshi’s was excellent.
The staff were very friendly and so was chef. I’ve seen people say that they wanted more interaction with him, but I felt that his level of interaction was similar to that in Japan. Minimal, courteous, but he’s there to work.
I’d go again.
Impressive! Very good food, very nice service.
First time having Omakase, it was a wonderful experience. Quality and freshness was amazing and got to try various different kinds of fish and dishes. Definitely recommend!
Restaurantji Recommends
We had an overall enjoyable experience here, thanks to the kind and attentive staff, including the chef himself. The select dishes served by the chef, including the five appetizers at the start, were excellent. I loved the uni dish and toro. The Masayoshi house sake stood out as my favorite as well —it was incredibly smooth and delightful.
However, as a Michelin-starred restaurant, there are significant areas for improvement:
1. Reservation Timing: We had an 8:30 PM reservation, but the previous seating didn’t finish until 8:45. This delay was not an ideal start to a dinner that lasted until 11 PM. Better coordination is needed to avoid such waits.
2. Portion Sizes: While the sushi and appetizers were flavorful, the portions were underwhelming. We left still feeling hungry after a nearly $500 meal. We actually had to stop by at the hotel bar to have more food. Compared to other top-tier omakase experiences globally, the sushi pieces were notably smaller, with disappointingly thinner slices of fish. I feel they won't lose much profit even if they increase the quantity by 30-40%.
3. The system: The chef frequently left the bar to prepare dishes and manage staff, which disrupted the flow of the meal. This gave the impression of a lack of coordination. The system should be refined so the chef can stay focused on the dining experience without interruptions.
Despite these critiques, it was still a great experience. Given the restaurant’s Michelin recognition, I hope this constructive feedback helps them enhance their offerings and provide even greater joy to their customers.
Overrated, overhyped and this restaurant hosts the worst type of customers you’ll ever see. Pretentious wannabes that think they know about good food. Wouldn’t spend another dollar supporting businesses like this.
Not worth the hype firstly
I had high expectations for Masayoshi, especially given its 1-star Michelin status, but this was one of the most mediocre omakase experiences I’ve had in years. While the service was solid, the quality and execution of the dishes left a lot to be desired. For the price, I expected far more creativity, flavor, and refinement.
If you’re looking for a memorable omakase, you’re better off at Sushi Hil (better quality at half the price), Yaletown Okeya, or even Mahana in North Vancouver. I dine on omakase at least twice a month, and this experience just didn’t meet the standard.
What can I say.....? Worst high end omakase ever. Lost all faith in Michelin Guide now.
As another reviewer mentioned, appetizers felt sloppily put together... Eggplant was especially horrible.
Sushi was ok, but nothing spectacular. Toro didn't look like toro although it tasted good. This is where you want the chef to make comments or describe the fish/food with more detail than what the name of the piece is.
Again, like another reviewer mentioned, we noticed people coming for their 830pm reservation just had to wait (thankfully there were empty tables on a Saturday night) until everyone was done, past 845pm.
In all, what a huge disappointment. This is one of Vancouver's best omakase at $220? Hopefully they get their act together because this definitely isn't a $220 omakase.
Came here by myself and I could tell they didn’t care for you if you weren’t dressed up fancy enough as they’d ignore your needs and “put you on hold”. The food was well executed but the service was absolutely terrible; it ought to be taken into account when it came to omakase because the performance mattered.
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