ABURI SEARED SUSHI AT MINAMI VANCOUVER

I've received a number of great recommendations about "Minami" Restaurant in Vancouver so I decided to make a visit (thanks @chengsophia). If you're familiar with Vancouver, the restaurant is situated in Yaletown on 1118 Mainland St. (at Helmcken St.). It's one of my favorite neighborhoods in Vancouver as it's stylish, sophisticated, and has a friendly vibe. Minami Restaurant has taken my spoiled palate to the next level with its fresh and innovative concept called "Aburi" or flamed seared sushi which was developed nearly a century ago in Japan. Owner Seigo Nakamura innovated the Aburi concept by creating specialty sauces and using non-traditional Japanese ingredients to complement the unique taste properties of each fish. Seigo’s unconventional concept of ‘sushi without soy and wasabi‘. I was quite surprised when there was no soy sauce and wasabi along with the sushi, but soon realized this was the intention from the chef and it was quite a good one.

Highly recommend the following dishes: Aburi hamachi (yellowtail) with avocado sauce, Aburi hotate (scallop) with cod-roe mayo and Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi fused with jalapeño. If you're looking for a variety, try the Minami Zen which is served with miso soup, 4 items from the kitchen served in a traditional Japanese hinoki box and house specilty sushi. This comes with the Aburi Tuna (wasabi masatake sauce), Tofu Salad (wonton crisps, umami soy vinaigrette), Ebi Fritter (asian slaw, soy-balsamic reduction), Braised Pork Cheek (kabotcha puree, apple-cabbage kraut), and the Signature Aburi Sushi (5 pieces, chef's choice).

Website: http://minamirestaurant.com