Masayoshi

The story

Masayoshi: Michelin-Starred Omakase in Vancouver by Chef Masayoshi Baba

An Unforgettable Omakase Experience

At Masayoshi on Vancouver’s Fraser Street, Chef Masayoshi Baba offers an intimate, bespoke omakase that has earned a Michelin star. The 24-seat dining room—half of which is a sushi bar—invites guests to experience the Japanese art of omakase (お任せ), meaning “I leave it up to you.” Here, the chef curates each course based on what’s freshest and most seasonal.

Chef Masayoshi Baba’s Journey

Chef Baba’s path began in Japan, where he apprenticed in the Yamaguchi and Fukuoka prefectures, mastering the intricate preparation of fugu. At 26, he moved to Canada and spent a decade under Hidekazu Tojo at the celebrated Tojo’s. Guided by Wa Shoku—the harmonious spirit of Japanese cuisine—he blends time-honoured techniques with a modern, artful eye. His hyper-seasonal creations draw from the finest ingredients available, timed perfectly to each season.

The Dining Experience

The signature Nigiri Omakase unfolds as an immersive performance, especially at the sushi bar where guests watch Chef Baba shape each piece with precision. The meal typically includes around twenty courses: eight appetizers, eight pieces of nigiri, a hand cone, miso soup, tamago, and dessert. For a more serene evening, the table seating offers the same elegant succession at a relaxed pace. The menu changes with ocean conditions and ingredient availability, ensuring every visit is unique.

Masayoshi’s Michelin star recognizes the depth of skill and the sheer quality of the experience—an unforgettable evening that begins the moment you step through the door.