The story
In Vancouver’s West End, inside the Times Square Suites Hotel, Tetsu Sushi Bar offers an intimate omakase experience that has earned a Michelin Guide recommendation. Chef and owner Satoshi Makise opened the 12-seat restaurant in 2017, bringing with him a deep commitment to traditional Japanese cuisine and a constant drive to refine his craft.
The name Tetsu comes from the character 哲 (Tetsu), which has been carried in Chef Makise’s family for generations. It’s a fitting name for a restaurant built on heritage and precision.
The menu focuses on Edomae-style sushi, where fish is aged, cured, and dried in the traditional Tokyo style before being draped over expertly seasoned shari. Chef Makise imports much of his fish directly from Toyosu Market in Tokyo, ensuring quality and seasonality that shifts daily.
The omakase dinner experience includes five to six seasonal appetizers followed by about thirteen pieces of nigiri sushi, tamago, and dessert. Tetsu distinguishes itself by adding savoury appetizers that spotlight authentic Japanese flavours not commonly seen in the West. The à la carte menu changes with the seasons, offering dishes like yuzu shiromi usuzukuri, umaki (BBQ eel wrapped in dashi omelette), and bluefin tuna nigiri in three grades.
Tetsu Sushi Bar was named to Canada’s 100 Best list in 2022 and received a recommendation from the Michelin Guide in 2023. The restaurant’s small size—just twelve seats—creates a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where guests can watch Chef Makise’s precise knife work up close at the counter.
For those seeking an authentic Japanese omakase experience in Vancouver, Tetsu Sushi Bar delivers a focused, personal meal built on premium ingredients and time-honoured technique.
Recognition
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