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  5. Kitsilano

Yuwa Japanese Cuisine (fka Zest Restaurant)

4.8
4.8
1088 Reviews
CAN$51 and over
Japanese
~ STORY OF YUWA JAPANESE CUISINE ~

Chef Masahiro Omori is the Executive Chef / Co-owner of Yuwa Japanese Cuisine who was born and raised in Chiba, Japan. His grandmother "YUWA" passionately owned a fish market in Chiba, Japan for over 50 years. Yuwa's dedication to her craft deeply touched Chef Omori and he lovingly brings her spirit forward with his professional experience at a well-known long-established Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.

Chef Masahiro Omori brings specialized regional dishes from across Japan taking advantage of the highest quality, freshest local BC ingredients. These can all be paired with our specialized selection of wines and sake.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 16 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    Japanese, Japanese (Washoku), Sushi

  • Hours of Operation

    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (604) 731-9378

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive Chef

    Masahiro Omori

  • Private party contact

    Shin Knauf-Nakamura, General Manager: (604) 731-9378

  • Neighbourhood

    Kitsilano

  • Cross Street

    Mcdonald St. x 16th Avenue

  • Parking Details

    Parking is available in front of the building off 16th or at the back of the building accessing from Mcdonald St to the back alley. Or there are plenty of free parking along 16th Ave.

  • Additional

    Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,088 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Best Service

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Innovative

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Japanese

  • Vancouver

    Best Overall

  • Vancouver

    Best Service

  • Vancouver

    Innovative

  • Vancouver

    Japanese

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Filters

  1. Shirley

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was an amazing experience for my first time attending your restaurant. The servers were fabulous, the good presentation was superb, and the food tasted lovely. I have never tasted sake that was so good. It was light and almost fruity on my palette, served at the right temperature. The birthday girl got an amazing dessert of black sesame seed ice cream with a lit candle. That was special. My only complaint would be the prices were a little steep. But overall, I really enjoyed my dinner. Well done Yuwa!
  2. arkund

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent as usual . Food was amazing, service was excellent and the space is spotless.
  3. ClaudiaS

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are regulars at Yuwa since we moved to Vancouver a few months ago. It never disappoints across all categories.
  4. OpenTable Diner

    Exclusive

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The beef tongue is soooo good! It is so soft and juicy! Uni and scallop are very fresh and sweet! Definitely gonna try other dishes on my next visit!
  5. PatrickM

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food , great service , yummy wine ! Can wait to return to try more items
  6. Paul

    Vancouver

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely fantastic as always. If you have not yet been, check this place out.
  7. BasalSkull

    Vancouver

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice authentic Japanese date night dinner. Looking forward to next time
  8. Sonnythepony

    Vancouver

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a fabulous night! The dishes were superb, as was the service
  9. Jmar

    Calgary

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Absolutely spectacular sushi. Light and flavourful with a beautiful presentation. The staff was very attentive and efficient. Incredible food for a very good price. Very highly recommended!!!
  10. ClaudiaS

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service and delicious food. Our favorite Japanese restaurant in Vancouver. Everyone who works there is Japanese and the experience is quite authentic.
  11. sksun

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food and service was incredible -- had a wonderful time.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    71 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    71 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Still our favourite fine dining Japanese restaurant on the westside of Vancouver.
  13. MargaretD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    If one wants to eat exquisite Japanese food, Yuwa is the finest offered in Vancouver!!
  14. yclotv

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very attentive staff, all the food we got were fresh, beautifully presented and delicious.
  15. BevH

    Vancouver

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a gastronomic pleasure for all the senses! It’s especially nice that there are seasonal creations to keep the menu fresh.
  16. TobeyZ

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good food. Seasonal, creative, fresh. Single person friendly.
  17. HelloK

    Vancouver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Food is best. Both authentic and fresh. We had 2 small mishaps but the restaurant handled professionally and with care. I wish they can be a little flexible on accommodating or adding simple foods on menu to create a more customized dinning experience, ie, rice/rice ball, udon, soba, …
  18. DavidC

    London

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As ever, sheer perfection. Such high quality, such interesting and varied dishes. Even the ordinary becomes sublime. Sheer delight.
  19. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Spent an evening with my parents and fiancée tasting numerous dishes and delicacies. The seasonal dishes such as the New Year’s Ozouni soup and Beef Sukiyaki were exquisite. The sablefish roll was a treat but very pricey. An interesting and delicious dish were the Shiitake Nikuzume. A bowl of Duck Udon can easily be shared among four. The one thing I would note is that the sake is expensive for the quantity you receive. Overall, I’d recommend the restaurant if dining with a group of at least 4 so as to share.
  20. AndreyL

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Outstanding service and quality of food. Recommend for special occasions for 2-4 people
  21. meetongue

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service at Yuwa was really good, there was always hot tea and I never have to pour my tea or my beer. The sukiyaki was cooked to the perfect timing and the taste was exactly how I wanted it. Presentation of fish and freshness was wonderful as well.
  22. Frizzystork

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    top notch food and outstanding service! Ambience was lovely
  23. DougJ

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    A wonderful meal, once again! This time for our 27th anniversary. Beautiful and delightful food with excellent service.
  24. JojoM

    Seattle

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Yuwa is one of my go-to’s for Japanese fine dining here in Vancouver. Owner / manager, Iori, looks after her customers very well. She leads a team of excellent servers. Food is excellent especially their seafoods namely sashimi and sushi.
  25. 2SushiLovers

    Vancouver

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the interesting menu! Appreciated the lovely Sommelier! Beautiful table setting!
  26. KayS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is amazingly fresh and tasty. So beautiful and yummy.
  27. Anonymous1

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall3food4service5ambience2
    Our table was beside the door. So cold we could not even take off coats. We did not feel like we were even inside the restaurant with a view of only coat closet and the door. Food was good but bad atmosphere and too many service interruptions.
  28. RobertaB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Extraordinary flavors with a well curated wine list. I’m going every time I am in Vancouver
  29. LMAS

    Vancouver

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Yuwa remains one of our favourite neighbourhood restaurants. Wonderful host, attentive staff, very comfortable atmosphere with music in the background and very easy to converse with your companions and staff. The food is delicious and appreciate that seasonal specialties are featured. The wine list offers favourites and new selections by the bottle or by the glass. Thank you for making it through different transitions and challenges and continuing to provide a really good dining experience.
  30. TobeyZ

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Perfect for single person who has no company lol. Small portion allows one to order more dishes.
  31. CatherineM

    Vancouver

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We find the specials consistently delicious and inventive. The crab liver mousse, the lobster nibitashi, ebi shinjo bits, mustard miso fish, Berkshire pork, the wagashi Xmas dessert. Wonderful!
  32. NicoleM

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious and authentic high end Japanese. Great value for money
  33. JohnR

    Vancouver

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    The chefs sashimi platter is very overpriced and not attractive. Tiny portions. Sat by the door and it was drafty and cold because they run a cord outside. We usually like it but underwhelmed. Focus is entirely in the male patrons and females basically ignored
  34. MACL

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    A lovely evening--both the beef and duck were delicious!
  35. Jigs

    Vancouver

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always such a delightful experience at Yuwa, the service is lovely, the food exceptional and the care taken with your meal is wonderful. They very thoughtfully order the presentation of each beautiful dish which makes the experience top notch.
  36. LizT

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious and beautifully presented food, courteous service. Duck udon was wonderful. We will be back!
  37. joanb

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall2food1service4ambience4
    Unfortunately I ordered the wrong dish. I ordered the Sable Fish which was three pieces of 1" cubes, marinated. There was one small slice of pickle and one-half teaspoon of mashed yam for $ 27. !!!!!! I kid you not! That was my dinner. However everyone at the other tables ordered food that looked wonderful and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. JB
  38. CathyL

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Amazing food. Excellent service. A wonderful dining experience!
  39. DanQ

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I've been going there for many years to celebrate my birthday. I always like the food, ambience and service.
  40. Oishi

    Vancouver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    One dish, a square type of sushi, was not as good as the other dishes. It may have had too much mayonnaise on it. Also, the server came by with water and a few questions before we had time to sit down

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Yuwa Japanese Cuisine (fka Zest Restaurant) offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (604) 731-9378.

Yuwa Japanese Cuisine (fka Zest Restaurant) is rated 4.8 stars by 1088 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 16 times today
Google Map for Yuwa Japanese Cuisine (fka Zest Restaurant)

2775 W. 16th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6k 3C3

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    Mcdonald St. x 16th Avenue

  • Neighbourhood

    Kitsilano

  • Hours of Operation

    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Japanese, Japanese (Washoku), Sushi

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress Code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking Details

    Parking is available in front of the building off 16th or at the back of the building accessing from Mcdonald St to the back alley. Or there are plenty of free parking along 16th Ave.

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive Chef

    Masahiro Omori

  • Additional

    Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (604) 731-9378

  • Private party contact

    Shin Knauf-Nakamura, General Manager: (604) 731-9378

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  • Terms of Use
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