604 Just Eat: Japanese Cuisine @ Black Rice Izakaya

April 9th , 2016

Black Rice Izakaya @ Yaletown

Food:  3/5   Service:  3.5/5   Atmosphere:  3.5/5   Price:  Avg. $45/person

We have hit to so many izakaya places already so we wanted to look for a new place to try on Saturday night.  We found Black Rice on Zomato and we hesitated a while since there were both good and bad reviews at it.  Black Rice is a Japanese Izakaya restaurant located in Yaletown area.  I was a lil disappointed at the food menu as I expected more izakaya dishes and Black Rice is not a traditional Izakaya.  I think it is operated by Korean, not Japanese.  I like the sake menu, they have a good selection of sake.  Food quality was so so, nothing is impressive.  Price range is on the high side especially the nigiri sushi.  In this price range, I definitely can have some real good authentic sushi at other Japanese restaurants.  The place is great, nice environment and relaxing atmosphere which unlike the typical izakayas.      

Kushi Yaki

Tsukune (Chopped Chicken, onion and mushroom) @ $3.50
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus @ $3.50
The bacon wrapped and tsukune were good and flavorful.

Saba @ $4 

Surprisingly delicious! 

Beef & Mushroom (AAA Black Angus Beef) @ $4.5  

So so… a lil bit tough.

Sockeye Tataki Guacamole Carpaccio @ $10.25

I dislike salty dish but I hate bland too, no taste at all and dry. 

Aburi Saba Hako @ $14.25

It was fresh and delicious, but not charred enough.  I still like the Aburi Saba at Guu Garden the best, butI like their soy sauce a lot. 

Kihada Maguro (Yellow fin tuna) 2pcs nigiri @ $8

Bora (Japanese mullet fish) 2pcs nigiri @ $8

Uni 2pcs nigiri @ $9

Nigiri was fresh but overpriced in this quality.  There are more better options at this price range.

Black Rice Roll @ $8.99

It was quite interesting but I could not taste anything except the cream cheese and the sauce.

I would say the price is excessive for the quality you actually get.  I would go Kinome, Gyoza King or Guu's instead for better food qualities and wide selection of izakaya dishes at this price range.