All you can eat, without breaking the bank

Posted on November 2nd, 2008

In high school, it seemed like all-you-can-eat sushi was a pretty frequent activity.  It was probably a combination of having excess disposable income, a huge appetite, and friends with huge appetites.  These days, I don’t really eat enough to warrant paying the $20-$25 for what is sometimes suspect sushi.  Honestly, I’d rather pay for individual items that are well-prepared rather than pick from the pedestrian offerings of all-you-can-eat.

I was surprised, then, to find that the lunch version of all-you-can-eat at Tanpopo is a very reasonable $11.95 during the week, and $12.95 on weekends. 

Admittedly, the lunch menu is smaller than the dinner menu, but there are enough of my favourites that I won’t complain.  The crunch roll is really simple, but quite good: it’s an inside-out roll with tempura bits inside and sprinkled on the top.  There’s nothing in it, but the textures of the crunch and the rice go really well together. You’ve also got your standard nigiri and maki sushi, some temaki (cones), and even sashimi. The sashimi is cut smaller than you find at most restaurants, which I like. I really dislike eating giant hunks of raw fish. It’s much more civilized when it’s in smaller pieces. If you’re not so keen on the raw fish, there’s a decent selection of hot food.

The one thing that was missing from the menu: ice cream.  It’s probably conditioning, but I really do crave green tea ice cream after my sushi.

The restaurant is on the second floor, which gives a lovely view of English Bay.  They also have a large patio that’s a great spot in the summertime. Word to the wise: I’d suggest making a reservation, regardless of when you’re heading down. When they’re busy, they’re super busy.

Tanpopo Japanese Restaurant
1122 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC
604-681-7777
www.tanpoporestaurant.ca

Tanpopo on Urbanspoon

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2 Comments to “All you can eat, without breaking the bank”

  1. colene says:

    Just there recently…though I went all out and paid the $24 for the full meal deal.

    I’m impressed that they increased the menu to include tataki (beef and tuna tataki make me drool). And raw oysters too! I just hope I don’t get some kind of food poisoning because I have no idea how on earth they can offer all-you-can-eat oysters ;)

  2. thewelltemperedchocolatier says:

    At least they’ve got that very informative blurb about how consumption of raw oysters might lead to intestinal nastiness. Or something to that effect, anyway.

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