Saying goodbye is never easy, especially for a restaurant. Shizenya, a staple on West Broadway just a couple blocks from our home, is sadly closing its doors on May 26th. We couldn't let this opportunity pass, so today, we decided to pay our respects (and indulge our taste buds!) with a farewell lunch.
Our exploration of Shizenya's delights began with a shared vegetarian masterpiece – the Geisha Girls Roll. This vibrant beauty featured crispy yam tempura, which provided a satisfying crunch. Meanwhile, the organic spring mix of lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and red pepper added a touch of freshness. Sweet pops of fresh mango balanced the savoury elements, and the organic brown sushi rice offered a healthy base. The crowning touch? Slices of creamy avocado drizzled with a house-made sweet soy sauce and black sesame sauce.
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Geisha Girls Roll from Shizenya Roll: Yam tempura, organic spring mix lettuce, organic carrot, cucumber, red pepper, fresh mango, organic brown sushi rice, and organic avocado on top. Sauce: homemade sweet soy sauce and black sesame sauce |
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| Geisha Girls Roll from Shizenya |
I opted for the Beans & Chicken Curry Combo for my main course. It is the healthiest Japanese curry I've ever encountered. Forget the typical fried chicken or pork – Shizenya's version featured succulent chicken breast in a flavorful curry sauce accompanied by tender beans. The accompanying organic salad was a refreshing burst of greens, the perfect counterpoint to the rich curry.
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Beans & Chicken Curry Combo from Shizenya Beans and chicken breast curry and organic brown rice |
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| Beans & Chicken Curry Combo from Shizenya |
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| Organic Salad from Shizenya |
Meanwhile, hubby opted for the Beef Udon & Sushi Combo, which was an absolute winner. Thinly sliced beef ribeye, bathed in a house-made beef sauce, took center stage in a steaming bowl of udon noodle soup. The combo also included the same fresh organic salad, three pieces of a dynamite roll (featuring tiger prawn tempura, avocado, cucumber, and organic brown sushi rice), and three pieces of a classic salmon roll.
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Beef Udon & Sushi Combo from Shizenya Slice beef ribeye with homemade beef sauce, organic brown rice, and organic salad |
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| Dynamite Roll and Salmon Roll from Shizenya |
As we savoured our final bites, a touch of sadness mingled with the deliciousness. While we're heartbroken to see the West Broadway location close, we're grateful for the consistently delicious meals we've enjoyed at Shizenya. Thankfully, their Hornby Street location in Downtown Vancouver remains open.
