Is Octopus Garden Japanese Cuisine Worth $100 per Person?
Honestly, we stumbled into this place completely by accident. Our kid was craving udon, and after checking all nearby Japanese restaurants, we found that Octopus Garden was the only one with patio seating available. So, without even glancing at the prices, we walked in… 😅 The entire restaurant oozes Japanese charm, with clever little octopus-themed details in every corner. Since we were seated on the patio, the staff even provided blankets and pillows for comfort. They also gave our kid a water brush and a mini drawing board—talk about attention to detail, right down to the bathroom! 🐙✨ Then came the ordering phase. Since our mission was udon (thankfully one of the more affordable options on the menu), we went for three flavors: Clam Broth Udon: Super rich and flavorful, packed with plenty of clams. 🍜💕 Wagyu Beef & Raw Egg Udon: Decent, but the heavy sauce overpowered the wagyu’s buttery aroma. 🥩😐 Sea Urchin & Black Truffle Udon: Generous slices of black truffle paired with incredibly fresh sea urchin. Every bite was a burst of umami that hit the nose! 🍥🔥 But here’s the thing—sometimes, too much of a good thing can backfire. The two bold flavors (sea urchin and truffle) kinda clashed instead of harmonizing, leaving me unsure which one to focus on. 🤔💢 Of course, no Japanese meal is complete without sashimi! We ordered the chef’s recommended Bluefin Tuna Set. The standout? The otoro (fatty tuna belly)—it was like sipping on fish oil (in the best way possible). 🐟💛 Total damage: $280 CAD. Taste is subjective, but personally, even without splurging on the ultra-expensive dishes, the overall flavor and experience here topped Mott 23. 🏆💰 #JapaneseCuisine #VancouverSushi #OctopusGarden #VancouverEats
