Bistro Japonais Furusato — Restaurant in Montreal

Edited: Glad to see the response from the owner. First I am very happy to learn you have the confidence on your food, otherwise situation would get worse.

Second, indeed some of your customers agree with you, and they believe these food worth 8000 yen. I would not say they are wrong, in fact their feelings are right in someway, as your research profoundly demonstrates the extra price is indeed the very cost for they are enjoying genuine Japanese food right here, in Montreal, not in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto.

Perhaps I should make myself clear when asking that question, and now I may make some small changes. Let’s suppose you were in Osaka, not Montreal, were you willing to spend 8000 yen on the food you present us? You don’t have to answer here. Everyone has the ability to search on Google map for 4.5-star restaurants in Osaka and see the images of their food. I believe the answer to my revised question would be quite clear.

One of your reviews indicates that the best Japanese restaurants are in the East Coast of the States. Then it continues, “Montreal deserves one, but Furusato obviously is not the one”. The reviewer just gives a conclusion but does not elucidate, and my job here is to explain it. In fact I would accept a higher price for a REAL 8000 yen Japanese food, even if it’s 16000 yen on the menu. Why? Cuz high quality food deserves high price. But in your case? I really cannot accept high price for a quite ordinary meal. Just image a regular Tims coffee (2.71CAD/300 yen) sells for 1000 yen(10 CAD) in Osaka. Will you accept it?

Lastly, please, Japan is a REAL developed country, even BETTER than Canada. It’s quite lame to use excuses like “doing business in Canada is harder than Japan “. Japan and Canada are both developed countries, therefore foods and services shall be the same quality for reasonable prices in both countries. I really feel sorry that some words from your response have insulted both Japan and Canada to some extent. I remember your previous site was near Place de Arts, a quite expensive location, but now here? I really cannot imagine you opened business here because you got beating hard by your home competitors.

——————-Origin texts ———————— Put my arguments first, Genuine does not guarantee delicious. If you cannot afford the expenses travelling to Japan but you want to taste the real flavour of a Japanese family restaurant, this is the place for you, but don’t expect too much.

Food is too ordinary but the price is too high. Perhaps the only reason convincing one to pay for an overpriced meal is that their food is not the ready-to-serve factory products, all hand-made by the chef on scene. But I think that’s a great advantage considering most ‘Japanese restaurants ‘ in DT use pre-cooked rubbish to fool customers.

HOWEVER, I FIRMLY believe if Furusato is in Tokyo or Osaka, it won’t survive EVEN ONE DAY. A fine meal in Furusato is worth probably 8000 yen and with this price, one can have a Kaiseki meal (a very very luxurious Japanese meal ) in Osaka, let alone other ordinary meals. Here I got a quick question for the owner of Furusato, are you willing to spend 8000 yen for the food on your menu?

So my conclusion is, Furusato is worth and not worth to try, depends on your ability to...

I absolutely cannot in good conscience recommend this place. I had the karaage and sushi/sashimi main. The karaage was not crispy or well seasoned or particularly different from KFC and extremely expensive for the quantity you get. The sushi and sashimi were at best "OK" (better than other sushi places) and extremely expensive for the quality and quantity. I should be able to taste the fat and the flavour of the fish when I eat sushi which I couldn't. Further, the maki weren't even held properly by the nori and were falling apart. For a total of around 50$, I could have gone to Mon Ami or Misoya, gotten more karaage than I could eat and enjoyed my experience more. And then I'd still have enough money left to get some sushi at Sushi Shop.

Montrealers need to learn what good sushi is and stop highly rating mediocre restaurants, you aren't helping the Japanese food scene. Toronto and NYC are both on the east coast of NA and have far superior quality sushi places, there is no excuse...

The best and most authentic Japanese food in Montreal by far.

I typically order multiple appetizers when I come here, as there is a wonderful variety. I recommend:

agedashi tofu (the standout menu item, better than any I was able to find in Japan) spicy eggplant korokke grilled fish (especially if the yellowtail cheek is available)

The katsudon is also very good, in large part due to the broth. The broth used here is consistently amazing.

I've been coming to Furusato for over a decade and was devastated when they closed during covid. It's a blessing they've returned and I hope they'll be open forever.

Their sushi chef is currently out due to injury, which is sad, but it does not affect my decision to recommend Furusato at all. It's still the best.

(Selfish comment: It would be great if they expanded the cooked fish options, as it's a unique part of this restaurant... I miss the salted mackerel from the previous location, and miso mackerel would be...