POPLAR Korean — Restaurant in Vancouver

Thought we'd check out the new place in the neighborhood, when we first arrived there was a large group on the right side who were very loud, and with all the glass we weren't sure we'd be able to stay, but thankfully they left. The family behind us expressed their relief also and described dining through the noise 'torturous' so bear that in mind if you have any sensory issues!

Maybe due to the loudness there may have been issues ordering, it was really hot out, we were asked if we would like tea and water, I said I would my partner said just tea, we both just got tea. So when we ordered I ordered a diet coke, but I didn't get that either.

We ordered tako yaki which was so good! I'd say it is why there are 3 not 2 stars overall and for food, and the tempura sweet potato was nice, not under or over as they can sometimes be. Though it would be nice to have a mixed appetizer size of veg and 2 shrimp, there is a mixed large set.

Our sunomono was a bit odd, a little sweeter than vinegary and the noodles weren't quite soft enough, they were still so firm when I ate it they were poking through my teeth and sticking there, I've had braces so just in between the tiny spaces, that was . . . . Unpleasant.

The chicken teriyaki was pretty standard, not amazing, chicken was well cooked.

We also ordered the 2x spice roll which I was pretty stoked about, spicy salmon and spicy crab on top. But we also didn't get that, the 3rd thing. If you weren't counting.

When our server, who was very nice but potentially was struggling with hearing in there came to ask if we'd like our bill I mentioned the items we didn't get so she wouldn't put them on the bill, but honestly I'm not sure she heard me then either as she didn't really acknowledge what I'd said or apologized for not taking the order correctly or whatever happened. It was strange. And as they just kept bringing our dishes in no particular order we just kept waiting expecting it would appear.

All in all it wasn't exceptional in any way, the noodles jabbing into my teeth were straight up uncool, the service was friendly but weird. The ambiance is LOUD, which again may relate to the...

Newly opened Korean owned sushi place on the Victoria strip, taking over the previous sushi joint Nishiki.

Initial impressions is a positive one, stopped by a few weeks ago to sample their salmon don, 4/5 salmon was fresh, no fishy smell, actually flavourful compared to the other cheaper sushi places up and down Victoria drive (I won’t name and shame) 3/5 for the rice was slightly mushy (was probably a batch issue for that day, rice was fine the other time I tried) and they don’t skimp out on the condiments of salad greens, lemon slices, radish, wasabi and ginger 5/5

The party tray for 4 was good, but pricey, although the quality and taste justifies that slightly higher price tag for this neighborhood.

The special rolls were great, plenty of fillings, and the sauces were not too savoury 👍. Small detail of the fried bits of shrimp with shell in the rolls were fried perfectly, so it’s actually crispy enough to eat whole and not have it flake out and become inedible shrapnel.

Rice was much better this time around, could taste individual grains and not just mush, seasoned with enough vinegar that it’s not too overpowering, but that’s just personal preference so YMMV.

Only negative thing I have to say is that there’s not really much parking around if you’re visiting from outside this neighbourhood, and their phone (at the moment) does not work, so they can’t take phone orders for pickup.

Overall, great addition to the Victoria strip, and we’ll see how they fare in the coming years to come....

First time to a restaurant that I would frequent to before when it was called Nishiki.

I was excited to see Japanese and Korean fusion checking it out the menu online before coming to the restaurant.

Came in with my family of 4 celebrating our 14-year anniversary around 545pm. Ordered in the order of wanting our order Drinks Appies Mains with 3 bowls of rice 1 came with a meal.

While talking amongst ourselves I noticed that walk-ins were being helped with orders and getting their orders before ours. Quite strange but didn't asked just assumed it may have been pre-ordered, but it was not that. They were handed a menu as they walked into the restaurant.

It was not super busy, approximately 8 ppl in the restaurant, including us.

Side dishes show up Pickle daikon Kimchi Fish cake Still no drinks

Drinks show up and 1 of our main dishes, about 5 mins later our appie shows up then our other main with 1 bowl of rice.

When questioned where the other 3 bowls of rice were, she said I forgot, and I came back with 1 bowl only. Apologized and said we are out of rice, and it will take some time to make. I replied it is fine." Please take the extra rice off the bill."

We finished our meal and paid for the bill and left.

Perhaps online or walk-in, we may have had a better experience.

First time and last time there.

Update: felt sick after when I got home...