Sushi Mura — Restaurant in Vancouver

Summary: Food is okay. The sushi isn't extraordinary nor authentic but some particular items are fairly okay, and the price is generally reasonable. The service in general is okay too. Where I drop my stars are related to my most recent experience where I felt litteraly kicked out of the place.

I went there by my lonely self since I live not far away. Although closeby, I generally don't go there since I believe there are better spots for sushis.

I sat at a table for two and then I ordered. I received my food and thus started eating. Half way through my meal I put in an order for take-out and decided to pay and tipped (15%) right away in order to avoid wasting the staff's time and mine since the dinner happened during the busy time, and I also asked-received a togo box to pack my left-over food once I would be done.

After eating, I packed my food, condensed the dirty stuffs (glass, chopsticks, papers, napkins, etc.) within my plate so that the table looks cleaner, left my jacket on the chair in order to "save my spot," and then went for a smoke while waiting for my take-out to be ready. Litterally 1min after I lit my smoke, the waitress came outside to give me my togo box and my jacket. I said: "Euh... I am still waiting for my take-out." Realizing that she did not gave me everything she then went back to check for my take out.

At first, I reacted slowly since I was stunned there for a while. I mean... first time ever I received this kind of treatment from a restaurant. And then, I became slightly irritated. I mean... the rush was over, the next people waiting in line where 2 couples... they obviously wouldn't squeeze at my table since my small table for 2 was sandwiched between two other occupied tables.

So, when I finished my smoke I went inside for my take-out and then told my waitress: "Being kicked out of the restaurant was a first for me, a very refreshing experience." She then replied: "Sorry. The table (a couple) beside wants to have more space you see." (So... they have rights... but I don't it seems...)

I was about to further explain when she went her way since it was kinda busy for her.

Aye. Let's end the story here... My hope by putting this in the review is so that the restaurant in question will eventually read it and maybe reflects upon this circumstance.

I mean... I did question myself in order to know if my "grievance" was justified or not and the result and up:

If I had my cellphone in my jacket, by taking it without my consent if she inadvertently drop it and damage it... what would happen? If it was my wallet instead and someone stole it but since she is the only one I saw who touched my jacket without my consent, who would I blame but her? (Assuming besides blaming myself first for leaving it there.) Let's say that I wasn't a thoughtful customer and didn't pay yet... would she still kick me out the way she did?

So in summary, my review reflects this one-time experience at sushi mura. Of course... Although I do not blame the waitress since I just see her as someone "doing the best she could" and having no malicious intention behind... I think the major fault lies with a lack of education toward customer service. Wouldn't it be possible to go outside empty-handed and asked "Sir, sorry to bother, someone would like to have your table... would that be okay for you?"

I just hope that if per any chance that I eventually forget about all this and went back there again, this kind of thing wouldn't happen again. Maybe most people don't smoke... but certainly nobody would like to have his stuffs taken without their permission, or being kicked out despite being a...

Have lived in this neighbourhood for years, have parked countless times at the tiny parking lot to pick a Domino’s pizza, or a subway or an AW momma burger - and yet have never gone into Sushi Mura; cannot really explain why except that it’s so nearby, for sure I’ll go there someday!! Well today was the day and am I glad I did. First hiccup - told to scan the QR code for the menu and not much happened/it froze! Never mind, no biggie, paper menu provided and saw that the prices are VERY reasonable. Ordered the usual Alaska combo, California, avocado/salad rolls, some sushi and tempura that I usually order at a new Japanese Rezzie and was not disappointed - very flavourful, warm-ish rice, fresh ingredients and nice presentation…. Until I saw what was being brought to the table next to us. The nice couple said that this restaurant is famous for their “special rolls” and that they’re out of this world, that one MUST order these. Their Volcano roll looked totally scrumptious and their deep fried California roll is another item I’m definitely gonna order next time I’m here. Going by the how good my “pedestrian order” turned out, the special rolls etc is for sure gonna be exceptional. And a small tip - don’t worry about the parking - yes, tiny lot but cars are always coming and going and usually only stays momentarily to pop in to the various fast food places. Bon appetit!! ————- 6 days hence and yes, sushi Mura is my new favourite Japanese rezzie - run by Koreans. Taste, presentation and value! Their “volcano roll” is particularly exceptional - huge chunks of salmon sashimi (can also substitute spicy tuna) and crab meat + salmon sushi, all piled high, then sprinkled with tempura crumbs and their special sauce. So yummy and such a deal at Cad$ 14.95!

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Ok, came back here to treat myself to some more great sushi - not much to add to my previous reviews except that the food - AND PRICE - remains awesome! Apologize if the following doesn’t belong here (admin, please feel free to delete if not appropriate- but I just have to relay how some customers can act so badly; after COVID, imho, we all need to appreciate our servers better. My better half and I were waiting patiently for our turn (alongside others) and in come marching this elderly couple. She in loud floral pants, oversized golf hat while the nice companion (husband?) just quietly sat at the waiting area. All the staff at Sushi Mura are very polite and soft spoken and this old gal started on them. Why we need to wait so long? Why so slow? Why that table is reserved, we want to sit there etc. And she talked to several servers and even the fellow at the front desk. And then she went to the cashier and placed a take out order and insisted on sitting at an empty “reserved” table. That’s when the husband just quietly went out and sat in his car (poor guy!) And when her food came out all neatly packed, she started to unpack it and lay it all on the table! And the servers had to patiently and respectfully tell her that she cannot do this. Oh my God this old lady! Anyway, just wanted to tell the story and hope that some here will try to be nicer to ALL our great servers in Vancouver- theirs is not an easy or high paying job. Again apologize if this is not the proper place to...

I have come to this place especially for their Spicy Salmon Sashimi for over 5 times. It is a delight to eat this dish since it's one of the most perfect Spicy Salmon that I have eaten throughout Vancouver and Richmond.

The texture is chewy, cold, and spicy enough to pull away but still come back time and time again. Their Unagi Roll, Takoyaki, A Guilty Pleasure, and On Cloud 9 is highly recommended next to the Spicy Salmon Sashimi. The Deep Fried California roll was also quite good, just a bit dry.

Despite recommending their Unagi Roll, the taste is not consistent. The first time I had it, it was perfect but the second time I ordered it, it lacked flavor and was too oily.

The dining experience was always great, but there are some downsides to this place. The music is always too loud in my preference. I'm the type that likes to chat with friends while eating but the music is always too loud to talk at a normal tone.

The Okonomiyaki has the smallest/almost none pieces of octopus in them. I only found two pieces out of the entire plate. And my friend who came with me complained about how it was the most bland Okonomiyaki she had ever had. I found it to be alright, but it definitely did not spark a "return" for this dish.

Hokkaigai Shashimi is a bit too pricy only for 10 pieces. The Dynamite Roll tastes...not that good. The Smoked Salmon- haha, imagine ordering Smoked Salmon and receiving the thinnest piece of Smoked Salmon you have ever seen, barely covering the top of the roll.

The washroom is also quite small but clean.

Overall, the prices have gone up. It's a bit too expensive considering the prices last year and earlier this year. Almost too expensive when you see the special rolls, udons, dons, Sashimi, and Tempura.

This restaurant is honestly a "hit" or "frown" one, where either you choose dishes that are delicious, or ones that just make you think that the price and expectations you had for it was not up...