Gozen Sushi Bar Izakaya — Restaurant in Victoria

I must say, it was an experience worth sharing.

The highlight of my meal was undoubtedly the Gosen House Roll. From the moment it arrived at my table, I was captivated by its stunning presentation. Each roll was meticulously crafted, showcasing the chef's attention to detail. Not only was the presentation impressive, but the taste and quality of the rolls were outstanding. The combination of flavors and textures was delightful, and it truly showcased the skill and expertise of the sushi chefs at Gozen.

In addition to the exceptional quality, the price of the Gosen House Roll was quite reasonable. I found it to be a great value considering the high-quality ingredients and the overall dining experience. It's not often that you come across such a beautifully presented and delicious sushi roll at such a decent price point.

While the Gosen House Roll stole the show, I also tried the Salmon Don during my visit. While it was enjoyable, it didn't quite measure up to the level of the house roll. The salmon was fresh, but I found the flavors to be relatively standard and not as innovative or exciting as the house roll. Nonetheless, it was still a solid option for those who prefer a simpler and more traditional sushi dish.

The service at Gozen Sushi Bar was commendable. The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring that I had a pleasant dining experience. They were knowledgeable about the menu and provided recommendations when needed. I appreciated their promptness in attending to my needs without being intrusive.

Overall, Gozen Sushi Bar is a restaurant that I would highly recommend to sushi enthusiasts. The Gosen House Roll is a must-try, thanks to its stunning presentation and exceptional taste. The price point is reasonable, considering the quality of the rolls. While the Salmon Don was not as impressive, it still offered a decent option for those seeking a simpler sushi dish. The service was attentive, adding to the overall positive dining experience.

Give Gozen Sushi Bar a visit if you're looking for a delightful...

Never did eat here and have no desire to do so after the way they blew us off. I was just looking to get a couple of cucumber rolls for my kids (4 & 5 years) as we hadn't eaten lunch due to running around town during our visit to Victoria. They have several food allergies but kappa rolls are safe for them. It was 245 pm and the restaurant closed at 3 pm. I just wanted takeout and only a few tables were occupied when I walked in. They told me they were closed. Everywhere else we went in Victoria, people were friendly and willing to help out. This was the only outlier we experienced. Since they couldn't be bothered to help us, I can't be bothered to recommend them, although I do recommend that they change their signage to indicate that they close at 245 pm.

Reply to owner: Two considerations regarding your reply: When searching for a sushi place on Google in a town in which I'm unfamiliar, I'm looking to find somewhere that is open nearby with at least a review rating of 3 or higher. If it's closing soon, I'm not going to waste time checking the website & scrolling through a menu if it's within walking distance. If every hospitality and service provider stopped serving customers 30 min before their posted closing times, there would be a lot of irate people out there. Even bars continue to serve people after Last Call, just not alcohol. And there have been several occasions when closing time is drawing where I've been informed that that grill is closed, but cold food could still be served. At least they make an effort. Your restaurant simply stated, "We're closed" period. No attempt to even allow me to ask if I could just get a couple of cucumber rolls. If you're going to cut all service 30 minutes before your posted closing time, then just change your posted closing time. That way you won't have to deal with irate customers who feel misled or given the impression that you can't be bothered to even consider their request. And it would avoid...

Go! Gozen!

This restaurant is proof that Koreans know how to do Japanese right! Not only do they do the rice right they do it FANCY! Akazu seasoned rice is very rare to find here in North America. So already you feel extra fancy when dinning here.

I ordered the chirashi. Before taking a bite the fresh rice greets you with a waft of the vinegar, which is the perfect companion to the oils of the sashimi.

Speaking of which the cuts of sashimi were beautiful both in visual asthetic, texture and flavour. Where do I begin? The salmon was cut so the muscling of the fish teased the tongue. The tuna was thick and allowed the juices to sit on the tongue causing a bouquet of flavours to be experienced, sweet, umami and a slight ferrous richness. The scallop was sweet and playful with the masago. Then the toro!!! My neighbour toro! So good. Buttery in texture, sweet and oily in flavour. A brilliant amount of viscosity as it dissolves in the mouth.

Oh they also had shiso!!! I wish they had more. It paires so well with the tuna. If you don't know what shiso is you need more Japanese friends. It's that fuzzy leaf that you discount as decoration. It is 5% mint, 6% coriander, 3% Bay leaf and 100% just try it already.

Now was everything out of the park... not really. I ordered a chicken wonton soup. The base was great but the wonton left me wanting.

My partner a yakisoba that that was okay-great. The noodles were okay. But the beef was great. No one does BBQ beef like Koreans.

The aesthetic of this restaurant is well united. From the grand dining hall to the humble bowl it feels right.

So go to Gozen. Try something familiar or something new. It will be an experience and likely a good one or an adventurous one.

I have returned several times since the original post. If you want some entertainment get the California Unagi special roll. It comes...