Eileen on 
Jenn on 
Jacob on 
Jenny on 
Like so many interesting restaurants in Richmond, Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant is located in a strip mall.
Named after the world’s biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in Tokyo, Tsukiji’s website claims that its daily catches are imported directly from its namesake.
I’m not skeptical because it is right near the airport, and the sashimi is fabulous. Then again, most of the sashimi in the Vancouver-area is fabulous, in my opinion.
Look at this gorgeous plate of:
- Shimaaji – striped jack ($21 for 6)
- Suzuki – Japanese sea bass ($18 for 6)
- Kanpachi – a kind of yellowtail ($15 for 6)
- Hamachi ($15 for 6)
- Salmon ($9 for 6).
My parents love coming here for basashi — or horse sashimi — when it’s available.
I won’t get too much into another dialogue about what some cultures eat, and what others don’t. But in brief, horses, like dogs, may be considered companions in North America, but they’re used as food in other parts of the world, especially in Central Asia.
Tsukiji’s horse sashimi ($12.50) is sliced a bit thicker than for a tataki or carpaccio, and comes with a dipping mixture of soy sauce, grated daikon, ginger, and green onions.
The raw horse meat tastes faintly like beef but is much softer and slightly sweet. There was absolutely no odour. It was surprisingly delicate, and well-marbled. (I couldn’t confirm which part of the horse the meat came from, but I think it might have been the neck?)
Tsujiki’s menu is substantial, with sushi, robata (grilled items), teriyaki and agemono (deep-fried dishes), noodles and donburi (rice dishes).
Make sure you ask your server about the day’s specials; they’re not really listed anywhere — such as the basashi.
I also had two fat pieces of raw oyster with vinegar sauce (kakisu) for $1.50 each, and we all enjoyed the meaty deep-fried soft shell crab ($9.50).
We didn’t order very much sushi, other than a few cones (uni and chopped scallop) which were nice.
My dad had his usual chawanmushi ($4.50) which looked lovely, but I have no idea what it tasted like because well, the egg custard disappears fast when it’s in front of my dad.
Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant, 130-135, 4751 Garden City Rd., Richmond, B.C., (604) 276-2628.
Open Sunday to Thursday 5:30-11:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Reservations recommended.
I’ve always wanted to try horse meat. Now I know I can get it in sashimi form, at a place that is relatively accessible for me. (I have family in White Rock) I’ll have to go there.
I’m becoming a huge fan of your blog. So glad I found it.
Yum! I’ve been drooling over your photos from this place ever since you posted them on Flickr. We have family in Vancouver (seriously, what Chinese-Canadian doesn’t?) so I’ll have to mention this place the next time we visit.
I definitely want to try horse, but after reading Elyse Sewell (of ANTM fame)’s experience with dog meat on her blog (http://elysesewell.livejournal.com/82187.html) I don’t think I’d be as game to try dog.
Wow. When I read “Horse sashimi” I didn’t expect it to be horse sashimi.
Interesting stuff! Your posts certainly live up to the name of your blog.
My Italian pal Bruno had us over for dinner a while ago. First course Carpaccio “di carne di Cavallo”. No big deal for me, we ate it frequently in Austria, but for my Calgary born wife it was tough.
You’re the second blogger this week to talk about horse meat! Dana McCauley also talked about it on her blog yesterday. I’m not sure if I would like it…especially raw. But it’s kind of interesting with different cultures using different meats. I mean, who decided what meat is considered normal to eat and what isn’t? If one meat is acceptable shouldn’t ALL meat be? Just a thought…
My only experience with horse meat was during my time in Honduras where we would have it like steaks. Nothing raw, but that is definitely something I would be interested in trying.
That sushi looks fantastic by the way. Great pictures!
I always wondered what they had there… Now I know
Horse meat sashimi? I will need to check that out. So interesting! Plus I will try anything once, especially if it is in sashimi form.