Taste of Yaletown is back for it’s 13th year, a popular community-based event that invites the public to try a variety of dishes from 26 restaurants in the Yaletown area from now till October 27th. Chefs create a 3 course menu themed around pairing and sharing at prices of $25, $35, and $45.
Hapa Izakaya is participating again with a $25 set menu where you can choose 3 different dishes. They specialize in modern Japanese cuisine and all their dishes are easily sharable. It’s a fun spot to hang out with friends and have a few bites and drinks.
First Course
Beef Tataki
The AAA beef slices are thin and lightly seared. It is topped with soy barbecue sauce, garlic chips, onion, and green onions.
Ahi Tuna Yukke
This has ahi tuna tartare, quail egg, pine nuts, shiso, and crispy seaweed for wrapping. The tuna is very fresh and delicious when mixed with the quail egg.
Agebidashi Vegetables
This dish has eggplant, shishito peppers and daikon radish in a soy-mirin vegan dashi.
Second Course
Chicken Nanban
fried chicken thigh, daikon tartar sauce
Crispy Panko-Fried Scallops
fried scallops, jalapeno mango mayo, lotus root chips
Foil Grilled Tofu and Mushrooms
The mushrooms and tofu is marinated in vegan dashi with yuzu cooked in foil.
Third Course
Hambagu Steak
This dish has ground AAA Angus beef, minced daikon, ponzu, shiso, and garlic chips on a skillet. The steak was so juicy that when I just into it, the juices just shot out from the inside.
Aburi Saba Sushi
This dish has 8 pieces of the torched pressed mackerel sushi with sansho pepper. One of my favourite items.
Vegetable Poke Bowl
This bowl has avocado, beets, butternut squash, inari tofu strips, sweet soy dressing, and sushi rice. It was an interesting dish for those who love vegetables. A good option for vegetarians who still want to enjoy the menu.
Drinks
Drinks aren’t included in the set menu, but it’s a good addition to the meal. Some of the drink we had with our meal were:
- Virgin Hello Kitty: Strawberry purée, Calpico, soda
- Enter the Dragon: Bacardi Oakheart, dragon fruit, agave syrup, lime, ginger beer
- Large Sake
- Red Dragons
Final Thoughts
If you’re coming here with a few friends, I would suggest getting a few of the set menus and ordering different dishes to share with everyone. The choices on the menu caters to those who are vegetarians and those who aren’t. I like Hapa Izakaya for a good night out on the town with friends.
We Rate Hapa Izakaya:
Address:
1193 Hamilton St, Vancouver
Website:
http://hapaizakaya.com/