Saturday, June 11, 2011

Kingyo (Gold Fish) Izakaya– Tasty Food in Style~

 

There are 4 major Japanese Izakaya chains established in Vancouver. Guu, Zakkushi, Happa, and Kingyo. They all have its own features but when you want stylish food. Kingyo has to be the top of the list. Situated on the popular Denman St on the west end of the downtown,

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Kingyo is a two stores wide establishment with a big wooden door that is very modern Japanese.

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It is interesting that all Izakaya like to preserved a little bit of Japanese tradition. Japanese culinary master like to do daily creation and create the menu with calligraphy. Therefore, you can easily see this kind of special menu that is written freely with calligraphy character. However, this is just a photocopy from the original copy and does not change daily. (it changes from time to time)

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(Salmon Carpaccio)

The Salmon Carpaccio is drenched with vinaigrette sauce mayonnaise. The sauce is quite rich which works quite well with the strong taste of the salmon.  The salmon is absolute at the peak of its freshness. The salmon is quite thick which is just slightly thinner than the regular Sashimi slice. If it were paper thin like the typical beef carpaccio, I think the texture would go in the next level. (Sushi Master should have the ability to create paper thing sashimi with no problem)

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(Ebi Mayo)

The Ebi Mayo here is nice and crunchy with burst of seaweed flake flavor. The secret mayonnaise is absolutely to die for.  This mayonnaise definitely has some kick to it.  The fried batter is a little bit off, as you can see it is not in its golden state.

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(Stone grill Beef Tongue)

The Beef Tongue is grilled on hot stone. I remember they have the best beef tongue in Town. But, tonight the meat is lacking a bit of flavor. It is still very good. The dab of hot sauce is what making this dish great.

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Mackerel pressed sushi. Lightly seared and soaked with sweet soy sauce, the Mackerel is fresh and sweet tasting. The mackerel is a hard fish to deal with raw. It is really hard to get rid of the fishy smell. The mackerel is done beautifully here,in combination of the pressed sushi rice. It makes a great filling dish.

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Chicken karage with three types of salt. Now this is fried chicken to perfection. The meat is juicy and tender with perfect crusting. The salt gives the chicken different types of flavoring. Hint of mountain and ocean. I kinda wished the salt is here when I am grilling my beef tongue.

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Three Flavours Beef – Tender stir fried beef slices with excellent original teriyaki flavor. To keep things more exciting and playful, the two side dressing provides different acidic flavouring and some kick to the beef!

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To finish up the meal, perfect grilled cod fish with miso sauce. The tenderness is incredible. The special miso sauce beautifully accompanied the fish. The fish meat is glowing with transparency. I would call it the signature dish at Kyngyo!

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The after meal desert, frozen grape. This is the smartest invention of all. Yum!

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Kingyo offers unconventional Japanese food at the highest level without breaking your budget. If you want to impress any visitor from out of town. This is the place to be! After a stroll in Stanley Park or English bay.  This venue would complete your night and impress whoever you are with! Dining at Kingyo is never a dull experience.

Worth the drive? Yes!
Food: 26/30
Decoration: 24/30
Service: 22/30
Price: $30~$45

Kingyo Izakaya 金魚居酒屋 on Urbanspoon


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