In sushi-obsessed Vancouver, restaurants around the city jockey for attention, whether it's through high-end omakase service or all-you-can-eat deals.
And while many Japanese restaurants have put some kind of "aburi" sushi on the menu - usually a rectangle of sushi rice topped with a layer of torched fish - only one Vancouver restaurant can claim it pioneered the dish, and that's Miku.
Miku, which opened in 2008, put "Aburi Oshi Sushi" on the map, but it wasn't an immediate hit.
“When we first opened Miku in our original location, it took time for guests to embrace our Aburi Oshi Sushi as it was something new and innovative, but once they did, they became loyal guests,” said Seigo Nakamura, founder and CEO of Aburi Restaurants Canada, in a media release.
In the coming weeks, Miku is set to sell its one-millionth order of aburi oshi sushi, and the restaurant is ready to celebrate.
Granted, the one million figure is a best estimate, using sales data tabulated from 16 years in business. And we're not talking pieces (can you imagine?), it's orders, which usually come in sets with several pieces.
Aburi oshi sushi means "torched" (aburi) and "pressed" (oshi), melding two preparations in one special dish. Nakamura introduced the dynamic duo to Vancouver with Miku, which was originally located at 1055 W Hastings St. Ultimately, Miku made the move to its current location at the foot of Granville Street overlooking the inlet with its views of Canada Place and the North Shore.
A milestone like the one-millionth order of aburi oshi sushi won't go unobserved. In fact, Miku has planned something very special.
Premium aburi oshi dish and a special prize
The landmark order is expected to be logged at some point in early October, and to celebrate, Miku is offering a limited edition Premium Aburi Oshi Trio from September 28 to October 13.
The Premium Aburi Oshi Trio features Salmon Oshi Sushi with truffle Miku sauce, botan ebi, and caviar; A5 Iwate Wagyu Oshi Sushi with egg yolk vinaigrette; and Japanese Unagi Oshi Sushi with pickled mustard seed. The special dish was created by head sushi chef Sangwoo Kim and sous chef Sean Cho.
To celebrate, the guest who places the one-millionth Aburi Oshi Sushi order by ordering the Premium Aburi Oshi Trio will be awarded a luxury gift pack, featuring a round-trip to Toronto for two, where they’ll enjoy a special dinner at Aburi Hana, Miku’s one Michelin-starred sister restaurant. (Aburi Hana has been planning an expansion to Vancouver, which is now experiencing some delays as they seek a new location.)
“We wanted to mark this milestone in a way that reflects the joy and excitement our Aburi Oshi Sushi has brought to so many over the years,” said Nakamura.
Among Miku's many accolades is its distinction as a Michelin Guide-recommended Vancouver restaurant. Miku was added to the inaugural list in 2022 and the honour was renewed in 2023; the 2024 awards will be issued on October 3.
Miku is located at 200 Granville St #70 in Vancouver.
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